From Water Boy To Stalwart, Meserve Heads Back To State Chewelah Star Has Come Long Way From Driveway To Lead Cougars
The first time Travis Meserve went to the state basketball tournament with the Chewelah Cougars he was the water boy.
And a freshman.
The second time Meserve went to state with the Cougars he was just a “scrub” on the bench.
That time he was a sophomore.
Now, as a senior, Meserve is headed back to the state tournament that begins Wednesday in Tacoma. This time he’s going as one of the best players in his league.
Nominated to the East-West team, awarded to the best seniors in the state, he is the fourth-leading scorer in the Great Northern League at 16.6 points per game. Meserve was also named first-team, all-tournament for the second year running. Last year he was a shoo-in after leading the GNL in scoring at 19.5 points per game.
“It’s just exciting,” he said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to (play at) state.”
Chewelah (17-7) will play the first game of the 2A boys tournament Wednesday at 9 a.m. against second-ranked Foster (22-3).
Even though this season’s had a happy ending, it started as a rough one for Meserve.
When it began, he had a pulled hip flexor. Complications from that caused a knee injury. Throw in a case of the flu that caused him to miss a week of school after he recovered from the knee injury and it’s a wonder he ever made it onto the court.
His coach, Drew Landram, still condsiders Meserve to be 5 to 10 pounds under what he should weigh.
“He’s pretty strong mentally,” Landram said. “A lot of people would have collapsed after one or two of those things.”
Meserve was healthy by midseason, and the Cougars went on a big run. Chewelah lost only one game in the second half of the season, and that was to eventual league champion Pullman. The Cougars emerged as the second seed from the district tournament.
Meserve’s trip to state started a long time ago at home with his father.
“We always play one-on-one in the driveway,” Meserve said. “He just always encouraged me to do well. He doesn’t push me.
“I’ve always wanted to play college basketball,” he continued, “and he’s always encouraged me to that.”
A good showing at the state tournament could be exactly what Meserve needs to earn a scholarship to a four-year school. Right now, he’s only received token interest from a few colleges.
“I don’t want to go to a community college,” he said. “I just want to stay in one place so I don’t have to transfer.”
With a 3.6 grade-point average and 1,320 showing on his SAT test, Meserve has been accepted to Western Washington University. Whether he goes or not depends on any basketball scholarship offers.
Basketball hasn’t been Meserve’s only athletic endeavor.
Last season, he tried his hand at track and made it to state in the 110-meter hurdles.
He also competed in the Troika team triathalon in Medical Lake. He did the swimming leg. Meserve also mountain bikes.
“I think the distinguishing quality of Travis is he’s very humble,” said Landram. “His best attribute is he’s not selfish. He’s willing to do whatever it takes to win.
“He’s just been pretty easy to coach.”
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo
MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: WEDNESDAY’S LOCAL 2A BOYS OPENERS 9 a.m.: Chewelah (17-7) vs. Foster (22-3) 5 p.m.: Cascade-Leavenworth (16-8) vs. Pullman (19-3) 6:30 p.m.: Medical Lake (15-8) vs. Omak (18-5)