It was a rough week for the DeKalb County High School Tigers basketball team, after falling to district teams both on the road and at home.

On Tuesday, January 17, the boys traveled to Baxter where they took on the Upperman Bees. The Tigers fell behind early in the game and would never be able to make up lost ground.

The Tigers scored 10 points in the first period with a two and three-point basket by Zack Birmingham, a three-point shot by Elishah Ramos, and a two-pointer by Robert Wheeler. The Bees came away with the early lead with 18 points.

Conner Close sank a three-point basket for the Tigers in the second period, with two-point shots by Birmingham, Ramos, and Alex Antoniak. Upperman added to their lead with 12 more points and the 30-19 lead at the half.

The Tigers started get into the game in the third period, scoring 17 points. Close had a couple of two-point baskets and a pair of free throws, while Birmingham added another three-point shot. Wheeler and Antoniak each had a two-point shot. The Bees were held to 16, but still claimed a 46-32 lead.

The scoreboard lit up in the fourth period, with DeKalb coming away with 21 points. Close had two three-point shots and a pair of free throws, while Wheeler sank three two-pointers. Stetson Agee, Ramos, and Seth Fuson each had a two-pointer, while Ean Jones added a free throw. Unfortunately, Upperman also scored 21, taking the 67-53 win.

Close was the top Tiger with 17 points in the game, while Birmingham and Wheeler each had 10. Ramos had seven points, Antoniak four, Agee and Fuson each had two, and Jones had one.

The following Friday night, the Tigers were back on their home court, this time hosting the Stone Memorial Panthers. The game would be tight through most of play.

The Tigers put 13 points on the board in the first period, with three two-point baskets by Conner Close, and a three-point shot by Elisha Ramos. Robert Wheeler had a two-pointer, while Stetson Agee added a couple of free throws. The Panthers were held to just seven points.

DeKalb put another 12 on the board in the second period, with Close adding another two and three-point shot, while Agee sank a three-point basket. Ramos had a two-pointer, and Birmingham had a pair of free throws. The Panthers pulled closer with 17 points, but DeKalb held the 25-24 lead at the half.

Things fell apart for DeKalb in the third period. The Tigers only scored five points, with a pair of two-pointers and a free throw by Wheeler. Stone Memorial surged forward with 19 points, taking the 43-30 lead.

Ramos sank a pair of three-point shots for the Tigers in the fourth, while Agee and Birmingham each had a two and three-point basket. Close came away with a two-pointer and three free throw points, while Wheeler added a pair of free throws. DeKalb scored 23, but it would be too little too late. Stone would hold on with 14 points, taking the 57-53 win.

Close was the top scorer for DeKalb with 16 points, while Ramos put 11 on the board. Agee had 10, Wheeler had nine, and Birmingham had seven.