DECATUR -- The Decatur senior boys' basketball team finally broke its three-game losing streak when it traveled to Coal Hill Jan. 22 to take on the Rebels of Johnson County Westside.
At stake was a fifth-place spot in the 2A-4West conference for the week ending Jan. 23. Both teams were 2 and 4 going into the Friday night matchup.
Decatur fell behind Westside by 7 to end the first quarter, 15 to 8. The Bulldogs picked up the pace during the second quarter, adding 13 points to Westside's 10 to narrow the gap and end the first half, 25 to 22 JC Westside.
The Bulldogs continued their fast-pace game style as they continued to make up ground on the Rebels and eventually tied the game at 36 all at the end of the third quarter. Decatur was able to shut down Westside in the fourth quarter to win, 53 to 48, and pick up the Bulldogs' third conference win of the 2015-16 season.
"Our guys battled back from a 10-point deficit and handled the adversity on the road great tonight. We stuck to our game plan and did just enough to win the game," said John Unger, Decatur's head basketball coach. "We have been working hard all week in practice and it paid off for us. Our full-court pressure paid off and we were able to capitalize on Westside's mistakes. I'm happy for our guys and look forward to building on this big road win."
Leading the scoring for Decatur was Leng Lee with 23 points, followed by Taylor Haisman and Bracy Owens, each with 8. Others scoring points include Kyle Shaffer with 5, Jay Porter and Troy Flood each with 3, Wyatt Bingham with 2 and Ayden Cooke with 1.
Leading the scoring for Westside was Charlie Yates with 17, followed by Joseph Smith with 8, Jordan Hilton, Chazz Estep and Lane Houston each with 7.
The Decatur senior boys are now 3 and 4 in the conference and 6 and 13 overall.
The Bulldogs were to take on the Union Christian Eagles Jan. 26 at Peterson Gym in Decatur and the Hartford Beavers in Hartford on Jan. 29. The Bulldogs will return to Peterson Gym to take on the Hackett Hornets Feb. 2 and the Leftwich Rattlers Feb.4 (rescheduled from Jan. 19). All games start at 5 p.m.
Other 2A 4West News
The Magazine Leftwich Rattlers defeated the Eureka Springs Highlanders 54 to 52 to take over first place in the conference race.
For more information on the Decatur basketball program, go to decatursc.com/athletics.
Current 2A 4West standings as of Jan.24 are:
1. Magazine Leftwich Rattlers, 6 and 1; 2. Eureka Springs Highlanders, 6 and 2; 3.Union Christian Academy Eagles, 6 and 2; 4. Mountainburg Dragons, 6 and 2; 5. Decatur Bulldogs, 3 and 4; 6. JC Westside Rebels, 2 and 6; 7. Hackett Hornets, 1-6; 8. Hartford Beavers, 0-7.
Sports on 01/27/2016