The DeKalb County High School Lady Tigers basketball team has done something the girls’ team hasn’t done in 23 years, they’ve won 19 games with several games still scheduled. Despite a recent slump, the Lady Tigers have actually done very well, winning games, including some district matches.
"We’ve had the most wins since 1991 with 19 wins," Coach Joe Pat Cope told the Review. "We’ve got 19 with three more to go. Hopefully we can get 20 wins, which has been a big thing for us. We had 18 my first year, and went to the regional semi-finals, and this year’s team has went one better than that with three to play. Hopefully we can get a little momentum and carry that to the district tournament."
Coach Cope credits the season to the hard work of his players. "The girls have put a lot of hard work into this season and the off season. They hit the weight room hard, and they were in here shooting in open gym all the time. It’s a reflection of how hard the girls have worked."
The Lady Tigers faced tough teams last week. On Jan. 27, the Lady Tigers were on the road and took on York Institute.
DeKalb scored 12 points in the first period, with Loren Cripps and Morgan Pedigo each getting two three-point baskets. York came away with eight points, giving the Lady Tigers the early lead.
Offense was big on both sides of the court in the second period. DeKalb scored 17 points, including two three-pointers by Pedigo, a three-point shot by Cripps, and a two-pointer by Kenzie Poteete. York had 24 points however, shooting past DeKalb and taking a 32-29 lead at halftime.
The Lady Tigers had 12 points in the third period, including three-point goals by Poteete, Cripps, and Pedigo, and a two-pointer by Paige Winningham. York inched the score a little further, scoring 14 points and taking a 46-41 lead.
DeKalb kept the game close, scoring seven points to finish the game. Cripps had a three-point basket, while Winningham had a two-pointer. York scored five points, but that was enough and they took the win, 51-48.
Poteete went three for four from the foul line, while Ashli Chew went two for four. Winningham was one for three, Cripps two for two, and Katie Hall was one for two.
On Jan. 28, the Lady Tigers faced off with Central Magnet of Murfreesboro in front of a hometown crowd.
The DeKalb girls found themselves outmatched from the beginning of the game. CM scored 19 points in the first period, while the Lady Tigers were held to seven. Winningham and Cripps each had a two-pointer, while Jailyn Bolding got a three-point shot.
Things weren’t any better in the second period. DeKalb scored four points from a pair of two-pointers by Winningham. Central Magnet increased their lead, getting eight points and taking a 21-11 lead at halftime.
The Lady Tigers had nine points in the third period, including two three-point goals by Cripps, and a two-pointer by Chew. CM only score eight points, but they still held a 35-20 lead.
DeKalb only had 12 points to finish the game, including a three-pointer by Cripps and two-point shots by Winningham and Chew. Central Magnet tacked on 17 more points to their lead, taking a 52-32 victory.
Winningham was three for five on free throws, while Bolding went two for four. Poteete was one for two.
On Jan. 31, the Lady Tigers were again in front of the hometown fans as they took on Smith County.
DeKalb scored eight points in the first period, including two three-point shots by Cripps. Smith County had 13 points and the early lead.
The Lady Tigers came away with nine points in the second period, with Winningham getting a pair of two-pointers, and Chew getting one. Smith had 12 points, and a 25-17 lead at halftime.
DeKalb had seven points in the third, with Poteete and Pedigo each getting a three-point basket. Smith County continued to pull away, scoring 13 points and taking a 38-24 lead.
The Lady Tigers ended the game with 16 more points. Cripps had a pair of three-pointers, while Winningham had two two-pointers. Chew also had a two-point shot. The Owlettes had 15 points and a 53-40 victory.
Chew was four for six at the foul line, while Winningham and Bolding were each three for four.
On Feb. 1, the girls were again at home, this time facing the Tigerettes of Gordonsville.
The Lady Tigers came out of the first period with 10 points, while the Tigerettes had nine. Winningham had three two-point goals, while Cripps and Pedigo each had one.
DeKalb would really open up in the second period, taking 20 points and holding Gordonsville to 11. Cripps had a pair of three-pointers and a two-point basket, Pedigo two three-pointers, and Hannah Panter had a two-point goal. The Lady Tigers were up 30-20 at halftime.
Gordonsville scored 11 points in the third, cutting into DeKalb’s lead. The Lady Tigers had eight points, with Cripps and Pedigo each with a three-pointer, and Bolding with a two-point goal. DeKalb held the lead, 38-31.
The Lady Tigers put 13 more on the board in the fourth, with Cripps getting a two and three-pointer, Winningham a pair of two-point shots, and Bolding a two-point basket. The Tigerettes were held to only five points, giving DeKalb the 51-36 victory.
Cripps and Bolding were each two for two from the foul line, while Winningham was two for three.
Lady Tigers ... best season since 91

