The DeKalb County High School Lady Tigers basketball team traveled to the far away land of Maryville, TN, last week to take part in the Heritage Christmas Tournament. The ladies would have a rough go in the first game of the tournament as they took on the number 3 private school ranked Knoxville Catholic, but would fare better in their second tournament appearance.
On Monday, December 20, the Lady Tigers faced KCHS in a tough match. Still without their standout player, Kadee Ferrell, other team members would have to step up their play. DeKalb scored nine points in the first period, with Ella Van Vranken coming away with a couple of two-point baskets, while Avery Agee sank a three-pointer. Madison Martin also had a two-point shot. Knoxville Catholic came away with 20 points on the scoreboard, taking the early lead.
The Lady Tigers added nine more to the board in the second period. Xharia Lyons hit a three-pointer, while Van Vranken, Agee, and Ally Fuller each had a two-point shot. KCHS added another 14 points to the board, taking a 34-18 lead at halftime.
Agee sank a two-pointer and a free throw in the third period, while Can Branin hit a two-point basket of her own. Knoxville continued to pull away, adding 15 and taking a 49-23 lead.
Ella Hendrixson and Fuller each had a three-point shot for the Lady Tigers in the fourth period, while Agee added another two-pointer. KCHS put up another 12 points, claiming the 61-31 win.
Agee claimed 10 points in the game, with Van Vranken having six. Fuller had five points, Lyons and Hendrixson each had three, while Martin and Branin each had two.
The following day, the Lady Tigers had a much better outcome as they took on Cosby in the consolation bracket. DeKalb would jump out with an early lead, but Cosby would inch their way back, making it a tight game in the fourth.
Ferrell was back in action in the game, playing limited time on the court. Van Vranken came out big in the first period, scoring three two-point baskets and a three-pointer, while Martin had a three point shot. Ferrell and Dare Collin each came away with a two-pointer. Cosby was held to just eight points.
Van Vranken hit a two and three-point shot in the second period, while Collins added a two-pointer and a free throw. Martin also had a two-pointer. Cosby added 13 to the board cutting into the Lady Tigers’ 26-21 halftime lead.
The Lady Tigers scored 12 in the third period, with Agee sinking a three-pointer and a two-pointer, while Van Vranken had a three-point basket of her own. Ferrell and Collins each had a two-point shot. Again, Cosby outscored DeKalb, but the Lady Tigers held a narrow 38-36 lead.
Van Vranken was hot in the fourth, hitting a two-pointer, a three-pointer, and three free throw baskets. Agee added four points off of free throws, while Ferrell came away with a two-pointer. Cosby was held to just nine, giving the Lady Tigers the 52-45 victory.
Van Vranken scored 25 points in the game, while Agee had nine. Collins came away with seven, Ferrell six, and Martin five.
On Wednesday, the Lady Tigers moved on in the tourney to take on the Grace Christian Rams of Knoxville. Once again, the girls would emerge victorious.
DeKalb scored 11 points in the first period, with Natalie Snipes, Martin, and Fuller each getting a three-point basket. Agee added a couple of free throw points. Grace stayed close, scoring eight points.
The Lady Tigers caught fire in the second period, scoring 18. Van Vranken came away with a couple of two-pointers, a three-pointer, and a free throw, while Agee added a pair of three-point shots. Ferrell came away with a couple of two-point baskets. Grace was held to five, giving DeKalb a 29-13 halftime lead.
Branin had a three-pointer and a free throw for the Lady Tigers in the third, while Snipes had a three-point shot herself. Ferrell added another pair of two-pointers, while Agee had one, and Collins sank a couple of free throws. Grace Christian was held to just four points. DeKalb was up, 44-17.
Collins hit three two-point shots for the Lady Tigers in the fourth period, while Bryana Pelham got on the board with a three-pointer. Fuller also had a two-point basket. Grace scored 11, but the Lady Tigers took the 55-28 victory.
Agee was the top scorer for DeKalb in the game with 10 points, while Ferrell, Van Vranken, and Collins each had eight. Snipes had six, Fuller five, Branin four, and Martin three.
