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DCHS Basketball Holds Awards Banquet
Tigers
Basketball_MVPs - Pictured from left are Shelia Kirby, MVC Elaina Turner, MVP Conner Close, MVP Ella VanVranken, and Chad Kirby.
Tigers
Basketball_Tigers – Pictured from left are DCHS Tiger Basketball Award Winners Alex Antoniak, Ian Colwell, MVP Conner Close, Seth Fuson, Jordan Parker, and Dallas Kirby.
Lady Tigers
Basketball_Lady_Tigers – Pictured from left are DCHS Lady Tiger Basketball Award Winners Bella Rackley, Allie Melton, Chloe VanVranken, MVP Ella VanVranken, Cam Branin, Avery Agee, Tess Barton, and MaKayla Scales.
Cheer
Basketball_Cheer - Pictured from left are DCHS Basketball Cheerleader Award Winners Madeline Martin, Izzy Prichard, MVC Elaina Turner, Annabella Dakas, and Sara Moore. (Not Pictured-Landen Tubbs)


The DeKalb County High School basketball program held their annual awards banquet last week, April 1, where it honored some of the outstanding players and cheerleaders for the 2023-24 season. The awards were sponsored by Love-Cantrell Funeral Home and presented by Chad and Shelia Kirby, with the MVP and MVC awards named in memory of Kirby’s grandfather, Allen D. Hooper.

It was no surprise with seniors Conner Close and Ella VanVranken named the DCHS Tiger and Lady Tiger Most Valuable Players at the annual banquet, while senior cheerleader Elaina Turner recognized as the Most Valuable Cheerleader.

It was a three-peat for Close, who has taken home the MVP title the past three seasons. Close gained his 1,000th point on December 12, 2023, at home against the Smith County Owls, and came away with a total of 1,287 points in his high school career. Close was also named Best Offensive Player for 2024 and Most Rebounds (160). He was also named to the 1st Team All-District 7AAA. Close and Dallas Kirby also made the DTC All-Star Team.

VanVranken was a repeat for the MVP award, also being named last season. She is also a member of the 1,000-point club, passing the milestone during tournament play in East Tennessee on December 21, 2022, in Maryville, as the Lady Tigers took on Ezell-Hardin. This season VanVranken also made the 2nd Team All-District. She also took home the Best Offensive Player award.

Other Tigers recognized during the event were Jordan Parker, who was named Best Ball Handler and Best Three Point Percentage Shooter; Ian Colwell as Best 6th Man; Alex Antoniak as Best Defensive Player (Led Team in Deflections and Steals); and the Most Improved Player Seth Fuson.

Other Lady Tigers recognized during the event were Bella Rackley as Most Energetic; Allie Melton as Most Passionate Player; Chloe VanVranken as an All-District Honorable Mention and Best Defensive Player; Avery Agee earned the Sharpshooter Award; Tess Barton as the Most Improved Player and Sportsmanship Award; Cam Branin for the Best Hustle Award; and MaKayla Scales as Best Teammate.  

Other cheerleaders recognized during the banquet were Landen Tubbs for Outstanding Jumps; Annabella Dakas for Outstanding Motions; Sara Moore as Team Favorite Cheerleader; Izzy Prichard for Most Coachable; and Madeline Martin for ROAR Award (Respectful, Outgoing, Accountable, Reliable).  

The Tigers completed the season at 10-19 overall, while the Lady Tigers finished at 9-20.