SPORTS
STORM CENTER: Giving bonds a pass
The sports editor knows our current economy isn’t completely sound.
However, several weeks ago, Nocona Independent School District voters turned out at the polls and defeated a proposed $15.1-million school bond.
On the May 7 election night scoreboard, there were 426 votes for passage and 552 votes against.
Overall, 978 votes were cast, and voter participation was affected by the fact the election took place on a Saturday.
On that same day, Nocona High School had prom – so, in my opinion, the election wasn’t first and foremost on the voters mind like it should have been.
It was the first time in 38 years Nocona had the opportunity to vote on a bond, which funded construction of Nocona Middle School.
The present Nocona High School was built in 1952, and the building has outlived its shelf life – especially when considering safety.
Superintendent Vickie Gearheart was encouraged, even though voters essentially sacked the school district for a loss.
“I am extremely encouraged to know that 426 people saw the need for a new high school and agreed it was worth the extra expense to pay for it,” she said, in a May 11 story written by Bowie News staff reporter Dani Blackburn.
The “Our Kids, Our Future” political action committee, which spearheaded a campaign to get the bond issue carried remains steadfast.
“We are going to continue until we get the bond proposal approved,” said the “Our Kids, Our Future” Facebook page.
The group has indicated it would like to try again either this November or possibly in May 2017. In my humble opinion, the bond election should take place next May. However, it should NOT take place on a Saturday. Read more from this column in the July 16 Bowie News.
Editor’s Note: The Storm Center column is the expressed written views of sports editor Eric Viccaro and not The Bowie News.
Here’s the floor plan for the proposed high school in Nocona, which would be located on land near the former Nocona Boot Company not far from United States Highway 82. Nocona would like to pass a bond to build a new high school, which would be the first new construction since the 1970s. (High school floor plan by CADCO Architects, Abilene)
Bellevue’s girl’s basketball team led at halftime but a quick 9-0 Jacksboro run in the opening moments of the second half would prove the difference in a 28-25 Lady Eagle loss June 15 in a Nocona Summer League game.
Leading 12-9 at the half, Bellevue continued to shut down the inside game of the Tigerettes. Jacksboro switched tactics and began firing from outside. Three 3-pointers in the span of just under two minutes gave Jacksboro an 18-12 lead.
Bellevue kept things close, however, getting on the second half scoreboard with Mattie Broussard’s basket and free throws cutting the deficit to two, 18-16. A Haven Jones 3-pointer put the Lady Eagles up 19-18 midway through the second half.
The Tigerettes had just one 3 -pointer the rest of the way but got inside for a pair of buckets to take a 25-21 lead with 4:50 to go. Both offenses shut down late.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
Most school-age athletes start off playing everything. By the time they graduate, they whittle it down to just one or two.
New Bowie girl’s track and overall cross country coach Shawnda Childers is no exception. While at Iowa Park she competed in volleyball, cross country and track before cutting out volleyball and focusing on track and cross country to close out high school.
Childers did not stay with athletics while moving on to Midwestern State University, where she received her bachelor’s and master’s Degrees. After graduation, shestarted coaching in Electra. She came to Bowie for one year, then went back to her old stomping grounds in Iowa Park where she spent the next four years.
The return home also put her in contact with now-Bowie Coach Griffin Fields, who was a coach there at the time. From Iowa Park, she spent the next three years at City View.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
New Saint Jo Girl’s Basketball Coach Grant Gooch isn’t completely unfamiliar with the area.
“We went to Muenster quite a bit when I was a kid,” Gooch, who will be going into his 20th year as a coach, said. “We’d load up the cooler from the meat markets. It’s good to be back.”
Gooch worked with Saint Jo Athletic Director CJ Hantz when the pair were in Throckmorton. Gooch comes to town from Menard where he spent three years at the West Texas school.
Gooch says coaching and education kind of come naturally to him.
For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.
-
NEWS3 years agoSuspect indicted, jailed in Tia Hutson murder
-
NEWS4 years ago2 hurt, 1 jailed after shooting incident north of Nocona
-
NEWS3 years agoSO investigating possible murder/suicide
-
NEWS3 years agoWreck takes the life of BHS teen, 16
-
NEWS3 years agoMurder unsolved – 1 year later Tia Hutson’s family angry, frustrated with no arrest
-
Show us something good9 years agoCountry music star children perform in Bowie
-
NEWS3 years ago
Sheriff’s office called out to infant’s death
-
100th Birthday4 years agoLooking back at the 1958 Centennial edition of The Bowie News