(Feb. 13, 2015) On their home court Tuesday night, the Stephen Decatur Seahawks pulled out a 59-57 overtime victory over the Snow Hill Eagles.
“I think the kids played hard and really wanted to win for the fans,” Decatur boys’ basketball Coach Byron “BJ” Johnson said. “Turnovers have hurt us all year, but the kids still found a way to win.”
The battle in Berlin started at the opening tip-off. Decatur put 13 points on the board in the first quarter, while Snow Hill scored 10. The Seahawks extended their lead in the second quarter, outscoring the Eagles 19-15. At halftime, the home team held a 32-25 advantage.
The visiting Eagles chipped away at the Seahawks’ lead in the third quarter. Snow Hill started the fourth quarter trailing by just two points, 42-40.
The Seahawks were ahead by five points late in the game, but the Eagles fought back to tie it.
With seconds on the clock, Decatur sophomore Tyree Henry grabbed a rebound and was fouled as he put the ball back up. Hitting one of two shots, Henry forced overtime with the score tied 55-55 at the end of regulation.
Before the boys stepped back on the court for the overtime period, Johnson told the Seahawks, “if we don’t turn the ball over, we’ll win this game.”
Sophomores Keve Aluma and Ja’Quan Johnson scored in overtime and Decatur held on to win 59-57.
“We took care of the ball and we were able to win,” Coach Johnson said.
Ja’Quan Johnson led Decatur with 17 points and six rebounds. Aluma tallied 12 points and 17 rebounds and Aaron Dale Jr., a senior, had 10 points and five rebounds.
“I commend these kids for the effort they give each night…this is a really young team and the future looks bright,” the coach said. “We are taking this year as a learning experience. The mistakes we are making now, we hope not to make in the future. The kids are playing their hearts out and that’s all a coach can ask for.”
Decatur will finish the regular season on the road. The Seahawks will take a trip to Stevensville to face the Kent Island Buccaneers on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. Their last game will be played in Salisbury against the Parkside Rams on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
“For this team to be successful, we need to limit our turnovers,” Johnson said. “I think if we do that we can finish out the season strong. I encourage our fans to be patient with this team and remember the future will give them something to cheer about.”
