Bulldogs, Pioneers and Hornets participate in summer scrimmages at Decatur

June 6, 2018 at 5:00 a.m.

by Mike Eckels

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS A Pioneer player attempts a dunk shot but finds Bulldogs' Ryan Ross in his way during the Gentry-Decatur basketball scrimmage contest at Peterson Gym in Decatur. In addition to the Pioneers and Bulldogs, the Colcord Hornets also participated in the one-day event.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS A Pioneer player attempts a dunk shot but finds Bulldogs' Ryan Ross in his way during the Gentry-Decatur basketball scrimmage contest at Peterson Gym in Decatur. In addition to the Pioneers and Bulldogs, the Colcord Hornets also participated in the one-day event.

DECATUR -- In the offseason, many area basketball athletes like to gather in gyms across northwest Arkansas for a little friendly competition to hone their skills before the regular season starts in October. Athletes from Decatur, Gentry and Colcord (Okla.) gathered together for the first scrimmages of the offseason.

All three teams met at Peterson Gym in Decatur May 31 for a series of six 20-minute games officiated by Decatur coaches Jeff Melton and Sheldon McKinzie.

Decatur and Colcord squared off in the first contest. Decatur jumped out to an early lead from which Colcord never recovered. The Bulldogs took the first game, 28-13.

The Gentry Pioneers emerged victorious by the end of the six-game series, winning all four of its contests. Decatur took the victory in two of its four games, while Colcord lost all four games, narrowly missing a win by two points in its final contest with Gentry.

The scrimmages provide valuable practice time for the players while allowing all three coaches the chance to explore their teams' strengths and weaknesses.

Scrimmage Scores

Decatur 28, Colcord 13

Gentry 33, Colcord 23

Gentry 17, Decatur 10

Decatur 19, Colcord 6

Gentry 16, Colcord 14

Gentry 24, Decatur 11

Sports on 06/06/2018