SPORTS
Bowie loses first game in three-team playoff against Paradise
With a playoff birth and a higher seed on the line, the Bowie softball team came up just short on Monday of securing that in the first game of the three-team playoff on Monday in Henrietta.
Following their 15-0 three inning win at Nocona on Friday that saw the Lady Rabbits play great, it set up a three team tie for the third, fourth and fifth spot in district between Paradise and Boyd.
The first day happened on Monday at Henrietta with Paradise and Boyd playing the first game. Paradise ended up winning so Bowie played them right after win. If the Lady Rabbits won, they would secure not only a playoff spot, but the third seed.
Bowie looked to strike early in the top of the first. Taylor McCarty got on base with a one out single. She stole second the next batter hit a bouncing grounder towards third base that forced the third basemen to come get it to get the out at first.
This allowed McCarty to advance to third and then made the aggressive attempt to reach for home. The throw home had to be perfect and in a play that was so close it could have gone either way, McCarty was called out and the inning was over.
The Lady Panthers were able to strike first in the bottom of the first. A player got on base with a one out single. The next batter hit a double to right field that scored the base runner to go up 1-0. The batter advanced to third on the throw home and with only one out, Paradise looked to be in position to score more.
Luckily, pitcher Kalee Case was able to strike out the next batter and force the next batter to fly out to left field to end the first inning.
Bowie looked to try and equal them with a leadoff walk drawn by Gracie Bentley. The next batter grounded into a fielder’s choice out at second. Season Eudey replaced the runner at first. She advanced to second on a sacrificed bunt for the second out. Next batter Callie Melton hit a ground ball single to shortstop that put runners at the corners. Unfortunately, the next batter struck out for the third out.
The next inning was the one that got away from the Lady Rabbits. Six hits, a hit batter and a drawn walk scored six runs for the Lady Panthers to put them up 7-0. Maylie Short had to be brought in to give Paradise a different look as they were hitting every ball in the strike zone. Bowie was able to put two runners on base in the top of the third with two outs as Short drew a walk and Katelyn Allison was hit a by a pitch. Again, the next batter could not get them home as they struck out to end the scoring chance.
A leadoff walk from Paradise looked like they may not be done extending their lead, but catcher Carrington Davis was able to catch the base runner trying to steal second with a perfect throw for the first out. Short was able to strike out the next batter and force a ground out to second base to end the third.
Bowie finally got on the board in the fourth inning. Davis led off with a double that she extended into a triple due to an error. Chelsey Ketchum drew a walk and Emily Cox was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs.
Next batter Short was able to draw a walk to score a run and cut the lead to 7-1. Unfortunately, the next batter grounded out to the shortstop before the Lady Rabbits could do any more damage.
Paradise extended their lead more in the bottom of the fourth. They were able to load the bases with two outs. The next batter hit a ground ball and Bowie committed an error that allowed two runs to score and put the Lady Panthers up 9-1.
In the top of the fifth, Allison led off by drawing a walk. She was able to advance to second on a sacrifice bunt. Davis then drew a walk. They both advanced to second and third on a passed ball. Melton was then able to hit a fly ball to center field for a double that scored both runners and cut the lead down to 9-3 heading into the bottom of the fifth.
With Short forcing the next three batters to fly out without much resistance, it looked like the momentum was swinging their way, but they were running out of innings.
In the top of the sixth, Short got on base with a one out double to left field. She was able to advance to third with a throwing error. McCarty drew a walk and was able to steal second. Next batter Allison was able to hit a line drive single that scored both runners to cut the lead to 9-5.
After a ground out, Davis was able to reach first due to throwing error that put runners at the corners with two outs. Unfortunately, the next batter grounded out to second base to put an end to any more scoring. Short and the defense kept the momentum going with a strike out and two infield pop ups heading into the final inning.
Unfortunately, that momentum did not get going in the seventh innings. The Lady Rabbits grounded out twice and struck out to end the game, losing 9-5.
To read more, pick up a copy of the mid-week edition of the Bowie News.
Saint Jo will have a new boy’s basketball coach this school year.
Jacob Nocktonick is coming to the district after spending the last two years at Bland as an assistant coach. It is his first head coaching job in basketball.
Nocktonick graduated from Princeton High School in 2015 where he played and loved basektball. He graduated in 2019 from Tarleton State University and despite playing basketball up until he graduated, he did not see coaching in his future. He worked for most of three years after college at a landscape supply company, but something was missing from his life.
“I realized after being out of it for three or four years, something was missing from my life that I really loved,” Nocktonick said. “That was playing the game I love and being around people that really love to be there.”
Nocktonick did not have much experience coaching before then, but through his experience at Bland, he knows he has found his true purpose.
“I missed that passion,” Nocktonick said. “I love it and love the kids I have been working with.”
Nocktonick is especially excited in his role in shaping young men for the future through basketball.
“At the end of the day, people aren’t going to remember me for my records,” Nocktonick said. “I get to touch lives in this role. It’s a lot different than other jobs because I have a lot of kids that look up to me. Even past players from Bland still hit me up, asking for life advice and it’s just different.”
He describes himself as the type of teacher who likes to climb up on his desk and get everyone involved more than just lecture through power point presentations. That extends to his coaching as well.
“I am extremely passionate and enthusiastic,” Nocktonick said. “I want kids to know when the time is to be serious, but know we are going to have fun, bond and become like family. I am not in this for the business. I am in this for the relationships.”
To read the full story, pick up a copy of the mid-week edition of the Bowie News.
The Bowie cheerleading team went to cheer camp on July 13-16 at Texas Women’s University.
It was a good opportunity for the team to learn new things to take into the school year, according to cheer sponsor Destanie Curry.
“They learn their job is not to just lead the crowds in cheers, but they are ambassadors of their school and community and how to fulfill that role to the best of their ability,” Curry said. “Of course, they also learn stunt safety, new stunts, new cheer material and how to incorporate all this into pep rallies, routines and games.”
It can be intense, with campers expected to eat, sleep and breathe cheerleading from morning until night, staying positive and spiritful in everything they do since councilors are always watching and looking to see who will earn extra awards.
At the end of the four days, the Lady Rabbits cheerleading team took home several team and individual awards.
The team won one spirit stick daily and one on the final day. They were awarded each night to teams who demonstrated leadership, positive attitudes, excellent class participation and who respect and encourage one another, their coaches and staff.
Bowie earned its National Federation of State High School Association’s squad credential. The group earned Stunt SAFE, which was presented to teams that displayed excellent skills in spotting and stunt technique.
The final team award was in the Game Day Championship trophy. The competition included crowd involvement with a game day chant and cheer learned at the camp.
They were judged on crowd leading effectiveness, use of props, incorporation of stunts, technique and execution of skills.
To read the full story, pick up a copy of the mid-week edition of the Bowie News.
Nocona got its new press box into place this week at Jack Crane Stadium. The old press box, which was in place for more than 60 years, was taken out in early June and moved to Indian Valley Raceway. The new press box was by the Southern Bleacher Company out of Graham. Athletic Director Black Crutsinger said they looked at a lot of press boxes and decided they liked the one at Lindsay High School and went with that model. Sean Hutson operated the crane from the Hurd Crane Service that put the press box up for Nocona.
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