SPORTS
STORM CENTER: Recalling the triumphant 1995 Bowie girls
When Rene Hanebutt moved to Bowie in eighth grade, other girls quickly took notice of her work ethic – and love of basketball.
It was at that moment, a group of girls set a goal to win a state championship.
In 1995, that dream was realized as the Lady Rabbits downed Dripping Springs 65-50 in the Conference 3A final.
“My dad (David) was a coach, and my grandfather (Elmer) was a coach,” Hanebutt said in a telephone interview Thursday – chatting all the way from Illinois. “I always had the Larry Bird mentality.”
Hanebutt’s family taught her the value of outworking the opponent. Rene’s father, David, was Bowie’s boys coach. Elmer Hanebutt was head coach at Texas Wesleyan in Fort Worth.
One week ago, Bowie celebrated the 1995 state champions with a special reception and ceremony – and it proved to be a fitting honor for a special group of women.
“It was a fabulous thing to be a part of,” said Mendy Stark Jones, who played a wing on the team.
Stark Jones said she was pleased to see the large number of Bowie fans in attendance for the event.
“Bowie supports its kids in everything they do,” she said. Read more of this column in the Feb. 6 Bowie News.
Editor’s Note: The Storm Center column is the expressed written views of sports editor Eric Viccaro and not The Bowie News.
The Conference 3A 1995 state championship Bowie girls’ basketball team poses with the current squad for a photo before last Friday’s District 3A-9 game against Paradise. The Lady Rabbits defeated Dripping Springs for the 3A crown. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)
New Saint Jo Boy’s Basketball Coach Terry McLennan said the school’s family atmosphere is what prompted him to join the Panther family.
“This is an opportunity to be an important program but also part of a great community,” McLennan said. “I’ve been looking to get back to a small town environment like the one I grew up in and played ball and this should do that.”
McLennan played basketball in Hubbard outside of Waco. McLennan comes to town after being the assistant girl’s basketball coach in Grand Prairie.
McLennan contends he’s a defensive style of coach but says his team will focus on intensity.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
New Saint Jo Boy’s Basketball Coach Terry McLennan said the school’s family atmosphere is what prompted him to join the Panther family.
“This is an opportunity to be an important program but also part of a great community,” McLennan said. “I’ve been looking to get back to a small town environment like the one I grew up in and played ball and this should do that.”
McLennan played basketball in Hubbard outside of Waco. McLennan comes to town after being the assistant girl’s basketball coach in Grand Prairie.
McLennan contends he’s a defensive style of coach but says his team will focus on intensity.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
After some coaching time in East Texas, Bret Botard will be the new girl’s basketball coach at Bowie.
Botard said it’s a chance to work with Bowie Athletic Director Tyler Price once again. Price was Botard’s assistant when he coached at Nocona.
“I wanted to get back into the area,” Botard said. “It’s a good community.”
Botard graduated high school in 1995 from Del Valle High School, outside Austin, and went to Texas Tech. He started his coaching career in Lubbock followed by returning to his alma mater where he was an assistant for his high school coach.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
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