Drake Scaggs
EDINBURGH — When South Decatur visited Morristown last month, the Cougars had the lead in the fourth quarter before the Yellow Jackets rallied for a four-point victory.
Wednesday night, when the same two teams met again in the opening round of the boys basketball Edinburgh Sectional, South Decatur once again took a sizeable lead into the fourth quarter. This time, the Cougars extended the margin and claimed a 61-46 victory.
“When we played them the first game, we just didn’t finish the game,” South Decatur coach Dustin Traylor said. “We played four quarters tonight. That’s what it takes during tournament time.”
The Cougars (6-18) built their lead early in the game. They led 33-20 at halftime.
South Decatur used balanced scoring, putting four players in double figures. Drake Scaggs led the way with 17 points, while Karson Templeton scored 14, Lucas Ballard had 13 and Tayedin Traylor added 12.
The other starter, Aidan Bryant, led the Cougars with seven rebounds.
“We played unselfish tonight,” Dustin Traylor said. “Everybody played defense. We rebounded. We had some guys step up, and that’s what it takes.”
South Decatur now turns its attention to host Edinburgh. The Lancers (12-12) beat Tri 42-31 in overtime in Wednesday’s first game.
South Decatur and Edinburgh split a pair of games during the regular season, with each winning on the other’s home court. They’ll meet in the second semifinal at around 7:45 p.m. Friday.
“That’s the one we wanted,” Dustin Traylor said. “They got us at our place, and we got them here earlier in the season. It’s going to be a battle. They’re a good team, and they’ve gotten better as the season’s went on. It’s going to be a good game.”
