Bulldogs scratched up by Panthers, Warriors in pair of conference matchups
DECATUR — The race for the district tournament continues to heat up for the Decatur Bulldogs as the team played host to the YellvilleSummit Panthers at Peterson Gym Jan. 28. The Bulldogs kept the contest close through the first three quarters but a sudden cold streak late in the fourth found the Bulldogs on the losing end of the contest by eight points.
Both teams’ defenses went to work in the first minute of the first quarter, preventing any scoring until the 6:40 mark when Decatur’s Bryson Funk launched a long three-pointer from the right-wing which hit its mark for the opening score of the contest. About 30 seconds later David Derosier hit a field goal, giving the Panthers its first points of the night. Decatur finished the quarter with a 10-7 lead.
Yellville caught its second wind midway through the second quarter and managed to take the lead for the first time, by two points, going into the halftime break.
The lead switched back and forth several times in the closing plays of the third quarter, with the Bulldogs coming out on top by one going into the final eight minutes of the game.
As hard as the Bulldogs fought to keep the contest close in the first 24 minutes of play, Decatur’s offense went cold, allowing the Panthers to go on a 15-6 run in the final four minutes of the fourth quarter to take the conference win, 46-38, over the Decatur Bulldogs.
Kevin Garcia was the only Bulldog in double figures, with 10 points, six rebounds and two turnovers. Bryson Funk followed Garcia with nine points, two rebounds and three turnovers. Tafari James hit a double in the rebound category with 11, seven points and three turnovers. Rounding out the Bulldog offensive drive were Trevor Girdner with five points and two rebounds, Christian Ramirez with four points and four turnovers and Adam Garcia with three points and one rebound.
Yellville-Summit had two players in double figures, David Derosier with 17 and Ben Cantrall with 13.
The Decatur Bulldogs made the longest road trip this season (142 miles, three hours) traveling to Cotter to take on the Warriors in the second conference contest of the week at Cotter High School on Friday night.
After 31 minutes of hard-driving basketball, the Bulldogs found themselves on the losing end of the contest in the final minute of the 55-50 game with the Cotter Warriors.
The Decatur Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs will celebrate Colors Day Feb. 7, beginning at 6 p.m. with the coronation ceremony followed by the boys’ basketball contest against the Flippin Bobcats followed by the Lady Bulldogs-Lady Bobcats contest at 7 p.m.