Meridian faced their toughest test of the season on Friday, Jan 17 against Skyline High School, culminating in junior Will Davis hitting a walk-off shot to win the game, and keeping the Mustangs 11-0 streak. The Mustangs played from behind the entire game, which is the first time that had happened all year. The crowd was rocking, with kids from the recreational basketball league in attendance.
The first quarter was sluggish, with the Mustangs not getting shots to fall and getting worked in transition. Meridian did not make a three point shot in the first half, which is rare for them. Skyline was winning in the paint, getting a quick and early lead of nine points, while Meridian coach Jim Smith was not pleased with how his team was playing.
The second quarter was a lot of the same, with Meridian turning the ball over in transition. This is uncharacteristic for this team, as it seemed like they were just trying to do too much. Junior Marques Myles hit a big one to cut the lead down to seven just before the half.
The Mustangs came out with a little bit more pace in the second half, finally getting shots to fall. They played much better half court defense, getting back in transition. In addition, they stopped the easy buckets Skyline was getting in the first half. However, Skyline was still able to get buckets when they needed to stay up a three possession lead.
Meridian cut the lead down to five with about three minutes left. It seemed like Meridian needed to capitalize on their chances down the stretch. The crowd was waiting to explode with a bucket.
Meridian finally hit a one and one to go down by one which made the game the closest it had been all night, Meridian hit a layup with around 40 seconds left to take their first lead of the game since the early moments of the first quarter. Skyline came down and tried to get a bucket. Meridian fouled them, sending the Skyline player for two. He missed the first one still, keeping skyline down by two, but he hit the second shot, tying the game. Meridian ran the clock down, but bobbled the ball. Then, Senior Jarret Jardine tipped the ball right into Will Davis hands and knocks down the shots to win it.
“Everything moved pretty quick, it was hard to follow the ball. But eventually it popped out and landed right next to me and I didn’t even have to think about it,” said Junior Will Davis.
Hitting the game winning shot was an awesome feeling.
“It felt pretty good, I didn’t have much time to think about it because my teammates mobbed me right away, but it was definitely a cool feeling when it hit me,” Davis explained.
The environment of the game also helped them narrowly avoid a loss, “There was a great atmosphere in the gym from the big crowd, so they helped us pull out the win.”
