Lady Bulldogs fall to Lady Griffins, Lady Highlanders

November 16, 2021 at 7:24 a.m.

by Michael Eckels

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Jazmane Herrera talks to her team mates about a play that failed during a quick timeout in the third quarter of the Decatur- Ozark Catholic basketball contest at Northwest Arkansas Classical Academy in Bentonville Nov. 9. This was the opening game for the senior varsity who lost by 27 points.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Jazmane Herrera talks to her team mates about a play that failed during a quick timeout in the third quarter of the Decatur- Ozark Catholic basketball contest at Northwest Arkansas Classical Academy in Bentonville Nov. 9. This was the opening game for the senior varsity who lost by 27 points.

BENTONVILLE -- The Decatur Lady Bulldogs hit the court on Nov. 9 for their first basketball contest of the 2021-22 season. After making the short 20-minute ride from Decatur to Bentonville, the Lady Bulldogs were ready to take on the Ozark Catholic Academy Lady Griffins from Tontitown.

Coach Fess Thompson, who returns to the Lady Bulldogs after a year of coaching in Pine Bluff, huddled up with his eight-person team to give a few last-minute changes to the Decatur game plan before the Lady Bulldogs took center court for the tipoff.

The Lady Bulldogs quickly fell behind in the first quarter and, by the end of the half, were trailing by 20 points.

The young team looked a little stronger in the second half but the damage was already done and the Lady Bulldogs never recovered as the Ozark Catholic Academy Lady Griffins claimed the win, 56-29.

The Lady Bulldogs returned to NWA Classic Academy's Spartan Gym for another tournament contest, this time with a familiar foe and conference rival, the Eureka Springs Lady Highlanders, on Nov. 11.

The Lady Highlanders took off and never looked back as the team held the Lady Bulldogs to only two points for the entire game, taking a 38-2 tournament win.

The Decatur Lady Bulldogs get ready for the Bulldog Basketball Tournament at both Peterson and Decatur Middle School Gyms on Nov. 15, 18, 20 in Decatur. Go to decatursd.com for times and gym assignments.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Lady Bulldog Naomi Jimenez (13) makes her move towards the basket as she skirts past two Lady Griffin players during the second quarter of the Decatur-Ozark Catholic varsity girls basketball contest in Bentonville Nov. 9. Jimenez' made her shot for two points but it was not enough to stave off the Lady Griffins 27 point win.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Lady Bulldog Naomi Jimenez (13) makes her move towards the basket as she skirts past two Lady Griffin players during the second quarter of the Decatur-Ozark Catholic varsity girls basketball contest in Bentonville Nov. 9. Jimenez' made her shot for two points but it was not enough to stave off the Lady Griffins 27 point win.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Jackie Mendoza (11) dibbles away from the top of the key in an attempt to evade a Lady Griffin defender during the Decatur-Ozark Catholic girls basketball contest in Bentonville Nov.9. Mendoza managed to pass to the corner but the Lady Bulldog shooter missed the basket and the ball went to the Lady Griffins.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Jackie Mendoza (11) dibbles away from the top of the key in an attempt to evade a Lady Griffin defender during the Decatur-Ozark Catholic girls basketball contest in Bentonville Nov.9. Mendoza managed to pass to the corner but the Lady Bulldog shooter missed the basket and the ball went to the Lady Griffins.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS In spite of a Lady Griffin traffic jam, Jazmine Herrera puts up a three-point jumper from the right wing during the Decatur-Ozark Catholic basketball contest in Bentonville Nov. 9. The Lady Bulldogs, in its first contest of the season, lost to the Lady Griffins by 27 points.
Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS In spite of a Lady Griffin traffic jam, Jazmine Herrera puts up a three-point jumper from the right wing during the Decatur-Ozark Catholic basketball contest in Bentonville Nov. 9. The Lady Bulldogs, in its first contest of the season, lost to the Lady Griffins by 27 points.