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Friday, March 9, 2001
Jack-the-Ripper defense helps Oso crush Cinderella
Bears end Dimmitt’s storybook run through postseason
By Matt Young
Caller-Times
AUSTIN - Dimmitt coach Alan Steinle spent most of Thursday afternoon with his head in his hands, muttering under his breath. We can only assume he was simply encouraging his team by muttering "Dimmitt." Or something that at least sounded similar.
   It was that kind of day for Steinle and his Bobcats, who were completely overwhelmed by West Oso, 45-21, in the Class 3A state semifinals at the Erwin Center.
   The Bobcats could count their first-half points on two hands - without ever having to extend their thumbs. Included in the mind-numbing eight-point dud was an 11-minute scoreless stretch for Dimmitt. The Bobcats made just 3 of 18 attempts from the field in the half and committed 13 turnovers. They kept that ratio going throughout the game by finishing with more turnovers (26) than points for the game.
   Ugly duckling of a game
   A broadcast company tapes every state tournament game and sells them to fans as they leave the arena. Let's just say, not many of those tapes will be shipped to Dimmitt.
   "To be honest, it just wasn't our day," Steinle said.
   Coach, to be brutally honest, it was as ugly as an XFL game without the cheerleaders.
   West Oso played its part in a game that was so sloppy, the 9,567 fans in the arena for tipoff had dwindled to a disinterested couple of thousand by late in the third quarter. West Oso committed 18 turnovers and shot just 35 percent from the field, but at least the Bears are moving on to their first state championship game in 13 years.
   "Our offense wasn't completely clicking, but we still got the win," said West Oso guard Lydell Anthony, who snagged six steals. "We survived, and we get to play again Saturday. That's all that matters."
   Losing the glass slipper
   Dimmitt survived throughout the Region I playoffs, emerging as the Cinderella of the Panhandle. First, the Bobcats upset Graham, 58-54, in the region semifinals after hitting 10 3-pointers. The next day, Dimmitt knocked down 14 3-pointers and shot 85 percent from the field in the second half to shock Seminole, 71-67, in the region finals.
   Against West Oso, Dimmitt looked more parts pumpkin than Cinderella, shooting 3 of 17 from behind the arc.
   "This wasn't nearly as much fun as it was last week, I'll tell you that for sure," Steinle said.
   West Oso's players could feel Dimmitt's pain. The Bears had been to the state semifinals the last two years, only to make early exits after showing up without their best game.
   "We've been here before, but we were really nervous the last two times, and Dimmitt looked the same way," Anthony said. "None of those players had been here before, so we figured they might be nervous. We could see it when they were warming up. They looked real nervous, and then we put that defense on them and just kept them shook the whole game."
   The other side
   In contrast to West Oso's cakewalk, the other 3A semifinal showcased two teams on top of their games.
   Mexia was impressive in its hard-fought 59-58 win over Gainesville, while West Oso was never challenged and didn't have to play its best game.
   "We're going to have to have a much better offensive game than we just had," Campbell said. "Mexia looked great, and we didn't play our best game. But that's OK, because we didn't play Mexia today, so I'm not worried about it. We play Mexia Saturday. That's when we'll have to play better."


Staff writer Matt Young can be reached at 886-3702 or by e-mail at youngm@caller.com

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