In their first season as Meridian High School, the Mustangs put on a performance more than worthy of their new gymnasium digs last night to secure the 3B Regional Title over the Brentsville District Tigers, 67-22.
Seeking to go back-to-back as Class 3 State Champions, Meridian’s head Coach Chris Carrico saw the motivation to repeat from the moment his team won it all last year.
“These girls have been motivated since the last day of last season. They’ve just been working so well together as a team. It’s so much better as a coach if you don’t have to bring the motivation and when you know they’re ready to battle every single night. And that’s definitely the way this group has defined themselves.”
Meridian’s defense was swarming all game to say the least, but really pushed them ahead of the Tigers in the third quarter. Fast breaks and transition opportunities led to several easy buckets and good looks from beyond the arc in which the Mustangs cashed in.
Closing in on her 1,000th point, senior PG Zoraida Icabalceta knocked in a three-pointer to capture the milestone and add to her impressive four-year varsity career. Icabalceta (12 points, six assists, four steals) was assisted on a few of her baskets by three-year varsity member Elizabeth Creed, who displayed exuberant joy for her teammate as she closed in on the milestone. Creed, a first team all-Northwestern District member, led the Mustang’s overall charge with 25 points, five boards, three assists, and two blocks.
“A lot of our girls have been playing together for a while. Every kid on our team returned from last year, so very similar to the motivation part, it’s nice when they know where each other are on the floor, they know each other’s tendencies, and they know each other’s strengths, so they definitely feed off one another,” said Carrico of his team’s chemistry.
The Tigers (17-4) got as close as nine early in the second quarter, but struggled to establish any offensive rhythm. Junior guard Alden Yergey led Brentsville District with 14, and was recently named co-Player of the Year in the Northwestern District alongside Icabalceta. With only two seniors, the Tigers will look to come back stronger next season with most of their roster back. Next week in the state quarterfinals, they will face the winner of the 3A Regional Championship Game between New Kent and either Lake Taylor or Lakeland.
Meridian (22-1) will face the loser of that game, but will have to carry this momentum over a week of just practice until then.
“There is a break before the state tournament so we have to make sure that we stay focused and we’ve been doing that this whole year, so we’ve got to make sure that we have a good week of practicing so we’re ready to go for Friday.”
–Max Nagle
@MaxWritesHoops