The Doug Lange Network 

February 6, 2019 

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Two days of canceled games due to a blast of winter weather didn't sit well with the Meridian girls basketball team. Finally given the opportunity to play, the Trojans took it out on their opponent.  Meridian crushed Cedar Park Christian 73-25 in their District 1 playoff opener Wednesday in Laurel.

 

Star post Jolee Sipma lead the way, nearly outscoring the Eagles on her own. The junior tallied 23 points to put the Trojans into the district championship game at Mount Vernon High School Saturday where they will play Lynden Christian.

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"We've been waiting to play for a really long time, you know our games kept getting canceled," said Sipma. "We were ready to come out, we were ready to show what we've been working on. We just came out and left it all on the floor."   

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Listen to our archived broadcast of Cedar Park Christian at Meridian

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Sipma added 6 rebounds, 8 steals, 3 assists and 2 blocked shots in the win drawing plenty of praise from her coach Mark Gilmore. 

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"She was huge," said Gilmore. "She was rebounding the ball, leading the transition and getting on the offensive glass. She shot the ball well tonight, it was a complete performance." 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Meridian's defense was dominant holding the Eagles scoreless for a 5 minute stretch from the middle of the first quarter and into the second to blow open a close game. Thing only got better in the second half as the Trojans held Cedar Park Christian to just 8 points. 

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Meridian freshman Skyleigh James scored 11 points and senior Alexis Groen added 9 points and 7 rebounds. Cedar Park Christian was paced by the 12 points and 7 rebounds of junior Irena Korolenko. 

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It was the fifth straight victory for Meridian (18-4) and it sets up rematch with Lynden Christian (18-3) in the district title game on Saturday. the Trojans beat the Lyncs 54-47 at home January 29th. 

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Despite the loss, Cedar Park Christian (12-7) is still alive in the tournament. the Eagles will host Nooksack Valley (14-7) Friday in a loser out game. The winner of that contest will secure a spot in next week's bi-district tournament and play for either third or 4th place. 

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- Doug Lange