It was another challenging tournament for the Bowie Jackrabbit basketball team as it continued to push itself at Decatur last week.
The Jackrabbits came away with a 2-3 record from the tournament, but the goal and point of playing at a tournament like that was not to just win every game. It was to be tested.
Right away, Bowie faced off against Commerce, a team ranked in the top 10 in the most recent Texas Association of Basketball Coaches statewide poll in 3A, just above the Jackrabbits.
Right away the Tigers made a case to slap that ranking in the face. In every way Commerce dominated the first half as Bowie struggled to score at an efficient clip as the Tigers looked like it might run away with the game as it held a 34-14 lead at halftime.
The Jackrabbits have done well all season with its halftime adjustments and starting third quarters strong. This game was a prime example. Bowie’s offense more than doubled its first half output in the quarter alone while Commerce could not make a shot.
The Jackrabbits cut the lead to 41-37 heading into the fourth quarter. Bowie made enough plays down the stretch to take and hold on to its narrow lead as it won 54-51.
Daniel Mosley led the team with 20 points, but Braden Armstrong turned in his best game at the varsity level so far as he scored 16 points.
The day was not done for the Jackrabbits though as it played 6A school Eaton. While they were not the best team Bowie played during the weekend in terms of size and skill, they made up for it with energy and passion.
The Jackrabbits got off to a good start in the first quarter, but the Eagles’ offense would not be denied in the second and third quarters as it led 52-43 heading into the fourth quarter. While Bowie won the quarter and had its chances to take control, Eaton did just enough to win the game 65-61.
Mosley led the team with 21 points and Taylor Pigg was second with 14.
The next day the Jackrabbits played the 5A school Burleson Centennial that had a lot of size. After a close first quarter, it was the Spartans who pulled away in the second and third quarters to a 59-40 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Despite Bowie having its best offensive quarter of the game, Centennial’s offense could not be slowed enough for a chance of a comeback as the Jackrabbits lost 80-64. Mosley and Justin Franklin each scored 21 points to lead Bowie.
The following day the Jackrabbits played another 5A school Bowie got out to a 10 point lead in the first quarter, but the Bearcats made up that margin and held 34-32 lead at halftime. It was a low scoring third quarter, but the Jackrabbits held a narrow 42-40 lead heading into the final quarter.
Bowie dominated in every way to close the game as it outscored Aledo 25-7 as the Jackrabbits won 67-47 in a game where the final score did not reflect how close most of the game was. Mosley led the team with 24 points and Pigg was second with 17.
In what turned out to be the Bowie’s final game, the Jackrabbits faced off against private school Trinity Christian out of Cedar Hill. The teams played to a draw in the first quarter before the Tigers took control in the second to give itself a 25-17 lead at halftime.
Bowie came out and was able to almost erase the lead, cutting the margin down to 34-33 heading into the final quarter.
It was Trinity Christian, playing with the lead, who made enough free throws down the stretch as it won 46-41. Mosley led the team with 15 points and Pigg was second with 13.

To read the full story, pick up a copy of the mid-week edition of the Bowie News.