The DeKalb County High School Tigers basketball team played its final three games of the regular season last week, hosting Livingston Academy at home for Senior Night in front of Tiger fans, before going on the road for their final two games. It would be another hard week for DeKalb.
On Monday, February 5, the boys were on their home court on Senior Night as they hosted the Wildcats. Livingston would jump out to a big lead and never look back.
The Tigers scored 16 in the first period, with Conner Close sinking four three-point baskets and a two-pointer, and Alex Antoniak hitting a two-point shot. The Wildcats roared out with 25 points.
Close hit another two and three-point shot for the Tigers in the second period, while Dallas Kirby got on the board with a two-pointer. Livingston continued to steamroll with 20 points and the 45-25 lead at the half.
It was Close coming up big again for the Tigers in the third period. He hit three two-pointers and a three-pointer, while Seth Fuson sank a two-pointer and a free throw, and Jon Hendrix a three-point shot. The Wildcats added another 21 to the board, going up, 66-40.
The Tigers ended the game with 16 more points. Owen Snipes and Close each had a pair of two-point baskets, Ian Colwell had a three-pointer and a free throw, and Antoniak and Kaleb Spears each had a two-pointer. The Wildcats also ended the game with 16 points, and the 82-56 win.
On Thursday, February 8, the boys traveled to Crossville where they faced off against the Stone Memorial Panthers. The Tigers would keep the game close but Stone would pull away late.
The Tigers scored 10 points in the first period, with Jon Hendrix hitting a two and three-point basket, Conner Close and Dallas Kirby each with a two-pointer, and Ian Colwell with a free throw. The Panthers took the lead with 12 points.
Alex Antoniak and Close each hit a two-point shot for the Tigers in the second period, while Seth Fuson and Jordan Parker each had a pair of free-throw points. The Panthers scored nine, taking the 21-18 halftime lead.
Colwell had a three-pointer for DeKalb in the third, while Fuson added a two-point basket and a free throw. Parker, Hendrix, Close, and Kirby each had a two-point shot. Stone Memorial added 16 to the board, going up, 37-32.
The Tigers scored 12 in the fourth, with Kirby sinking a three-pointer and a pair of two-point shots, Fuson a two-pointer and a free throw, and Antoniak a two-pointer. The Panthers ended the game with 20 more points and the 57-44 win.
The following Saturday the Tigers traveled to McMinnville, where they would take on the Warren County Pioneers in the regular season finale. The Tigers would fall behind early and never catch back up.
The Tigers scored 10 points in the first period. Fuson hit a two and three-point basket, Parker had a three-pointer, and Colwell sank a two-point shot. The Pioneers shot ahead with 19 points.
Colwell hit a two and three-pointer for the Tigers in the second, while Kirby and Fuson each had a two-pointer. Parker added a couple of free throw points. The Pioneers came away with 12 points, taking the 31-21 lead at halftime.
DeKalb scored nine in the third period, with two-point baskets by Fuson, Parker, Antoniak and Kirby, and a free throw by Colwell. The Pioneers surged ahead with 15 points, going up 46-30.
The Tigers ended the game with 16 more points. Fuson came away with three two-point baskets, Kirby a three-pointer and a free throw, and Colwell with a two-pointer and a pair of free throws. The Pioneers added 16 to the board, taking the 62-46 win.
