The DeKalb West School basketball teams finished up 2020 play at home last week, taking on teams from Forks River. The evening also served as Eighth Grade Night for the basketball and cheerleading eighth graders.
On Tuesday, Dec. 15, the hometown crowd was out in force to cheer for their teams. Before the games began, a ceremony was held honoring this year's DWS basketball eighth graders. Students, accompanied by their parents social distanced as they entered the gym and were acknowledged. Eighth graders recognized were Chloe Dies, Chloe Cook, Jordyn Turbeville, Bryna Pelahm, Caroline Crook, Emily Young, Lauren Fry, Wesley Kent, Tyler Jackson, Kenson Moss, and Grant Buterbaugh.
In the girls' game, the match stayed close through the first half, but one team would pull away in the second.
The Lady Bulldogs scored five points in the first quarter, with Abby Crook getting a three-point basket, and Emily Young coming away with a couple of free throws. Forks River came away with eight points, taking the early lead.
Crook had a two-pointer and a couple of free throws for the Lady Bulldogs in the second quarter, but Forks River added another five points. Forks River took a 13-9 halftime lead.
Bryna Pelham and Sophie Desimone each sank a two-point shot for DeKalb West in the third quarter, but Forks River continued to pull away, scoring seven. Forks River was up, 20-13.
The Lady Bulldogs only scored three points in the fourth quarter, with Pelham adding another two-pointer, and Emily Fry getting a free throw. Forks River padded their score with six points, giving them the 26-16 win.
In the boys' game the outcome would be much the same. The Bulldogs scored six points in the first quarter, with Grant Buterbaugh getting a couple of two-point baskets, while Tyler Jackson had one. Forks River came out big, scoring 15 points and taking the lead.
The Bulldogs did much better in the second quarter, with 12 points on the scoreboard. Jackson came away with four two-point shots, while Buterbaugh and Kenson Moss each had one. However Forks River continued to pull away, scoring 16 points and taking a 31-18 halftime lead.
It wouldn't get any better for the Bulldogs in the third quarter as they were shut out from the scoreboard. Forks River increased their lead with 15 more points. They were up, 46-18.
DeKalb West could only muster three points in the fourth quarter, with Jackson getting a pair of free throw points, and Ethan Brown getting one. Forks River had only a two-pointer to close out the game, giving them the 48-21 victory.
The DeKalb West teams will take a break for the Christmas holidays and will be back in action in January.
