The DeKalb County High School basketball teams had an exciting week of play, on the road all week, first against Smith County, then traveling to the far away land of Cumberland County. The girls and boys would split wins on the week, with the Lady Tigers coming away with a buzzer beater in their first district game.

On Tuesday, December 12, the teams traveled to Carthage where they would face off with some tough competition. In the girls’ game, it seemed the team not only had to battle the Lady Owls, but also some very bad officiating.

The Lady Tigers would jump out with the lead in the first period, scoring 10 points while holding the Lady Owls to seven. Ella VanVranken sank a pair of three-point baskets, while Cadee Griffith had a two-pointer and a couple of free throw points.

It would be a battle in the second period with DeKalb putting 12 more points on the board. Again, VanVranken was the top scorer with a three-point shot, a two-pointer, and a free throw, while Griffith and Cam Branin each had a two-pointer. Avery Agee sank a pair of free throws. Smith County came on strong, coming away with 16 points and the narrow 23-22 halftime lead.

The Lady Tigers took their shots in the third period, but just couldn’t seem to find the net. At the end of the period, the Lady Tigers had only added one point to the board, a free throw by Agee. The Lady Owls pulled away, scoring eight and taking a 31-23 lead.

DeKalb got back on track in the fourth, scoring 14 points. Madison Martin hit on a two and three-pointer, while VanVranken had a couple of two-point shots and three free throw points. Griffith added a two-pointer and a free throw. There were some incredibly bad calls against the Lady Tigers, which seemed to frustrate not only the players, but also Coach Brandy Alley. In the end, the Lady Owls came away with 18 points and claimed the 49-38 win.

Ella VanVranken scored 18 points in the game, Griffith had nine, Martin five, Agee three, and Branin had two.

The boys would have a better outcome in their game against Smith County. The Tigers opened up with 20 points in the first period. Elishah Ramos sank a pair of two-point shots and a three-pointer, while Conner Close hit on a three-point basket and two-pointer. Robert Wheeler had a couple of two-point shots, while Zack Birmingham and Alex Antoniak each had a two-pointer of their own. The Owls were held to just nine points.

The Tigers kept rolling in the second period, coming away with 11 points on the board. Close sank three two-point shots, while Wheeler added a pair of two-pointers. Stetson Agee got on the board with a free throw. The Owls also got their act together, scoring 17 points. DeKalb claimed a 31-26 lead at the half.

Offense was the main game in the third period with the Tigers putting 21 points on the board. Birmingham had three two-pointers and a three-point shot, with Wheeler sinking a couple of two-pointers and a three-point goal. Ramos added a two-pointer and a free throw, while Close had a two-point basket. The Owls were held to 15, giving DeKalb the 52-41 lead.

The battle continued in the fourth, with the Tigers putting 17 points on the board. Everyone got in on the scoring with Agee hitting a three-pointer and a free throw, Close a pair of two-pointers, and Antoniak a two-point shot and a free throw. Wheeler had a two-pointer and a couple of free throws, while Birmingham and Ramos each had a free throw point. Smith County scored 18, but the Tigers claimed the 69-59 victory.

Wheeler was the top dog for the Tigers with 19 points, followed by Close who had 17 points. Birmingham had 12, Ramos 11, and Agee and Antoniak each had five.

The following Friday the teams were again on the road, this time in their first district games against some tough Stone Memorial teams.

In the girls’ game, Stone would take the lead in the first period, scoring 22 points. The Lady Tigers would come away with 14, with three-pointers by Madison Martin, Ella VanVranken, and Avery Agee, while Cadee Griffith and Tess Barton each had a two-pointer. Chloe VanVranken would add a free throw point.

DeKalb would pull closer in the second period, putting 16 on the board. Chloe VanVranken had a pair of two-point baskets and a free throw, while Martin and Ella VanVranken each had a pair of two-point shots. Dare Collins added a couple of free throw points, while Agee had one. Stone was held to 11 points but still claimed a 33-30 lead at halftime.

The Lady Tigers would take the lead in the third, with Agee hitting a three-pointer, Ella VanVranken a two-point basket and a free throw, and Chloe VanVranken and Barton each with a two-pointer. Stone was held to just four points, giving DeKalb the 40-37 lead.

It all came down to the fourth period. Chloe VanVranken, Martin and Agee would each have a three-point basket, while Collins, Barton, and Ella each had a two-pointer. Stone fought hard scoring 18 points. With seconds left on the clock, Ella VanVranken took a shot and sank another two-point shot, giving the Lady Tigers the buzzer-beater victory, 57-55.

Ella VanVranken was tops with points, scoring 14, while her sister Chloe came away with 11. Martin and Agee each had 10, Barton six, Collins four, and Griffith had two.

The boys’ would have a much tougher night for their first district game. Wheeler sank a pair of three-pointers for the Tigers in the first period, while Close hit on a pair of two-pointers and a three-pointer. Ramos added a free throw point. Stone Memorial took the lead with 17 points.

The Tigers scored 10 in the second period, with Antoniak sinking three two-point baskets, while Ean Jones had two. Stone opened up the gates, scoring 25 and taking a 42-24 halftime lead.

Birmingham and Seth Fuson each sank a three-pointer for the Tigers in the third period, while Close added three two-point shots. Stone kept piling on the points, scoring 19 and increasing their lead, 61-36.

The Tigers would only manage 11 more points in the game, with three-pointers by Kaleb Spears and Jon Hendrix, while Fuson added a two-pointer and a free throw. Jones also scored on a two-point basket. Stone would seal the game with 20, taking the 81-47 win.

Close was the top scorer for the Tigers with 13 points, while Wheeler, Antoniak, Jones, and Fuson each had six. Birmingham, Spears, and Hendrix each had three points, while Ramos had one.