Lions win, advance; Bulldogs come up short

Photo by Mike Eckels Gravette Lions Terence Pierce (#10) goes over the top of Union Christian s Will Callaway (#20) as he tries for a layup during the quarter-final game of the Decatur Tournament ...
Photo by Mike Eckels Gravette Lions Terence Pierce (#10) goes over the top of Union Christian s Will Callaway (#20) as he tries for a layup during the quarter-final game of the Decatur Tournament ...

DECATUR — On Dec. 3, the Decatur Bulldogs played host to several teams from around the Northern Arkansas region at the Lloyd Peterson Gymnasium in Decatur. But the sudden snow and ice storm on Dec. 5 forced the cancellation of the semifinal and championship rounds.

The Decatur tournament featured senior boys' and girls' teams from Haas Hall, Union Christian, Exeter, Green Country, Mansfield, Gravette and the hometown favorite, Decatur Bulldogs.

In Tuesday night rounds, Exeter played the Green Country Defenders in an elimination round. Green Country dominated throughout much of the game. In the fourth period, however, Exeter mounted a comeback. With 31 seconds on the clock, Exeter pulled within three points. They had a chance to tie the game with a three-point shot but it bounced off the boards and was rebounded by Green Country. The Defenders went down court and scored a three-pointer to win the game by six.

The final score was 51 to 45. Green Country advanced to the quarter-final round to meet the Decatur Bulldogs, a matchup scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 5. Because of the threat of an ice storm at game time, it was moved up to Wednesday, Dec. 4.

The second game of the evening pitted the Decatur Lady Bulldogs against the Mansfield Tigers. The Tigers came out very strong in the first period and held the Bulldogs scoreless for the first 7 minutes of the period. Then, with less than a minute left, the Lady Bulldogs finally put points on the board.

The second period was all Mansfield, building their lead to 35 to 3 at the half. The Lady Tigers continued their dominance throughout the second half, holding Decatur to only 10 points. The final was 61 to 13, Mansfield.

The second night of the Decatur Tournament pitted the Gravette Lions against the Union Christian Eagles. Both teams started strong, playing excellent offense and defense and allowing only 21 points through the entire eight minutes of the first period. Gravette held an 11 to 10 lead over Union Christian, but that all changed in the second period.

From the opening buzzer, the Lions pulled away from the Eagles and, by the half, extended their lead to 6 points, 31 to 25.

The second half was all Lions. They maintained the lead throughout the third and into the fourth periods. The Eagles pulled within four points midway through the fourth period but could not get any closer, losing to the Lions 68 to 61. Both teams played well and it was an exciting match-up. Ultimately, the Lions came out the victors and advanced to the semifinals.

The second game of the night, and what would turn out to be the last game of the tournament last week, matched the hometown Decatur Bulldogs against the Green Country Defenders in a quarter-final round.

The Defenders were first to score. Decatur immediately tied things up. Both teams battled through the remainder of the first period, ending in a 13 to 13 tie.

The second period was close until the final two minutes of the period when the Defenders pulled ahead to go into the locker room at the half leading the Bulldogs 36 to 22.

The third period was dominated by the Defenders, extending their lead as much as 12 points. In the closing minute of the third period, the Bulldogs rallied and pulled within seven. Green Country continued to lead in the fourth period. At the 4-minute, 45- second, mark the Bulldogs pulled within three points. But that was as close as they would come. They fell to the Defenders, 52 to 45.

Leading scorer for Decatur was Mario Urquidi with 22 points, 8 field goals, 18 assists and 13 rebounds. Other Bulldogs scoring were Pheng Lee with seven; Meng Vang and Victor Urquidi, each with five; Terry Kell and Trey Kell, each with three.

The rest of the tournament was canceled due to the ice and snow storm on Dec. 5 and may be rescheduled at a later date.

The next game for the Decatur Bulldogs, road conditions permitting, will be in Kingston against Kingston High School on Dec. 16.

Sports on 12/11/2013