After a seemingly long wait, the DeKalb County High School basketball program finally held its annual awards banquet last Saturday evening, honoring some outstanding players and cheerleaders. The event was held at the Smithville First Baptist Enrichment Center where players, cheerleaders and parents gathered for the ceremony.
The Most Valuable Player award for the Tigers went to Junior Conner Close won for the second year in a row, while Junior Ella VanVranken was named the Lady Tiger MVP. Senior Katherine Gassaway was presented with the Most Valuable Cheerleader award. The awards were sponsored by Love-Cantrell Funeral Home and presented by Chad and Shelia Kirby, and are named in memory of Kirby’s grandfather Allen D. Hooper.
Close was also presented awards for being the team’s Best Offensive Player and was selected to the 1st Team All-District 7AAA and DTC All-Star Team.
VanVranken became a member of the DCHS 1,000-point club this past season and was named to the 2nd Team All-District 7AAA, the District’s All-Defensive Team, and the DTC All-Star Team.
During the banquet, local State Representative Michael Hale presented VanVranken a resolution, adopted by the Tennessee General Assembly, honoring her for having scored more than 1,000 points. VanVranken scored her 1,000th career point on December 21, 2022 in a holiday tournament between the Lady Tigers and Ezell Harding at Wilson County High School in Lebanon.
State Representative Hale read the resolution to the crowd:
“A RESOLUTION to honor and congratulate Ella VanVranken of DeKalb County High School on scoring her 1,000th point in varsity basketball.
“WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should recognize those incredibly successful student athletes who have attained significant milestones in their careers; and
“WHEREAS, junior Ella VanVranken of DeKalb County High School recently scored her 1,000th career point, reaching that incredible milestone in just three seasons, something that most players can only dream of attaining in four years; and
“WHEREAS, the daughter of Zach and Kristen VanVranken, Ella has already enjoyed a storied basketball career at DeKalb County High School, winning Freshman of the Year and All District 3rd Team honors her freshman year and All District 2nd Team honors, the DTC Award, and Offensive MVP after her sophomore campaign; and
“WHEREAS, during her freshman season, she recorded 367 points, 123 rebounds, 33 assists, and 60 steals and tallied 427 points, 158 rebounds, 67 assists, and 70 steals during her sophomore season; and
“WHEREAS, a player who leads by example, Ms. VanVranken joined the 1,000 point club on December 21, 2022, against Ezell-Harding, scoring 26 points; she has already accumulated 346 points, 67 rebounds, 47 assists, and 34 steals so far this season; and
“WHEREAS, Ella VanVranken has now claimed her rightful place among the most elite basketball players in DeKalb County High School history; and
“WHEREAS, Ms. VanVranken exemplifies the spirit, determination, and perseverance for which Tennesseans are notable, and she is richly deserving of our approbation on this special occasion; now,
“Therefore,
“BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE CONCURRING, that we honor and congratulate Ella VanVranken of DeKalb County High School on scoring her 1,000th point in varsity basketball and wish her all the best in her future endeavors, both on and off the court”.
Other Lady Tiger basketball awards were as follows:
Leadership Award - Madison Martin
Most Improved - Darrah Ramsey
Best Defensive Player - Chloe VanVranken. She was also named to the District 7AAA All-Freshman Team
Hustle Award - Cam Branin
Sharp Shooter - Avery Agee. She also made the DTC All Star Team
Best Teammate - Tess Barton
Other Tiger awards were as follows:
Defensive Player and Best Sixth Man - Alex Antoniak. He also made the District 7AAA All-Defensive Team
Best Ball Handler - Elishah Ramos. He also received All District Honorable Mention
Team Leader - Stetson Agee
District 7AAA All-Freshman Team - Jon Hendrix
Best Rebounder - Robert Wheeler. He also made the 3rd Team All District 7AAA and DTC All Star Team
Most Improved - Zack Birmingham
Best Sixth Man - Ean Jones
Other cheerleader awards included:
Most Coachable - Averie McMinn
Outstanding Jumps - Yvette Chivers
R.O.A.R. Award (Respectful, Outstanding, Accountable, and Reliable) - Katie Patterson
Team Favorite - Hannah Lohorn
Outstanding Motions - Annabella Dakas
