CENTERTON -- The Decatur Lady Bulldogs were back in action Jan. 8 for the first basketball contest to open the second half of the 2018-19 season against the Life Way Christian Lady Warriors in Centerton. This contest was a little different than the first half of the season, thanks to a player who had been absent from the roster.
Desi Meek, who has been a strong player for the Lady Bulldogs basketball program since her seventh-grade year, was back on the court after sitting out the first part of the season. She concentrates on her work as one of the leaders of the Decatur Cheer team and Lady Bulldogs track team.
Meek, a senior, led the Lady Bulldogs in scoring in her freshman, sophomore and junior years.
Coach Fess Thompson began recruiting Meek late in 2018, but cheer competitions kept her out. After spending the Christmas break reviewing her options, Meek decided to get back into basketball one final season, much to the delight of Thompson.
"What a difference one person makes," commented Thompson after the game.
Meek reunited with longtime teammates and fellow seniors Paige Vann and Sammie Skaggs, ready to drive the Lady Bulldogs forward toward a possible state playoff berth in late February. With her customary smile, Meek was back in action.
"I didn't want to sit on the sidelines anymore," said Meek.
The Lady Bulldog-Lady Warrior contest got off to a slow start as both teams struggled through most of the first half on the boards. The game remained scoreless until Sammie Skaggs was fouled, sending her to the free throw line for two. Skaggs missed her first shot but nailed the second for the first point of the contest.
The quarter ended with Decatur up, 8-2. And Decatur held its lead, going into the half up by six.
In the second half, both teams were able to hit field goals, but the Lady Bulldogs maintained a slim lead and won their first game of the new year, 48-40, over the Life Way Lady Warriors.
Leading the way for the Lady Bulldogs was Sammie Skaggs with 14, followed by Desi Meek and Annabelle Schopper, each with 10. Rounding out the Decatur scoring effort were Paige Vann and Abby Tilley, each with four; Kaylee Morales and Savanna Dodson had three points each.
Sports on 01/16/2019