2A BOYS: Gosse, Mustangs get revenge on Stars with tourney title

Garrett Gosse has won plenty of big games with The Meadows’ boys basketball team, but a loss was stuck in his head as he took the court Saturday.

The Meadows lost by 19 points at Agassi Prep in the regular-season finale, giving the Stars the regular-season Class 2A Southern League title.

“You only have a certain amount of chances in life to win a championship,” said Gosse, a senior forward. “They took the first one from us. This was our second chance to win a league championship, and we didn’t want to let it slip by.”

Gosse made the most of his latest opportunity, posting 25 points and 11 rebounds as The Meadows used a strong second half to down Agassi Prep 63-57 in the Class 2A Southern League tournament final at Durango.

The Meadows (22-6) captured its first league tournament title since 2006-07, and along with it the South’s No. 1 seed for the 2A state tournament.

Both teams advanced to Friday’s Class 2A state semifinals at North Valleys. The Meadows will meet West Wendover at 4:40 p.m., and Agassi Prep will play Northern Region champion Pershing County at 8 p.m.

Gosse scored 15 points after halftime, helping The Meadows break open a 29-27 halftime lead before holding on down the stretch.

Gosse hit a 3-pointer from the left wing just before the third-quarter buzzer that gave the Mustangs a 47-40 lead, and converted a three-point play for a 50-42 lead with 6 minutes, 38 seconds remaining.

The Meadows lost 74-55 at Agassi Prep on Feb. 11, but coach Gary Hannig said the Mustangs felt confident they could compete with the defending 2A state champions after an 88-82 overtime victory over the Stars on Jan. 21.

“They’re a good team, and we give them credit,” Hannig said of Agassi Prep. “We just competed. It starts with our kids. They just believe they can compete with Agassi, and we pride ourselves on our defense.”

The Meadows held Agassi Prep (22-5) under 60 points for just the fourth time this season, limiting the Stars’ transition opportunities and holding them to 24-for-51 shooting.

Agassi Prep also did itself no favors by shooting 5-for-17 at the free-throw line.

Senior point guard Max Newman, a team co-captain with Gosse, tallied 14 points and five assists for The Meadows.

“He shoots the ball, he can set people up and he controls the game,” Gosse said of Newman. “That’s exactly what you need out of a point guard. I’ve been playing with him for six years now, and there is no better running mate out there.”

Hannig added: “It’s invaluable to have guys liked that. They’re just leaders on the court, they’ve been through it, and I just love having them.”

Adam Aziz had eight points and six rebounds for The Meadows, which also got eight points from Eric Hirsberg.

Kalinn Jackson had 18 points and six rebounds for Agassi Prep, but was one of three Stars to foul out.