Decatur wins reg. semifinal game

By Lisa Capitelli Managing Editor

(March 3, 2023) The Stephen Decatur boys’ basketball team battled until the final whistle and the Seahawks’ efforts paid off as they earned a 60-53 victory over the Oxon Hill Clippers in the 3A South Region II semifinals on Tuesday in Berlin.

“They fought, they played with grit. They were determined not to lose this game,” said Decatur Coach BJ Johnson. “Oxon Hill is a really good team. They made a run but we sustained, and these kids just never gave up.”

With every basket the Seahawks made and with each defensive stop, the large crowd cheered for the home team.

“It was a great playoff atmosphere. My kids, I can’t be more proud of these guys,” Johnson said. “We got off to a rocky start – a little adversity in the beginning of the year and then we just came together – and they bought in and they deserve everything they get.”

Top-seeded Decatur led 16-11 at the end of the first quarter. At halftime, the Berlin squad held a 34-28 advantage.

Fourth-seeded Oxon Hill chipped away at Decatur’s lead in the third quarter, outscoring the home team, 19-14. But after three, the Seahawks were ahead, 48-47.

Decatur scored 12 points in the final quarter and held Oxon Hill to six, to advance to Thursday’s regional championship.

“I just love these kids so much because they fight for one another, they care about one another, they put each other before themselves,” Johnson said. “You just couldn’t ask for a better team. They’re deserving of every-