MERIDIAN — After getting an open date Tuesday to regroup for a stretch run, the Meridian girls basketball team returns to action tonight when the Lady Jackets fight to keep their postseason hopes alive, hosting the DeLeon Lady Bearcats at 6 p.m. in a key District 10-2A clash.
A week ago, the 16th-ranked and district co-leader Santo proved to be too strong as the Lady Wildcats (5-1 in district, 20-9 overall) handed Meridian (1-5, 15-13) a hard-fought 48-35 road loss last Friday night.
The Lady Jackets battled to a 10-10 deadlock in the first quarter, but Santo outscored Meridian, 31-18, over the next two periods to take control of the game. Senior Dakota Cassidy led the Lady Jackets with 13 points, followed by senior Jada Crawford with 11, while senior Jalen Clifton dominated the boards with 10 rebounds and senior Reese Errington dished out five assists.
“The Lady Jackets played a really tough Santo team, but competed well,” Meridian girls basketball head coach Jill Kendall said. “We did a good job tying them in scoring during the first and fourth quarters. I’m very proud of their effort.”
In other District 10-2A action last Friday, Hico surprisingly edged DeLeon, 20-19, in a defensive struggle, while Goldthwaite had the night off. In Tuesday night’s district games, co-leading Goldthwaite dismantled Hico, 39-18, DeLeon shocked previously undefeated Santo, 38-37, while Meridian enjoyed an open date.
Friday’s matchups feature DeLeon (3-4, 14-15) at Meridian, 22nd-ranked Goldthwaite (5-1, 24-5) battles 16th-ranked Santo (5-1, 20-9) for first place, while Hico (2-5, 20-8) draws an open date.
Photos by SIMONE WICHERS-VOSS
