Trojans, Meridian Shine As MUDECAS Champions

After 94 years of the tournament that is MUDECAS, one would think that by a century all that could be done has been and there would be no more first times. As luck would have it on Friday, Jan. 13, there was more than one, as it was the first time in the tournament’s legacy that an all-female officiating crew was on hand for the final day of the girls championship.The tournament also saw championships reclaimed by other schools and for some the first time, but by the end the week, sports fans had plenty of basketball to remember as they look forward to watching next season’s tournament.January 13 was historic for a school’s history as well. That school was Meridian as it was history making for them as they won the MUDECAS B Division for the first time in school history.It would stand to reason as that memory of Meridian is clear as they had not only dominated the MUDECAS volleyball tournament, but the basketball tournament had seemingly gone the same route. It was in the first round of MUDECAS basketball for the Meridian Lady Mustangs that was a runaway as their defense opened up the offensive opportunities in the 42-point win margin against Pawnee City, 57-15.As a team Meridian showed off great hustle as they were able to rack up 17 steals and gave out 18 assists. Meridian was led by senior Jaslyn Ward as she scored 14 points, had five rebounds, one assist and four steals to lead the team.Sophomore McKenzie Hofstetter was benefiting from the fast breaks and made the most out of her opportunities as she scored 10 points, grabbed four rebounds, had one steal and gave out one assist while Jaylee Sobotka was able to lead the teams with seven rebounds, scored eight points, had two assists, two steals and one block in a solid start to the tournament for the Lady Mustangs.The second round had Meridian going up against Exeter-Milligan, who came in with momentum as well, upsetting their first round opponent. The battle between these two teams required overtime that Meridian’s defense came alive in holding their opponent to one point in the extra frame as they scored six, winning 40-35 to move on to the championship.Taking on Lewiston, a team that had previously beat Meridian in recent weeks would be no easy task, nevermind it being a championship pressure added on to the game. However from the first tip-off Meridian came out ready and eager to compete as it was evident with the 12-2 first quarter score. By the end of the first half a 23-8 difference is what they had created with great rebounding, but more importantly the passing that lead to great shot selection. That continued to be a theme, though shots weren’t falling as frequently in the first half, Meridian’s passing was on point throughout the game as they attacked the zone, and in the second half killing the time for history to be made as they would go on to win 41-25 securing the MUDECAS Division B championship for the first time in school history.As a team Meridian racked up a total of 47 rebounds, 14 steals, and 10 assists. Ward led the team with a double double, featuring a dozen points and a dozen rebounds while also getting two steals. Jaylee Sobotka was able to score six points, but made the biggest contribution crashing the glass and grabbing a team leading 16 rebounds, showed great vision having four assists and led the team with four steals.This victory also marks the first year that Meridian had won the MUDECAS tournament in basketball and volleyball in the same school year giving Meridian a lot of momentum progressing onward in the season.Tri CountyFor 94 years the MUDECAS tournament has been providing a great mid-season check on teams. Around the tournament’s legacy in 1983, that was the last time that Tri County would win the MUDECAS Division A championship. It would be 40 years later and the Trojans are able to claim the right to call themselves champions again.The Tri County Trojans clashed in the first round of MUDECAS basketball with Johnson-Brock and came alive in the second half with the defense paying big dividends in the fourth holding their opponents to only two points and by games end shooting 13-of-17 at the free-throw line was the difference maker to help the Trojans win, 44-36. Coming away with a lucky 13 points as the only one to reach double digits was junior Caden Bales who also had five rebounds, one assist and one steal as well. Braiden Strouf managed eight points, while snagging up a pair of rebounds, and had one steal. Chris Janssen and Carter Siems each dropped in seven points to contribute. Siems also led the team with rebounds coming up with 10, gave out two assists, nabbed two steals and had the one solo block for Tri County.Tri County would go on to the next round going against Freeman.A close game throughout, but Tri County stayed consistent on the way to win 43-35 advancing to the finals as they would take on Parkview Christian. If there was any question that Tri County was ready or not, they answered all doubts by having a great first quarter with a score of 19-9. Parkview Christian would cut at the deficit to a nine point lead at half, 33-24.The start of the third quarter was a difference as Tri County would be leading 45-42. Despite some solid passing throughout the game as they picked apart the zone, it wouldn’t be until around the two minute mark that Tri County would lose the lead 51-52. A timeout called refocused Tri County and as head coach Jeremy Siems had been saying all game, “Easy now, easy.”Tri County showed poise and patience in the last minute as they scored a bucket to take the lead back with 47 seconds left in the game. The next possession was a great defensive stop that had Carter Siems collect his 10th rebound and final assist (9) throwing it down the court to Caden Bales extending the lead. Another defensive stop had Andrew Sasse at the line staying perfect going two-for-two to ice the victory 59-54 breaking the 40 year MUDECAS championship dry-spell for Tri County.Carter Siems led the team by nearly having the triple double as he finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds, facilitated greatly in the attacking the zone with nine assists and came away with four steals. Caden Bales was able to give 11 points, two rebounds and four assists and Andrew Sasse was able to be the sharpshooter that paid big dividends shooting a perfect three-for-three behind the arch, specifically at the corners with his most important points coming at the end putting the nail in the coffin as he finished with 11 points, and had five rebounds.Tri County will be on the road looking to continue with the winning ways as they take on Fillmore Central on Friday, January 20.

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