Tiger fans held their collective breath as the ball sailed through the air just as the buzzer sounded Saturday night, DeKalb County clinging to a one-point lead against Pickett County.

The visitors had managed to work their way back into the ballgame after trailing by as many as eight to the Tigers. They inbounded the ball and sliced down the court, the Pickett County guard heaving a contested shot from just outside the three point arch as time expired. The shot found only air and the gymnasium exploded in cheers as the Tigers hold on for a 64-63 victory and a perfect 2-0 start to the season.

The Tigers’ win came after they battled back from an early 17-13 hole after one. Dallas Cook helped pace the Tigers in the early going as he had eight of his team high 21 points in the first quarter. It was Luke Jenkins and Brayden Antoniak who spearheaded the charge in the second quarter as the Tigers erased the visitor’s lead as they outscored Pickett 12-7 to hold a thin 25-24 advantage at the half.

The third was Antoniak’s quarter as he scored half of his game total 12 points in the third stanza to give the Tigers a three-point advantage going into the final frame.

Able to draw their lead up to eight at one point, the Tigers found themselves being sent to the foul line as time ticked away. They were up to the task as they went 14-for-19 from the charity stripe in the fourth.

Pickett County was able to make their run thanks to tenacious defense which caused a flurry of Tiger turnovers in the final minute, allowing them a shot at the win, a shot to fell short.

The win leaves the Tigers are 2-0 on the season after their season opening win in Spencer over Van Buren County by a count of 51-48.

The night wasn’t as kind for the injury depleted Lady Tigers as they fell Pickett County 57-46.

The game was even after one as Megan Cantrell hit a trio of threes in the first to help the Lady Tigers keep pace 17-17 after one. However, a quiet second quarter found the Lady Tigers down by five at the half and then down by six after three. At the heart of the matter was Pickett’s Kyndall Luddick who had 19 on the night, helping spur on the second half run for the victory.

Megan Cantrell led the Lady Tigers with 12 on the night while Emme Colwell had 11. Gracie Griffin had nine while Mya Ruch, Megan Walker and Kenzie France all had four.

The Lady Tigers are 1-1 on the season after beating Van Buren County in Spencer last week 65-31.