SPORTS
Jackrabbits hot start leads to big win at rival Nocona Friday night
The district rivals of Bowie and Nocona met each other Friday night in a humid Indian gym, with both teams playing for something to prove.
The Jackrabbits wanted to shake off the taste of a humiliating loss at home against Holliday the previous game, while Nocona wanted to show it could compete with their defending state champion county neighbors.
The fury with which Bowie came out within the first quarter carried them to win a mostly one-sided 62-44 game that saw most of their key players playing together for the first time in weeks.
The Jackrabbits got out to an 18-2 lead a little more than midway through the first quarter. They could not have played much better as Justin Franklin, Taylor Pigg and Braden Armstrong combined to scored 22 of the teams 26 points in the first quarter as they led 26-11.
The Indians were not ready to throw in the towel yet. Backed by loud, supportive crowd and motivated by months of anticipation to show Bowie they were still a threat to them despite the team coming into the season relatively inexperienced.
It was a low scoring second quarter for both teams, but it was Nocona who used it to their advantage as they slowly chipped away at the lead. Led by Jason Sparkman’s eight points in the quarter, while the Jackrabbits grew frustrated coming off such a high scoring quarter. With a 1:35 left before halftime, Bowie led 30-20, but were able to close the quarter strong to keep its lead in the double digits 36-23.
The Indians hoped they would be able to keep up the level of competitiveness they showed for most of the second quarter, but the Jackrabbits came out determined to shake off the memory of the second quarter. Bowie outscored Nocona 16-4 in the third quarter and almost doubled the Indians score 52-27 heading into the fourth quarter, closing the book on the hope of a comeback.
The Indians closed the game strong, making five three-pointers in the fourth quarter and playing hard until the end, but the Jackrabbits lead was too much to overcome in one quarter as Bowie won 62-44.
To read the full story, pick up a copy of the mid-week edition of the Bowie News.
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
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.
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.
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