Bob Jones boys end Decatur’s season

Jeffrey Moss drives to the basket during the Patriots' 57-45 victory over Decatur in the Class 6A Area 15 tournament.

Decatur hit two buzzer-beaters in the opening round of the Class 6A Area 15 tournament against host Bob Jones, but unfortunately both shots were in the first half and only kept the Red Raiders in the game as the Patriots advanced to the area championship, 57-45.

The Patriots jumped out to an early first quarter lead, but Decatur’s Chad Watkins juked out Bob Jones’ Levi Randolph and nailed a three to end the quarter to cut the score to 13-10.

In the second quarter, the Red Raiders once again pulled off a last second shot when Zach Porter hit a three as time expired to cut the lead to 21-17, but that would be as close as Decatur would get.

“Our area is tough,” said Bob Jones head coach Danny Petty. “They were not going to beat themselves.”

The second half was all Bob Jones, as the Patriots shot 65 percent from the field.

Randolph led the Patriots with 16 points, nine assist and seven rebounds.

“What makes Levi so good, and what makes the team good, is Levi is such a good passer,” Petty said.

Reggie Ragland was next for the Patriots with 14 points and Jeffrey Moss finished with 13.

For Decatur, Darius Nelson and Watkins each finished with 13 points.

The Patriots will take on Florence in the Area 15 championship Monday at 7 p.m. at Bob Jones.

“Florence is playing really well,” Petty said. “We’ve got our hands full for sure.”