DECATUR -- The Decatur Bulldogs are at full strength as they ready for the start of the 2017-18 basketball season schedule to begin Nov. 9 against the Hartford Hustlers in Hartford.
Several changes to the basketball coaching staff have occurred this season for the Bulldogs. Jeff Melton, who coached the Lady Bulldogs, will take over as the assistant coach for the boys' program. Ashley Riggles, who was assistant coach last season, will take over Melton's position as head coach for the girls' program. Tajhe Turner will be the new assistant girls' coach.
"Having Coach Melton on the boys' side is going to be a plus for us," said John Unger, head boys' basketball coach. "We both have basketball minds and have the same expectations. The players will have the two of us in their ears holding them accountable for their actions."
With the early end to the Bulldog football season, John Unger had the chance to get his entire team into the weight room for some much-needed weight training.
"We had a big group of guys who didn't play football, so we had the opportunity to lift weights and get into shape," said Unger. "This has been a new program that has really helped us out this season. This gave our new guys and last year's ninth graders moving up to 10th grade the opportunity to build their bodies to get ready for the new season."
Fortunately for Unger, two of his key players, Levi Newman and Garry Wood, decided to sit out the football season. This gave both the chance to get extra time in the weight room and practice time on the court. Implemented in March, the weight program is key to Unger's game plan, something that the boys' program has lacked in the last two seasons.
"One thing that we talked about is that we are not going to lose because we are weak or out of shape," Unger said. "That is something we are taking care of. If we lose, we will do so because the other team has bigger guys or more talent."
Unger looked back on the problems he encountered during the previous seasons in an effort to get back to the success the program experienced during the 2013-14 district and 2015-16 regular season championships.
"During the post-season, I did a lot of reflecting on things that I, as a head coach, got away from in practice," said Unger. "Going through the game films from last season, I could tell that the intensity wasn't there. We will get back to the way we used to play and one way is to get more physical so that we can play with more intensity."
Returning for their final season as Bulldogs will be Taylor Haisman, Levi Newman, Garry Wood and Dylan Wells. Haisman led the Bulldogs in three-point shots last season. But Unger is changing his focus from the three-pointer to playing smarter and taking shots that will put points on the scoreboard.
This year, the Bulldogs will host the fifth annual Decatur Holiday Hoops tournament beginning Nov. 27 and ending Dec. 2, with the championship and conciliation rounds. Two-time tournament champions, the West Fork Tigers, will return to defend their title. Two new teams, Elkins and LifeWay Christian, will participate in this year's tournament.
One of the biggest boosts to any sports program, whether it is football, basketball or soccer, is fan participation. When players see family and friends in the stands cheering them on, they tend to turn up the intensity in an effort to deliver a win. Unger hopes that the community will come to Peterson Gym, or any one of the team's road games, and get behind the Bulldogs.
"The students really like it when people are there," Unger said. "Our gym has a great atmosphere. It is like an old-time gym that, the more people you get in it, the louder it gets, which helps us."
For more information on the upcoming Decatur Bulldogs basketball season go to decatursd.com/athletics.
2017-18 Bulldogs/Lady Bulldogs Basketball Schedule:
11/9: 6 p.m. Hartford @ Hartford
11/14: 6:30 p.m. @ Watts (Watts, OK)
11/17: 5 p.m. Exeter (Exeter, MO) @ Decatur
11/20: 6 p.m. @ Gentry
11/27-12/2: Decatur Holiday Hoops
12/5: 6 p.m. Kingston @ Decatur
12/7: Colcord Jamboree @ Colcord, Okla.
12/12: 5:30 p.m. @ Alpena
12/15: 6 p.m. LifeWay Christian Academy @ Decatur
12/19: 6:30 p.m. Watts, Okla. @ Decatur
12/29: 6 p.m. LifeWay Christian Academy @ Centerton
1/5: 5:30 p.m. St. Paul @ Decatur
1/9: 6 p.m. Kingston @ Kingston
1/12: 5:30 p.m. Omaha @ Omaha
1/16: 6 p.m. Eureka Springs @ Decatur
1/19: 5 p.m. St. Paul @ St. Paul
1/23: 6 p.m. Alpena @ Decatur
1/26: 5:30 p.m. Lead Hill @ Lead Hill
1/30: 5:30 p.m. Omaha @ Decatur
2/2: 6 p.m. Eureka Springs @ Eureka Springs
2/9: 6 p.m. Mulberry/Pleasant View @ Decatur
Times indicated are Lady Bulldog start, boys start time begins at the conclusion of girls contest.
Sports on 11/08/2017