The DeKalb County High School Lady Tigers basketball team didn’t make it easy on fans last week as they participated in the AFLAC Shootout in Watertown. The girls came away with one win in overtime, then another with a buzzer beater by a DeKalb basketball standout.

On Tuesday, December 28, the Lady Tigers were at the Watertown Middle School gym, where they took part in the first round of the tourney, taking on the Community Viqueens. It would be a hard-fought game with DeKalb coming out on top.

The Lady Tigers put eight points on the board in the first period, with Kadee Ferrell, Madison Martin, and Ally Fuller each sinking a two-point basket, while Avery Agee added a couple of free throw points. The game would be tight throughout, with the Viqueens also scoring eight.

Natalie Snipes and Ella Van Vranken each sank a three-pointer for the Lady Tigers in the second period, while Martin and Dare Collins each had a two-pointer. Community came out big, putting 15 more points on the board and taking the 22-18 lead at the half.

Van Vranken was on fire in the third period, scoring a couple of three-point shots, a two-pointer, and a pair of free throws. Martin added another two-pointer, while Fuller added a free throw shot. The Viqueens were held to 12 points, but still held the 34-31 lead.

Ferrell got rolling in the fourth, scoring a couple of two-point baskets and a free throw, while Martin had a two-pointer and a pair of free throws. Van Vranken, Ella Hendrixson, and Agee each had two free throw points. The Viqueens were again held to 12 points, tying the game at 46 and sending it into overtime.

Again it was Ferrell coming out big for the Lady Tigers. She scored a two-pointer and four free throw points, while Van Vranken came away with a couple of two-pointers. Agee also added a three-point basket. Community was held to just seven points, giving DeKalb the hard-fought 59-53 victory.

Van Vranken scored 19 points in the game, while Ferrell scored 13. Martin had 10, Agee seven, Snipes and Fuller each had three, and Collins and Hendrixson each had two.

The following day, the Lady Tigers were back in Watertown, this time taking on a tough Gallatin team. Once again, DeKalb fans would be on the edge of their seats in a close game.

DeKalb jumped out with the lead in the first period, scoring 18 points. Kadee Ferrell hit a two and three-point basket, while Madison Martin had a three-pointer and a free throw. Avery Agee had a three-pointer, Dare Collins and Ella Hendrixson each had a two-pointer, and Ella Van Vranken had a couple of free throw points. The Green Wave was held to 13 points.

Ferrell hit a two-point basket and a pair of free throws in the second period, while Van Vranken had a two-point shot and Agee had a free throw. Gallatin poured it on, scoring 17 points and taking the 30-25 halftime lead.

The Lady Tigers added 15 to the scoreboard in the third period, with Ferrell sinking a couple of two-point shots and three free throws, while Collins and Agee each hit a three-pointer. Van Vranken added two free throw points as well. The Green Wave was held to 13 points, but still held a narrow 43-40 lead.

Gallatin fought hard to stay ahead in the game, scoring 13 more points. Ferrell almost couldn’t miss in the fourth period, scoring six two-point baskets, while Collins added a two-pointer of her own.

In the end it came down to Van Vranken. She had scored a free throw point in the game, but it came down to the buzzer when she sank a two-pointer to win the game. The Lady Tigers took the 57-56 victory.

Ferrell scored 28 points in the game, followed by Van Vranken who had nine. Collins and Agee each had seven, Martin had four, and Hendrixson had two.

On Thursday, December 30, the Lady Tigers were once again in Watertown, this time taking on a tough team from Pearl-Cohn. Pearl would pull away in the second period and DeKalb would not be able to overcome.

The Lady Tigers scored 17 in the first period, with Avery Agee hitting a couple of three-point baskets, and Natalie Snipes and Can Branin each getting one. Ella Van Vranken had a couple of two-point shots, while Kadee Ferrell added a free throw point. Pearl-Cohn also scored 17.

DeKalb scored five in the second period, with a two-pointer and a free throw by Van Vranken, and a two-point shot by Ally Fuller. Pearl began to pull away, scoring 13 points. They were up 30-22 at the half.

Agee sank a two and three-point shot for the Lady Tigers in the third period, while Madison Martin hit a pair of two-pointers. Snipes came away with a three-pointer, while Van Vranken added a free throw point. Pearl added 14 points to the scoreboard, increasing the lead 44-35.

Ferrell got going in the fourth period, getting four two-pointers, a three-pointer, and and three free throws. Martin had a three-point shot and three free throw points. Pearl came away with 19 points, securing the 63-55 win.

Ferrell had 15 points in the game, while Agee had 11. Martin had 10 points, Van Vranken eight, Snipes six, Branin three, and Fuller had two.