JACKSON — The Meridian High School boys haven’t been battled tested all season.

Now they have, and it was in dramatic fashion.

Callaway’s James Williams hit a lay up and was fouled with 0.4 seconds left but missed the free throw as Meridian survived 71-70 in a thriller over the Chargers on Tuesday night to remain undefeated.

“We made them shoot the last shot, and the kid shot an air ball, and that is the hardest to rebound, and their big kid made a play,” Meridian coach Ron Norman said. “Fortunately for us, he missed the free throw and we got out of here with a hard fought-win, because it is hard to win here.”

The Chargers and Wildcats were in a tight game all night, but Meridian only trailed three times the entire contest.

Down 61-58 midway through the fourth quarter, Meridian’s Miles Miller hit a pair of free throws, and Ledarrius Brewer sank a 3-pointer that gave the Wildcats the lead for good at 61-58.

“We had guys step up when we needed them to,” Norman said. “Ledarrius did what a Dandy Dozen player is supposed to do: make big baskets down the stretch when we needed it the most.”

Brewer, a UTEP commit, finished the night with 15 points before fouling out late in the fourth quarter.

Miles Miller had 17 points to lead Meridian. Tyron Brewer added 15 points, and Javius Malone chipped in 12 points for the Wildcats (9-0).

“That was by far the toughest game we’ve played all season,” Norman said. “We saw some adversity that we haven’t had all year, and our kids caught through it, and I’m so proud for the way the fought.”

John Knight had 19 points to lead Callaway, while Tanarrio Ransburgh added 18 points for the Chargers (5-3).

“I’m proud of the kids for fighting tonight, Callaway coach David Sanders said. “We took a big step tonight. That was a Big House type of game. Meridian is the favorite in 6A, and we needed to see where we stand moving forward. With Meridian, we have to be patient and can’t turn the ball, over because they are so good in transition, and we did good job of that, but we didn’t slow them down when we needed too.” 

CALLAWAY GIRLS 51, MERIDIAN 46 

Delexis Knight had a game-high 16 points as the Lady Chargers held on to knock of the Lady Wildcats. Arbanee Harper and Elisha Blackmon added 13 points each for Callaway (2-4). 

Sabrina Williams had 12 points to lead Meridian, while Ty Reed added 10 points for the Lady Wildcats (2-6).