Published: July 17, 2008 10:22 am            

Meridian all-stars head to Biloxi

By Brandon Walker

Every sport has its mecca.

For major league baseball fans, places like Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and Yankee Stadium fit the bill. In basketball, Madison Square Garden might as well be the universe. For fans of auto racing, no place is sweeter than Daytona.

And little league baseball is no different. For the millions of youngsters across America who watch little league baseball's coronation every August, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, the home of the Little League World Series, is the ultimate destination.

And now, for the first time in local history, Williamsport is also a possible goal for an area team.

This season, Meridian's 11/12-year-old all-stars made the switch from Cal Ripken baseball to Little League of America, which culminates each year's competition with the annual world series in Williamsport.

Thus, if Meridian's 11/12-year-old squad were able to capture enough magic and prove to be good enough to make it through district, regional and state tournament, the mecca becomes a possibility.

So far, so good.

In last weekend's district tournament in Natchez, Meridian took the first step in an improbable journey. And what an impressive step it was.

In three games, Meridian outscored Natchez and Hattiesburg by a combined score of 49-3, including a 22-1 rout of Natchez to open the event. Against Hattiesburg, Meridian collected a 10-0 win before claiming a 17-2 victory to clinch the district crown.

This weekend, the journey continues. After cruising though the district tournament, Meridian will travel to Biloxi this weekend to take on the winner of Ocean Springs-Biloxi for the state championship. Scheduled for a best-of-3 series, this weekend's event will crown a state champion that will then move on to the Regionals in Waco, Texas.

First things first.

According to Meridian head coach Kary Whitehead, his young team is taking the journey one step at a time.

"We are excited. The kids know this a great opportunity but they also know we'll be up against a good team this weekend," Whitehead said. "In the back of their minds, they know that the little league world series is out there, but we're just worried about this weekend first."

A week after rolling through the district tourney, Meridian will see a significant jump in the quality of their competition in Biloxi, a fact not lost on Whitehead.

"Ocean Springs and Biloxi are both very good teams," Whitehead said. "We have scouted them so far and we know it will be a challenge. But I feel good about our team."

Members of Meridian's 11/12-year-old squad include: Members of Meridian's 11/12-year-old all-stars include: Blake Anderson,Jamarius Smith, Trey Holder, B.J. Miller, Corey Davis, Stephen Todd, Drew Boleware, Will Stokes, Devin Stokely, Gage Hagan. Colton McKeithen and Will Whitehead. The team's coaches are Neal Anderson and Whitehead.

With this weekend's state championship on deck, Meridian's coaches know that youngsters will be youngsters, so motivation can come from anywhere.

"Well, they know that the regional finals in Waco will be on ESPN, but they also know that if we make it all the way that they'll miss about a week of school," Whitehead joked. "I think that's motivating them more than anything."

In preparation for this weekend, Meridian's team has put in a full week of practice to get ready for the trip to Biloxi.

"We've got a lot of good athletes on this team. We've got strong pitching, solid hitting.....We've got good defensive players but we're still working hard at it," Whitehead added.

Meridian will take on Biloxi or Ocean Springs in Game 1 of the state championship series Friday night at 6.

        

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