SPORTS

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Blackburn returns to coaching

Published

10 years ago

07/21/2016

By ERIC VICCARO
sports@bowienewsonline.com

Former Bellevue High School athlete Jeff Blackburn had the itch to get back into coaching.
Blackburn was recently named new head girls’ basketball coach at May, a District 1A-15 school which features the likes of strong Eula, plus Baird, Santa Anna, Rising Star, Valera Panther Creek and Cross Plains.
Coincidentally, Blackburn lives in Cross Plains and served in the same capacity there for four years before taking the past two seasons off.
“My wife, Sheila, talked me into it,” Blackburn said. “I missed the kids, and I missed the coaching and teaching part.”
Blackburn was a three-sport athlete at Bellevue in the late-1960s and early-1970s, a forward on the Eagles’ basketball team.
He graduated with a degree in physical education from Midwestern State University in 1976.
Right out of college, Blackburn made a decision that ultimately impacted the remainder of his career – he chose to coach girls’ basketball at Paradise, now a district rival with Bowie.
“I happened to become a girls’ coach by chance,” Blackburn said. “I joined the Texas Girls Coaches Association. I was No. 46. I think coaching girls was where I was supposed to be.”

Jeff Blackburn is shown here with his wife Sheila Payne Blackburn. Jeff Blackburn, after a two-year hiatus, was named head coach at May during a recent school board meeting. (Submitted photo, used with permission)

SPORTS

Norwood new Bowie boys hoop coach

Published

6 days ago

04/30/2026

bowienews

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

SPORTS

Nocona softball falls to Archer City

Published

6 days ago

04/30/2026

bowienews

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.

SPORTS

Lady Rabbits win bi-district

Published

6 days ago

04/30/2026

bowienews

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.