Lady Bulldogs fall again to Lady Panthers

DECATUR — The Lady Bulldogs faced yet another top-notch team when they played host to the Yellville-Summit Lady Panthers at Peterson Gym in Decatur Thursday night. As with contests in the past, the Lady Bulldogs came out strong in the first quarter but began to fade late in the first half, which led to the Lady Panthers’ win over Decatur.

The Decatur Lady Bulldogs played good defense during the first four minutes of the first quarter. But the six-member Lady Bulldogs were up against a team that brought 12 players to the contest. Yellville pulled most of its starters halfway through the second quarter and replaced them with fresh players that took the court ready to play strong and fast.

The Lady Bulldogs only scored a single point in the opening quarter, on an Anabelle Schopper free throw. On the other side of the court, the Lady Panthers racked up 23 points to take a 23-1 lead.

The Lady Bulldogs kept going in spite of the huge point gap by the end of the first half.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, the Decatur girls began to reach their five-foul limits. Because of the 50-point spread, the official decided to let them play on since Abigail and Anabelle Schopper fouled out, leaving only four players in the game.

The Yellville Lady Panthers defeated the Decatur Lady Bulldogs by 60 points, 74-14, for the conference win.

Only two players scored during the 32-minute contest for the Lady Bulldogs. Anabelle Schopper had eight, followed by sister Abigail with six.

Kinley Morris led the way for Yellville with 17 points, followed by Karnbree Gibson with 15 and Abby Marvin with 12.

In the junior high girls’ game, the Decatur girls lost to the Yellville team, 31-11.

Leading the junior team was Priya James with three. Sydney Brooks, Sunshine Thor, Heaven McGarrah and Ariana Kumbera each had two.