SPORTS
Bowie made it official this week, hiring the district’s new boy’s basketball coach Andy Atkins.
Atkins has spent time as an assistant coach at huge 5A-6A programs in the metroplex like Keller, Flower Mound, Lewisville and most recently Marcus since 2004. Besides the boy’s basketball coach, Atkins also will be the boy’s cross country coach.
Athletic director Cory Mandrell said Atkins had everything he was looking for in a coach.
“He has 15 years of experience and is a great program guy,” Mandrell said. “He really gets what it takes to be a part of a great program so that all sports can be successful.”
Atkins was looking for a place to call home for him and his four sons, three of them who he raises with his wife Ashley. He thinks he found it at Bowie.
“When I walked in and was greeted by Cory and Mr. Enlow I just felt like it was a great family atmosphere,” Atkins said. “I think it will be good for my boys being at a smaller school so they will have a chance to do a lot of different things.”
His first experience seeing the Bowie community also impressed him. In the wake of the F1 tornado that damaged several parts of the town, Atkins was pleased to see how the community rallied together to help cleanup.
Beyond that, Bowie’s great basketball tradition is one that attracts many coaches to the program. With six state titles, with the most recent one coming in 2018, Atkins is excited to try and build the program up to that point again after a disappointing season where the team missed the playoffs.
He will have his work cut out for him. The Jackrabbits return only one starter and will have only one returning varsity player who will be a senior.
“Whenever you have an inexperienced team, you have to keep things simple,” Atkins said. “We will have to slowly build them up so they can gain that confidence. Success may not happen right away, but if we stay the course good things will happen.”
Despite several years of experience, this will be Atkins first varsity basketball head coaching job. After working under so many head coaches, Atkins has seen many different styles and approaches to the job. The best thing he has learned is being true to ones self.
“I bring a lot of energy and enthusiasm,” Atkins said. “I tend to try and look at the positives in situations so I can try and build athletes up to succeed.”
To read the full story, pick up a copy of the weekend 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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