The DeKalb County High School basketball teams were back on their home court last week, before going on the road next week for some holiday tournaments. The girls would come up against some stiff competitions, while the boys would battle through to claim one win against a border rival.

On Tuesday, December 13, local fans poured into the DCHS gym to see the Tigers and Lady Tigers take on some powerhouse teams from White County. It would be a tough night for the local teams.

In the girls' game, White County's fast pace and sure shots seemed to overwhelm the Lady Tigers. DeKalb would come away with 11 points in the first period, with Avery Agee sinking a three-point basket, while Ella VanVranken hit a two-pointer and four free throw points. Cadee Griffith also added a couple of free throws. White County simple couldn't miss and put 28 on the board, taking a lead they would never let go of.

Madison Martin and Ella VanVranken each hit on a three-pointer for the Lady Tigers in the second period, while Griffith added a two-pointer and a pair of free throws. Tess Barton had a two-point basket and a free throw, Cam Branin had a couple of free throw points, and Agee added one. The Lady Warriors added 25 to the board and claimed a 53-27 halftime lead.

Ella VanVranken would sink a pair of three-point goals in the third period, while Griffith put up a couple of two-pointers. Barton had a two-point shot, while Chloe VanVranken added a free throw point. White County would add another 28 and taken a 81-40 lead.

Griffith and Ella VanVranken would each get a two-point basket in the fourth period, but that would be all DeKalb could do. White County added nine more points to the board, and took the 90-44 win.

Ella VanVranken was the top scorer for the Lady Tigers with 17 points, while Griffith had 12. Barton had five points, Agee four, Martin three, Branin two, and Chloe VanVranken had one.

The Tigers would put up a much bigger fight and would actually lead throughout most of the game. DeKalb put 17 points on the board in the first period with Stetson Agee sinking a two-point basket and a pair of three-pointers. Elishah Ramos had a two and three-point shot while Zack Birmingham and Conner Close each had a two-pointer. The Warriors were held to 16 points giving the Tigers the narrow lead.

Things were even better for the Tigers in the second period. Robert Wheeler caught fire, scoring four two-pointers while Close hit on a pair of two-pointers and four free throws. Alex Antoniak sank a two-point basket, while Ramos added a couple of free throws. White County was held to eight points, giving DeKalb a 37-24 lead at the half.

Things started to turn in the third period. Once again, Wheeler was hot for the Tigers, scoring another four two-point baskets, while Close added a two-pointer and a free throw. The Warriors put 19 points on the board, cutting into DeKalb's lead, 43-48.

It came down to the fourth period, and the Warriors continued to surge. The Tigers came away with nine points off of a three-pointer, two-pointer and a free throw by Ramos, and a three-pointer by Stetson Agee. White County would come away with 19 points and claim the 62-57 comeback win.

Wheeler was top for the Tigers scoring 16 points in the game, while Ramos and Close each had 13. Agee had 11, while Birmingham and Antoniak each had two.

The following Friday, DeKalb was again on their home court, this time in a rematch against long-time border rival Cannon County. The girls and bested the Lionettes earlier in the season, while the boys fell in a close game. This time the roles would be reversed.

In the Lady Tigers game, DeKalb would scored nine points in the first period. Ella VanVranken would sink a couple of two-point shots, while Madison Martin hit on a three-point goal. Cadee Griffith added a two-point shot of her own. Cannon scored 11, taking the early lead.

Tess Barton got rolling for the Lady Tigers in the second period, scoring a couple of two-point baskets and a free throw, while Avery Agee hit a three-point shot. Chloe VanVranken had a two-pointer and a free throw, while Griffith had a pair of free throw points. The Lionettes put 19 points on the board, taking the 30-22 halftime lead.

Ella VanVranken had a three-pointer, two-pointer, and three free throw points for DeKalb in the third period, while Barton added a two-pointer and a free throw, and Martin hit a two-point shot. Cannon would add 18 points to their score, taking a 48-35 lead.

The Lady Tigers would put 10 more points on the board in the fourth. Ella VanVranken had a three-pointer and a couple of two-pointers, while Camryn Branin hit a three-pointer. The Lionettes added 16 to the board, claiming the 64-45 win.

Ella VanVranken was the top Lady Tiger on the night, with 19 points. Tess Barton had eight points, Martin had five, while Griffith, Branin, Chloe VanVranken, and Agee each had three.

It would be a different outcome in the boys' game. DeKalb would come away with 12 points in the first period, while the Lions would match them point for point. Conner Close hit three two-pointer and a pair of free throws, while Zack Birmingham and Elishah Ramos each had a two-point shot. The game was tied at 12.

DeKalb would inch ahead in the second period with 13 more points. Again it was Close with a couple of two-pointers, a three-point basket, and a free throw, while Robert Wheeler and Alex Antoniak each had a two-pointer. Statson Agee added a free throw point. Cannon was held to seven, giving the Tigers a 25-19 lead at the half.

The Tigers put 19 points on the board in the third period, with Close sinking a couple of three-point shots and a two-pointer, while Antoniak had a pair of two-point shots. Agee had a two and three-point basket, with Ramos added a couple of free throws. The Lions were held to 15 points, giving DeKalb a 44-34 lead.

Wheeler had three two-point baskets for the Tigers in the fourth, Close had a two-pointer of his own. Ramos also added another two free throw points. The Lions came away with only 13, giving DeKalb the 54-47 victory.

Close was the top Tiger with 26 points, while Wheeler had eight. Ramos, Agee, and Antoniak each had six, while Birmingham had two.