The DeKalb County High School basketball teams were on the road to start the week last week, traveling to Smith County, before coming home to celebrate the end of basketball’s Alumni week on Friday, with the crowning of the Baron and Baroness.

On Tuesday, December 3, the teams traveled to Smith County where they faced off with the Owls and Owlettes. It would be a tough outing for DeKalb.

In the girls’ game, the Lady Tigers scored 11 points in the first period. Avery Agee hit a three-pointer, while Brooklyn Fuson had a pair of two-point shots. Chloe VanVranken and Allie Melton each had a two-point basket. The Owlettes steamrolled out with 30 points.

The Lady Tigers scored 21 points in the second period, with VanVranken hitting a two-pointer, a three-pointer and a couple of free throws, while Melton added a three and a pair of free throws. Lillie Young had a couple of two-point shots and a free throw, while Jordyn Agee and Avery Agee each had a pair of free-throw points. Smith added 21 to their score, going up 50-32 at the half.

Young had a couple of two-pointers for the Lady Tigers in the third, while Melton sank another three-point basket. VanVranken and Fuson each had a two-point shot. Smith County kept moving with 21 points and the 71-43 lead.

VanVranken put a three-pointer and a couple of free throws on the board for DeKalb in the fourth period, while Jordyn Agee had a pair of two-pointers. Melton had a free-throw point. Smith was held to five, but it was all they needed. The Owlettes took the 76-53 win.

The boys game would be much closer, ending in a nail-biter. The Tigers put 12 points on the board in the first period, with Jon Hendrix hitting on a two and three-pointer, while Seth Fuson had a three-point basket. Dallas Kirby had a two-pointer and a free throw, while Porter Hancock added a free-throw point. The Owls stayed right with them, scoring 11 points.

Hendrix sand a two-pointer and three three-pointers for DeKalb in the second, while Logan Duke and Kirby each had a two-pointer. Smith jumper ahead with 21 points, taking the 32-27 halftime lead.

Hendrix hit on another pair of three-pointers in the third period, while Hancock and Kirby each had a two and a free throw. Jordan Parker got on the board with a free-throw point. The Owls kept inching away with 15 points and the 47-40 lead.

The Tigers turned up the heat in the fourth period, scoring 20 points. Hendrix had a couple of three-pointers, Parker a two, a three, and a pair of free throws, Elliott Barnes a three-point basket, and Fuson and Kirby each with a two-pointer. The Owls were held to 14, but it was just enough. Smith County took the 61-60 win.

The following Friday, the teams were back at home, in front of the hometown fans to celebrate Alumni Week as they took on Watertown. A ceremony was held prior to the games where the 2024 Baron and Baroness, seniors Dallas Kirby and Madeline Martin, were crowned. Kirby is a member of the Tigers basketball team and Martin is a basketball cheerleader captain. Dallas is the son of Chad and Shelia Kirby. Martin’s parents are Tim and Michiko Martin.

Others honored during the ceremony were the DCHS Alumni Attendants, Freshmen Hartley Hannah and Lola Ruth Colwell; Sophomores Kiece Hannah and McKenzie Moss; Juniors Jon Hendrix and Chloe VanVranken; and Seniors Andrew Dakas and Avery Agee.

Hartley Hannah is the son of Dallas and Ashley Hannah, while Lola Colwell is the daughter of Chad and Deana Ruth Colwell. Keice Hannah is the son of Dallas and Ashley Hannah, and McKenzie Moss is the daughter of Jennifer Taylor. Jon Hendrix is the son of Bradley and Lori Hendrix, while Chloe Van Vranken is the daughter of Zach and Kristen VanVranken. Andrew Dakas is the son of John Dakas and Amanda Fanning, and Avery Agee is the daughter of Joey and Casey Agee.

The titles of “Baron” and “Baroness” are derived from Revolutionary War hero Major General Baron Johann De Kalb for whom DeKalb County was named.

Afterwards, the Lady Tigers faced off with the Lady Purple Tigers of Watertown. DeKalb would get off to a slow start and never be able to recover. The Lady Tigers scored three points in the first period, with a pair of free throws by Jordyn Agee and one by Young. Watertown came away with 13 points.

DeKalb scored nine points in the second, with a two and three-pointer by Melton, and a pair of two-point baskets by VanVranken. Watertown added 14, taking the 27-12 halftime lead.

Joryn Agee caught fire in the third period, sinking four three-point shots. Melton also had a three-pointer, while Avery Agee added a two-pointer. The Lady Purple Tigers matched DeKalb point for point, holding a 44-29 lead.

The Lady Tigers ended the game with 11 more points. Melton sank a pair of twos and a couple of free throws, while VanVranken hit a two and one free throw. Avery Agee also had a two-point basket. Watertown added 14 to their tally, taking the 58-40 win.

The Tigers would have a much better night, dominating the Purple Tigers. DeKalb scored 22 points in the first period, with three three-pointers and a free throw by Parker, and one three-pointer and a couple of free throws by Barnes. Hendrix added a three-point shot, while Fuson and Duke each had a two-pointer. Watertown was held to six.

Barnes hit on three three-point shots for the Tigers in the second period. Parker and Hendrix each added a two-pointer. Watertown was held to nine, giving DeKalb the 35-15 lead at halftime.

The Tigers put 29 on the board in the third period. Chase Young sank a two-pointer, three-pointer and a free throw, while Fuson had a two and three-point basket. Kirby had a two-point shot and three free throw points, while David Wheeler added a pair of three-pointers. Parker had a two-pointer, Hendrix and three-pointer, and Duke added a pair of free throws. Watertown was held to 11 points, giving DeKalb the 64-26 lead.

The Tigers ended with 14 more points. Ben Driver, Barnes, and Young each had a three-point shot, while J.T. Summers added a two-pointer. Watertown was held to 10, giving DeKalb the 78-36 victory.