The DeKalb County High School Lady Tigers basketball team started the week off right last week, as they faced conference foe Upperman at home. The game would start slow for the Lady Tigers, but slowly DeKalb would claw its way back and swat the Lady Bees.

On Tuesday, January 18, the girls were on their home court as longtime rival Upperman came to town. The Lady Bees would jump out with the lead in the first period, scoring 17 to DeKalb’s 10. Ella Van Vranken came away with a pair of two-point baskets, while Madison Martin, Ella Hendrixson, and Avery Agee each had a two-pointer of their own.

DeKalb would score 11 in the second period, with Kadee Ferrell getting on the board with three two-point shots, while Natalie Snipes sank a three-pointer. Van Vranken added another two-point basket. The Lady Bees maintained their lead by matching the Lady Tigers point for point. Upperman held a 28-21 lead at halftime.

The Lady Tigers began inching closer in the third period, with Agee hitting a pair of three-point baskets, while Van Vranken had a three-point shot as well. Ferrell came away with a two-pointer and a couple of free throw points. DeKalb would take the lead at one point in the third, with the lead falling back and forth. In the end, the Lady Bees were held to 11 points, but still claimed a 39-34 lead.

The Lady Tigers haven’t made it easy on fans this season, playing several games that would come down to the final seconds of play. This game would be no different.

Van Vranken and Xharia Lyons each had a three-point basket for DeKalb in the fourth period, while defensively the Lady Bees were held to just one free throw point. The score was tied at 40 with the game clock counting down.

With 10 seconds left in the game, Agee was called for a foul, leaving Lady Bee Brooklyn Crouch at the free throw line. The shot was up but no good. The Lady Tigers then drove down the court with Van Vranken fouled with just four seconds on the clock. Ella stepped up to the line, sinking one free throw, then another. The Lady Tigers would hold on to claim the 42-40 victory.

Van Vranken was the top scorer for the Lady Tigers with 14 points, while Ferrell, who played very well defensively came away with 10. Agee put eight points on the board, Snipes and Lyons each had three, and Martin and Hendrixson each had two.

On Thursday, the Lady Tigers had another big conference win at home, this time as they took on the Lady Tigers of Macon County.

The first period set the stage for the whole game. DeKalb came away with 17 points, while holding Macon to just six. Avery Agee sank a pair of three-point baskets, while Ella Van Vranken and Madison Martin each had three-pointers as well. Xharia Lyons had a pair of two-point shots, while Kadee Ferrell added a free throw point.

The DeKalb Lady Tigers didn’t let up in the second period, scoring 13 more points. Van Vranken hit a couple of two-point shots and a three-pointer, while Natalie Snipes and Cam Branin each had a three-point basket themselves. Macon was held to eight points, giving DeKalb a 30-14 halftime lead.

DCHS tacked on 18 more points in the third period, with Agee hitting another pair of three-pointers, while Van Vranken had a couple of two-point baskets and a free throw. Dare Collins got on the board with a two-pointer and a couple of free throw points, while Ferrell added a two-point shot and one free throw. Again, Macon was held to just six points. DeKalb was up, 48-20.

Barnin hit a three-pointer for the DeKalb Lady Tigers in the fourth, while Collins, Lyons, Ally Fuller, and Tess Barton each sank a two-point shot. Macon added 12 to the board, but DeKalb claimed the 59-32 victory.

Van Vranken scored 14 points in the games, Agee had 12, and Collins, Branin, and Lyons each had six. Ferrell had four, Martin and Snipes each had three, and Fuller and Barton each had two. 

The girls weren’t through yet. On Friday the Lady Tigers were on the road, traveling to Crossville to face Stone Memorial where they would have another close game.

DeKalb opened up the game big with 15 points on the board. Avery Agee sank a couple of three-point shots, while Xharia Lyons came out with a pair of two-pointers. Ella Van Vranken had a two-pointer and a free throw, while Kadee Ferrell added a two-point basket of her own. Stone would be held to just six points.

The Lady Tigers would keep rolling in the second period, with three-point queen Agee sinking another three long shots, while Ferrell got hot with three two-pointers. Van Vranken and Lyons would each add another two-point baskets as well. Stone finally got into the game with 22 points, but DeKalb was up 34-28 at the half.

Things got a little more tense in the third as Stone slowly crept closer. They score 14 points, while the Lady Tigers were held to 10. Ella Hendrixson had a pair of two-pointers for DeKalb, while Ferrell, Van Vranken, and Madison Martin each had one. Stone had cut into DeKalb’s lead, 44-42.

Once again it was edge of your seat time for Lady Tiger fans. Ferrell would sink four free throws in the fourth period, while Van Vranken and Lyons each had a two-pointer and a couple of free throw points. Agee and Martin would also each have a pair of free throw points. Stone came on strong, scoring 17 points, just one point shy. The Lady Tigers claimed the 60-59 victory.

Agee was the top scorer for the Lady Tigers in the game with 17 points, followed by Ferrell who had 14. Van Vranken had 11 points, Lyons had 10, and Martin and Hendrixson each had four.