





The DeKalb County High School basketball teams were back on the hardwood last week, after being on quarantine for two weeks due to Covid-19. Despite their lack of practice and play, the teams showed the hometown crowd some determination in what would be some very exciting games.
On Friday, Dec. 11, the teams were at home facing off against border rival Watertown. The Lady Tigers took the court first and would fall behind early, but would claw their way back late in what would turn out to be a neck and neck finish.
Kadee Ferrrell had a two-point shot and a couple of free throw points for the Lady Tigers in the first quarter, with Ella VanVraken coming away with a two-pointer and a free throw, and Hannah Willingham getting a two-point basket of her own. Watertown took the early lead, scoring 15 points.
The Lady Tigers were held to only four points in the second quarter, with VanVraken and Xharia Lyons each sinking a two-point shot. Watertown added to their lead, scoring seven points. Watertown was up, 24-13, at halftime.
The Lady Tigers came to life in the third quarter, at one point tying the score. Overall, DeKalb scored 18 points, with Ferrell getting a three-pointer, a two-pointer, and three points from free throws, while Cadee Griffith had a two and three-point basket of her own. Willingham added a three-point shot, and VanVraken had a two-pointer. Watertown would come back and score 18 points of their own. They maintained the lead, 42-31.
It came down to the fourth quarter and DeKalb would manage to outscore Watertown. The Lady Tigers put up 16 points, with Madison Martin getting a pair of three-pointers and a two-point basket, while Megan Cantrell and Ferrell each had a three-point shot, and VanVraken a two-pointer. The score would go back and forth, but in the end Watertown scored 12 points and secured their 54-47 win.
In the boys' game, again Watertown would take the early lead, but DeKalb would quickly come roaring back in what would be a high-scoring game.
The Tigers put 21 points on the board in the first quarter. Elishah Ramos was on fire, getting a three-point basket, a two-pointer, and three points from free throws. Jordan Young had a three-pointer and two-pointer, while Luke Jenkins, Evan Jones, Stetson Agee, and Robert Wheeler each had a two-point basket. Watertown was able to find the hoops also, scoring 28 points and taking the lead.
DeKalb repeated in the second quarter, scoring another 21 points. Young sank two three-point shots, a two-pointer, and two free throws, while Brayden Antoniak put up three two-pointers. Ramos and Agee each had a two-pointer, while Wheeler added a free throw point. The Purple Tigers were held to 12 points, giving the DeKalb Tigers the 42-40 halftime lead.
The Tigers resumed where they had left off, taking 20 points in the third quarter. Jones had four two-point baskets, while Ramos had a pair of three-pointers. Young, Antoniak, and Jenkins each had a two-point shot. The Purple Tigers were held to 11 points, giving DeKalb a 62-51 lead.
But Watertown would come roaring back in the fourth quarter, showing that they were not about to just go away. DeKalb scored 15 points, with Jones again getting four two-point shots and a free throw, while Young had a pair of two-pointers and two free throw points. Watertown would score 18 points, coming up short, and giving the Tigers the 77-69 hometown victory.