MERIDIAN —
Last season Meridian High School was unable to defend the Class 6A state championship. This year the word defend will have a whole new meaning, as head coach Randy Bolden and the Wildcats are making defense the top priority heading into what could be another deep title run for the ‘Cats.
“Everything we do is based off defense,” Bolden said. “We teach it from day one. We try to get them to buy into it, because defense is what wins championships. As soon as they buy into it, I think we have a better opportunity to win.”
The ‘Cats will be led up front by 6-foot-8 Dennis Miles. The former Newton High School standout will come to Meridian after sitting out a year and will look to provide Meridian with an inside punch in the upcoming season. Other key returnees include guards Je’ Vaugnhte Harris and Devontae Brewster, as well as forward Phillip Walker.
Bolden said he will count on Harris to run the show for the Wildcats this season at the point guard position. The returning point guard from last season will look to provide experience to the offense and spread the ball around in order create plays for his teammates.
Meridian will have a young team this season, and will rely on the leadership of its more experienced players to help transition new additions into the Wildcats scheme. Brewster said the team's younger players have done a good job so far adapting to the speed of the high school game.
“I think the key to this season will be the guys off the bench coming in and keeping the flow going,” Brewster said. “They are going to help when we are playing defense. We have been working really hard on defense, so if we continue to play hard all game we should.”
Depth and defense will also play a key part in how the Wildcats score this season. While Bolden did not want to label his team as a fast-break offense, the Wildcats will look to move quickly and capatilize on turnovers and defensive rebounds to put points on the board.
“We try to play whatever style the other team is doing,” Bolden said. “You will never have a bad night if you play good defense. We let our defense let us lead into our offense. Everything we do will predicate from our defense.
“We still have a lot of things to learn.We are all new, so it is going to take some time to learn what all each other need to do. But I think they play hard, and if you are playing with a lot of effort, I think it will create opportunities.”
Players still remember what is was like to celebrate on the court after winning the state championship two years ago. Not only do players from the championship team remember how it felt to win, they remember the work it took as well.
“We got to come out and do all the little things every day,” Walker said. “If we work hard everyday and do what coach is telling us to do, we will get back there.”
While it is tough to tell during preseason, Bolden shares the same confidence as his players and said the Wildcats appear to have what it takes to put things together in the upcoming season.
“It’s going to take the guys coming together and gelling at the same time,” Bolden said. “I think from a talent standpoint, these guys are really talented and it will take us a little time to get that cohesiveness, but once we get that we have what it takes to win.”
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Wildcats hope defense leads to title
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