DECATUR --The Decatur Bulldog senior boys' team opened its 2015-16 conference season against Johnson County Westside Rebels at Peterson Gym in Decatur Dec. 15 and, as with the Pierce City game during the Battle at the Ridge tournament in Pea Ridge a few days earlier, Bracy Owens put up a three pointer during the opening seconds of the first quarter.
From that point on, the Bulldogs dominated the entire first half with a 15 to 11 lead in the first quarter and a 22 to 18 lead going into the break. Decatur continued its domination of the Rebels throughout the second half. Decatur's fast pace overwhelmed the Rebels in the final quarter to give the Bulldogs a 57 to 33 victory and their first conference win of the season
The Bulldogs made at least 10 three-point shots during the game. Sophomore sensation, Taylor Haisman, was credited with at least five of these shots.
"I thought we executed our game plan very well," said John Unger, head basketball coach. "We wanted to speed up the tempo and get them into the press situation and get our hands on the ball for easy baskets. In the half-court press, we wanted to get some open shots and we were able to do that."
In other Bulldog action, the Decatur junior high boys' team won its first game of the season, defeating the Westside Rebels, 29 to 18. Tajae White and Jimmy Mendoza led the scoring for the junior Bulldogs.
Both junior and senior high Lady Bulldogs lost their games. Both girls' teams played a strong defense throughout most of the games but still struggled to get the ball into the basket.
For a complete list of games for the second half of the 2015-16 season, go to decatursd.com/athletics to view the schedules of all Bulldog basketball teams.
Sports on 12/23/2015