BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity basketball rolled past visiting Bennett, 95-48, on Tuesday before a big bi-partisan crowd at home.
The Seahawks rode a strong first half to pull away from Bennett and cruised to the 95-48 win. After a Tyler Hunter lay-up got Decatur on the board early in the first, Colen Gaynor got a breakaway and soared to a resounding dunk to bring the big home crowd to its feet. A fast-break lay-up by Randy DuPont, followed by a little turnaround by Hunter staked the Seahawks to an early 10-3 lead, but Bennett responded with a mini-run of its own to cut the lead to 10-9 with just over four minutes remaining in the first.
That was as close as the Clippers would get, however, as the Seahawks continued to apply pressure and contested every shot, often setting up easy opportunities in the offensive end. Torrey Brittingham hit a three-pointer to extend the lead to 13-9, then a short time later assisted Hunter on a lay-up. Hunter was fouled and converted the free throw to extend the lead to 17-9. A driving lay-up by Gaynor, followed by a put-back by Hunter and another basket by DuPont extended the Seahawk lead to 26-13 with time winding down in the first. Bennett hit a long three-pointer at the buzzer and the Seahawks led 26-16 after one.
Decatur went on an 8-0 run to start the second quarter, fueled largely by Hunter and Gaynor, and extended its lead to 34-16. Bennett cut the lead to 14 points at 34-20 with just over four minutes left in the half. Gaynor hit a long three-pointer to push the lead to 37-22 and a short time later, P.J. Copes hit another bomb from the corner to push the lead to 43-22 with time running down in the second.
Another three by Gaynor, followed by a jumper by DuPont extended the lead to 52-28 with 42 seconds left in the second quarter. A tip-in by Hunter at the buzzer pushed the Seahawk lead to 54-28 at the half. In the second half, Decatur continued to apply pressure and wore down the Clippers, cruising to the 95-48 win.