The DeKalb County High School Tigers basketball team was back in action last week, winning at home, then falling in a close road game.
On Tuesday, February 2, the Tigers were in front of a large hometown crowd as they took on the Cannon County Lions. With TSSAA attendance restrictions relaxed to what they had been earlier in the season, more fans were allowed at the game and the DCHS cheerleaders were once again cheering the team on.
The Tigers came out strong, scoring 20 points in the first quarter. Elishah Ramos sank a two and three-point basket, while Evan Jones had a pair of two-pointers. Jordan Young, Stetson Agee, and Conner Close each had a three-point shot. The Lions were held to 10 points.
DeKalb kept the pressure on in the second quarter, scoring 13 points. Brayden Antoniak and Evan Jones each had three two-pointers, while Ramos added a point from the free throw line. Cannon County bounced back, scoring 17 points, but the Tigers held the 33-27 halftime lead.
Jones scored nine points for the Tigers in the third quarter, with three two-pointers and three points off of free throws. Close had a two-point shot, while Young had two free throw points. The Lions were held to nine points, increasing DeKalb's lead, 46-36.
Once again, Jones lead the way for DeKalb in the fourth quarter, scoring another nine points. Jones sank four two-point baskets, and had a free throw point, while Ramos added a pair of two-pointers and three free throws. Young had a two-point shot and two free throws, while Luke Jenkins had a free throw. While the Tigers scored 21, the Lions were held to 14, giving DeKalb the 67-50 victory.
The Tigers would not have it so easy in their next game the following Saturday afternoon. The team would once again face off with the Livingston Academy Wildcats, and it would be a struggle.
DeKalb would start off slow, scoring just six points in the first quarter. Young, Jenkins, and Jones each had a two-point basket. Livingston took the early lead with 13 points on the board.
The scoreboard lit up quite a bit more in the second quarter. The Tigers pulled closer with 16 points. Jones put up six points with three two-point baskets, while Ramos had a two and three-point shot. Jenkins also had a three-pointer, while Agee added two free throw points. The Wildcats were held to 14 points, but they held a narrow 27-22 halftime lead.
The Tigers continued finding the hoops in the third quarter, scoring 14 points. Jones had a couple of two-point shots, Ramos a three-pointer, and Antoniak and Close each had a two-point basket. Livingston was hot also, scoring 20 points and increasing their lead, 47-36.
It came down to the fourth quarter and DeKalb started to out gain Livingston. The Tigers put 18 points on the board, lead by Agee with three three-point baskets. Jones had a pair of two-pointers, Young had a three-pointer, and Jenkins a two-point shot. The Wildcats were held to only 10 points, but it was enough. Livingston took the 57-54 win.
With the loss, the Tigers fall to 8-12 on the season, and 4-8 in the district.
