The DeKalb County Tigers basketball team closed out one tourney before Christmas, and began another last week, falling at Riverdale then going on to beat Smith County for the third time in a row in Watertown.
On Friday, December 22, the Tigers closed out their appearance at the Adidas Shootout at Murfreesboro’s Riverdale High School with a loss against Loretto. It would be a close game early, but Loretto would slowly pull away.
The Tigers scored 14 points in the first period, with Jordan Parker sinking a pair of three-point baskets, while Seth Fuson hit a two and three-point shot. Jon Hendrix also added a three-pointer. Loretto would stay close with 13 points.
Owen Snipes got on the board for the Tigers in the second with a three-point basket, while Fuson, Parker, Ian Colwell, Alex Antoniak, and Dallas Kirby each had a two-pointer. Loretto took the lead before the half with 13 points, 32-27.
Kirby came away with a pair of three-point shots and a couple of free throw points for DeKalb in the third period, while Parker and Hendrix each hit a three-point shot, and Antoniak a two-pointer. Loretto inched away with 20 points and the 52-43 lead.
Fuson would score the only points for the Tigers in the fourth, with a pair of free throw baskets. Loretto ended with 12, and the 64-45 win.
On Wednesday, December 27, the Tigers traveled to Watertown where they faced off with the Smith County Owls in the first round of the AFLAC Christmas Tournament. DeKalb would claim its third win over the Owls in a month.
The Tigers opened up with 21 points in the first period, with three two-point shots and a three-pointer by Hendrix, and a couple of three-pointers and a two-point shot by Conner Close. Fuson and Antoniak would each get a two-point basket. The Owls were held to just 10 points.
DeKalb had troubles in the second period, taking shots but just not hitting the hoop. The Tigers scored eight points with a two and a three-point shot by Close, and a three-pointer by Hendrix. The score would be separated by just one point before DeKalb would pull away again before the half. Smith County put 16 on the board, cutting the lead 29-26.
The Tigers got things rolling again in the third, with 14 points. Close sank a pair of two-pointers and a couple of free throws, while Fuson and Parker each had a couple of two-point shots. The Owls were held to nine, giving DeKalb the 43-35 lead.
Hendrix hit a two-pointer and a free throw for the Tigers in the fourth, while Fuson and Antoniak each had a two-point shot of their own. Parker added a couple of free throw points. Smith County was held to eight, giving DeKalb the 52-43 victory.
The following day the Tigers were back in action in Watertown, this time facing off with James Lawson High School. DeKalb led most of the game, but James Lawson would surge in the late periods.
The Tigers scored 12 in the first period, with Close sinking three two-point shots, while Hendrix had a three-pointer, and Parker three free throw points. James Lawson came away with 15 points.
DeKalb would add 17 to the board in the second. Hendrix hit a pair of three-point baskets, while Parker had a two and three-pointer. Kirby added a two-pointer and a free throw, while Fuson had one free throw point. James Lawson was held to nine, giving the Tigers the 29-24 lead at the half.
The Tigers caught fire in the third period scoring 21 points. Parker sank three two-pointer and a three-pointer, while Hendrix and Close each had a pair of three-point shots. James Lawson came away with 14, giving DeKalb the 50-38 lead.
DeKalb would end the game with eight points. Hendrix hit a three-point shot, Close a two-pointer and a free throw, and Ian Colwell had a couple of free throws. James Lawson surged with 17 points, coming close but not enough. The Tigers claimed the 58-55 victory.
