After nearly a week of postponed games, the DeKalb County High School basketball teams finally entered into the first round of the District 8AA basketball tournaments. The games, originally scheduled for Monday, February 15, were pushed back again and again due to the ice storm and several rounds of snow that struck Middle Tennessee all week. The teams were finally able to get back to action during a rare Sunday game, as DeKalb hosted teams from Smith County.
First up were the Lady Tigers, facing the border rival Lady Owls in what would be a tough match. DeKalb's Ella VanVraken lead the Lady Tigers in the first quarter with a pair of two-point baskets as well as a couple of three-point shots. Madison Martin also sank a three-pointer, giving DeKalb 13. Smith County inched ahead however, with 18 points.
The Lady Tigers took their shots, but found the hoops elusive as the game wore on. VanVraken came away with two two-point baskets and a couple of free throw points, while Kadee Ferrell had a two-point shot and a free throw of her own. While DeKalb managed nine points, Smith got hot, putting another 21 points on the board. The Lady Owls were up 39-22 at the half.
DeKalb finally got into a rhythm in the third quarter, putting up 23 points on the scoreboard. Again, VanVraken lead the way with a two-pointer and six points from the free throw line. Megan Cantrell had a pair of three-point shots, while Ferrell and Xharia Lyons each had a two-point shot and a couple of free throws. Summer Crook also had a free throw point. While the Lady Tigers outscored Smith County, the Lady Owls still managed 17 points. Their lead had shrunk, 56-45.
Going into the fourth quarter, the Lady Tigers put the pressure on. DeKalb cut Smith's lead by nine, then seven, then to five points at one point. The Lady Tigers scored 18 points, with Ferrell scoring a two-pointer and three free throw points, Cantrell with a three-point shot, VanVraken with three points from the free throw line, Lyons with a two-pointer and a pair of free throws, Martin with a couple of free throws, and Hannah Willingham with a free throw point.
While DeKalb kept things tight, Smith County pushed back hard in the final minutes. The Lady Owls scored 26 points, taking a 82-63 victory, ending the Lady Tigers' season.
The outcome would not be as decisive in the boy's game. The match would have fans on the edge of their seats right down to the final seconds of the game. As the Tigers faced off with the Smith County Owls, the game would not only be a match against longtime border rivals, but also against father and son, as Tigers' Head Coach John Sanders' father, Trey Sanders, heads the Smith County team.
Just like in the girls' game, DeKalb would get off to a slow start. The Tigers only scored five points in the first quarter, with a three-point shot by Stetson Agee, and a two-pointer by Evan Jones. The Owls jumped ahead with 11 points on the board.
Points were a premium in the second quarter as well. The Tigers scored six points, with a two-point basket and a free throw by Brayden Antoniak, Elishah Ramos with a two-pointer, and Jones with a free throw. Smith County was held to only three free throw points. They maintained a narrow lead going into halftime, 14-11.
The Tigers seemed to catch fire in the third quarter, putting 18 points on the scoreboard. Agee had a two and three-point basket as well as a free throw point, while Antoniak added a pair of two-point shots. Jordan Young sank a three-point basket, while Luke Jenkins had a two-pointer and a free throw. Jones also dunked a two-point basket. The Owls were held to eight points, giving DeKalb the lead, 29-22.
Smith County was not about to give up, and the lead would go back and forth in the fourth quarter. The Tigers came away with 10 points, with Antoniak coming away with a pair of two-point baskets, while Young and Jenkins each had one two-pointer. Agee also had a couple of free throw points. The Owls had other ideas, scoring 21 points and managing the final seconds of the quarter. Smith County took the win, 43-39, ending the Tigers season.
