By Marla Jones, Sports Editor

marla@southerntorch.com

Geraldine 63-Crossville 28

RAINSVILLE, Ala.- The Geraldine Bulldogs met their next door neighbors, the Crossville Lions in the semifinal game of the Dekalb County Tournament, Monday night.  Due to inclement weather over the weekend, the game was moved to Monday. The championship game will be held this Thursday, Jan. 28 at 7:45 p.m.

Crossville jumped ahead with a score by Addison Dismuke.  On the very next possession, Dismuke got fouled and gave the Lions the 3-0 lead. That was the only time, Crossville ever led the Bulldogs.  Geraldine answered back with a 3-pointer by Justin Murphy to tie the game. The Bulldogs led 17-7 at the end of the .  The Crossville Lions held the ball during the second quarter for three minutes without ever taking a shot.  Fans and players alike were getting agitated. Geraldine’s  Colby Mincey tried to force the ball away and the Crossville player lost control, going across midpoint.  Geraldine went into the half with a 29-13 lead over the Lions.

Geraldine put up 21 points in the third quarter to extend their 16-point lead to 33.  Going into the fourth, with a 50-17 lead over the Lions, the clock ran non-stop.  The Bulldogs pulled back in the fourth and gave valuable playing experience to the younger players. They maintained a commanding lead, eventually defeating the Lions 63-37.

Three Bulldogs scored in the double digits.  Colby Mincey led the team with 14 points.  Tate Richey had 12 points.  Justin Murphy finished the night with 10 points.

The Geraldine Bulldogs will face the Plainview Bears for the second year in a row for the Dekalb County Championship.  Last year, Plainview defeated the Bulldogs in the last second with a score of 44-42.  Earlier this season the Bulldogs beat the Bears in the semifinal game of the Sand Mountain Tournament, 73-48.  Both teams are looking for revenge and the championship game should not disappoint.