Lady Bulldogs overwhelmed by Lady Pioneers in nonconference matchup

GENTRY — Both the Gentry Lady Pioneers and the Decatur Lady Bulldogs hoped the contest of Nov. 20 would break a losing streak, but the game could only do that for one team.

The Lady Bulldogs came into the contest having won their first game against the Hartford Lady Hustlers Nov. 9. The Lady Pioneers had lost their first four games, including the first conference game against the Lady Tigers of Huntsville on Nov. 17.

The Lady Pioneers put three points on the scoreboard in the opening minute of the first quarter. Four minutes later, Gentry had amassed eight points and held the Lady Bulldogs to two. By the end of the quarter, the Lady Pioneers built a 16-point lead and went into the second quarter with a 25-9 advantage.

Decatur was never able to get its offense working, scoring only nine points in the second half. The Lady Bulldogs’ only chance to make a run came in the fourth quarter when they forced several turnovers and held Gentry to only four points. But Decatur’s offense, as was the case in previous contests, was unable to capitalize on these mistakes, giving the Lady Pioneers their first victory of the season, 53-20.

Leading the Decatur Lady Bulldogs were Sammie Skaggs, nine points and three rebounds; followed by Jacqueline Herrera, four points and two rebounds; Paige Vann, three points and seven rebounds; Deysi Rubi, two points and one rebound; and Abby Tilley with two points. Destiny Mejia pulled down two rebounds.

Gentry Lady Pioneers stats were unavailable at press time.

Photo by Mike Eckels Gentry’s Kinley Hayes (right) causes Paige Vann of Decatur to lose control of the ball at Pioneer Gym in Gentry on Nov. 20.

Photos by Mike Eckels Decatur’s Sammie Skaggs (24) drives from the left wing toward the basket as Gentry’s Meledy Owens defends during the Gentry-Decatur senior girls’ basketball contest at Pioneer Gym in Gentry on Nov. 20.