Lady Bulldog woes continue in loss

DECATUR — The Lady Bulldogs’ woes continued on Jan. 12 when the six-member team played host to the Alpena Lady Leopards at Peterson Gym in Decatur. The end result was too much time and not enough energy to keep the Decatur game plan going.

One of the problems Coach Jeremy Schopper is having this season is a lack of players. During the beginning of the season, the Lady Bulldogs had nine players, mainly the top freshmen from the junior high team.

As the season progressed and the covid-19 pandemic continued to grow, Schopper lost three players, dropping his numbers to the present six — Anabelle Schopper, the team’s only experienced senior; Abigail Schopper; Jackie Mendoza; Cheyenne Ford; Annabelle Bell; and Jazmine Herrera. But the lack of numbers did not stop the Lady Bulldogs from practicing and playing hard through the remainder of the season.

In the Decatur-Alpena contest, the Lady Bulldogs started out strong in the first half but, as the game progressed, Alpena, which had strength in its numbers, continued to add points to the scoreboard.

By the time the fourth quarter started, the Lady Leopards had amassed a 58-21 lead over the Lady Bulldogs.

Still, the six Decatur players continued to play as hard as they could. But, as time ran out, the Alpena Lady Leopards took the conference win over the Decatur Lady Bulldogs, 65-30.

Anabelle Schopper led the way in double figures for the Lady Bulldogs with 22 points, 12 rebounds and four assists. She was followed by Annabelle Bell, with seven points and five rebounds.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Anabelle Schopper (right) receives a high pass from teammate Jackie Mendoza (left) during the fourth quarter of the Decatur-Alpena varsity girls’ conference game at Peterson Gym in Decatur on Jan. 12. Schopper took the ball in for a layup, but a Lady Leopard stole the ball away and ran it down the court for a field goal.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Surrounded by a pack of Lady Leopard defenders, Lady Bulldog Jackie Mendoza (31) tries for a field goal during the third quarter of the Decatur-Alpena girls’ basketball contest at Peterson Gym in Decatur Jan. 12. The Lady Leopards took the conference win, 65-30, over the Lady Bulldogs.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Schopper (left) intercepts a Lady Leopard pass near center court giving the Lady Bulldogs possession of the ball.