SPORTS
BOWIE NEWS YEAR IN REVIEW: Bowie volleyball reaches new heights
By ERIC VICCARO
sports@bowienewsonline.com
The Bowie News tracked athletic accomplishments yet again throughout 2016, and a slice of history turned into this year’s No. 1 story.
It was a close call, but the Bowie High School volleyball team edged out the Jackrabbit baseball team for “Story of the Year” honors.
Of all the Bowie High School teams, volleyball and baseball had the deepest penetration of the bunch by reaching the regional semifinals.
This marked the first time volleyball had reached such a climax, meanwhile baseball has been here before – three times, in fact.
This was a grand year of great achievements, also included in the top-10 was Sarah Patrick’s gold medal finish for Saint Jo in the pole vault, Ezekiel Vaughan scored 16 points for Bowie at the state track meet and powerlifter Cristian Martinez earned a silver medal at state.
Bowie volleyball
Bowie didn’t beat Holliday at all during the 2015 season; but, this past year, the Lady Rabbits defeated the Lady Eagles three times.
And Bowie won when it mattered most in the Conference 3A Region I quarterfinals as the Lady Rabbits topped Holliday in five 25-16, 17-25, 21-25, 25-21, 15-11 at D.L. Ligon Coliseum on the Midwestern State University campus.
“The kids bought in, and I can’t say enough about the seniors,” said head coach Jeanie Stark. “They did it. I think it started in 2015 when they just got in.”
Accountability became the buzzword for the Bowie volleyball team, all the players were accountable to each other and that lifted the Lady Rabbits to unforeseen heights.
Bowie (29-14) eventually lost to Shallowater in five sets in the regional semifinals, but the Lady Rabbits finished ranked ninth in the state in 3A.
Bowie’s Jeanie Stark (right) receives a hug from her son and athletic director Dylan Stark after the Lady Rabbits defeated rival Holliday in the Conference 3A Region I quarterfinal at D.L. Ligon Coliseum in Wichita Falls. (News file photo by Eric Viccaro)
The old adage concerning where it’s better to start or finish strong was answered by Nocona’s boys basketball team Feb. 24.
Both.
The Indians opened Class 2A bi-district play against Anson with a strong start and finish to move on in the postseason with a 70-31 win.
Nocona Coach Brody Wilson said the intensity shown early was a must.
“We knew we need to bring the intensity early tonight,” Wilson said. “In the playoffs you take nothing for granted.”
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Bowie’s baseball team got out to an early lead in their ACS Tournament opener against Muenster Feb. 26 but the Hornets used timely hitting and took advantage of Jackrabbit miscues to post a 10-2, five-inning win.
Bowie Coach Jason McCoy said he was pleased with how his reserve players came through hitting wise but not much else.
“We didn’t locate our pitches well. We didn’t finish an inning well as they rallied with two outs. We didn’t hit the ball,” McCoy said. “Our reserves were the bright spot here.”
The Hornets had three hits in scoring a first inning run off Bowie pitcher Braylon Hardy but the Rabbits took advantage of Muenster miscues in the bottom of the inning.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Saint Jo took a one-point lead into the fourth quarter of its area round matchup with Avery Feb. 26 in Denison.
Avery put together its biggest offensive quarter of the game late and overtook the Panthers, ending their season with a 61-56 setback.
Saint Jo Coach Jacob Nockltonicksaid Avery just got hot when it counted.
“We came back from a 10-point deficit,” Nocktonick explained. “Fourth quarter rolled around and they just didn’t miss. They hit four 3-pointers in a row. They are a great team that just couldn’t miss.”
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
-
NEWS2 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS3 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS3 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS3 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS3 years agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
NEWS3 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
Show us something good9 years agoCountry music star children perform in Bowie
-
100th Birthday3 years agoLooking back at the 1958 Centennial edition of The Bowie News