Each year the common theme in the SWBAD region is “we need a team capable of beating Austin.” For the past two seasons Mississippi has came the closest to presenting a challenge to the now five time reigning champs. There had been some chatter all season long that Dallas possessed a potential threat.
The Toros for some reason have come out kind of sluggish. Dallas jumped out to a 12-3 lead. Coach Bobby Loeffler called a quick timeout to regroup. With an obvious size advantage the Deaf Toros pounded the Blasterz around the basket going back and forth with Chris Brass and Joe Estep. Brass couldn’t seem to finish his early opportunities from point blank range but Estep proved to be the go-to guy in this one.
The Blasterz refused to go down as they have in the past and fall to a barrage of three point shots that are disheartening to a lesser foe. Dallas decided to switch to a 3-2 defense with emphasis on the shooters. This strategy left a gaping hole in the middle of the paint which the Toros kindly exploited. Veteran forward Yo Moore carved the middle with precision finding Estep for three easy baskets. Moore relishes the chance to distribute in the paint and made the Blasterz pay for disregarding his ability to facilitate and finished with a team high eight assist. The Toros led 29-20 at the half.
For this game the Toros would ride Estep the entire way. He went on to score 27 and grabbed 14 rebounds along with 5 blocks. Estep was 11-14 from the field and walked away with his first ever tournament MVP in deaf club basketball. Not known to be a scorer but collects what he can when he can. Estep has never been a focal point in the paint for any team during his career. He does bring national championship experience with him from his brief stint with GDIC of Indiana.
The Toros had only two other players in double figures, Brass finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds. He struggled to finish baskets but was always a force in the interior. Luendran Hubbard finally found some success with 10 points. Danny Davidson had 8 to finish the game.
Next up the Toros will travel to Louisville, KY for the USADB National Championship. Looking to avenge last year’s sixth place disappointment the Toros are confident they’ll be able to play with the national elites.
