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)
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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