The DeKalb County High School Lady Tigers basketball team was back on the court last week, taking part in the Richland Christmas Classic in Lynnville, Tennessee. The girls would fall in the first game in a nailbiter, but bounce back with a big win the following day.
On Wednesday, December 27, the Lady Tigers took on Clements, Alabama, in the first round of the tourney. It would be a tough first game.
The Lady Tigers scored 14 in the first period, with Chloe VanVranken hitting a pair of two-point shots and a free throw, while Tess Barton put up a couple of two-pointers. Avery Agee hit a three-pointer, while Ella VanVranken had a two-pointer. Clements was held to 11 points.
Cam Branin got on the board in the second period, with a two and three-point basket. Ella VanVranken sank a pair of two-pointers, while sister Chloe had one. Clements inched ahead scoring 16 points, and the 27-25 lead at the half.
Allie Melton and Barton each had a couple of two-point shots for the Lady Tigers in the third period, while Ella VanVranken had a two-pointer and a free throw. Chloe had a two-point basket and Brooklyn Fuson had a free throw point. Clements was held to four points, giving DeKalb the 39-31 lead.
The Lady Tigers would end the game with 14 more points. Melton hit a two and three-point shot and a free throw, while Ella VanVranken had four free throw points. Chloe had a two-pointer and a free throw, and Agee had one free throw point. Unfortunately, Clements would add 23 points and claim the narrow 54-53 win.
The following day, the Lady Tigers were back in action, this time taking on Mt. Pleasant in the consolation bracket. The ladies would dominate this game.
DeKalb put 21 points on the scoreboard in the first period. Chloe VanVranken hit a pair of two-pointers and a three-pointer, while big sister Ella had three two-point baskets and a free throw. Agee added a three-point shot, while Fuson and Melton each had a two-pointer. Mt. Pleasant was held to just six points.
The Lady Tigers added 13 points in the second period, with a two-pointer and a pair of three-point shots by Agee, and a two and three-pointer by Ella VanVranken. Mt. Pleasant put 11 on the board, but DeKalb led at the half, 34-17.
It was all the VanVranken sisters for DeKalb in the third. Chole hit a couple of three-pointers and a pair of free throws, while Ella had a couple of two-point shots, a three-pointer, and a free throw. Mt. Pleasant was held to eight, giving the Lady Tigers the 51-25 lead.
Makayla Scales sank a three-point shot for DeKalb in the fourth, while Lillie Young added a two-point basket. Fuson had three free throw points and a two-pointer, while Ella VanVranken added a pair of free throw points. Mt. Pleasant came away with 12 points, giving the Lady Tigers the 65-37 victory.
