For Meridian coach Ron Norman, last year’s championship-winning team is just that — last year’s team.

Norman’s current team stands on its own merits, and after its win against Kemper County Saturday night, it’s patently clear that this year’s squad has established and embraced its own unique brand of dominant basketball.

Meridian defeated Kemper County 78-40 Saturday in the inaugural Rodney Hood Classic, held at Meridian High School.

“We’re not trying to be last year’s team,” Norman said. “We don’t have to defend last year’s state championship because no one can take it from us. We have to go and be the best team we can be so that we can try and get back to the state tournament.”

Vontrell Pringle and KeEdrick Armstead posted double-digit scoring efforts for Meridian, as Pringle poured in a game-high 15 points, while Armstead chipped in with 10 points.

Qavion McClendon led Kemper County with 14 points, and Delance Gillespie added 10 points. 

Pringle, who logged time as a reserve as a sophomore last year, has emerged as one of Meridian’s most consistent shooters, which garnered him high praise from Norman. 

“He’s our X-factor,” Norman said. “He just does what he does. You never look at him and think he’s a great player, but when you look at him, all you see is production. He shoots the 3 at a higher clip than anybody on our team; he shoots free throws better and he shoots 2s better. We just have to find a way to get him more shot attempts because he’s shooting over 80 percent from the floor. He’s shooting 60 percent from the 3 (point line) and 89 percent from the (free throw) line.”

Pringle scored Meridian’s (11-1) first three baskets of the night to give Meridian a 7-2 lead it would extend to 27-8 by the end of the first quarter.

Leading 33-10 in the second quarter, Meridian forced a Kemper County turnover and Jamond Gordon and Tyron Brewer raced to their end of the court. As Brewer dashed with the basketball to the goal, Gordon barked his name. Brewer flipped the ball to Gordon, who then tossed it in the air. Brewer snatched the ball from the air and threw down the alley-oop. The dunk sent Meridian fans into a thunderous frenzy.

“All of those guys play for one another,” Norman said of his team’s chemistry. “Our best player scores nine (points) and he’s happy, and last week, he had 30. So when you have that kind of thing going on with your team, it’s good for chemistry. The kids play for one another, and they’re all excited because we win.”

Meridian took a 47-15 lead into halftime and led 63-22 at the end of the third quarter.    

Holding the title as the defending state champion carries a set of expectations and challenges. Norman acknowledged those challenges and said his team enters every game knowing it has a target on its back.

“Last year, we were hunters,” Norman said. “We were really hungry to get to what we achieved last year. This year, we are the hunted. So we’re getting everybody’s best shot. No matter who we play on our schedule, we’re getting their best shot. And that’s the thing that we have to really be ready for every night. No matter who we play, we get their best shot.”

The loss sends Kemper County to 0-7 on the season. Despite his team’s record, first-year Kemper County coach Daryl Osby remains optimistic about his team’s progression and believes it will hit its stride in time for district play. 

“We have a lot of youth and inexperience on the team; we do have a little experience with a couple of our seniors,” Osby said. “We’re playing a tough schedule to get us ready for the future and to get us ready for district. So we’re telling them to keep their heads up, and now they know how hard they actually have to play to play on this level. We’re fine with where we’re going. We’re starting to see a lot of improvement.”

In addition to Meridian and Kemper County, Saturday’s Rodney Hood Classic also drew Bay Springs and Northeast Lauderdale. The tournament was sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club of East Mississippi. 

Executive Director Ricky Hood, father of tournament namesake and current Utah Jazz player Rodney Hood, was encouraged by the participation. 

“It was a good turnout, considering the weather,” Ricky Hood said. “We had some good teams and we appreciate Meridian High School for allowing us to do this, and of course we appreciate the local teams that participated in the tournament. This is the first year. Hopefully next year, I know it will be a lot bigger and better.”

Up next: Meridian hosts Murrah Tuesday in a rematch of last year’s title game, and Kemper County hosts West Lauderdale Thursday.