Bulldogs take seventh in tournament and win their second conference game

Photo by Mike Eckels Bulldog player Mario Urquidi (#5) ties for a jumper against an Eagle during the Decatur/Union Christian game Jan. 2. Decatur won the game 47 to 29.
Photo by Mike Eckels Bulldog player Mario Urquidi (#5) ties for a jumper against an Eagle during the Decatur/Union Christian game Jan. 2. Decatur won the game 47 to 29.

DECATUR -- The Decatur Bulldogs senior boys had a very busy week as they traveled to Heber Springs to participate in the Heber Springs Tournament Dec. 29-31. They later began the new year with an impressive win over the Union Christian Eagles at home on Jan. 2.

The first game of the Heber Springs Tournament pitted the Bulldogs against the host, 4A Heber Springs Panthers, on Dec. 29.

The Bulldogs were without the services of starters Meng Vang and Pheng Lee, who were out on family matters. Even with both starters out, the Bulldogs played hard and kept it a close game until the final quarter when the Panthers built up a hefty lead. In the end the Panthers proved too much and defeated the Bulldogs 51-37.

Leading scorer was Mario Urquidi with 23 points and eight rebounds, followed by Terry Kell with seven points and two rebounds. Jason Porter had five points and three rebounds, and Bracy Owens had two points and one rebound. On the defensive boards, Allan Castaneda had five rebounds, followed by Victor Urquidi with three and Kyle Shaffer with two.

The loss to Heber Springs sent the Bulldogs to the first consolation round, where they took on the 5A Batesville Pioneers Dec. 30.

The Pioneers also proved to be a formidable opponent as they effectively shut down the Bulldogs leading player, Mario Urquidi. They held Urquidi to seven points and six rebounds, the first time he has scored under 10 thus far in the season. However, the Bulldogs kept the game close but in the end lost, 40 to 30, to Batesville. Leading scorer for the Bulldogs was Victor Urquidi who had 10 points and three rebounds, followed by Kyle Shaffer with three points and four rebounds, Allan Castaneda with three points and three rebounds, Bracy Owens with three points and two rebounds. Rounding out the Bulldog scoring was Terry Kell and Jason Porter.Both had two points and two rebounds.

This sent the Bulldogs to play the 4A Star City Bulldogs for seventh place in the tournament on Dec. 31. This was the final game in 2014 for the Bulldogs.

Star City played hard throughout the game and kept it close, but the Bulldogs finally prevailed and took the game by two, 45 to 43. Mario Urquidi was back in his element as he led the Bulldogs with 24 points and four rebounds, followed by brother Victor with nine points and four rebounds. Jason Porter posted seven points and four rebounds. Terry Kell rounded out the Bulldogs score with five points and four rebound. On the defensive boards, Allan Castaneda posted five rebounds, followed by Bracy Owens with two and Ryan Shaffer with one.

The Bulldogs finished seventh in the Heber Springs Tournament.

Decatur next turned its attention to conference play as they hosted the Union Christian Eagles at the Dawg Pound in Decatur Jan. 1. With one conference win under their belt against JC Westside Dec. 19, the Bulldogs were looking to post their second conference win of the season.

The Eagles were the first to score at the seven minute mark in the first period. Throughout the first half, the Bulldogs struggled, allowing the Eagles to take a 19 to 13 lead at the half.

The second half was a different story. The Bulldogs took the court with a different attitude and immediately took control of the game, regaining the lead toward the end of the third quarter.

Union Christian was not to give up without a fight. The Eagles regained the lead early in the fourth, but in the last two minutes of the game the Bulldogs rallied behind two back-to-back three pointers by Bracy Owens to regain the lead. The game ended with Decatur winning, 47 to 29.

"We started out slow but picked up the pace in the second half," said Mario Urquidi, who was the leading scorer with 23 points and five rebounds.

"We didn't start the game the way we wanted to. We started really slow, and it took us until half time to get refocused. But once we got going, we started to click," said John Unger, Decatur head coach. "We just couldn't get our shots to fall in the first half but continued to play tough defense."

Victor Urquidi was second leading scorer with eight points and four rebounds, followed by Bracy Owens with six points and two rebounds. Others in scoring range included Jason Porter with two points and five rebounds, Kyle Shaffer with two points, Allan Castaneda with two points and three rebounds, and Pheng Lee with two points and one rebound. On the defensive board was Terry Kell with five rebounds.

"Our defense kept us in the game and carried us in the second half," Unger said. "Our shots started falling in the second half and we got some easy buckets off of our pressure, and that carried us to a big lead and eventually the win."

"Its always great to start off the new year with a win and now we are 2-0 in the conference. We just want to continue to improve each night and see where it takes us," Unger concluded.

The Bulldogs were to travel to play Hartford Jan. 6 (after press time) and return home Jan. 9 to play the Hackett Hornets. The senior girls' game begins at 5 p.m., with the senior boys beginning at 7 p.m.

GIRLS

The senior high girls lost to the Eagles 45 to 19. In the first half, the girls played well on defense but had trouble getting the ball to go down. They managed to keep the game close at half time, being down 21 to 11. But the Eagles came on strong, shutting the Lady Dogs out in the third quarter. A late rally by the Lady Bulldogs prevented a blowout, but they were defeated by Union Christian, 45 to 19.

Sports on 01/07/2015