DECATUR — The Lady Bulldogs defeated the Eureka Springs Highlanders 40-35 during a 4-2A conference game in the Lloyd Peterson Gymnasium on Dec. 6.
“It was a very good win at an important conference game,” said coach Larry Claphan, “We played as a team, overall, I’m really proud of the girls. It was a good effort, a good hustle, and they played hard.”
The two teams stayed neck and neck throughout the game. The Lady Highlanders managed to keep a one point lead throughout the last quarter, but then, with just 48 seconds left in the game, the Lady Bulldogs managed to pull ahead by five points for the victory.
The team was very balanced in scoring, but Hannah Ramsey stood out with a good hustle, he said.
It was the first win of the season for the Lady Bulldogs, who have played eight games so far - two of which were at home. Claphan said the girls have scored an average of 20 points a game, so scoring 40 points in a game showed great improvement for the team.
“They showed what they are capable of. We’re going to keep building on that,” Claphan said.
The Lady Bulldogs’ next home game will be against the Colcord, Okla., Hornets after press time on Tuesday evening.
Boys Basketball
The Decatur senior high boys team fell to the Eureka Springs Highlanders on Dec. 6 with a final score of 31-29.
“We played extremely hard and came up short, but our guys are getting better with each practice and each game,” head coach John Unger wrote in an email, “Our team has not been in a position to win a game this season until the other night and we will learn from that loss to Eureka Springs.”
Fans for both teams went wild as the two teams battled for the leadduring the fourth quarter. Initially, the Bulldogs held a two point lead. But as the clock wound down, the Highlanders pulled ahead, scoring several points on free throws in the last minutes of the game.
“The team was very excited about the crowd and they (the crowd) played a huge part in the game and we are hoping to give them more to cheerabout in the future,” Unger said.
Junior Avery Clay gave the Bulldogs some great minutes during the game, according to Unger.
“This was only his fourth game to ever play and he did exactly what we asked of him. He will only get better,” he said.
Twin brothers Mario and Victor Urquidi, both freshmen, also played a great game last Tuesday, according to Unger.
“Mario is going to be a special basketball player and Victor is learning how to handle the pressure at the high school level and is turning himself into a good point guard,” he said.
The Bulldogs will face the Colcord, Okla. Hornets at their next home game, scheduled for Tuesday evening after press time.
“We have a special group of kids that want to learn and want to work hard to get better, and all the hard work at practice is going to pay off down the road. We are trying to build a championship program at Decatur and I believe we are on the right path,” Unger said.
The Decatur junior high boys basketball team won the Dec. 6 game against Eureka Springs with a final score of 32-13.
Sports, Pages 9 on 12/14/2011