EUREKA SPRINGS — "That wasn't the game I expected," Decatur head basketball coach John Unger commented after the Decatur Bulldogs' defeat of the Eureka Springs Highlanders on the road Feb. 10.
Decatur went into the game expecting Eureka Springs to play aggressively as they did last season when the Bulldogs traveled to Eureka. However, this time the atmosphere was somewhat subdued.
This was the third meeting of the two teams this season. The first ended with a 50 to 39 Decatur victory on Dec. 3, during the Decatur Holiday Hoop tournament at Peterson Gym. The Highlanders returned to Decatur Jan. 16 and lost for a second time, 46 to 32, in a conference game.
Decatur took control of the Feb. 10 game from the start, scoring 4 points in the first 30 seconds of the first quarter. By the two-minute mark in the quarter the Bulldogs had built a 10 to 5 lead. By the end of the first quarter, Decatur held an 18 to 5 lead over Eureka Springs.
The Bulldogs continued to put pressure on the Highlanders throughout the second and third periods. Eureka continued to fall behind, struggling to put points on the board. By the end of the third, Decatur extended its lead by 23 points 50 to 27.
In the final quarter, Eureka continued to struggle against the pressure defense of Decatur. When the final buzzer sounded, the Bulldogs took the game 62 to 38.
"We set the tone on defense against Eureka," Unger said. "Everybody was ready to play and we stand a step ahead of them."
For Eureka Springs, the loss at home was especially hard to take. This game marked the last time their seniors would play before a home crowd. The Highlanders, who last year tied for the regular season championship with Decatur, still earned a berth in the district playoffs.
For Decatur, the victory over the Highlanders earned them the regular season championship, with a 12 and 1 record and one home game left. With the win at Eureka, the Bulldogs earned an automatic berth in both the district and regional championships to be held at Hackett Feb. 19 at 8:30 p.m. Decatur will be first seed in the district tournament and fourth seed in the regional playoffs.
Leading scorers for the Bulldogs were Mario Urquidi, 25 points and 11 rebounds; followed by Victor Urquidi, 13 points and 7 rebounds; and Meng Vang, 8 points and 2 rebounds. Other Bulldog scorers included Kyle Shaffer, 4 points and 3 rebounds; Bracy Owens, 3 points and 2 rebounds; Pheng Lee, 3 points; Terry Kell, 2 points and 1 rebound; Brody Funk, 2 points; Jay Porter, 1 point and 2 rebounds; Ryan Shaffer, 1 point.
"These kids have come together as one team this season," Unger said. "These kids are winners."
In the girls' game, the Lady Bulldogs played well through the first half, taking the lead twice. In the second half, however, the Lady Highlanders came out strong and took the game, 42 to 35.
Sports on 02/18/2015