OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) – Retired, long-time coach Tony Robinson has paced back and forth along the sidelines of basketball courts in Oklahoma for decades. He has coached in state championship tournaments before, and he was doing it again as the head coach for the Durant Lady Lions in Monday’s quarterfinal round.

When he was first asked to take over the girls’ basketball program in late December he initially felt like he could not do it. But when the entire team showed up at his home to ask if he would fill the role of head coach, he could not say no.

“When you step on that floor and you start working with your kids, it’s kind of therapeutic,” said Robinson. “It’s like being on an oasis. And it was two hours that I could forget about anything.”

There has been a lot he wished he could forget about the last three months. His son, Will “Rob” Robinson, was the head coach of the Lady Lions. He died on Christmas Eve after the family car was overwhelmed by floodwaters on a trip to Texas.

He died trying to save his eight-year-old daughter, Clara, who was swept away. She has been missing ever since.

“They’re playing for him,” said Robinson. “I think it’s obvious and they’re getting some help. There’s a bigger presence here.”

The team was wearing t-shirts with pictures of Coach “Rob” and Clara to honor their memory during Monday’s game.

“When I first walked in the locker room and saw those shirts, I had to walk back out for a little bit, kind of regroup,” said Robinson.

Robinson said the team has been the main reason he has managed to keep going. The tragedy has impacted not only his family, but the entire community.

“I really think that we’ve helped him through that and he’s helped us through this,” said Rachel Cordell, Durant senior.

The Lady Lions fell short to El Reno in the quarterfinal round but the loss did not take away from how they have bonded through heartbreak.

“Obviously, we wanted to win for our coach that passed away,” said Sheraya Struble, Durant senior. “But no matter the outcome, we’re proud of what we did.

“This group of girls, we’ve been through so much,” said Brightyn Pilgreen, Durant senior.

Robinson said he will return as head coach of the Lady Lions next year.