Six seconds. After playing four quarters of basketball on their home court last Tuesday evening, the game came down to the final six seconds of play to end 30 years of heartbreak for the Lady Tigers.
It had been 30 years since the DeKalb County High School Lady Tigers had come away with a victory over their rival Livingston Academy. Year after year the Lady Wildcats had always managed to come out on top, but the Jan. 20 game would change that, through some determination by the DeKalb County players.
The game would stay close throughout all four periods, with neither team able to move to a comfortable lead. The Lady Tigers scored 15 points in the first period, with Ashli Chew sinking three two-point baskets and a couple of free throws, while Maggie Knowles came away with two two-pointers. Morgan Pedigo also added a three-point shot. The Lady Wildcats scored 14 points, keeping within striking distance.
DeKalb put up 12 points in the second period, with Knowles getting three two-point baskets, while long shooter Pedigo added two more three-pointers. Livingston continued to stay close, scoring 11 points, and giving the Lady Tigers a narrow 27-25 halftime lead.
The score would be all tied up at the end of the third period. DeKalb came away with eight points, with a three-pointer by Loren Cripps, and two-pointers by Chew and Knowles. The Lady Wildcats evened the score with 10 points on the board, tying the game, 35 all.
The fourth period had hearts pumping on both sides of the court. The score would go back and forth, with each team hitting the hoops. Cripps got a three-pointer, while Knowles added a two-point basket. Chew was on fire, getting a two and three-pointer, as well as three free-throw shots.
Livingston stayed right with DeKalb, and with a score of 48-47 and only seconds left on the play clock, they were able to sink a two-point shot and take the lead with only six seconds left in the game. It seemed as if the air had been taken out of the DeKalb County stands, and it looked as if the Lady Tigers would yet again fall to the Lady Wildcats.
Chew threw the ball in to Jailyn Bolding, who threw it right back to Chew. Chew quickly moved down the right side court line, where she forced a foul on a Livingston player. There was three seconds left to play.
Chew stepped up to the free throw line with the game on her shoulders. Her first toss was good to tie the game. Then, her second shot hit its mark, giving DeKalb the lead. Livingston would make a last ditch effort, but there just wasn’t enough time to set up a play. DeKalb took the 50-49 victory, ending a losing streak to the Lady Wildcats that had gone on since 1985.
Chew was eight for 10 on free throws in the game.
"It was a great win for the program," Lady Tigers Head Coach Joe Pat Cope told the Review. "They are number one in our district and ranked number five in the state. It had been close to 100 games, counting post season and tournaments. What an effort by the girls. They never quit and fought hard all night."
He continued, "There’s been four or five teams in our district that have been ranked in the top 10 in the state this year. So, if you don’t come ready to play, you can get beat. Ashli [Chew] had 21 points tonight, and she played well. We spread the floor for her. She’s so good off the dribble, and it finally clicked tonight. She’s always got to the rim. She found Loren [Cripps] open in the corner once, and she went and finished and knocked the foul shots down. It was a huge game for Ashli Chew."
"They all played great tonight," Cope said. "Maggie Knowles had 14 points and she’s a freshman. That’s huge for a freshman. This was a big win for us."
The win was big amongst the fans as well. Former Lady Tigers star basketball player Mary Ann Puckett told the Review, "This win wasn’t just for this team, but all of us that have played over the years. I’m so proud of these girls."
The Lady Tigers weren’t through with their winning ways last week, as they went on the road to face the Lady Dragons of York Institute. The girls would come away with another big victory.
On Jan. 23, the Lady Tigers were in Jamestown and jumped out with the lead right from the beginning. DeKalb scored four points in the first period, with a pair of two-pointers by Knowles. York was held to a big goose egg.
DeKalb put the hammer down in the second period with 11 points. Chew and Knowles each got a couple of two-point shots, while Pedigo got a three-pointer. The Lady Dragons were held to only three points, giving DeKalb a 15-3 lead at the half.
The Lady Tigers put up six points in the third period, with Knowles getting another pair of two-point baskets, while Cripps got one. York got into the game, taking five points. DeKalb was up, 21-8.
DeKalb sealed the win with 11 points in the fourth period. Knowles got another couple of two-point shots, while Cripps and Pedigo each got one. Chew added points with five free throw points. The Lady Dragons also got 11 points, but it was far from enough. DeKalb took the 34-19 win.
Chew was five for six on free throws in the game.
