Big Spring Steers defeat San Angelo Lakeview to face off against Sweetwater Mustangs, but fall short in the end
The Big Spring boys Basketball team traveled to Snyder Saturday, Feb. 20, to make it to the playoffs. For their playoff dream to become a reality, they would have an arduous task ahead of them; The Steers would have to win two games the same day. They opened up the day playing the San Angelo Lakeview Chiefs, winning 56 to 42. They had only 90-minutes of downtime before having to play The Sweetwater Mustangs. The Steers fell a bit short in the second game losing by a score of 52 to 45.
The steers showed up in Snyder, knowing to have any chance at the playoffs. They would first have to take care of business in their first game against the San Angelo Lakeview Chiefs.
The first period tip-off made it evident both teams showed up to play. The Steers would hang blow for blow with the Chiefs, going basket for basket. It was a close challenging period ending with the young Steer team taking a 1-point lead of 16 to 15.
Starting the second period, Big Spring put its foot on the gas peddle and did not let go. The full-court pressure defense started to take form, causing multiple turnovers. The Steers would go on a 12-0 run. With great shooting by the boys and the lock down defense, San Angelo was out matched by the Big Spring boys' speed and athleticism. They would close out the first half of the game with an 11 point lead of 33 to 22.
The start of the second half was much more of the same for the Steers as they kept creating confusion and turnovers against San Angelo Lakeview's Chiefs. Big Spring kept up its high intensity of play on both ends of the floor to close out the third period with a score of 43 to 33
With only one period to play, it was apparent that the Steers were the superior team on the court as the defense kept up the pressure it showed all day long, creating turnovers that lead to easy baskets. The steers would pull away and put the game away, winning their first game of the day, 56 to 42.
They were lead in scoring by a dominant performance by Sa-Quan Fiser, who had himself a game by scoring a game-high 14 points; he was followed by fellow Steer Gavin Greathouse, who had a good game himself, finishing with 10 points.
Having won the first game, the young Steers now would get a 90-minute break before they had to take the court to battle the Sweetwater Mustangs for a spot in the playoffs. The teams had already played twice earlier in the year, splitting the series one apiece.
As the start of game two for the Steers kicked off, both teams struggled in the first few minutes to find the bucket. As the period rolled on, it was the Sweetwater Mustangs who were able to jump out to an early lead ending the first period up over the Steers 11 to 15
As the second period started, it became evident that playing two back-toback games was taking its toll on the young Steer team. Even with tired legs, this team kept fight and playing hard. Sweetwater was the fresher team being able to hold the lead ending the second half by 20 to 25.
When the second half kicked off, the Sweetwater Mustangs were again taking control of the game. The Mustangs were able to build a lead of 10 at one point in the period. Still, just like the Steers have played all season long, the heart and determination of this team were evident in every single position of the game. Unfortunately, they would still be behind at the end of the third 36 to 27.
With the final period in the game, and maybe the season on the horizon, It was the heart of the Steers that took the stage in the fourth period. The team showed their grit battling with everything they had left in the tank. No matter how tired they may have been, nothing would stop the effort these young men were putting forward. The Steers battled to the end; it was just not enough in the end as they fell to the Sweetwater Mustangs 52 to 45, ending not only the day but the season.
This team has been through so much this year, and the way they responded is something to behold. Their love of the game and pure determination to get better was on full display. These young men had a season to remember. This team has no reason to hang its head; in fact, they should hold their heads high because they made this school and town proud.