A passion for winning and an energetic environment at home brought the No. 5 South Puget Sound League seeded Decatur boys basketball team off the floor numerous times and led to a 70-67 overtime victory against visiting No. 4 Narrows league seed Olympia in a first-round match up of the West Central 4A District tournament at Decatur High School on Wednesday.

The Gators (15-8) advance to the quarterfinals and a winner-to-state game at 6 p.m. Friday at Auburn High School against Kentwood, the same team that throttled the Gators 62-42 last Thursday in the SPSL Tournament. Decatur is in quest of its fourth consecutive journey to the Class 4A state. Olympia plays

"After the poor performance, we needed to come home," Gator head coach Kevin Olson admitted. "We wouldn't have beat (Olympia) at their place. That's for sure. It was huge being home...You don't want to lose your opener and then have to win three straight to get to state."

Jerron Smith and Jordan McCloud stayed aggressive and mentally tough to make sure the Gators remained in the winner's bracket.

Tied at 61-61 after regulation, Decatur broke on top in the overtime when McCloud drove the baseline and was fouled. Both free throws rolled off the front rim and through to place the Gators on top with 2:45 left before Weber-Braden responded with a field goal from the baseline while being fouled.

Weber-Braden's missed charity toss that was rebounded by Smith kept the teams chained together 63-63.

Standing tall under the pressure, Smith scored on an inside turn-around bucket with 1:33 left for a 67-63 Gator spread. Weber-Braden caught the corner again to bring the battling Bears close at 67-65 50 seconds later.

Olympia regained possession, but missed connections on a field goal try. McCloud was fouled and converted the second of two free throw chances with 34.4 seconds remaining.

The Bears missed from outside again with Smith boarding for Decatur and being fouled.

With 12.5 seconds remaining, Smith converted a pair of free throws which was enough to hold off a final Bear field goal. Smith and McCloud tallied all nine of the Gators' overtime points.

It was especially satisfying for the lanky 6-foot-4 Smith, who mustered up a 1-for-14 shooting night in the Kentwood loss.

"I haven't had a completely good game all season," said Smith, who left it all on the floor for a career-high 35 points and 10 rebounds. "I wanted the ball every time I made a shot. It energized the whole team. It feels great. We got a win and we only need one more to get to state."

Decatur could have melted when Olympia overcame a 38-35 Gator lead to gain a 47-42 control heading into the third quarter, but the 6-foot-4 inch Smith knocked down two consecutive three-pointers from the corner to send Decatur into the lead, initiating an intense and speedy attack and counter attack action until the Bears moved ahead 59-53 with 1:53 left in the fourth quarter.

"We mixed up our defense and had two consecutive stops to get back (before each three-pointer)," explained Olson.

Enter Smith, who wanted the ball and received it before nailing the second of two three-point fourth quarter goals that sent the Gators in front 60-59 30 seconds later. Both teams had chances to win the game in regulation, but missed field goals and free throws held each squad back until Reuben Talukdar drove to a layin to put Olympia in front 61-60.

With 9.5 seconds remaining, Jordan McCloud drove the baseline and was fouled. After his first free throw rolled off the front rim and in, the second charity toss hit the rim and bounced high and out. Olympia's Alex Weber-Brader missed on an easy range layup with less than two seconds remaining to necessitate the overtime.

Decatur led 17-14 after the first quarter following Smith's standard three-point play that was countered by a Bear field goal. On Smith's play, he scored on a follow shot off his own missed field goal try.

Smith and Jordan McCloud fired up the Gators' up tempo offense for a 23-16 lead three minutes into the second quarter before the Bears came screaming back with the same up and down court quickness with deadly accurate passing tactics that Decatur utilized.

Drawing close at 23-21, Olympia countered McCloud's low post baskets to tie the score 27-27 at the half in exciting, fast-paced action.
McCloud forced up a basket from inside the paint ahead of a Dom Hunter three-pointer to stake the Gators to a 32-29 lead early in the second half.

The margin stayed within the one to three point range until a Robert Oliver pass to Smith for a bucket made the score 38-35, setting the stage for the final furious infighting and intense tenacity.

The 6-foot-5 McCloud consistently continued to be a major force inside and outside with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Austen Wilson grabbed eight caroms off the glass and dished out three assists.