DECATUR -- The Decatur Bulldogs started the second half of the 2016-17 basketball season by playing two of the top three teams in the 1A District 1 Conference, the Kingston Yellowjackets and the Omaha Eagles. Both teams proved too powerful for the Bulldogs.
Kingston traveled to Decatur Jan. 10 to take on the Bulldogs in Peterson Gym. The Bulldogs lost an earlier contest with the Yellowjackets in Kingston, 54-46, in the first district matchup of the season, on Dec. 6.
The Yellowjackets jumped out to an early lead, overwhelming the Bulldogs, 15-7, in the opening quarter. The second quarter was more of a defensive game, with neither team gaining much advantage. Kingston managed to outshoot Decatur, 8-6, to take a 23-13 lead going into the halftime break.
The tide turned in Decatur's favor when the Bulldogs began to play a more aggressive game in the second half. Decatur cut Kingston's lead to three points and, after a Decatur scoring attempt failed and allowed Kingston to rebound the ball, Leng Lee stole the ball back at halfcourt. But his jumper missed the basket. The Yellowjackets managed to extend their lead to six on a series of free throws. In the final seconds of the game, the Bulldogs hit a two-point shot to pull within four. But even though the Bulldogs got control of the ball again in the final few seconds, they were unable to score. Kingston took the district win, 44-40.
The Bulldogs played their second game of the week on Jan. 13 against the number two team, the Omaha Eagles, at Peterson Gym. Decatur needed a little luck to pull off a victory in this contest but, as the game began, it became apparent they had none. The Eagles dominated the game from the opening tip-off.
The Eagles' strong defense, coupled with their height advantage, helped them hold the Bulldogs to only four points in the first 10 minutes of the game. During the second quarter, Omaha outscored Decatur, 26 to 12, to take a 41-14 lead going into the halftime break. Decatur scored only 11 in the second half, allowing Omaha to walk away with a 62-25 victory and the district win.
The Bulldogs dropped to 0 and 4 in district play and 6 and 10 overall.
The Decatur Bulldogs traveled to Eureka Springs to take on the Highlanders on Tuesday (after press time). They return to Decatur to take on the St. Paul Saints in the Bulldogs' colors day celebration Friday at Peterson Gym. The coronation ceremony for the colors day queen is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. The game begins immediately following the Lady Bulldog-Lady Saints contest at 6.
Leading the scoring for Decatur in the Kingston contest was Taylor Haisman with 14, Leng Lee with 9 and Bracy Owens with 8. Other Bulldogs scoring points were Jay Porter with 5, followed by Wyatt Bingham and Levi Newman with 2 each. Scoring for the Bulldogs in the Omaha contest were Bracy Owens with 9, followed by Bingham and Haisman, each with 5. Ryan Ross scored 4 and Porter, 2.
Sports on 01/18/2017