Decatur finishes season with loss in district tournament

Photo by Mike Eckels Coach John Unger (center, left) mapped out a new game strategy on his clipboard during a timeout late in the third quarter of the Decatur-Lead Hill contest at Peterson Gym in Decatur Jan. 27.
Photo by Mike Eckels Coach John Unger (center, left) mapped out a new game strategy on his clipboard during a timeout late in the third quarter of the Decatur-Lead Hill contest at Peterson Gym in Decatur Jan. 27.

DECATUR -- It was a tough end to a season that had more downs than ups as the Decatur Bulldogs boys' basketball team finished its 2016-17 season with a loss to the Lead Hill Tigers in the first round of the 1A district 1 tournament.

After finishing in fifth place during the regular season which ended Feb. 10, the Bulldogs were hopeful of making an impressive tournament bid as they traveled to Lead Hill Feb. 13.

Decatur took control of the first half of the contest, building an 11 point lead over the Tigers going into the halftime break. Lead Hill came out of the locker room more aggressive and held a stunned Decatur team to a single point in the third quarter. Going into the final eight minutes of the contest, Decatur still maintained a slim lead. But Lead Hill changed all that and went on a 21-10 run to take the lead and eventually the ball game, 46-36.

Leading the Bulldogs' final game of the season was Taylor Haisman with 18 points and eight rebounds, followed by Bracy Owen with nine points and seven rebounds. Other Decatur players contributing to scoring and rebound efforts were Jay Porter with four points and six rebounds, Leng Lee with two points and six rebounds, Wyatt Bingham with two points and one rebound, Ryan Ross with one basket, and Levi Newman with three rebounds.

Joining the Bulldogs for their first appearance among the varsity ranks were freshmen Kelvin Moreno, Tafari James, Joseph Armstrong and Jose Rubi. Together, they represent the future of the Decatur basketball program.

The Decatur Bulldogs finished the 2016-17 basketball season with an overall record of 8-15 and 2-8 in conference play.

This season had its share of extreme highs, such as the colors day victory over St. Paul at Peterson Gym on Jan. 20, and extreme lows, such as the 37 point loss against Omaha at home Jan. 13. For John Unger, head boys' basketball coach, the first season in the 1A was less than what he expected.

"I didn't feel like we ended the season the way we wanted to," Unger said. "But we will regroup during the summer and come back next season a much stronger team."

For this year's seniors, the 2016-17 season was a bitter-sweet end to years of hard work which, for some, began in the seventh grade. For Lee, Owens, Porter, Bingham and Marck Guadarrama, their high school careers began as members of the 2013-14 2A 4West District and 2014-15 regular season championship teams. For Unger, two particular members of those teams stand out.

"This year's seniors were good basketball players and I am very proud of each of them," Unger said. "Leng Lee and Bracy Owens have been a part of the program for six years. They were two of our best players. Both have been a part of something good all that time. They did whatever we asked them to do, very coach-able, good young people."

For Unger, who finished his fifth season with the Bulldogs, the 2016-17 season has been a real learning experience.

"No one likes to lose around here, and we didn't meet our expectation for this season," said Unger. "A lot of this was self reflection on my part to see what I can do better for them."

For the Decatur Bulldogs, the 2016-17 basketball season was a time to learn, to regroup and come back stronger in 2017-18.

"We have some work to do in the off season to get back to where we want to be. This season helped some of the younger guys see some of the insufficiency that we can correct so we can be successful again."

Decatur Bulldogs

2016-17 season stats:

Leng Lee-221 points, 109

rebounds, 31 three-pointers.

Haisman-275 points, 71

rebounds, 55 three-pointers.

Owens-216 points, 101

rebounds, 44 three-pointers.

Porter-76 points, 78 rebounds, 1 three-pointer.

Bingham-70 points and 66 rebounds.

Guardarrama-35 points and 32 rebounds.

Jimmy Mendoza-45 points, 29 rebounds, 2 three-pointers.

Alex Lee-19 point, 10

rebounds, 1 three-pointer.

Ross-27 points and 49

rebounds.

Newman-14 points and 40

rebounds.

Garry Woods-4 points and 22 rebounds.

2016-17 season totals-

1003 points, 610 rebounds, 134 three-pointers.

Sports on 02/22/2017