The Showtime Texans avenge playoff loss

It was a loss that had stung the Wimberley Texans boys basketball team for nearly a year.

A heart-breaking 68-63 loss to the Cuero Gobblers in the 2021-2020 playoffs in the Bi-District round left a sour taste in the mouths of the Texans, and they wanted revenge. If that was enough, it was Cuero who ended the Texans football hopes just a few weeks ago.

On Saturday afternoon, Wimberley was able to relieve the sting a little bit.

A strong first quarter offensive performance and dominating the second half defensively, the Texans avenge their loss to Cuero with a 83-62 win at home.

For Head Basketball Coach Mike Whitten, the Texans had put pressure on themselves to beat the team that had ousted them from the playoffs.

“Our guys put a little bit of pressure on themselves,” Whitten said. “This was the team who we lost to in the playoffs, and they (Wimberley) wanted to win. We came out, and we were a little tight and missed some easy shots that we should’ve made. They finally loosen up and I told them ‘It’s just another game, guys, against another opponent. Last year was last year.’ I think they finally calmed down.”

Despite a high flying offense that is averaging 79.3 points per game, it has been the defense that has put the Texans in place to succeed including during the fourth quarter of the Cuero game.

Leading 53-49 heading into the fourth quarter, the Texans limited the Gobblers to just 13 points while Wimberley scored 30 en route to their 83-62 win.

“We always talk about our defensive pressure,” Whitten said. “It’s a grind, and you keep pressuring and pressuring them. It may not work in the first or second quarter but in the third and fourth quarter people start getting tired and turning the ball over. We started reaping the benefits, and that is what pretty much happened for the most part… I bet we had close to 30 forced turnovers.”

When comparing this game and last year’s loss in the Bi-District, Whitten says the main difference between the two games is the change in offensive philosophy between a half court game and the fast pace transition offense.

“Last year they (Cuero) were really good at defending at half court, which we (Wimberley) were half court oriented last year,” Whitten said. “This year, we are causing a lot more turnovers and playing more transition offense. That is a big part of us being able to score easier, pushing the ball in transition, and constant pressure on them to play defense. When the opposing team doesn’t get back, we have an advantage. But we have different personnel and style of play this year compared to last year… It’s just a different philosophy. The personnel we have suits us well and fits to our strengths.”

Along with their victory over Cuero, the Texans defeated the Hondo Owls at home in a 84-55 win.

Leading the team in scoring was Miles Scheleder with 30 points followed by Dane Hennessee 26. Tom Watson was the third Texan player with double digit scoring with 13.

Wimberley returns to play next Tuesday for the Wimberley Hoops Fest Tournament.