SPORTS
2024 HS sports year in review: Nocona
The Nocona year started with great seasons from both basketball teams. The boy’s team won district for the second straight year. Unfortunately, the Indians season ended sooner than expected when they lost to Tolar in the area round of the playoffs.
The Lady Indians made history, making it to the state tournament for the first time in program history and made it to the championship game. Unfortunately, the fairy tale ending did not fall for Nocona as it lost to Martin’s Mill on a buzzer beater. Still, it was a ride no one in Nocona will ever forget.
The spring season saw some success for the program.
In tennis, Kaygan Stone made it out of district in girl’s singles after finishing second, qualifying for the regional tournament. In golf, her brother Johnny Stone was the only Nocona athlete to qualify for the regional meet after finishing fifth at district.
In track and field, the program had Graci Brown qualify for state for the second straight year in multiple events. Brown came back with a bronze medal in the 800 meters. She finished fifth in the 400 meters and fifth in the 4×400 relay along with Ava Johnson, Ayden Patton and Meg Meekins.
Finally, the spring season ended with the Nocona baseball team breaking a nearly 20 year playoff drought, earning its district’s final playoff spot and playing in the postseason for the first time since 2005. While the Indians lost in the bi-district round to Windthorst, it was a good direction for the young team.
In the fall season, the Lady Indian volleyball team earned a share of the district title with Windthorst to keep their streak alive. Nocona also made it all the way to the regional final for the second straight year, before unfortunately losing to Wink.
Also in the fall season, the cross country boy’s team made it to regionals, but none qualified for the state meet. The Lady Indians lone runner, Bayler Smith, qualified for state where she finished 41st overall.
To see pictures and highlights from other schools, pick up a copy of the weekend 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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