Loboes Want To Get Tradition Started Against Tornillo

By Craig Craker  ccraker@oaoa.com
Odessa American - February 21, 2007

MONAHANS Thomas Clay is attempting to build a basketball program to rival Monahans’ football, volleyball and band programs.

The easiest way to get the Loboes moving in the right direction would be with a playoff win today.  Monahans (12-15) plays Tornillo at 7:30 tonight at Fort Stockton in the Class 3A bi-district round.

The biggest thing standing in the way of Clay and the Loboes might not be the Coyotes.  It’s history.

Monahans hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2004, hasn’t won a playoff game since 1978 and has won just three playoff games in school history, all of which were in 1978. 

“(A win) would mean a lot to me, the town and the boys,” Clay said. “Our theme this year is starting a tradition and we need to get a win to do that.”  The Loboes are finally starting to mesh after losing their first three district games and facing must-win games down the stretch.  “We’re really happy to be in the playoffs,” senior Cameron Bennett said. “We want to get a win. A win would make my whole high school career right there.”

One of the biggest differences for the Loboes this season has been playing under Clay for a second year. Including junior high, the Monahans seniors have played in three different systems in the past five years making continuity difficult from year to year. But that is starting to change. 

“We’ve had some success this year that we haven’t really had recently,” Clay said. “We made it to the championship game of a tournament in Fort Stockton and we beat some of the traditional powers in this area in Seminole and Lamesa.”  To add to that success the Loboes will have to beat Tornillo for the second time this season. Monahans defeated Tornillo by 10 at the Fort Stockton tournament earlier this season.

To do it again, Clay said the team will have to concentrate on rebounding well and not get into a run-and-gun game that the Coyotes favor. If they do all of that, then future Loboes may look back at 2006-07 as the start of something special.

“A win would be awesome,” point guard Justin Patterson said. “We would get some more supporters and gain a little respect.”