Decatur honors seniors

— Three Decatur senior high basketball players - Kourtnee Funk, Ashley Rutledge and Katie Ramsey - and their parents were recognized during a ceremony before Thursday's 4-2A conference games against the Hartford Hustlers.

The Bulldogs gained an 8-point lead over the Hornets during the first four minutes of the game. But as the game progressed, Hartford pulled ahead for a victory of 55-44

"We got into a running game and we can't win a running game this year," Decatur's head coach John Unger said.

Freshman Victor Urquidi scored 12 points and six assists, and his twin brother Mario Urquidi scored 11 points. Junior Evan Owens also scored 11 points in the game.

"They played good with energy and intensity," Unger said

Even though the team doesn't have a good record, Unger said he feels it was a somewhat successful season. He explained that most of the team's games were very close and could have gone either way. The players learned the fundamentals and got to know Unger, and he got to know them.

Unger said he was excited for the Bulldog's chances during this week's conference tournament.

"It's survive and advance," he said.

Lady Bulldogs

The Lady Bulldogs lost 51-22 to the Hustlers.

Coach Larry Claphan said his team had less turnovers and showed improvement in rebounding. The team had 15 turnovers, which Claphan said he would like to see reduced to the single digits.

The players are beginning to take more shots but still need to find more ways to score, he said.

The defense has really improved over theseason and become the strongest part of the team, rebounding more consistently.

"I feel like we've improved in some areas but we have a long way to go. During the latter part of the season we played as a team and our confidence improved," Claphan said.

Five of the team members will be returning next season and five more will be moving up from junior high. Claphan saidhe is also encouraging several girls outside the basketball program to get involved.

Claphan said one of his goals for next year is to improve the team's physical strength. He is encouraging his players to get involved in other sports and to hit the weight room over the summer.

The Lady Bulldogs will be going into the conference tournament this week.

Sports, Pages 10 on 02/15/2012