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Meridian High School
School Info
Conference: 5A Southern Idaho Conference
Classification: 5A
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Head Coach: Mike Chatterton
Years as Head Coach: 1st Season
Previous Experience: Boise Slam Director, Vallivue Head Basketball Coach
Assistant Coaches:
Jon Rehder; Brandee Gormley
Returning Athletes:
Kyler Harmon – Senior Guard 5’11"
“Key Players” lost from last year:
Axel Mpoyo – 1st Team ALL-SIC
Noah Baxter – Honorable Mention All-SIC
Lost four other Seniors to graduation
Incoming “impact” players:
Jordan Chatterton – Senior Guard – Transfer from Rocky Mountain
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Team Preview:
Written By: Ryan Lee
Meridian is coming off a busy off-season where they graduated six seniors (4 starters), and replaced their head coach Mike Graefe, with new head coach Mike Chatterton. Coach Chatterton has served as the Club Director and President of the Boise Slam Basketball Club the past five years. Before serving as the President of the Boise Slam he coached at Vallivue High School in Caldwell and led the Falcons to two State Championships in 2001 and 2008.
Returning for the Warriors is senior guard, Kyler Harmon. Harmon is the only returning starter and a lot will be placed on his shoulders to be a leader of a very young group. During the off-season Meridian graduated first team All-SIC team member, Axel Mpoyo, honorable mention All-SIC, Noah Baxter, and four other seniors. A key newcomer for the Warriors comes in the form of a transfer from rival school Rocky Mountain, in Jordan Chatterton.
Offense: Last season, Meridian finished with a .500 record of 11-11, and went 8-8 in the Southern Idaho Conference. They opened up the season with six straight wins, which was the Warriors best start since 2003. Kyler Harmon was one of the scoring leaders last season for Meridian and played under Coach Chatterton on the 17U team this summer with the Boise Slam. He and newcomer Jordan Chatterton will be called on to make sure their teammates become acclimated to Coach Chatterton’s new offense.
Defense: Starting the season with a new roster Meridian will need to depend on its defense early. It is unknown how good the Warriors will be on defense, but one thing is clear is that they will work hard and will need to communicate as a team to stop some of the high-motor, speedy guards in the conference.
Wrap-UpThe Warriors won’t have the same luxury they did a season ago, with returning five starters. They will be a completely new team with only having one starter returning. Coach Chatterton believes his team has a lot of upside heading into the 2015-16 season, and knows the challenges that are ahead for his team. One thing is for sure, is that Coach Chatterton has the experience and the coaching pedigree to turn a team around quickly. Meridian very well could be the most-improved team in the conference as the season goes on.
GAMES TO WATCH: Meridian only plays rival Rocky Mountain once this season on January 23,2016. The game will be held at Rocky Mountain High School and will be a game among friends, with many members of each team knowing each other off the court.
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