The DeKalb County High School Lady Tigers basketball team had a wide scoring range last week, being blown out by the Lady Wildcats, then playing a nail-biter against Watertown. The team would end the week with a huge win on Senior Night.

On Tuesday, January 26, the Lady Tigers were on their home court, facing the Livingston Academy Lady Wildcats. The district game would turn out to be a rough night for DeKalb.

The Lady Tigers scored 11 points in the first quarter, with Kadee Ferrell getting a pair of two-point baskets, Cadee Griffith getting a two-pointer and a free throw, and Madison Martin and Summer Crook each getting a two-point shot of their own. However, the Lady Wildcats seemed as though they couldn't miss. They came away with 31 points, and a lead they would not let go of.

DeKalb did better in the second quarter, scoring 17 points. Ferrell put six points on the board, with three two-point shots, while Griffith added a three-pointer. Martin and Xharia Lyons each had a two-pointer, while Ella VanVraken had four points off of free throws. Livingston scored nine points, maintaining the lead at halftime, 40-28.

Things really fell apart for DeKalb in the third quarter. The Lady Tigers only scored two points, a two-point basket by Martin, while the Lady Wildcats added 16 points to the board. Livingston was up, 56-30.

It wasn't much better in the fourth quarter, with the Lady Tigers only mustering seven points. Ferrell had a two-pointer and three free throw points, while Lyons added a couple of free throws. Livingston added another 15 points, taking the 71-37 victory.

The following Friday night saw the Lady Tigers against a familiar foe, on the road facing the Lady Purple Tigers of Watertown. This would be a much closer battle that would come down to the fourth quarter.

The Lady Tigers scored nine points in the first quarter, with VanVraken leading the way with three two-point baskets. Ferrell had one two-pointer, while Martin had a free throw point. Watertown took the narrow lead with 11 points.

Ferrell and VanVraken each had a pair of two-pointers and a free throw for the Lady Tigers in the second quarter, but the Lady Purple Tigers came away with 13 points. At the half, Watertown was up, 24-19.

DeKalb came back in the third quarter, scoring 11 points. Megan Cantrell had a pair of two-point baskets, while Ferrell had a three-pointer. VanVraken and Lyons each had a two-point shot of their own. Watertown was held to only five points, giving DeKalb the 30-29 lead.

With momentum going into the fourth quarter, the Lady Tigers added 11 points to the scoreboard. VanVraken had three two-point shots, while Griffith had a two-pointer and a free throw. Martin also had a two-point basket. But, the Lady Purple Tigers came away with one three-point basket better. They put up 15 points in the fourth, and took the 44-41 win.

The following evening, the Lady Tigers were back at home, this time taking on the Grundy County Yellow Jackets in front of the hometown crowd for Senior Night. Fearing possible canceled games for the remainder of the basketball season, school officials decided to move up the Senior Night celebration to the game with the Yellow Jackets. It would be a good night for the Lady Tigers.

The Lady Tigers came out on fire in the first quarter, scoring 24 points. Cantrell had an impressive four three-point baskets, while Ferrell had four two-pointers and a free throw. VanVraken also added a two-pointer and a free throw. The Yellow Jackets were held to 10 points, giving DeKalb the early lead.

DeKalb put 18 points on the board in the second quarter, with VanVraken sinking five free throw shots, while Cantrell and Martin each had a three-point basket. Summer Crook had a pair of two-pointers, while Griffith had a two-pointer and a free throw. Grundy County was held to 13 points, giving the Lady Tigers a 42-23 halftime lead.

Once again the Lady Tigers found the hoops hot in the third quarter, scoring 21 points. Hannah Willingham had a two and three-point basket, while Ferrell had a two-point shot and a couple of free throws. Cantrell and Martin each sank a three-point shot, while Crook and VanVraken each had a two-pointer. The Yellow Jackets were held to 12 points, giving DeKalb a 63-35 lead.

With the game well in hand, the Lady Tigers began playing some of the other players on the roster in the fourth quarter. They scored 13 points, with Crook coming away with a three-pointer and a pair of free throws, Martin a two-pointer and a free throw, Cantrell a three-point basket, and Lyons a two-pointer. Grundy scored 17 points, but far from enough. The Lady Tigers took the 76-52 win.

The team is back in action this week, with some attendance restrictions lifted. Mask and temperature checks are still required, but the cheerleaders and non-family members are now allowed to attend games. The games are still limited to one-third capacity.

The DeKalb County Lady Tigers are 8-11 (2-8 district).