While history offers little consolation for a Westlake basketball team still recovering from a first-round loss, it does offer a glimpse into the program’s perplexing psyche.

For reasons both ethereal and concrete, the Chaps have often struggled with expectations when it comes to the postseason. Westlake has won six district titles since permanently joining Class 5A in the 1994-1995 season, and all but two of those years ended with a wrenching loss in a playoff opener.

In 1997, the Chaps succumbed to the pressure. A top-10 team that garnered a 29-5 record – which still stands as the best regular season in school history – couldn’t advance past its first playoff game despite the presence of future Division I recruits Chris Mihm and Luke Axtell. That pair combined for about 13 feet and 9 inches as well as 50 points a game, but it couldn’t help Westlake make its free throws when it mattered most. The Chaps missed six foul shots in the final 1 minute, 23 seconds of regulation against San Antonio Clark, which emerged with a stunning 66-64 victory.
In 1998, Westlake fell to the basketball fates. An overachieving Chap bunch finished just 18-14 but grabbed a share of the district title with a red-hot surge down the stretch. Westlake appeared on the verge of winning the first 5A playoff game in school history before San Antonio Roosevelt drained a three-pointer at the buzzer to escape with a 69-68 win.

In 2001, an erroneous whistle prevented Westlake from seizing that elusive playoff win. With eight seconds left in regulation, future McDonald’s All-American Brad Buckman collected an offensive rebound and dropped it in the basket to give the Chaps a 68-66 lead against San Antonio Highlands. As Buckman and his teammates ran back on defense with smiles of joy and relief, the official called a late traveling violation on the junior forward, negating the basket and preserving a tie. Highlands went on to win 74-70 in overtime.

Last week, a tremendous performance from a loose San Antonio Churchill ended the dreams of state for one of the best senior classes in school history. Churchill played fearless and frighteningly efficient in an 84-77 win over Westlake, shooting 52 percent from the field and making 10 three-pointers. The Chaps finished the regular season with a 27-5 mark despite playing one of the most challenging schedules in the state, but a gifted senior class that includes four collegiate players couldn’t best its program legacy.