Decatur knew how to celebrate the holidays - by winning its own tournament.

The Gator boys basketball team won the BRC Holiday Classic with a 73-66 victory over a talented Foss team from Tacoma.

Both teams entered last Tuesday’s championship game with 6-0 overall records, with Decatur improving to 7-0 and Foss falling to 6-1.

“It was a real good game,” said Gator head coach Kevin Olson. “I liked the way we played today, because that was a very good team we just beat.”

Decatur opened the tournament with a win over winless Tahoma from Maple Valley, while Foss defeated the Mariner Marauders. Previously undefeated Mariner (5-1) went on to defeat Tahoma (0-8) for third place.

Last Tuesday’s action could set the table for an even more important clash in the future.

“This is just a confidence game,” Olson said. “Foss is a really good team, and there’s a chance we will face them in the playoffs.”

A big game against a very familiar opponent the Gators could also see in the postseason looms Monday, Jan. 19. Decatur and Federal Way will go at it in a non-league Martin Luther King Jr. Day showcase tournament game at spacious Hec Edmundson Pavilion on the University of Washington campus in Seattle.

Decatur’s move to the South Puget Sound League South Division meant the Gators and Eagles would not play a regular season SPSL game - even though that matchup has produced down-to-the-wire games and drawn sellout crowds.

The teams could also meet in the SPSL tournament if they finish in the same place in their respective divisions, while the West Central District and state tournaments could also pit them against each other.

But in the meantime, getting used to beating Foss was the first order of business for the Gators.

Decatur got out to a 5-0 jump on the Falcons.

Marcus Tibbs scored the first two points on an outside shot, then Jerron Smith made one of two shots at the free throw line. Jordan McCloud followed with a basket from underneath on a pass from Tibbs.

Foss fought back to forge a tie at 7-7 and 9-9, and took a 12-11 lead on a three-point shot by DeAndre Sutton.

“No. 34 (Sutton) made some amazing shots,” said Olson.

Tibbs took the lead back by nailing a shot to make it 13-12. McCloud then drove for a layup to gain a 15-12 advantage.

McCloud also got the last word of the first quarter in with 42 seconds left for a 17-14 lead.

Scores by Sutton tied it up at 22-22 and 24-24 before Decatur put together a six-point run. Cam Schilling scored two to start the string, then Tibbs swished in two free throws before McCloud sank two more.

The 30-24 lead was never relinquished, although the Bears roared to within 55-53 at 7:32 to go in the fourth quarter.

Tibbs hit two free throws and Schilling scored two points to send the Gators on their way again.

Tibbs provided the play of the game to open the third quarter, dropping in a shot from almost half court for three points that made it 42-34.

“There’s a place for that,” Olson said. “We don’t want them to go quite that deep, but that was where the opening was.”

Olson was the most happy about his team’s rebounding.

“To own the boards was the big thing - no second chances,” he said. “Owning the glass was the biggest thing.”

Decatur returned to SPSL South action with a visit to Graham-Kapowsin after press time Tuesday, Jan. 6 before hosting Todd Beamer at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13.

The Gators visit Spanaway Lake Thursday, Jan. 15 and host Rogers Saturday, Jan. 17 before taking aim against Federal Way.