Decatur Junior High boys and girls play JC Westside

DECATUR -- Inclement weather played havoc for area basketball games in December. For the Decatur Bulldogs Dec. 20 was to pit both junior and senior high boys and girls teams in a four-game series with the Johnson County Westside Rebels.

The junior high girls team began the night. Westside struck first, putting two points on the scoreboard at the four minute mark of the first period. For the rest of the half, the Rebels held the Bulldogs to only five points, taking a 19 to 5 lead into the locker room. Westside continued to hold Decatur scoreless through much of the third period; however, Decatur junior girls added two points late in the third to make it a 32 to 7 Rebel ball game. Decatur managed to put four more points on the board before losing to Westside 38 to 11.

Next up was the junior high boys game. From the tip off both teams played tough defense. The game was scoreless for the first two minutes until Westside put the ball into the basket for two points. The entire first period was held to single digits with the junior Rebels holding a one-point lead over the Bulldogs 6 to 5 at period end.

It was much the same for the second period with Westside taking a 8 to 5 lead into the locker room at half.

The third period finally broke into double figures with the junior Bulldogs trailing by one point at the end of the period, 12 to 11.

Decatur came out strong defensively against Westside in the fourth period. However neither team could put the ball in the basket, adding only 14 combined points going into the final 30 seconds of the game. A bucket by Decatur with 20 seconds made it a 20 to 19 Westside game. The Rebels added a free throw 5 seconds later, making the score 21 to 19. With only three seconds to play in the game Decatur got the ball. Coach John Unger quickly called a time out. When play resumed the ball was thrown to guard Bracey Owens who was standing in the left three point corner. With one second left on the clock, Owens put the ball up. The ball went into the bucket but bounded back out -- depriving Owens of a game winning three pointer.

The junior high boys played very well on defense throughout the game. However they made too many mistakes and missed too many scoring opportunities that cost them this game.

During half time of the junior boys game Decatur girls coach Bill Niven announced the cancellation of both senior girls and boys game due to icy conditions in the middle section of the state, which included Johnson County. The conditions deteriorated to a point that both teams could not leave Johnson County. The games may be rescheduled for later in the season.

The next game for the Decatur Bulldogs will be Jan. 2 as Oaks (Okla.) Mission travels to Decatur to take on the senior boys and girls. The girls game will start at 6 p.m. with the boys starting shortly after the conclusion of the Lady Bulldogs game.