SPORTS
STORM CENTER: Lesson learned in Katy
The Katy High School baseball team learned a valuable lesson this week.
And I’m truly surprised the University Interscholastic League, the state’s sanctioning body administering high school sports, did something more than slap a program on the wrist.
Actually, come to think of it, plenty of people were given an education this week, and I’m not talking STAAR testing.
I’m glad I get to share the story with all of you in this column – because I want to make sure people do their homework and look at the legal ramifications before diving into the pool.
After all, I don’t want to write about a local high school team I cover having to be stripped of wins.
Here’s what happened.
Katy baseball players Hayden Baker and Grant Jackman served as assistant coaches for a Little League team based in the same Houston suburb.
That’s all fine and dandy; however, there’s one thing. Both Baker and Jackman were paid for their services.
It was an amateur athletics violation for that to happen, and the UIL state executive committee denied Katy’s last-ditch appeal on Monday during a meeting at the Austin Marriott North hotel.
That means Katy will forfeit 20 wins and miss the UIL Conference 6A playoffs. Katy is a blueblood athletic program in Texas, and that’s why I find the reprimand so shocking.
The District 19-6A executive committee originally ruled against the school in an April 22 decision, and recommended the minimum penalty – which was forfeiture of games. Read more from this column in the May 7 Bowie News.
Editor’s Note: The Storm Center column is the expressed written views of sports editor Eric Viccaro and not The Bowie News.
The University Interscholastic League state executive committee denied Katy’s last-ditch appeal on May 2 during a meeting at the Austin Marriott North hotel. (Logo provided by the Katy Independent School District, used with permission)
Landry Norwood has agreed to become the new Head Boys Basketball Coach for Bowie High.
Norwood grew up in Paradise, playing a number of sports for the Panthers during his high school career. With a number of family members still in the area and the position coming open, Norwood applied and was hired.
“I know the tradition up here,” Norwood said. “I was glad (Athletic Director and Head Football) Coach Tyler Price felt he could put his trust in me.”
Bowie’s varsity went 2-10 last year, both wins coming against Vernon. Norwood spent five years as an assistant in Lipan before spending the next four years at Llano, three years as head coach. He said his last two years in Llano were rough after graduation of nine seniors his first year and a 26-7 squad.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News
Nocona came into game two of its Class 2A Division I bi-district series with Archer City looking to rebound from a 17-0 loss in game one.
The Lady Indians took a quick lead but the Lady ‘Cats had too much in the tank and knocked Nocona out of the playoffs courtesy of a 13-3, five-inning victory winning the best of three series, 2-0.
Kylea Wallace reached base on a second baseman’s error. With one out, M’leigha Franklin took a pitch over the wall in left field for a home run, igniting the Lady Indian crowd with a 2-0 lead.
Archer City prevented further damage by retiring the next two hitters. The Lady ‘Cats struck in the bottom of the inning for seven runs.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Culture. It’s a beautiful word.
Bowie Softball Coach Griffin Fields has been trying to install a positive, winning culture since taking over the job. For the first time since 2019, the Lady Rabbits qualified for the postseason, facing District 8 top seed Early in the bi-district round.
After beating the Lady ‘Horns 9-8 in game one of the best-of-three series April 23, Early came back and evened the series less than 24 hours later, 15-0. The Lady Rabbits used the aforementioned culture and got out to a quick lead in game three.
Bowie was then forced to come from behind for the second straight night. Kinley Baker, who had the game winning RBI in game one, came through again in game three and broke a 6-all tie with a single to lift the Lady Rabbits to a 9-6 victory in the finale.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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