MERIDIAN — With junior playmaker Dylan Poole going down with an injury early, the Meridian boys basketball team stumbled to a 69-48 loss to the DeLeon Bearcats last Friday to open the second round of District 10-2A competition.
With the win, DeLeon clinched at least second place in district behind league-leading Goldthwaite, while Meridian will battle Santo and Hico for the remaining two playoff berths.
“Well, considering our starter Dylan Poole went down early in the first quarter with an injury, I thought our boys played exceptionally well,” Meridian boys basketball head coach Carlos Johansson said. “We kept it close for most of the game and then it got away from us late in the third quarter.
“The boys never showed quit, and we gave it our all. Victor Orozco filled in and played a heck of a game with tremendous defense. I’m very proud of him.”
Senior Matt Rosas led the Jackets with 16 points, followed by seniors Demarius Parks and Zade Kendall with 14 apiece. Parks and Kendall dominated the boards with 11 rebounds each, while Orozco led Meridian with four assists and three steals.
In other District 10-2A action last Friday night, Goldthwaite knocked off third place Santo, 44-31, while Hico had an open date. Tuesday night’s matchups include the Jackets (1-4 in district, 9-18 overall) visiting undefeated league leader Goldthwaite (6-0, 19-10), and Santo (2-4, 10-18) takes on Hico (0-5, 10-17), while DeLeon (5-1, 16-14) draws an open date.
Photos by WENDY OROZCO
