DECATUR -- The senior girls looked more like a team Jan. 12 as they played host to the Mountainburg Lady Dragons at Peterson Gym in Decatur. The Lady Dragons, under head coach Dan Garringer, have had one of the best girls' basketball programs in the state. The Lady Bulldogs had their hands full as the opening tipoff went to Decatur.
The Lady Bulldogs were the first to score at the 3:46 mark in the first quarter. They were up by two points toward the end of the quarter, 4 to 2. However, the Lady Dragons came back with a last second shot to tie the game at 4 each as the buzzer sounded ending the first quarter.
Decatur would regain the lead just after the start of the second quarter. But that lead would not last as the Lady Dragons went on a 13 to 5 rally to lead 17 to 11 just before the end of the quarter. With one second showing on the clock, Decatur's Megan Smith launched a half-court shot that went into the basket, putting the Bulldogs behind by three, 17 to 14, going into halftime.
While both teams were in their respective locker rooms, the officials were reviewing the last-second shot by Smith. As Decatur emerged to start the second half, the officials informed coach Jeff Melton that the three-point shot came after the buzzer and took the points away. Melton argued that the shot was taken before the buzzer, but the officials' ruling was upheld.
The Lady Bulldogs defense looked like a well-oiled machine during the second half of play, catching the Lady Dragons off guard and forcing several turnovers. Decatur, however, was unable to capitalize on the turnovers and quickly fell behind, 30 to 13, by the end of the third quarter. Decatur had several opportunities to score during the final quarter but came up short as the game came to a close with the Lady Dragons defeating the Lady Bulldogs, 42 to 19.
Other Bulldog games:
Junior high boys: Mountainburg 37, Decatur 15
Junior high girls: Mountainburg 39, Decatur 10
The Lady Bulldogs were to be at home against the Leftwich Lady Rattlers Jan. 19 and on the road against JC Westside Lady Rebel at Coal Hill Jan. 22. Game time at Coal Hill is 5 p.m. starting with the junior high girls.
Sports on 01/20/2016