In a low-scoring, defensive struggle, Iredell Lady Dragons upset Meridian Lady Jackets in regular season finale to force District 20-1A playoff for second place
Hoping to put the finishing touches on an impressive run through the District 20-1A schedule that earned a trip to the playoffs, the Meridian Lady Jackets were surprisingly forced to add another chapter to their Cinderella season. But then again, the Iredell Lady Dragons hope to be the ones wearing the glass slippers in the end.
In a head-to-head showdown for the district’s runner-up spot that turned into a low-scoring, defensively struggle, the Lady Jackets never found their rhythm offensively as Iredell walked away with a well-earned 29-22 victory last Tuesday evening. Consequently, before heading to the Class 1A state playoffs, Meridian (9-3 in district, 12-17 overall) and Iredell (9-3, 16-3) with faceoff in a tiebreaker playoff at 5 p.m. Friday in Morgan to determine who will enter the postseason as the district’s second and third seed.
Trailing by a mere three points at halftime, Meridian only managed to sink two field goals in the second half, hitting on only nine of 42 total shots from the field and struggling to make one of eight from the line to lose the game.
Junior Canyon Stauffer led the Lady Jackets with nine points, two assists and four steals, followed by sophomore Journey Stauffer with eight points and two steals, while junior Eve Dirkse led Meridian on the boards with six rebounds.
“Both teams played very hard defensively,” Meridian girls basketball head coach Matthew Butler said. “Unfortunately, we weren’t able to make open shots against their zone while struggling with free throws. I love our kids’ resiliency and competitive spirit, and I believe we will do well in the tiebreaker.”
Following the runner-up rematch showdown, both teams will be heading to the Class 1A Bi-District playoffs in matchups already determined as the winner will face District 19-1A’s third place and 24th-ranked Gordon (22-8) at 6 p.m. Monday in Dublin, while the loser will matchup with District 19-1A runner-up and fifth-ranked Gorman (29-3) at 6 p.m. Monday in Hamilton.
Thanks to the icy winter weather event across North and Central Texas last week, the Meridian Lady Jackets girls basketball team was forced to postponed Senior Night from last Tuesday until Saturday. But for the Lady Jackets and their fans alike, it proved worth the wait.
Winning for the fourth straight time, the Lady Jackets crushed the Kopperl Lady Eagles, 67-14, to move one step closer to locking down the runner-up spot in District 20-1A behind champion Blum (12-0, 15-3).
“The Kopperl game was Senior Night, so our seniors started the game for us and played hard,” Meridian girls basketball head coach Matthew Butler said. “Our girls were able to shoot the ball pretty well, making five three-point shots, which was a season high. And we were able to stifle Kopperl with different defenses. Everyone was able to contribute in this final home game of the season.”
Jumping out to a dominating 20-5 first quarter lead over Kopperl (0-12, 0-21), the Lady Jackets built an overwhelming 40-6 advantage by halftime and never looked back. Canyon Stauffer scored a season-high 28 points, hitting 13 of 17 shots from the field, while senior Erika Maldonado tossed in 14 points by sinking three from three-point range, followed by Journey Stauffer with 11 points.
On the postponed Senior Night, Meridian finally had the opportunity to show its appreciation for three seniors — Erika Maldonado, Summer Chen, Abby Edwards.
“We are all very proud of our seniors,” Grant said. “They have each shown unbelievable character, toughness, trust and resiliency in hanging in there and staying with basketball for four tough years. Certainly basketball teaches many life lessons that will be great tools for them to use as they build their lives.
“Each of them are very special young ladies with their own unique qualities and abilities, and I have no doubt each of them will be very successful in the next phase of their lives. I hope they will remember these four years with fondness and great memories.”
Using back-to-back impressive District 20-1A victories as a springboard, the Lady Jackets have already team clinched a trip to the Class 1A postseason tournament. After battling to a hard-fought 48-38 win over the Walnut Springs Lady Hornets (6-6, 9-11) Jan. 24, the Lady Jackets crushed the Covington Lady Owls (2-10, 4-14), 43-13, on the road Jan. 27 to maintain sole possession of second place.
In a completely dominating performance on the road, the Lady Jackets shut out Covington in the first quarter to build a commanding 27-5 halftime lead. Junior Canyon Stauffer led Meridian with 19 points while tossing down a trio of three-pointers.
“The Covington game went well with us jumping out to a 17-0 first quarter lead,” Butler said. “Overall, it was a good team win with all of our team contributing in some way. I love the coach ability and effort of these girls. They represent themselves, their family and their school with class and pride every time they take the floor. We’ve come a long way from the first week back in November.”
Maldonado added seven points and pulled down four rebounds, sophomore Mackenzie Borhofen tossed in five points, while Dirkse and Journey Stauffer led the Lady Jackets with five rebounds each.
“After getting the big lead, we then focused on different line ups with a “power team” playing some zone and our “quick team” playing man,” Butler said. “We played everyone in different line ups and experimented with some new zone presses and half court zone the second half.”
Although Meridian jumped out to a five-point lead in the first quarter against Walnut Springs (5-5, 8-10) last Tuesday, the Lady Hornets battled back to make it a two-point game before intermission. With the score tied going into the final frame, the Lady Jackets outscored Walnut Springs, 16-6, down the stretch to ran away with the win.
“Our home game against Walnut was not our best effort, but we gritted out a win,” Butler said. “We executed our offenses pretty well and were able to get some scoring opportunities close to the basket, but unfortunately were not able to put the ball in the basket. To their credit, Walnut made shots and free throws while handling our pressure much better than the first meeting.”
Canyon Stauffer led the Lady Jackets with 17 points and five rebounds, followed by Dirkse with nine points and five boards, sophomore Mariana Paniagua with seven points, Journey Stauffer with six points, four rebounds and three steals, as well as Maldonado with six points and three rebounds.
“In the fourth, we changed up our defenses and were able to capitalize on some steals with some baskets,” Butler said. “We finished the game well and pulled out the victory. I think this game will serve as a good learning opportunity for us down the road.”
Photos by SIMONE WICHERS-VOSS
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