Decatur basketball knocks off Kentlake

For the first time since Jan. 2023, the Decatur Gators defeated NPSL opponents in back-to-back games.

After an impressive 47-43 win over Mount Rainier, the Gators took on Kentlake at home on Jan. 3.

Decatur defeated the Falcons, 77-55, for the second win over Kentlake in their past three meeting dating back to 2021.

“We’re trying to turn the season around,” Coach Eaton Wade said. “The difference is the kids buying in. In their mindset it was going to be easier than what it was … I was never discouraged as a coach. I was just waiting for that momentum to kick in … I think we are ready to go.”

To start, the Falcons gave Decatur a good test with the Gators leading by just two after the first frame, 17-15.

Darcemon McJimpson Jr. made two threes early in the first quarter to give the Gators a jolt and foreshadowed what was to come later in the game.

“It felt good. We came out with a lot of energy. We know we have to win these league games to start the second half of our season right and get up in league play and maybe even make the playoffs,” McJimpson said.

Kentlake went on a 5-0 run to take a 20-17 lead, but then Decatur took over. Jorge Martinez Lopez made a trio of triples en route to a 19-0 Decatur run.

The Gators went into halftime with a 38-25 lead over Kentlake.

McJimpson came out of the locker room with his hair on fire. He scored 15 points for Decatur with 12 of the 15 coming on three-pointers. Only one other player made points in the quarter, a DaMario Bougard put-back, but no one had to.

“He’s a gym rat. We are here 6 a.m. in the morning every day and he is here every day no matter what. Tonight was his best shooting night…We know he is our scorer. When he is on fire, give him the ball,” Wade said on his senior.

At the end of the third, Decatur had a sizable lead of 18 points, 58-40, thanks to McJimpson.

“Once my shots started falling, it felt good to add on to our lead. It felt great to help us get further in our season,” McJimpson said.

Decatur finished the game with 10 different scorers. Every player that touched the floor for Wade recorded points. For a team that has 10 seniors and three juniors on the roster, gaining experience is everything and winning is the cherry on top.

“It feels great because that means everyone is locked in at practice. That is my biggest thing. If you want to get in the game, show me in practice. I can’t trust you in the game if you’re not working hard in practice… I got 12 guys on the bench. I can trust everyone to do something for the team,” Wade said.

The 77 points is the most scored in a league win for Decatur since Jan. 10, 2020, in a win over Thomas Jefferson High School (81-70). Decatur ran the floor aggressively in the first half, pushing the pace and tempo on nearly every possession. But once a lead was built, there were sets being ran on the offensive side of the floor.

“The first six games taught us a lot of lessons. We can’t just always be fast and run LA Fitness ball. We gotta slow down and run plays,” Wade said.

Even though Mount Rainier is not technically a league victory, stacking wins is extremely important for Decatur. Following the win over Kentlake, the Gators also defeated Auburn Riverside, 80-77.

“Winning back to back games, there is a lot of confidence (in that locker room). We are going to be hyped and be ready for the game against Auburn Riverside,” McJimpson said.

The Gators now play Thomas Jefferson Jan. 9 on the road. The Gators haven’t won four games in a row since 2013.