The Meridian Trojans forgot all about their loss to Annie Wright on Thursday, and dominated the Seton Catholic Cougars, 68-48, in a 1A state tournament elimination game, Friday in the Yakima SunDome.
The win means that the Trojans will take home their first state tournament trophy since 2010. They will play for fourth and sixth place on Saturday against Chelan.
The Trojans meant business as they jumped on the Cougars in the opening minutes, taking a quick 10-2 lead. Sophomore guard Pierce Brzozowski was a big key to the Trojans hot start as he hit a 3-point shot and a mid-range jumper.
The Trojans offense was temporarily interrupted by the Cougars, however, as Kaiden Wilson, their 6-6 sophomore forward, also hit a 3-pointer and a 2-pointer to bring the Cougars to within 14-12 at the end of the first quarter.
The Trojans doubled up the Cougars in the second quarter, outscoring them 22-11. The foursome of Brzozowski, senior post James Hedahl, sophomore Trey Alexander, and junior Matthew Blankenburg combined for 16 of the Trojans points in the quarter. That included four 3-pointers.
Blankenburg hit a 3-pointer with two minutes left in the half, then took a pitch from Talon Jenkins and drilled another one at the buzzer from deep on the left side. The Trojans led 36-23 at halftime.
The Trojans never let up, as then it was time for Jenkins to do damage. He hit four jumpers in the third quarter for eight points as the lead grew to 18 by the end of the third quarter.
The Cougars trailed Zillah in their quarterfinal game by 21 points, only to tie the game in the final minute. But there would be no big comeback by the Cougars on this day.
The Trojans continued to run offense, working the clock, while Jenkins hit three more jumpers, along with six more points by Brzozowski. The Trojans lead reached as much as 23 points.
Wilson battled foul trouble, picking up his fourth early in the third quarter, allowing the Trojans ample opportunities to attack the rim in the second half.
Wilson fouled out with 13 points. Senior guard Rico George led the Cougars with 20 points.
The Trojans are tough when Jenkins and fellow senior Jaeger Fyfe are scoring well, but they are at their best when others get involved. Jenkins scored 21 and Fyfe recovered from an ankle injury that sidelined him for several minutes to finish with eight points.
The gold stars go to Hedahl with 12 points and ten rebounds, and to Brzozowski’s 16. Blankenburg’s six points and Alexander’s five points came at the perfect time for the Trojans.
The Cougars season ends with a 20-7 record. The Trojans will take their 19-9 record to Saturday morning’s 9:30am game with Chelan (23-6), a 63-59 winner in overtime over Kings.
~ Ted House
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