The DeKalb County High School Lady Tigers basketball team took to the court one final time last week to compete in the District 8AA Tournament at White County High School in Sparta. There, the girls took on the third seeded team of Central Magnet in a game where sixth seeded DeKalb fell behind early.
The Lady Tigers were held scoreless in the first period, while Central Magnet came away with seven points. The girls would begin to show some life in the second period, but the deficit obtained in the first would be too much to overcome.
DeKalb came away with 18 points in the second, mostly from shooting by Loren Cripps. Cripps had three three-point baskets, and two two-pointers. Paige Winningham also had a two-point shot. CM matched DeKalb’s score and went into the half with a 25-18 lead.
Winningham and Cripps each had a two-pointer in the third period, while Kenzie Poteete came away with a three-point goal. In total, DeKalb had 10 points in the period, while CM took 13. CM was up, 38-28.
The Lady Tigers pressed hard in the fourth period, keeping the game close and coming to within four points of taking the lead at several points. Poteete had three three-point baskets, while Cripps had two. Morgan Pedigo had a three-pointer, while Winningham, Jailyn Bolding and Ashli Chew each had a two-pointer. The Lady Tigers scored 26 points, and held CM to 20, but it was not enough. CM took the 58-54 victory in the first round of the District Tournament.
Winningham went four for six from the free throw line, while Bolding was two for three. Cripps was two for two.
The loss ended the Lady Tigers’ 2013-14 season.