The DeKalb Middle School basketball teams were in action early last week on the road against Watertown, but had games scheduled for Friday, against Van Buren County, cancelled due to icy conditions on the roadways. The Watertown games saw a close win for the boys, while the girls struggled.
On Dec. 2, the Lady Saints took to the court to face the Purple Lady Tigers. It was a slow start for DeKalb, getting only two points in the first quarter, coming from free throws. The basket was hard to find for Watertown as well, with them getting only six points in the period.
DMS came back in the second period, scoring nine points and narrowing Watertown’s lead. Joni Robinson had two two-pointers in the quarter, while Abby Evans and Julie Curtis each had one. The Lady Tigers came away with seven points, but kept the lead going into the half, 13-11.
The Lady Saints only scored five points in the third period. Madison Parsley had a three-point shot, while Robinson had another two-pointer. Watertown really turned up the heat however, scoring 15 points and increasing their lead, 28-16.
Again the Lady Saints had trouble finding the basket in the fourth period, scoring only one point off of free throws. Watertown scored 10 points, sealing their victory, 38-17.
Robinson went two for two on free throws, while Sophie Cripps and Hannah Anderson each went one for two. Curtis was zero for two.
The boys played next, and while the Saints took the early lead, the game would be decided by only four points in the end.
The Saints scored eight points in the opening period, with Marshal Evins, Bradley Miller, Trey Jones, and Tanner Poss each coming away with a two-pointer. The Purple Tigers were held to five points in the quarter.
DMS continued to pull away in the second quarter, getting eight more points. Austin Johnson had a three-point shot, while Tyree Cripps got a two-pointer. Watertown came away with only four points, giving DeKalb a 16-9 lead going into the half.
The Saints looked to seal the win in the third quarter, scoring 14 points to the Purple Tigers’ 11. Tyler Cantrell and Poss each had a three-pointer and a two-pointer in the period, while Johnson and Jones each had a two-point shot. The Saints’ lead increased, 30-20.
But Watertown was not about to just lay down. The Purple Tigers fought back hard in the fourth, coming away with 14 points. The Saints only scored eight points, but that was enough for the 38-34 win. Jones had two two-pointers in the period, while Poss had one.
Jones went three for four on free throws, while Evins and Poss went one for three. Miller was zero for one.