West Oso traditionally is one of the strongest girls high school basketball programs in South Texas.
It all starts with the Bears’ coach Cheryl Fillmore.
Not too long ago, Fillmore was a player for West Oso. Now she is back running her alma mater’s athletic program as its first female athletic director.
She appears to have another great team this year. West Oso is ranked 10th in the state in Class 3A, with a 10-1 district record and 24-5 overall.
Once again, the Bears appear to be serious contenders to make it to the regional and state tournament.
And these results are no accident.
They expect to win and win big every year at West Oso.
“Tradition and each time we talk every week we try to instill in the girls, remember it’s the tradition that you are playing for,” Fillmore said. “They love the game of basketball and that has a lot to do with it.
“The kids like playing so they will play hard because that’s what they like to do. I think this team has a chance to do something special. And when you are talking about special, you are talking about making it back to state which we have not done since 2007.”
Having that kind of run excites forward Markela Flores, who credits Fillmore for instilling that drive with her team.
“It has a lot to do with our coach,” Flores said. “Coach Fillmore is a great coach, coming from West Oso she knows a lot about the program is supposed to be run and its tradition. She works a lot with us and I just think she is a great coach. It all starts with her.”
Fillmore certainly is special. She’ll have another chance Tuesday when the Bears square off against Beeville.
