Destin Marlins fall to Meigs Wildcats in boys basketball action

The effort was good, just not the outcome for the Destin Marlins who lost 49-26 on the road to the Meigs Wildcats in middle school basketball action Thursday night in Shalimar. 

“Meigs is a really good, well coached team. We had some starters get in to early foul trouble, but I was really thrilled with our play off the bench,” said Destin Coach Bob Davies. 

“Kadon Chapman and Jaxson Lapointe gave us really good minutes off the bench,” he said. 

Davies also noted the performance of starter Baylen Knox and described him as “tough” and “amazing” on defense. 

“Defense is more than steals and blocks. Baylen stopped so many offensive progressions by always being in the right place,” Davies said. 

To start, Meigs jumped out to a 17-6 lead in the first quarter. Keymaury Allen of Meigs put up four points and Kendrick Mills nailed a 3-pointer. Destin’s Jordan Figueroa scored four of the six and Will Blanchard picked up the other two points. 

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In the second quarter, both teams put up 10 points. The Wildcats got most of their points by taking the ball inside while the Marlins were forced to take the outside shot. Knox knocked down a 3-pointer for the Marlins, while Figueroa and Lapointe each scored two points. Kevin Robertson scored two from the free-throw line and Gabe Escalera one. Destin trailed 27-16 at the half. 

In the third quarter, the Wildcats continued to drive the ball inside for 11 points, while the Marlins put up seven points. Destin’s Chapman managed to work his way inside for two points. Knox knocked down his second 3-pointer of the night and Robertson added two more from the free-throw line. 

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The Wildcats didn’t let up in the fourth and continued to drive the lane for basket after basket scoring eight unanswered points. Allen picked up a foul on his last drive to the hole and sank the free throw for a 25-point lead and a running clock to finish out the game. 

Destin’s Robertson, who finished with seven points, nailed a 3-pointer in the last three minutes for the Marlins. 

Scoring in double digits for the Wildcats were Allen with 13 points, and Aaron Rowell with 10. 

Figueroa and Knox each scored six for the Marlins. 

“Our overall effort was great, especially getting back on defense in transition,” Davies said. 

“Hats off to Meigs on a great game. We will build on this loss and be ready for the next game,” Davies said.