After a break due to the Christmas holidays, the DeKalb County High School basketball teams were back on the hardwood last week, on the road against York Institute. The games would remain close, but not go DeKalb's way. New Covid-19 restrictions are also in place, limiting attendance at games.
In the Lady Tigers' game, York would jump out with the lead, leaving DeKalb to play catch up for most of the match. The Lady Tigers scored seven points in the first quarter, with Kadee Ferrell sinking a three-point basket, while Madison Martin got a two-pointer. Cadee Griffith came away with two free throw points. York had 13 points.
Ferrell had a pair of two-pointers in the second quarter, with Megan Cantrell adding two free throw points. York added to their lead with 15 points, taking a 28-13 halftime lead.
The Lady Tigers came out a little stronger in the third quarter, putting 10 points on the board. Ferrell had a two and a three-point basket, while Ella VanVranken added a three-pointer and a couple of free throws. York was held to eight points, but still held a 36-23 lead.
DeKalb came to life in the fourth quarter, scoring 22 points. VanVraken had a three-pointer, a two-pointer, and four free throw points, while Martin had a pair of three-point baskets, and a two-pointer. Ferrell had a three-point shot, while Griffith added a pair of free throw shots. York was held to 15 points, but it would not be enough. York took the 51-45 win.
The Lady Tigers have a 3-5 overall record and still looking for their first district win of the season.
In the boys' game, the Tigers kept the game close early on, but York gradually pulled away. DeKalb scored four points in the first quarter, with Evan Jones and Luke Jenkins each getting a two-point basket. York scored eight points, taking the early lead.
The scoreboard lit up in the second quarter, with the Tigers coming away with 21 points. Jordan Young had a pair of three-point shots, while Elishah Ramos and Brayden Antoniak each had a couple of two-pointers. Jones had a two-point shot and a couple of free throws, while Stetson Agee had a three-pointer of his own. While DeKalb put big points on the board, York did as well. The Dragons scored 22 points, taking a 30-25 halftime lead.
The Tigers scored 16 points in the third quarter, with Agee and Young each sinking a three-point basket, while Antoniak came away with a pair of two-pointers and a free throw shot. Jones scored a pair of two-point shots, while Ramos added a free throw point. York also found the hoop, coming away with 22 points, adding to their lead, 52-41.
Agee sank a three-pointer for the Tigers in the fourth quarter, while Jones had a two-pointer and a free throw. Aiden Curtis had a two-pointer, with Robert Wheeler getting a couple of free throw points, and Antoniak adding one free throw. Once again, York outscored DeKalb, coming away with 14 points, and taking the 66-52 victory.
The Tigers are 3-4 on the season, and 1-2 in district play.
The TSSAA has implemented some new restrictions to games, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In accordance with Governor Bill Lee’s Executive Order #70, in affect until at least January 19, attendance at games are restricted to:
1. Players’ parents or guardians and immediate household members;
2. First Responders;
3. Coaching and team personnel;
4. School, game, and facility administrators;
5. Athletics officials; and
6. Media and athletic scouting personnel attending the event in their professional capacity.
Social distancing between persons from different households is required. While the Executive Order does not mandate the use of masks, the Governor has encouraged masks, and the TSSAA COVID-19 Sports Regulations provision regarding the use of masks remains.
