A couple of times in the last few weeks I’ve asked Andy Dotson to give me his opinion on the Tigers’ best chance for their first victory this season.
Dotson, as he should, has said he really hasn’t thought about it.
It’s an unfair question anyway.
Mainly because there’s only one way the 0-18 Tigers can approach each night they take the court.
They have to believe the next game is going to be the one.
On Tuesday night in Waxahachie, every player has to believe the losing streak is going to end.
To do it, the Tigers must follow their captain, senior point guard Antonie Chaney.
Chaney’s effort in Friday’s 70-57 loss to Waco High was one for the ages.
It wasn’t that the 5-8 guard scored more than half of his team’s points, hanging up 33 points.
It was the hustle that Chaney showed that drew the admiration of several fans and his coach.
“Antonie never quits,” Dotson said. “He’s a winner. He’s going to do whatever he can do.”
The determination Chaney plays with gives the Tigers their best chance to win.
His teammates have to follow him and play as hard as he does.
And they have to be optimistic.
The Tigers’ 13-point loss to Waco was an improvement. Before that, of their four other district games, their average margin of defeat was 38 points.
It’s easy to lose hope when the losses are that lopsided.
Waxahachie needed overtime to beat district unbeaten Midlothian on Friday. The Indians haven’t been the team they figured to be with a 3-14 record, though they are 3-2 in 16-4A.
They have every reason to take the Tigers lightly.
The Tigers have to keep getting better, and follow Chaney.
