Meridian boys' basketball coach Shane Stacy was much more pleased with his team's effort on Saturday, Dec. 29, over what he saw during the first day of the SunDome Shootout in Yakima, but it unfortunately didn't translate into a win. The Trojans continued to struggle shooting and turned the ball over more that 20 times in a 53-48 loss to White River.

"Our effort, compared to yesterday, was much better," Stacy said. "We came out much more focused. Team effort-wise, we played really well on defense, and that was good to see. We had a lot of looks at the basket, but we just couldn't put the ball in the hole. That and we must have had about 50 turnovers the past two days. Your defense can only do so much when you're struggling shooting the ball and turning it over that much."

Edward Garcia hit a pair of 3-pointers and led the Trojans (5-5) with 11 points, while Logan Carlson scored 10.

Meridian returns to Northwest Conference play on Friday, Jan. 4, when it hosts Squalicum.

WHITE RIVER 53, MERIDIAN 48

Meridian: Alijah Garcia 6, Jacob Plagerman 0, Kelby Todd 2, Edward Garcia 11, Patrick Carlson 1, Blake Briones 5, Chad Richter 6, Sam Chambers 2, Spencer Blackburn 6, Logan Carlson 10.

White River: Dove 10, Schwgart 8, Schearre 3, Sayler 4, Dodley 2, France 11, Garvin 5, Holm 2, Foster 6, Kellen 2.

3-ptg: Meridian 2 (Garcia 2), White River 3.