Tigers Fall in Close Games
On Tuesday, January 6, the Tigers were at home, taking on the Livingston Academy Wildcats. The score would remain close throughout the match.
The Tigers came away with 16 points in the first quarter, with Jordan Young sinking a pair of three-point baskets, while Evan Jones had a pair of two-pointers and a free throw. Elishah Ramos had two-point shot and a free throw, while Conner Close had a two-pointer of his own. The Wildcats were held to 13 points, giving DeKalb the early lead.
DeKalb score 12 points in the second quarter, with Luke Jenkins getting a couple of two-pointers, Jones with a two-pointer and a pair of free throws, and Ramos and Brayden Antoniak each with a two-point basket. Livingston countered with 17 points, taking a narrow 30-28 halftime lead.
The game remained tight through the third quarter. The Tigers scored 13 points, with Jones getting a couple of two-point shots and a pair of free throws, Stetson Agee with a three-point basket, and Close and Ramos each with a couple of free throws. The Wildcats also scored 13 points, maintaining the slim 43-41 lead.
The crowd was on the edge of their seats in the fourth quarter. DeKalb scored 11 points, with Jones sinking a couple of two-point shots, Young with a three-pointer, and Antoniak and Agee each with a two-pointer. Despite DeKalb's efforts, Livingston came away with 16 points, taking the 59-52 win.
The following Friday night the Tigers were on the road, this time facing off with longtime rival, the Purple Tigers of Watertown. It would be another close game.
The Tigers scored 11 points in the first quarter, with Young getting a two and tree-point basket, while Ramos, Antoniak, and Agee each had a two-point shot. The Purple Tigers came away with 17 points.
DeKalb kept the pressure up in the second quarter, scoring 13 points. Antoniak had three two-point baskets, while Young had a three-pointer. Jenkins and Agee each had a two-point shot. Watertown was held to nine points, but held a slim 26-24 halftime lead.
Jones was the big scorer for the Tigers in the third quarter, the big guy coming away with four two-point baskets. Young also added a two-pointer of his own. Despite DeKalb's 10 points, Watertown scored 21, increasing their lead, 47-34.
DeKalb was far from just giving up however, turning up the heat in the fourth quarter. The Tigers put 28 points on the scoreboard. Jenkins had a pair of three-pointers and a two-pointer, while Agee had a pair of three-point shots. Antoniak sank three two-point baskets, Young had a three-pointer, and Ramos had a two-point shot and a free throw. Jones also had a couple of points from the free throw line. While Watertown was held to 19 points, DeKalb's deficit was too much to overcome. The Purple Tigers took the 66-62 victory.
The following evening the Tigers were back at home for Senior Night, this time taking on the tough one-loss team of the Grundy County Yellow Jackets. The game would be close through the third quarter, then the Yellow Jackets would pull away.
The Tigers scored 13 points in the first quarter, with Jones getting a two-pointer and three free throw points, Young and Jenkins each with a three-pointer, and Ramos with two points from the free throw line. Grundy took the early lead with 22 points.
DeKalb opened things up in the second quarter, scoring 25 points. Antoniak had a couple of two-pointers, a three-point shot, and two free throw points, while Ramos had a three-pointer and four free throws. Jenkins had a three-pointer and two points off of free throws, Jones a two-pointer, and Young two free throws. The Yellow Jackets scored 22 points, but kept the lead at the half, 44-38.
The game got interesting in the third quarter. The Tigers scored 15 points, with Jones getting three two-point baskets, Young a three-pointer and a free throw, Jenkins with a three-point shot, and Antoniak with a two-pointer. Grundy County was held to nine points. At the end of three, the score was tied at 53.
The Tigers tried to keep the pressure up in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 points. Ramos had a three-pointer and a couple of two-point baskets, while Jones had a couple of two-pointers and a free throw. Jenkins had a two-point shot, while Agee added a free throw point. The Yellow Jackets had different ideas however. They got hot, scoring 31 points, taking the 84-68 win.
As the Tigers return to the court this week, restrictions on attendance have been drawn back to the early season requirements. Masks and temperature checks are still required, but non family members and cheerleaders are allowed at the games, which are still restricted to one third capacity.
The Tigers are 7-11 on the season, 3-7 in the district.
