Dynamic Duos: Meehan and Murray Lead Elkhorn Into Uncharted Waters

Every new season has new challenges for every team, but the Elkhorn Antlers face the daunting task of moving up from Class B to a loaded Class A field for this basketball season.  However, with the opening of the new high school in the Elkhorn district next school year, Elkhorn High School will move back to Class B next season.  So, how does a traditional Class B power handle these unique circumstances?  It starts with having solid leadership and talent, and Maddy Meehan and Tia Murray have both qualities to lead the Antlers into this new world. Meehan, a four year starter who started out as a forward and this year will be playing point guard, lead Elkhorn last year with 14.6 points a game and 10.5 boards a night, along with three steals a night.  Murray stepped into the big shoes of Brooke Carlson to be the second leading scorer for the Antlers at 9.6 points a game, along with almost four rebounds a game.  As the only two returning starters for the 19-6 Antlers, Meehan and Murray both realize that they have a lot of work to do. "Our culture is at a great level, the best that it has been in my three years here," said Murray. "Everybody is all-in, and everybody is ready to work for success." "I want to lead by example and make an impact on the younger players so that when they become seniors, they know how to lead," Meehan stated. "When I was a freshman, I thought there was a hierarchy, and I wanted to change that, and I think that I have.  I'm really excited for this season.  I think our younger players are ready to compete at a high level." Meehan is an explosive athlete who began her career as an effective player in the lane, but struggled from the perimeter.  As a senior, she has expanded her perimeter game steadily and is now a threat from the three point line.  Murray knows that Meehan's gifts make her job a lot easier. "When she's (Maddy) driving, she she's the court really well once she gets inside the lane, not just to me, but to everybody.  She's the hardest working player on the floor at all times.  I just really aspire to be like that." Meehan echose those sentiments about her junior teammate. "I like Tia's ability to finish well through contact.  She's also a great shooter and she is a great competitor in practice.  She keeps me on my toes at all times and I know that I have to be ready to compete every day in practice." Jennifer Wragge, Elkhorn's long time head coach, knows how to position her two outstanding players in the right places. "I think our coaches do a good job of giving us options to attack both from the inside and the outside," said Meehan. "I have lanes to drive, but there is also space to kick out for three's or to hit a post player on a dive or a post up." Traditional Class B powers Norris and Waverly will challenge the Antlers in conference play, and district play is a long ways away, but for now, these two outstanding players are just focused on building their program, both now and in the future. "I also want to grow as a leader, because when Maddy is gone next year, we have a huge void to fill, and I know that I will have to take that leadership responsibility from her," said Murray.