For the Decatur boys basketball team, a return to state coincided with the fortunate return of a key player in a Gator 50-47 win against A.C. Davis of Yakima in the first round of the WIAA/Dairy Farmers of Washington/Les Schwab Tires Class 4A boys basketball tournament at the Tacoma Dome on Wednesday, March 3.

With Decatur barely holding on to a 48-47 lead after leading by as much as 16 points, it was the opportunity for Anthony Williams to announce his return to the Gator lineup in a big way.

Williams partially blocked a four-foot shot by Davis guard David Trimble. Terrell Williams pounced on the loose ball and was immediately fouled, but missed the front end of a one-and-one free throw chance. Anthony Williams crashed the boards for the rebound and calmly cashed in on the two free throws to seal the deal for the Gators.

"The coaches, especiall (assistant) Steve Richardson, always tell us to be ready to rebound. Then I just concentrated on making the free throws."

After missing the previous six games for academic issues, the 6-foot-3 inch senior was cleared to play with the Gators.

"He gives us energy and strength on the boards," said 10th-year Decatur head coach Kevin Olson. "We've been going with a six-man rotation. Now we've got seven and when you're playing back-to-back-to-back-back, you need that extra depth."

In the first quarter, the battle lines were drawn in a quickly-paced dog fight. Decatur had good looks at the basket, but outside shooting was erratic for the Gators as they carried a 12-11 edge into the second quarter. Pressure defense became an effective impediment in stifling the offenses.

Tied at 13-13, the Gators quickly carved out a 9-2 scoring run capped by a Terrell Williams standard three-point play that made the score 22-15 with 1:24 remaining in the first half that ended with Decatur on top 22-17. Decatur held a 20-17 first half total rebound edge, but the offensive rebounding went hugely in the Gators' column at 12-4, resulting in eight second chance points.

With junior Jerron Smith staying strong and aggressive an emphatic third quarter by Decatur created a scoring difference chasm that reached 40-26 after three quarters before a game high lead of 16 points at 42-26 on a Smith goal to open the final quarter.

Jordan McCloud's two free throw conversions midway through the fourth quarter produced a 46-31 margin that Davis' hot shooting nearly overcame. The Pirates pulled within 48-47 with one minute remaining in the torrid ending. Precious seconds drained away before Anthony Willams sealed the win.

"We had to keep our heads up when something went bad," noted McCloud. "The guys pulled together to get the defensive stops."

Smith scored sensationally with 31 points, downing 10-of-12 from the free throw line while McCloud earned 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Cooper Kubb paced the Pirates with 15 points and Marcus McClurkin added 10.

"We outplayed them on defense for 28 minutes," added Olson. "Give them credit for stepping up."

Decatur moved on to a Thursday encounter with No. 10 Jackson of Mill Creek in the quarterfinals.