The DeKalb Middle School Saints and Lady Saints opened last week with a rough start after suffering losses against the visiting teams from Cornerstone Middle School of Baxter. DMS would be on the road later in the week, traveling to Murfreesboro to face Middle Tennessee Christian. There, the boys fared better than the girls.
On Dec. 9, DMS was at home hosting the Yellow Jackets of Cornerstone. The Lady Saints took to the court first and right away DeKalb found the basket hard to find. The Lady Saints only scored two points in the first period, that coming from a two-point shot by Abbi Taylor. Cornerstone came away with six points and a lead they would never relinquish.
DeKalb had four points in the second period, with both Madison Parsley and Julia Curtis getting two-pointers. The Lady Yellow Jackets got eight points in the quarter, taking a 14-6 lead going into the half.
In the third period, the Lady Saints seemed to come out with a little more purpose. DeKalb scored 10 points, with Parsley getting two three-pointers and Macy Hedge coming away with two two-point shots. Cornerstone only had seven points, and their lead narrowed, 21-16.
While the Lady Saints put up points in the third period, the hoop was well defended in the fourth. DMS only scored two points, with Taylor making another two-pointer. The Lady Yellow Jackets put up 10 points in the period, sealing their win, 31-18.
Missed free throws were a concern for the Lady Saints. Parsley, Hedge, and Abby Evans each went zero for two on free throws, while Taylor went zero for three.
For the boys, it was a much closer game. Cornerstone managed to outscore DeKalb only by a few points in each period, but those few points would add up in the end.
The Saints scored seven points in the first period, four coming from two-pointers by Trey Jones. The Yellow Jackets scored eight in the first, taking a narrow lead.
DMS had seven points in the second period, with Marshal Evins and Logan Painter each getting a two-point shot, and Tanner Poss coming away with a three-pointer. Cornerstone got 11 points and increased their lead, 19-14.
The Saints had 10 points in the third period, including three two-pointers by Bradley Miller and a two-point shot by Jones. Again, Cornerstone outscored their opponent with 13 points. Baxter had a 32-24 lead going into the fourth.
The Saints would surge in the fourth period, scoring 12 points. Jones and Tyree Cripps each had two two-pointers, while Evins and Painter each had one. Cornerstone sealed their win however, scoring 14 points and taking a 46-36 win.
Both Evins and Jones went two for two on free throws, while Cripps went one for two.
On Dec. 12, DMS traveled to Murfreesboro to face off with Middle Tennessee Christian. While the girls would have another tough game, the boys would come away with a victory.
The Lady Saints took to the court first, and scored five points in the first period. Taylor and Leslie Hembree each had a two-pointer. MTC came away with eight points and the early lead.
DeKalb had seven points in the second period, with Parsley and Curtis each getting a two-pointer and Joni Robinson getting a three-point shot. MTC got 12 points in the period, and took the 20-12 lead going into the half.
The Lady Saints only had two points in the third period, with a two-pointer by Robinson. MTC continued to increase their lead, getting six points and a 26-14 lead.
The Lady Saints had 10 points in the fourth, with Robinson getting a two and three-pointer, and Lera Britt getting a two-point shot. MTC would come away with 12 points, and the 38-24 win.
Parsley was two for two on free throws, while Evans was one for two. Mya Ruch was one for four.
The boys played next, and opened with a narrow lead. The Saints scored six points in the first period, with Evins, Miller, and Poss each getting a two-pointer. MTC came away with five points.
DeKalb pulled away further in the second period, with Evins, Miller, Tyler Cantrell, and Poss each having a two-point shot. The Saints scored 11, compared to MTC’s four, giving DeKalb a 17-9 lead at the half.
The Saints scored eight in the third period, including Austin Johnson getting a two-pointer and Miller coming away with two. MTC only had five points and DeKalb’s lead increased, 25-14.
DMS would tack on another 10 points in the fourth period, with Johnson and Rigo Aldino each getting a two-point shot, while Miller had two two-pointers. MTC only had eight, giving the Saints the 35-22 win.
Evins went four for four on free throws, while Cantrell was three for three. Johnson and Miller were zero for two and Hunter Jennings was zero for one.