The DeKalb County High School Tigers basketball team was on their home court last week, taking on some old familiar foes. Their first game saw them facing the Smith County Owls, while the other had them against a tough district team.

On Monday, January 30, the Tigers hosted the Smith County Owls. DeKalb would keep the game close in the first half, but let the scoreboard slip away in the second.

The Tigers scored 11 points in the first period, with a pair of two-point baskets by Conner Close and a two-pointer and a free throw by Elishah Ramos. Stetson Agee and Robert Wheeler would each get a two-point shot of their own. Smith would come away with 14 points and the early lead.

DCHS put up 16 in the second period, with Agee hitting on a pair of three-point shots, while Close and Ean Jones each had a pair of two-pointers. Ramos had a two-point shot as well. The Owls were held to 14, holding on to a slim 28-27 lead at the half.

DeKalb added 12 to the board in the third period, with Robert Wheeler sinking a pair of two-point shots and four free throws, while Jones added another two-pointer. Agee had two free throw points. Smith came away with 19 points and took the 47-39 lead.

It came down to the fourth period, where DeKalb put up 19 points. Close had a pair of two-pointers and a free throw, while Alex Antoniak got on the board with a couple of two-point shots. Seth Fuson hit a three-point basket, while Ramos added a two-pointer and a free throw. Stetson Agee had a pair of free throw points, while Wheeler had a two-pointer. Sadly, Wheeler would be injured in the game with a possible fractured jaw, which could end his season. Smith County put up 23 points and claimed the 70-58 win.

Close was top of the scoreboard for DeKalb with 13 points, while Agee and Wheeler each had 12. Ramos had eight points, Jones six, Antoniak had four, and Fuson had three.

The game scheduled for the following evening had to be rescheduled due to icy conditions on local roadways. On the following Thursday, DeKalb faced off with Macon County and would dominate through most of the game.

Conner Close led DeKalb in the first period with four two-point baskets, while Stetson Agee added a pair of two-pointer and a free throw. Zack Birmingham added a three-pointer, while Elishah Ramos had a two-point shot. Alex Antoniak got on the board with a pair of free throw points. Macon was held to 14.

DeKalb kept the pressure up in the second, scoring 15 more points. Birmingham had a three-pointer and a free throw, while Ramos had a two-pointer and a couple of free throws. Close had a two-pointer and one free throw, while Jon Hendrix sank a three-pointer. Antoniak also added a free throw point. Macon was held to 13, giving DeKalb the 35-27 halftime lead.

The DeKalb Tigers came out on fire in the third period, scoring 23 points. Birmingham lit up the scoreboard with three three-point baskets, a two-pointer, and a free throw. Close had a pair of two-pointers, Agee a two-point shot and a pair of free throws, and Ramos had a two-pointer and one free throw. Macon was held to seven points, giving DeKalb the 58-34 lead.

DeKalb would close the game with 10 more points. Birmingham had a couple of two-pointers, Close and Seth Fuson each had one, while Owen Snipes got on the board with a pair of free throws. Macon managed 15 points, but DeKalb claimed the 68-49 victory.

Birmingham was the top scorer for DeKalb with 23 points, while Close came away with 17. Agee and Ramos each had nine points, Antoniak and Hendrix each had three, and Fuson and Snipes each had two.