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Meridian 67, Nooksack Valley 65
It was a close first quarter between the Trojans and Pioneers but Nooksack Valley held an 18-11 lead at the end of the first quarter. Another 18-point scoring effort by the Pioneers expanded their lead to a 12-point advantage entering halftime. The Trojans outscored Nooksack 20-16 in the third to close the score gap within single digits.
Having not held a single lead during the contest, Meridian tied the game with two minutes left.
A Nooksack Valley three-pointer and free throws were matched with multiple Trojan buckets in the paint just before Meridian senior guard, Cohen Fuller gained control of the ball. Racing down the court with a tied score on the scoreboard behind him, Fuller released the ball less than a second before the final buzzer rang throughout Jake Maberry Gymnasium.
The ball dropped through the hoop, two points were added to the Trojans’ total for the night, and Meridian gained their first lead when it counted most. With the win, Meridian earned a berth into the regional round of the state tournament.
Four different Trojans scored in the double digits with junior guard Talon Jenkins leading the way with 18 points, despite battling foul trouble throughout the game. Senior post Christian Clawson contributed 15 points. Fuller, and fellow senior guard Taran Burks scored 12 and 13 points respectively.
The Pioneers were led by junior center Brady Ackerman with 16 points and junior guard Caden Heutink with 12 points, both of whom fouled out in the fourth quarter. Sophomore guard Cole Coppinger contributed 11 points and junior forward Colton Lentz finished with nine points.
