MERIDIAN – Picking up their first District 10-2A victory of the season, the Meridian girls basketball team restored hopes for a playoff berth with a thrilling 40-34 victory over the Hico Lady Tigers Tuesday night at Yellowjacket Gymnasium.
Using a big second quarter to build a comfortable 24-14 lead before halftime, the Lady Jackets (1-4 in district, 15-12 overall) held off the surging Lady Tigers in the second half to secure the win. Senior Dakota Cassidy led Meridian with a game-high 20 points, giving her 999 points for her high school career.
“Big win for us against Hico,” Meridian girls basketball head coach Jill Kendall said. “I’m so very proud of their effort.”
Senior Jalen Clifton added nine points, eight rebounds and three assists, while senior Reese Errington led the Lady Jackets with nine boards and four assists. Cassidy also pulled down nine rebounds while dishing out three assists and grabbing three steals
In other District 10-2A action Tuesday night, 17th-ranked Goldthwaite slipped by third place DeLeon, 38-35, while 20th-ranked Santo (4-0, 19-8) remained idle. Friday’s matchups feature Meridian visiting 20th-ranked Santo (4-0, 19-8), and DeLeon (2-3, 13-14) taking on Hico (1-4, 19-7), while second place Goldthwaite (4-1, 23-5) draws an open date.
Photos by SIMONE WICHERS-VOSS
