DECATUR -- Faster than a speeding basketball, able to reach over an opponent in a single bound. Look, it's a bird, it's a plane, no it's Mario Urquidi making another slam dunk.
To see Mario sailing over and stripping basketballs away from a rival player trying for a basket is truly a work of art. Is it possible that he could be the next Michael Jordan or Larry Bird?
Yet the 6-foot-4-inch junior guard/forward for the Decatur Bulldogs basketball team is humble. He is quick to credit his fellow players.
"It's a team effort!" Mario exclaimed.
Mario is involved in three different sports. Although he favors basketball, he also was a wide receiver and defensive back for the Decatur football team. Unfortunately, Mario sustained a serious bruise in his lower leg during the homecoming game with Mountainburg on Sept. 20 and was benched for the rest of the 2013 season. It was hard to sit out the rest of football season for Mario. However, the down time allowed his injury to completely heal just in time for basketball. Once that season is complete, he will move on to track. For now, Mario's attention is focused on his class work and basketball.
"I like the pressure of having to do good; I like to win," Mario said. "I like to be doing something. I don't like sitting out on the sidelines."
When watching Mario hustle down the court making the transition from offense to defense and back again, it is evident that not only are his natural abilities at play, but his pure love of the game is the motivation behind his success. Already this season, Mario has achieved eight double-doubles in points and rebounds (a double-double is achieved when a player reaches over 10 in two of four categories, points, rebounds, assists and steals (the hardest and rarest of the categories to achieve).
Mario has amassed a total of 265 points and 168 rebounds thus far. He averages 20.4 points per game according to MaxPreps, a web-based sports site.
In the Eureka Springs game Jan. 17, Mario made 36 points and 16 rebounds (double-double). This was by far his best game this season. In fact, Mario is quick to point out, "That's my all-time high game."
After graduation in 2015, Mario plans on playing Division I basketball. He is not sure which college he will attend, but the University of Arkansas might be on his list of schools. But that decision will have to wait another year.
But there is another side to this equation, Mario's twin brother, Victor Urquidi. The 6-foot junior plays point guard for the Bulldogs basketball. Victor's speed and agility, coupled with his quick ability to out-think his opponents, helps to move the ball down court and into the basket.
In most of his basketball appearances this season, Victor has either been the second or third leading scorer, amassing 91 total points and 61 total rebounds thus far in the season. In the Hartford game Jan. 7 in Decatur, Victor out-scored his brother Mario, 26 to 24. This was his best game to date.
For Victor, football is his favorite sport. Unfortunately, he was forced to sit out the entire season due to a shoulder surgery. Like Mario, Victor struggled with being sidelined. But out of adversity came a new quest. He used his leadership skills and knowledge to help his fellow teammates work through problems and become better players.
After graduation, Victor wants to play college football and eventually coach. This is what drove Victor to decide to concentrate his efforts on just two sports.
"I wasn't sure if I was going to join in any other sports this year. I'm trying to cut down on doing so many things and trying to figure out what I want to do after high school," Victor said. "I'm going to try to stick with football and basketball."
With the basketball playoffs looming over the horizon, the Decatur Bulldogs', 4 and 3 in conference play, hope for a spot in the regional tournament is bright. With the leadership of Mario and Victor Urquidi, the Decatur Bulldogs have a fighting chance to get there and beyond.
As Mario states, "I want to do more than just win it."
Sports on 01/29/2014