By ERIC VICCARO
sports@bowienewsonline.com

Bowie High School right-handed pitcher Chandler Dean made it official on Tuesday, signing with Northeast Texas Community College in Mt. Pleasant.
The reigning District 3A-9 most valuable player helped the Jackrabbits win both district and bi-district titles last season, and a 26-4 overall record.
“He understands how to pitch,” said NTCC assistant baseball coach/recruiting coordinator Austin Knight. “He has all the physical tools, so it was a no-brainer (to recruit Dean). We are super excited to have him.”
NTCC plays in competitive National Junior College Athletic Association Region XIV, in Division I East with Navarro, Bossier Parish, Panola, Paris and Angelina.
Coincidentally, Navarro – one of NTCC’s main rivals – also was looking at Dean, and he took an official visit there as well.
But, in the end, Dean chose to play for the Josh Stewart-led Eagles. NTCC has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, with 300 or so living on campus, Knight reported.
The Eagles are coming off a season in which they went 30-21, and won two games at the postseason regional tournament. They lost to San Jacinto, who eventually represented the region at the College World Series. Read more in the Jan. 23 Bowie News.

Bowie High School pitcher Chandler Dean is surrounded by his family as he signs on the dotted line at Northeast Texas Community College in Mt. Pleasant. (News photo by Dani Blackburn)