Decatur Cagers Bail Out of Regionals

BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s varsity basketball teams each bailed out of the first round in their respective state Class 3A-East region tournaments this week, bringing closure to topsy-turvy seasons for both squads.

The Decatur boys fell to Bayside Conference rival James M. Bennett, 64-48, on Monday, ending a 8-15 campaign this winter. The Seahawks led briefly, 9-8, in the second quarter before the Clippers went on a 7-0 run to take the 15-9 lead and control of the game. Bennett led 22-16 at the half in a game the outcome of which was still very much in doubt.

However, the Clippers took control with a quick scoring spurt to start the third and ended the period with a 45-33 lead. Bennett continued to bury its shots through the fourth and ended the game, and Decatur’s season, with the 64-48 win. On the girls’ side, Decatur ended its season last weekend with an 83-30 loss to River Hill in the first round of the Class 3A-East tournament.

With the win, Bennett advances in the regional tournament and will face top-seeded Centennial in the semifinals. In other regional boys’ tournament news, Wicomico, top-seeded in the District VIII sectional, beat Queen Anne’s, 94-88, on Monday to advance. Wicomico appears to be on a collision course with the other top seed in the Class 2A-East region, Mardela, which also reached the semifinals. Parkside bailed out of the 2A-East region tourney in the first round. Second-seeded Pocomoke is still alive in the 1A-East tournament and will face Kent County in the semifinals, while Snow Hill took an early exit.