Zalma at Bell City boys basketball

Wednesday, January 8, 2020

The Bell City Cubs and Zalma Bulldogs were in unfamiliar territory Tuesday, Jan. 7. The teams who entered the boys basketball game with a combined 3-14 record haven’t been involved in a lot of close games, so when things got tight, many of the players on both teams didn’t know what to do. The Bulldogs made fewer mistakes and got a big fourth quarter from sophomore Nate Ware for a 73-64 victory at Bell City High School.

Bell City's Luke Nichols loses his grip on the ball while driving toward the basket between Zalma's James Wade (left) and Eli Ware during the first half. (DEXTER STATESMAN/Kyle Smith)
Zalma's Ethan Lemons (35) and Nate Ware (34) and Bell City's Blayke Smith go after a rebound during the first half. (DEXTER STATESMAN/Kyle Smith)
Bell City's Nicholas Heuring (2) takes a shot over Zalma's Ethan Lemons during the first half. (DEXTER STATESMAN/Kyle Smith)
Bell City coach Dom Johnson instructs his players during the first half. (DEXTER STATESMAN/Kyle Smith)
Bell City's Luke Nichols shoots over a Zalma defender during the first half. (DEXTER STATESMAN/Kyle Smith)
Bell City's Andrew Hicks (23) attempts to drive the baseline against Zalma's Ethan Lemons during the first half. (DEXTER STATESMAN/Kyle Smith)
Bell City's Luke Nichols (3) passes to a teammate under pressure by Zalma's Trey Clark during the first half. (DEXTER STATESMAN/Kyle Smith)
Bell City's Austin Hunt (center) and Andrew Hicks (right) try to come up with a loose ball under the Bell City basket during the first half. (DEXTER STATESMAN/Kyle Smith)
Bell City's Luke Nichols (3) drives past Zalma's Elijah Ware during the first half. (DEXTER STATESMAN/Kyle Smith)
Bell City's Austin Hunt (10) fist-bumps with game officials and the Zalma coaching staff before the start of the game. (DEXTER STATESMAN/Kyle Smith)
Bell City's Luke Nichols (3) fist-bumps with game officials and the Zalma coaching staff prior to the start of the game. (DEXTER STATESMAN/Kyle Smith)