The DeKalb County High School Tigers basketball team would split the week last week, claiming a victory at home, then falling in a game on the road.
On Tuesday, January 25, the Tigers were on their home court as they took on the Warriors of White County. The game would remain close in the first half, but the Tigers would pull away in the second.
The Tigers scored 12 points in the first period, with Stetson Agee hitting a two-pointer, a three-pointer and a free throw, while Robert Wheeler sank a pair of two-point baskets. Isaac Knowles also got on the board with a pair of free throw points. The Warriors were held to only five points.
Close had a three-pointer and a two-pointer for the Tigers in the second period, while Elishah Ramos added a three-point shot. White County upped their game, scoring 11 points and cutting DeKalb’s lead 20-16 at halftime.
Ramos caught fire in the third period, scoring a two-pointer and sinking a pair of three-point shots. Knowles and Jordan Young also contributed with each hitting a couple of two-point baskets. The Warriors were held to eight points, giving the Tigers a 36-24 lead.
DeKalb couldn’t be stopped in the fourth period, scoring 25 points. Close scored off of four two-pointers and four free throws, while Ramos had a two and three-point shot and three free throws. Knowles had a two-pointer and a free throw point, while Brayden Antoniak got on the board with a two-pointer. White County was held to 21 points giving the Tigers the 61-45 win.
Ramos was the top scorer for the Tigers with 19 points, followed by Close who had 17 points. Knowles had nine points, Agee had six, Young and Wheeler each had four, and Antoniak had two.
On Friday, January 28, the Tigers were on the road, taking on a tough Livingston Wildcats team. It would end up being a game that would be decided by three points.
The Tigers got off to a slow start, only scoring eight points in the first period. Brayden Antoniak scored three two-point baskets, while Ramos added a couple of free throws. The Wildcats would come away with 15 points and the early lead.
DeKalb would once again come away with eight points in the second period, with Close, Antoniak, and Wheeler each hitting a two-pointer, while Knowles added a couple of points on free throws. Livingston added 11 points to the board, taking a 26-16 lead at the half.
The Tigers would get into the game in the third period, scoring 14 points. Antoniak and Wheeler each had a pair of two-pointers, while Close added a two-pointer and a pair of free throw points. Ramos also had a two-point basket. This time it was Livingston that was held to eight points, with DeKalb cutting into their lead, 34-30.
It would be a tight game in the fourth period. The Tigers scored 13 with Agee hitting on a three-pointer and two-point shot for the Tigers, while Close had another two-pointer and pair of free throws. Knowles and Antoniak each added a two-point shot of their own. The Wildcats scored 12 points, holding on for the 46-43 win.
Antoniak was the top scorer for the Tigers, scoring 14 points, while Close came away with 10. Wheeler had six points, Agee five, and Ramos and Knowles each had four points.
