SPORTS
HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Saint Jo boys roll
By ERIC VICCARO
sports@bowienewsoniline.com
The Saint Jo High School boys’ basketball team gained confidence earlier this month with a win over rival Forestburg at the Chico Tournament.
The Panthers finished as consolation champions, and they’ve been unbeaten ever since – with four consecutive victories, including one over former district foe Tioga.
Preston Lyons dropped in 22 points, and Blake Anderson put in 20 more as the Panthers dominated Gold-Burg from the second quarter in this District 1A-21 opener.
“We had never beaten Forestburg,” said Saint Jo head coach Brian Blank about Saint Jo’s fortunes versus the Longhorns during his tenure. “But, we beat them this time, and that sparked us to these other wins.”
Blank said Saint Jo has played vastly improved defense, and the head coach returned Lyons to his natural point guard position. Freshman Brock Durham also was inserted into the starting line-up as a defensive presence.
Saint Jo (7-4, 0-1) was ahead by only two points after one quarter at 13-11. But, the Panther cushion mushroomed to 28-17 at recess – and the lead expanded even further in the second half with a couple of 30-point bulges.
“They got ahead of us, and they did a good job of keeping on the gas,” Gold-Burg first-year head coach Michael Ball said. “They pushed up and up.”
Saint Jo’s Blake Anderson finishes off layup during Monday’s District 3A-8 game against Gold-Burg at Stoneburg. Anderson dropped in 20 points as the Panthers ran to a 67-48 victory. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)
New Saint Jo Boy’s Basketball Coach Terry McLennan said the school’s family atmosphere is what prompted him to join the Panther family.
“This is an opportunity to be an important program but also part of a great community,” McLennan said. “I’ve been looking to get back to a small town environment like the one I grew up in and played ball and this should do that.”
McLennan played basketball in Hubbard outside of Waco. McLennan comes to town after being the assistant girl’s basketball coach in Grand Prairie.
McLennan contends he’s a defensive style of coach but says his team will focus on intensity.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
New Saint Jo Boy’s Basketball Coach Terry McLennan said the school’s family atmosphere is what prompted him to join the Panther family.
“This is an opportunity to be an important program but also part of a great community,” McLennan said. “I’ve been looking to get back to a small town environment like the one I grew up in and played ball and this should do that.”
McLennan played basketball in Hubbard outside of Waco. McLennan comes to town after being the assistant girl’s basketball coach in Grand Prairie.
McLennan contends he’s a defensive style of coach but says his team will focus on intensity.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
After some coaching time in East Texas, Bret Botard will be the new girl’s basketball coach at Bowie.
Botard said it’s a chance to work with Bowie Athletic Director Tyler Price once again. Price was Botard’s assistant when he coached at Nocona.
“I wanted to get back into the area,” Botard said. “It’s a good community.”
Botard graduated high school in 1995 from Del Valle High School, outside Austin, and went to Texas Tech. He started his coaching career in Lubbock followed by returning to his alma mater where he was an assistant for his high school coach.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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