SPORTS
Whitaker twins compete one last time
The state tennis tournament is happening April 25-26 in San Antonio and with its completion will come the end of an era for Gold-Burg athletics.
The senior girl’s doubles team of Sadie and Shadie Whitaker will represent the Lady Bears one final time on the biggest high school stage to see how far they can possibly go. Not far away will be their loud, but caring Coach Cheryl Cromleigh who has coached the pair in just about every sport since junior high.
The pair are not just sisters but twins and like their names they are similar enough to get confused unless you get to know them.
Shadie is the shy one during interviews, struggling with the awkwardness of the interview setting in two tries this year even with her sister and coach trying to give her answers to say.
You would never guess she is shy with how she plays on the court. She earned second team all-district honors in basketball and has been a valuable 3-point shooter for four years, starting most of that time.
In volleyball she was an all-around player for four years on varsity and earned first-team all-district honors this year.
Sadie’s demeanor is more relaxed. She has come out of her shy shell over the years, enough to even participate in one-act play this year.
Sadie was the lead outside hitter in volleyball during the fall and also earned first team all-district honors. On the basketball court, she was more of an all-around player who could sometimes come off the bench depending on the match up.
Like most 1A school athletes, between the two of them they have been talked into giving just about any sport or activity a try at some point during the last four years. Their older brother Kolton Whitaker, who graduated in 2022, was similar in that vain.
On the tennis court is where the pair and their coach call home though.
To read the full story, pick up a copy of the mid-week edition of the Bowie News.
In its first match since last year’s state semifinal appearance, Saint Jo hosted Bryson Aug. 11 and took a 25-13, 25-12, 25-21 win over the Cowgirls.
The Lady Panthers lost some talent to graduation but have five seniors ready to have a successful season. Savannah Hil, one of the five, got Saint Jo rolling offensively with a four-point serving string, including a pair of aces. Abby Carter’s kill and Kamron Skidmore’s block helped put the Lady Panthers up 5-2 in game one.
Hadleigh Moore added a four-point string of her own to extend the lead to 10-3. Tatum Morman’s pair, helped by a Hill kill, gave Saint Jo a 14-5 lead. Bryson got within five before a Hill 3-pointer, with help by a Carter kill, put the lead back at 18-10.
After an Olivia Johnson kill broke serve, Jordyn O’Neal served up the final five points, with Johnson providing a kill to move things along.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Despite being the smallest school in the Brock varsity classic volleyball tournament, the Lady Indians finished 4th out of the eight teams there.
After losing to the host team in its first pool play match Aug. 14 18-25, 14-25 and also to Class 3A Wall 12-25, 8-25, Nocona rebounded to close out pool play with a 20-25, 25-23, 25-20 win over Christoval. Sy Parker had 16 kills and 7 blocks in the three matches. Raylea Bowles had 12 kills, 17 digs and served up three aces. Maddyn Bowles had seven kills and 14 digs while Paige Davis had seven kills and 15 digs. Baylee Thomas added 11 digs.
From the setter spot, Kasi Castro had 20 assists, served up five aces and contributed 14 digs. Leah Meekins added 18 assists and six digs during the three matches.
To open Saturday’s bracket play, the Lady Indians posted a 25-18, 18-25, 26-24, 25-19 win over Fort Worth Christian. Castro staked Nocona to a 2-0 lead in game one. Kills by Parker set up pairs of points from Raylea Bowles and Leah Meekins helped Nocona negate an early deficit and take a 10-9 lead.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
County football teams had their first scrimmage of the season Aug. 14 with mixed results.
Forestburg hosted Azle Christian and Victory Christian. Under a new system with new head coach Cori Hayes, the Longhorns looked pretty good in the coach’s eye.
“The first team looked good,” Hayes explained. “Overall we need to work on our pace and blocking assignments and blocking assignments. Overall we looked good for the new regime.”
Forestburg hits the road to scrimmage Newcastle Aug. 21.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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