The DeKalb County High School Lady Tigers basketball team played one regular season game last week before moving on to holiday tournament play in White County. The Monday game between Watertown would prove to be a battle, with one Lady Tiger coming away with a total of seven three-point baskets.
On December 18, the ladies were on their home court as they hosted the Purple Lady Tigers of Watertown. DeKalb would put 14 points on the board in the first period, with Allie Melton sinking a pair of three-point baskets, while Ella VanVranken came away with three two-point shots. Tess Barton also had a two-pointer. Watertown put nine on the board.
Melton hit another three-pointer in the second period, while Chloe and Ella VanVranken each had a two-pointer. The Purple Lady Tigers put five on the board. DeKalb was up at the half, 21-14.
The Lady Tigers rolled through the third period with 14 more points. Melton added another pair of three-point baskets, while Brooklyn Fuson hit a pair of two-pointers. Ella VanVranken also had a two-point shot. Watertown came to life with 19 points, cutting the lead 35-33.
Once again, Melton hit another pair of three-point shots for the Lady Tigers, and added a free throw as well. Ella VanVranken made a two-point shot and six free throws, while Avery Agee had a two-pointer and four free throws. Watertown was held to 16, giving DeKalb the 56-49 victory.
The following day, the Lady Tigers were on the road in Sparta, where they took part in the Frank’s Christmas Shootout at White County High School. To start off the tournament, DeKalb would take on York Institute. It would be a tight game.
The Lady Tigers put 12 on the board in the first period, with Melton hitting a couple of three-point baskets while Ella VanVranken and Avery Agee each had one. York inched ahead with 13 points.
Ella VanVranken had a two-pointer, three-pointer, and a free throw for DeKalb, while sister Chloe had a two-pointer and a free throw. York came away with 14 points, going up 27-21 at halftime.
Ella and Chloe repeated their scores in the third period, while York was held to 11 points. The Lady Tigers cut the lead, 38-30.
Ella hit on a three-pointer, a pair of two-pointers, and a couple of free throws for the Lady Tigers in the fourth, while Tess Barton added a couple of two-pointers and a pair of free-throw points. York would score nine, enough to claim the narrow 47-45 win.
The next day, the Lady Tigers were back in action, this time taking on Grace Christian Knoxville. This game would have a better outcome for DeKalb.
The Lady Tigers scored eight points in the first period, with Ella VanVranken hitting a couple of three-point baskets and a pair of free throws. Grace would take the early lead with 12 points.
Tess Barton sank a couple of two-pointers for DeKalb in the second, while Ella added a three-pointer. Grace increased their lead with 13 points, up 25-15 at the half.
Avery Agee got rolling for the Lady Tigers in the third period, with a couple of three-point shots, a two-pointer, and a free throw. Chloe and Ella VanVranken each had a two-pointer. Grace added 10 points. DeKalb cut into the lead, 35-27.
The Lady Tigers came to life in the fourth scoring 25 points. Agee had a three-pointer and eight free throw points, while Ella VanVranken and Tess Barton each had three two-point baskets. Chloe VanVranken added a pair of free throws. Grace was held to 16, with DCHS taking the 53-51 come-from-behind victory.
On Thursday, the Lady Tigers faced off against South Gibson. It would be another tough game for DeKalb.
The lady Tigers scored six in the first period, with Chloe VanVranken hitting a pair of two-pointers, and sister Ella getting a couple of free throws. Gibson came away with 16 points.
DeKalb added seven to the board in the second period. Cam Branin hit a three-point shot, Chloe a two-pointer, and Ella another pair of free throws. Gibson added 12, taking the 28-13 lead at the half.
Agee came to life in the third, hitting a pair of two-point baskets and a couple of three-point shots. Melson had a two and three-point basket, while Barton added a two-pointer. Gibson came away with 19, taking the 47-30 lead.
The Lady Tigers ended the game with seven more points. Agee hit a three-pointer and a free throw, Barton a two-pointer, and Makayla Scales a free throw point. Gibson added 13, taking the 60-34 win.
