Lady Bulldogs lose to Lady Highlanders, Lady Panthers in 2020 conference openers

DECATUR — After a twoweek break, the Decatur Lady Bulldogs were back in action at Peterson Gym Jan. 7, squaring off against longtime rival, the Eureka Springs Lady Highlanders, in the first conference showdown of 2020. Although the fans watched two good teams battle it out on the court, it was the Lady Highlanders that ruled the day by 18 points.

The Lady Highlanders kicked off the first quarter with a field goal. The Lady Bulldogs answered on the next possession with a field goal of their own to tie the game at two each. A threepoint field goal by Kaleyn Ross put Eureka ahead with less than two minutes to play in the quarter. The Lady Highlanders went on a run, outscoring the Lady Bulldogs 10-2 to take a 15-5 lead going into the next quarter.

Decatur played catch up during the second quarter, outscoring Eureka 12-7 to cut the Lady Highlanders’ lead to five points going into the break.

The Lady Highlanders took control of the second half, scoring 26 points and holding the Lady Bulldogs to 13. Eureka Springs claimed the conference victory, 48-30, over Decatur.

Leading the way for the Lady Bulldogs with a double-double was Annabelle Schopper with 10 points, 10 rebounds, six turnovers and four steals, followed by Abby Tilley with eight points, three rebounds, one turnover and one steal. Rounding out the Decatur offensive and defensive drive was Desitny Mejia with four points, four rebounds and four turnovers. Myra Flores and Kyleigh McBride each had three points, Kaylee Morales had two points, three rebounds, six turnovers and two steals.

In double figures for the Lady Highlanders was Kaleyn Ross with 17 points, five of which were threepoint field goals, followed by Gracie Lester with 10.

In an earlier contest played prior to the varsity girls game, the Decatur junior high girls came from behind in the last three minutes of its game to defeat Eureka Springs, 24-22.

Braving thunderstorms and heavy rain, the Decatur Lady Bulldogs made a 133 mile, three-hour trip Friday to face the YellvilleSummit Lady Panthers in the second conference basketball contest of the week.

Decatur kept the contest close but fell behind in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, eventually losing to the Lady Panthers, 33-20.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Finding the path to the basket blocked by a pair of Lady Highlander defenders, Destiny Mejia (3) passes the ball to a teammate standing near the left-wing during the Decatur-Eureka Springs girls conference contest in Decatur Jan. 7.