MERIDIAN

TROJANS

Coach: Shane Stacy (eighth season)

Last year: Finished 10th in the Northwest Conference with a 4-9 conference mark. Won a game at the 1A Tri-District Tournament, but had its season end with a 9-14 record overall.

Players to watch: Alijah Garcia (jr. G), Blake Briones (jr. F)

Outlook: After the graduation of Chase Heslep, Edward Garcia (10.9 points per game) is the Trojans' leading returning scorer from last season. Stacy said he expects Alijah Garcia (8.3) and Briones (3.6) to be Meridian's top defenders. Beyond that, Stacy is not really sure who will end up being the go-to players. "That's something we're going to need to figure out on a nightly basis," Stacy said in a phone interview. "I don't think we're going to need to rely on any one or two guys on a consistent basis. We've got to figure out who we can go to, whether it be on the offensive or defensive side of things." Stacy admits he may be sounding a little bit like football coach Bob Ames, but his roster lists way too many players taller than 6-foot to be the case, especially with 6-8 junior Logan Carlson and 6-6 senior Chad Richter. "We've got some good size and length," Stacy said. "I think rebounding-wise, we should be pretty competitive with that. If we rebound the ball and utilize our size and value the basketball - limiting our turnovers - I think we can be OK."

ROSTER

No. Player Yr. Ht. Pos.

1 Alijah Garcia Jr. 5-10 G

3 Trevin Todd Sr. 5-9 G

5 Jacob Plagerman Jr. 6-0 G

10 Kelby Todd Sr. 5-9 G

12 Edward Garcia Sr. 5-10 G

14 Patrick Carlson Sr. 6-3 F

20 Blake Briones Jr. 6-3 F

21 Chad Richter Sr. 6-6 P

24 Sam Chambers Jr. 6-1 F

30 Spencer Blackburn Jr. 6-4 P

32 Kyle Young So. 6-3 P

33 Logan Carlson Jr. 6-8 P

SCHEDULE

Nov. 29 South Whidbey W 82-35

Dec. 3 Mount Baker W 48-31

Dec. 4 at Bellingham L 69-59

Dec. 6 Delview (B.C.) W 62-33

Dec. 11 Blaine 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 12 Nooksack Valley* 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 17 at Sedro-Woolley* 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 21 Bellingham* 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 28 White River (at Yakima) 4:30 p.m.

Dec. 29 SunDome Tournament (at Yakima) TBD

Jan. 4 Squalicum* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 8 Friday Harbor 4 p.m.

Jan. 11 Ferndale* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 14 Anacortes* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 18 at Blaine* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 21 at Burlington-Edison* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 24 at Lynden Christian* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 26 at Mount Baker* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 29 Sehome* 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 31 at Lynden* 7:15 p.m.

*NWC game

Reach DAVID RASBACH at david.rasbach@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2271.