The DeKalb County High School basketball season came to an end last Friday after both the Lady Tigers then the Tigers fell in the first round of the TSSAA District-7 3A Basketball Tournament. The opening round of the tournament was hosted at Tennessee Tech’s Hooper Eblen Center in Cookeville.
In the first game of the evening, the Lady Tigers took on the Lady Wildcats of Livingston Academy. DeKalb would fall behind early and never catch back up.
The Lady Tigers scored five points in the first period, with Ella VanVranken hitting a two-point basket and a free throw, and sister Chloe with a two-pointer. Livingston came out on fire, scoring 19 points.
Tess Barton got on the board in the second period with a two-pointer and a free throw. Cam Branin got in on the action with a two-point shot, while Ella VanVranken added a pair of free-throw points. The Lady Wildcats added 10 to the board, taking the 29-12 halftime lead.
Barton sank a couple of two-point baskets for the Lady Tigers in the third period, while Avery Agee got on the board with a three-point shot. Ella added a free-throw point. Livingston steamrolled ahead with 21 points and the 50-20 lead.
Ella VanVranken finished her high school career with two more two-point baskets, while Brooke Fuson added a two-point shot of her own. Lillie Young got on the board with a pair of free throws. The Lady Wildcats claimed the victory with nine more points, ending the game 59-28.
Next up, the Tigers faced the Wildcats in the boys’ round. DeKalb would be more competitive, but it would not be enough.
The Tigers scored 11 points in the first period, with Seth Fuson sinking a couple of two-pointers, Jordan Parker a two-point shot and a free throw, and Jon Hendrix and Conner Close each with a two-point shot. Livingston came away with 15 points and the early lead.
Conner Close got hot for the Tigers in the second, with four two-point baskets and a pair of free throws. Hendrix and Dallas Kirby also came away with two-point baskets. The Wildcats put 20 on the board, taking the 35-25 lead at the half.
Hendri and Close each had a pair of two-point hoops for the Tigers in the third, while Parker added a two-pointer and a couple of free throws. The Wildcats plowed on with 19 more points and the 54-37 lead.
The Tigers ended the game with 19 more points. Close had a two and three-point basket, Kirby and pair of two-pointers and a couple of free throws, Hendrix a couple of two-point shots, Ian Colwell a three-pointer, and Kaleb Spears added a free-throw point. Livingston was held to 17, but it was more than enough for the 71-56 win.
In other tournament news, the Stone Memorial Lady Panthers, the 5th seed, eliminated the Cumberland County Lady Jets, the 4th seed, 57 to 51.
In the semi-finals on Saturday, the Lady Wildcats went on to beat Upperman, the 2nd seed, by the score of 46 to 38. White County, the top seed, knocked off Stone Memorial 60 to 48.
Lady Wildcats met the White County Lady Warriors for the championship on Monday, while the Lady Bees will face the Lady Panthers for third place.
In the boys tournament, the White County Warriors, the 4th seed, knocked off Cumberland County, the 5th seed, 61 to 44.
In the semi-finals, Livingston Academy defeated Stone Memorial 55 to 43, while Upperman, the top seed, beat White County 56 to 46.
Livingston Academy faced Upperman in the boys championship game on Tuesday night, while in the consolation game was against Stone Memorial and White County.
