DECATUR -- After a seemingly uneventful first quarter, the Decatur Bulldogs came through in the second half of the game against the Thaden Barnstormers, winning the contest 47-31.
The first quarter of the game started, with neither team able to break through the defense to score a basket. The Bulldogs implemented a strong defensive strategy that mimicked a white wall blocking out each Barnstormer's attempt to move under the basket. Finally, the Barnstormers got on the scoreboard with a 3-point shot by Oshen Rehobson.
In the second quarter, a shot by J.J. Herrera from the sideline brought the Bulldogs into the game, tying the score at three apiece.
But then players Deegan Brooks and Devin Thor began to distinguish themselves by racking up points -- Brooks added four points and Thor five with a swish.
Although the Bulldogs began to catch up, they fell short in the second quarter, ending the first half down 12 to 18.
Tension was building among the players, with fouls racking up on both sides. Spectators could feel the quiet aggression beginning to boil. To say it was thrilling would be an understatement.
As the Bulldog team banded together to rise up against the Barnstormers, so did the scoreboard in the third quarter. Brooks led the team, scoring the most shots, which included owning the two foul shots that were given him.
Adding to the list of scoring players was Jackson Montano, who gave the team two points. Also, not too far from Brooks was Herrera, who scored four points. The Bulldogs closed the gap and surpassed the Barnstormers, ending the third quarter ahead, 28 to 23.
The fourth-quarter scoring came to an all-time high; so did the fouls. It was clear the teams played more aggressively as the game ended, with 10 fouls charged against the Bulldogs, while the Barnstormers pushed back with only three. Decatur's fouls gave Thaden more opportunities to score at the free-throw line but, ultimately, they couldn't catch up as the Bulldogs scored shot after shot, including six more points from Montano, Thor with his three-point swish, Jayden Gonzalez's three points, Herrera two points, Ben Watkins three points and Brandon Montano's two points.
The Bulldogs came out on top against the Barnstormers, ending the match 47 to 31. The game made it clear that when the chips are down, the Bulldogs bring it.
Westside Eagle Observer/DANIEL BEREZNICKI
Player 22, J.J Herrera, consistently scored through quarters two, three and four, ending the game with nine points under his belt.
Westside Eagle Observer/DANIEL BEREZNICKI
Brandon Montano attempts a shot. He came through in the fourth quarter by adding two to the total of 19 points.
Westside Eagle Observer/DANIEL BEREZNICKI
Coach Austin Frederking takes a knee to discuss strategy with his players. The Bulldogs had a powerful defensive strategy which created a seemingly white wall against the Thaden Barnstormers.