After earning final District 20-1A playoff berth down the stretch, Meridian Yellowjackets fall to eighth-ranked Gordon Longhorns in Bi-District playoff
After winning three of their last four regular season games to earn their second straight trip to the Class 1A state playoffs, the 2023-24 Texas high school boys basketball season came to a quick and abrupt end the Meridian Yellowjackets.
Going into the postseason tournament as District 20-1A’s fourth place team, the Jackets found themselves formidably matched up against the District 19-1A champion and eighth-ranked Gordon Longhorns. As a result, the Longhorns (26-8) stampeded to an impressive 85-37 Bi-District playoff win Monday night at Dublin High School to eliminate Meridian on their way to the Class 1A Final Four Tournament.
But the playoff loss takes nothing away from what the Jackets (6-6 in district, 15-12 overall) accomplished at the end of this season by snapping a three-game losing streak to win three straight down to the stretch to clinch back-to-back trips to the postseason behind district champion Morgan (12-0, 23-1), runner-up Covington (8-4, 18-13) and third place Walnut Springs (8-4, 13-7).
After snapping the three-game skid with a 70-57 road victory over Kopperl (0-12, 8-16) Jan. 30, the Jackets moved into position to clinch a playoff spot with a solid 66-56 home victory over Iredell Feb 6. Meridian took control of the game early by building a 39-12 lead going into halftime. But Iredell (4-7, 9-15) came out strong in the second half before the Jackets put the game away.
Junior Matty Jones led Meridian with 22 points, five rebounds, four steals, three deflections and three assists, followed by junior Jesus Martinez with 18 points and 10 rebounds, and freshman Josh Nunez tossed in 11 points.
“This was a big win for us in terms of getting into the playoffs,” Meridian boys basketball head coach Grant Schur said. “It really was a must-win situation for us. I was really pleased with the way we came out in the first half. We were able to jump on them early like we did the first time against them. But this time, we managed to not melt down in the second quarter and build up a 27-point lead at halftime.
“I was a little disappointed in how we came out after halftime. I know it is part of being young and inexperienced, but we have to do a better job of putting games away when you have a chance to do it. We let them climb back into it way more than we should have. But I was extremely proud of the way we finished the last two minutes of the game. Our style of play is really fast-paced. But we did a very good job of flipping the switch and controlling the ball and time of possession the last two minutes to end the game.”
While freshman Guillermo Ortiz contributed two blocks, dished out six assists and came up with five steals, sophomore Noah Smith scored six points, while collecting four steals, three deflections and three rebounds.
“Jesus Martinez had a really big first half scoring 14 points, and he also did a great job rebounding,” Schur said. “He really showed his leadership in a big game like it was. Matty Jones also had a big impact for us, it was really nice to see him get going again like that. Guillermo Ortiz is playing really well for us right now, and he is really setting the tone for us defensively. I am really happy about how he has come on as the season has progressed.”
Needing a win to clinch a playoff berth before taking on undefeated district champion Morgan (12-0, 23-1) in the regular season finale, the Jackets used another fast start to take a commanding first half lead before holding off the Blum Bobcats, 68-62, at home Feb. 9.
“It was a really big win for us,” Schur said. “I am proud of the way our guys responded with our backs against the wall to clinch a playoff spot. We got off to a good first half much like we did against Iredell and went into halftime up 16. But we have to start doing a better job of finishing teams when we are up. We really just held on in the second half against Iredell and Blum to win instead of hammering down and finishing the job.
“Blum did a really good job of responding in the second half to being down though, really especially in the fourth quarter. Both of those games are learning experiences that hopefully we can grow from in the future. Yes, we still won, but when you have teams down, you have to go finish it.”
Against Blum (3-8, 3-21), Nunez led the Jackets with a season-high 34 points and seven rebounds, followed by Ortiz with 15 points and six steals, along with sophomore Garrett Pope with 11 points, nine rebounds and four steals.
“I was really proud of the way Josh Nunez played in a big game,” Schur said. “He was really impressive, especially for a freshman. Guillermo Ortiz is another freshman that also played really well, and Garrett Pope also had a good game. We were pretty short-handed Friday, so we needed those guys to step up, and they did a great job.
“This year, we have definitely left some wins out there that we shouldn’t have,” Schur said. “But I am very happy with where we are at finishing the year, and then not graduating anyone going into next year. I feel like the future of Meridian basketball is very bright.”
Photos by WENDY OROZCO
©2024 Southern Cross Creative, LLP. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.