1A Boys State: Meridian Guaranteed Trophy After Sweet Victory

There are big victories and historic victories and sometimes, when you combine the two, there are victories so sweet you can’t stop smiling. Just ask the Meridian boys basketball team.

The Trojans bounced back from a bad loss to beat Seton Catholic, 68-48, in consolation play at the Class 1A state tournament on Friday afternoon, March 7, in the Yakima SunDome.

How sweet was it?

First, it erased the bitter taste of Thursday’s quarterfinal defeat to No.1-ranked Annie Wright.

Second, it avenged last year’s loss to basically the same Seton Catholic squad that knocked the Trojans out of the tournament on the first day.

And third, and most importantly, it guaranteed not only one more game — Saturday morning at 9 against Chelan — but guaranteed one more trophy for the school’s trophy case. Win Saturday, and its a fourth-place trophy, but even if they lose, the Trojans will bring home a sixth-place trophy.

“This means a lot to the team,” said sophomore guard Pierce Brzozowski of coming back after Thursday’s loss. “The coaches told us to keep a level head and to keep pushing. They said the energy goes down on the third day, but every guy on this team brings energy.”

They sure brought it Friday. After a close opening quarter, the Trojans put together a 22-point second period to take a double-digit lead. They never let up, stretching the lead to as much as 23 in the second half.

“These guys have worked so hard and then to avenge that loss and to do it soundly,” marveled Meridian coach Shane Stacy. “They (the Cougars) were crushed (after their two-point quarterfinal loss). When that buzzer sounded (after Meridian’s game Thursday), we had our seniors getting guys going for today.”

Leading the way was one of those seniors, Talon Jenkins, who was held to a frustrating 4 points on Thursday but came out firing on Friday. He hit nine of 15 shots, good for 21 points, and even was awarded the team’s sportsmanship medallion for the game.

The other seniors did their part. The Trojans’ other all-leaguer, guard Jaeger Fyfe, had 8 points and 7 rebounds despite spraining his ankle in the second quarter, and post James Hedahl, Meridian’s workhorse inside, had 12 points and 10 rebounds.

But what made it a blowout was the supporting cast, especially the young guards.

Brzozowski made six of eight shots, including a pair of 3-pointers, for 16 points; junior Matthew “Buzzer Beater” Blankenburg had 6 points on two 3s, including a — what else?— buzzer beater to end the first half; and sophomore Trey Alexander hit both his shots for 5 points.

That’s 10 for 13 shooting with five 3-pointers and 27 points for three youngsters who were really playing in their first state tournament and are mostly known for playing in-your-face defense.

“This feels good after being a freshman on the end of the bench last year,” said Brzozowski. “But we have role models like Talon and Jaeger to look up to. They’re the big guys; we just do the dirty work.”

And what about his recent scoring output? “I just go out and play basketball,” the sophomore said. “If the shot is there, I take it.”

The shots were there as was the usual Meridian defense. The Trojans held the sixth-seeded Cougars to 33 percent shooting for the game and only allowed them to make six of 35 3-point attempts. Meanwhile, seventh seed Meridian shot 55 percent from the field and outrebounded the Cougars, 42-26.

Stacy gave credit to his assistant coaches and especially Rob Gray for his defensive strategies and substitution pattern that rotated in fresh legs all game long.

In the end, the coach couldn’t stop smiling when reminded that this team will be earning Meridian’s fourth state trophy and its first since 2010’s runner-up finish.

“It’s amazing,” said Stacy. “This isn’t the norm. If you look back on our conference, there aren’t many teams (that have won trophies) that don’t have Lynden in their name. It’s a grind, and we’ve won all four loser-out games (in the playoffs). These kids are winners.”

How sweet that is.

Meridian 68, Seton Catholic 48

Meridian 14 22 17 15—68

Seton Catholic 15 11 12 13—48

Meridian: Talon Jenkins 21, Damion Hayes, Jaeger Fyfe 8, Canyon James, Brock Haugen, Matthew Blankenburg 6, Daniel Larsen 1, Trey Alexander 5, Gabe Galbraith, Pierce Brzozowski 16, James Hedahl 12, Josiah Harris.

Seton Catholic: Tyler Tran 6, Mason Glassmire, Brady Angelo 5, Rico George 20, Lance Lee 2, Roberto Valdez, Kaiden Wilson 13, Ben Deochand 2.

CLASS 1A BOYS STATE TOURNAMENT

At Yakima SunDome

Wednesday, March 5

Seton Catholic 68, Cashmere 61 (loser out)

Meridian 65, Overlake 52 (loser out)

King’s 69, Bellevue Christian 67 (loser out)

Chelan 69, Bear Creek 51 (loser out)

Thursday, March 6

Zillah 61, Seton Catholic 59

Annie Wright 53, Meridian 22

Lynden Christian 69, King’s 4422-2), 7:15 p.m.