MAKING THE TURN UNDEFEATED
After sweeping the first round in District 20-1A, Meridian Lady Jackets face crucial rematch showdown with defending champion Blum
After wrapping up the first round of District 20-1A competition with a clean sweep and in sole possession of first place, the Meridian Lady Jackets won’t get much time to enjoy it. After all, not only do they need to complete that task once again in the second round, it all begins with defending district champion Blum this week.
Despite trailing by one at halftime, the Lady Jackets dominated in the second half on their way to a 38-30 road victory over the Iredell Lady Dragons last Friday night to close out the first round of district undefeated.
“Finishing up the first round of district undefeated was never really our main goal,” Meridian girls basketball first-year head coach Adan Reyes said. “Our main goal was to be in the top three. Finishing undefeated was a reward and definitely an advantage.
“Our district faces one of the toughest Bi-District matchups, if not the toughest. As of right now, the top three teams in our Bi-District area, Gordon, Gorman and Huckabay, respectively, are all ranked in the top 25 in Class 1A. The Bi-District playoff matchups will definitely be a gauntlet no matter where we finish.”
In the second round of district, Meridian (6-0 in district, 10-14 overall) opens with a road game at the Blum Lady Bobcats (5-1, 8-6) at 6 p.m. Tuesday before returning home to host the Morgan Lady Eagles (1-5, 4-13) at 6 p.m. Friday in Yellowjacket Gymnasium. The Lady Jackets shocked Blum in overtime, 42-41, to open district play Dec. 12.
Walnut Springs (4-2, 8-5) enters the second round in third place, while Covington (2-4, 2-10) stands in fifth fighting for a playoff spot and Kopperl (0-6, 0-14) remains winless.
“Going against everyone a second go around, everyone has somewhat of an idea of what we’ll be running defensively and offensively,” Reyes said. “Now, it will come down to who can execute the best. It also does put a bigger target on our back and everyone in the district is gunning for that win against the undefeated team in district. Every Tuesday and Friday night, our opponent will have the mindset that they have to win this one, especially those fighting for a final playoff spot.
“We open up with Blum Tuesday, and they definitely will be looking to avenge their loss to us. It will be a tough one, especially with us playing at their place. I told the girls that we just need to go out there and play smart, fundamental basketball and everything else will take care of itself.”
Against fourth place Iredell (3-3, 10-8), senior Canyon Stauffer tossed in a game-high 19 points to lead the Lady Jackets (6-0 in district, 10-14 overall), followed by junior Journey Stauffer with seven and sophomore Dyna Potter with four.
“Going into our game with Iredell, we knew it was going to be a tough battle,” Reyes said. “Coach Hatridge and the Lady Dragons are fighting for one of the final spots for the playoffs. This wasn’t the first time we played Iredell, and I knew he would make the adjustments as needed.
“We came out slow and even found ourselves in a tight game at half. But we went in and managed to make adjustments during halftime. We were able to pull away in the fourth, but it was a hard fought victory. The girls just did what I asked them to do, as they have all season, and played really well down the stretch.”
Photos by WENDY OROZCO
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