The 65-39 loss to No. 1-ranked Estacado in the region quarterfinals Wednesday night brought the Indian basketball team’s season to an end.
“I thought the guys played well,” Coach Paul Page said. “I felt like we executed the game plan, and we never backed down.”
The No. 23-ranked Indians had their hands full with the Estacado attack and junior Jarod Adams in foul trouble most of the second half.
“It was difficult to play against the number one team,” Page said. “They’re so good defensively, and they stretched us out offensively.”
Senior Johnathon Meatte was strong on the boards.
“The key to Jonathan’s rebounds was to limit their defense,” Page said. “ It really helped to limit their second chances.”
This wasn’t the first time the players faced Estacado.
“It was my third year play big against them,” Adams said. “My freshman year we played them in the regional finals, and last year they knocked us out so we couldn’t get to region finals.”
Senior Brock Tittle said they went into the game with a positive attitude.
“It seems like when we get deep into the playoffs, we end up playing them,” Tittle said. “We had a great chance against them. We overcame a lot this season.”
For the Indians to get past the region, beating Estacado is key.
“The rivalry against Estacado is challenging,” senior Keithen Hughes said. “They’ve always been a little more athletic than us. We just had to go out there with confidence and play together as a team.”
Page said the rivalry is mostly off the court.
“The game itself wasn’t majorly affected by our rivalry,” Page said. “The rivalry between us and Estacado only is before the game starts. When the game begins its just basketball.”
The team had plenty of time to prepare for Estacado.
“We had a great chance to beat them,” Tittle said. “It just depended on how hard we played.”
The Indians finished 21-11 on the season with a record as district and area champions.
“The season was great,” Page said. “The kids have improved in every phase of the game. We played a tough schedule but it made us a better team.”