SPORTS
STORM CENTER COLUMN: A memorable basketball year
Last year, the sports editor of The Bowie News found himself on the street without a job after he was the victim of layoffs at the Times Record in Fort Smith, Ark.
It’s never fun for anyone to face an uncertain future.
So, there I was sending my resume around the Midwestern United States, but I primarily focused on Missouri and north Texas.
Last year at this time I was a free agent while scores of professional football players were looking to secure gainful employment as well.
However, there are only 32 National Football League teams. There are plenty more newspapers to work for.
In the end, it came down to two newspapers in the Texoma region – The Bowie News and the Graham Leader.
Back in early June, I wrote in my introductory column I decided to return to Texas because of the sport of football, and the allure of those “Friday Night Lights.”
Looking back at my decision to join the Bowie News, my decision was based more on a different sport – basketball.
Last fall, I looked forlornly while Graham advanced all the way to the Conference 4A Division I semifinals before falling to Argyle 23-20.
I wondered what it would have been like to enjoy the deep playoff run the Steers had.
Especially in light of the fact only one high school in Montague County qualified for the postseason, and that was 6-Man Division II Forestburg.
Chillicothe came back from a huge deficit to defeat the Longhorns on a woefully chilly November night by a count of 58-41 in Archer City. My football season evaporated in one two-hour stretch.
Basketball season was thrust upon me.
And, in the end, the sports editor’s decision to join The Bowie News has appeared more about 3-point field goals rather than kicked field goals; fouls more than penalties and painted lines over chalked lines. Read more in the weekend News.
Editor’s Note: The Storm Center column is the expressed written views of sports editor Eric Viccaro and not The Bowie News.
The sports editor was astounded to see so many Bowie fans in attendance for this Conference 3A regional quarterfinal. The game started at 4 p.m., in order fans could get home to avoid Wednesday night’s wintry weather. Bowie lost to Ponder by 14 points. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)
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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