The DeKalb County High School basketball teams had a light week last week, playing only one night, on the road in Wilson County at Watertown. It would be a good road trip for both teams.
In the Lady Tigers game, the girls got off to a big start, scoring 11 points in the first period. Ella VanVranken came away with a two-point basket and a free throw, while Cadee Griffith, Madison Martin, and Tess Barton each had a two-point shot of their own. Chloe VanVranken had two points off of free throws. The Lady Purple Tigers were held to five points.
DeKalb continued where they left off in the second period, scoring another 14 points. Ella VanVranken hit on a pair of three-pointers, while Griffith and Barton each had a couple of two-point shots. Watertown was held to seven points giving DeKalb a 25-12 lead at the half.
The Lady Tigers put six points on the board in the third period, with Griffith and Ella VanVranken each getting a two-point basket and a free throw. The Lady Purple Tigers added nine points to their tally, cutting DeKalb’s lead, 31-25.
DeKalb would end the game with 11 more points on the scoreboard. Barton would sink and two-point basket and a free throw, while Dare Collins got on the board with a two-pointer as did Ella VanVranken. Chloe VanVranken and Avery Agee each had a couple of free-throw points. Watertown would get 12 points but it would not be enough. The Lady Tigers claimed the 42-37 victory.
Ella VanVranken was the top scorer with 14 points, while Barton and Griffith each had nine. Chloe VanVranken had four, while Martin, Agee and Collins each had two.
The boys game would be much tighter through the first half, and would end up being decided in overtime.
DeKalb scored 18 points in the first period, with Stetson Agee sinking a two and three-point shot, Zack Birmingham a three-point basket, and Elishah Ramos and Robert Wheeler each getting a pair of two-pointers. Conner Close also came away with a two-point shot. The Purple Tigers stayed within striking distance, scoring 13 points.
The Tigers were held to only three points in the second period, with Ramos sinking a two-pointer, and Wheeler coming away with a free throw. Watertown battled ahead with eight points to tie the game at 21 at the half.
Things got back on track for the Tigers in the third period, with Ramos and Wheeler each getting a couple of two-pointers, Agee a three-point basket, and Close a two-point shot. The Purple Tigers were held to six points, with DeKalb reclaiming the 34-27 lead.
The Tigers battled in the fourth, scoring 12 points. Ramos claimed a two-pointer and four free-throw points, while Wheeler had a pair of two-point shots, and Close had one. Watertown poured it on, scoring 17 and tying the game at 46.
In overtime, the Tigers didn’t let up. Wheeler would come away with three two-point shots, while Close added a pair of two-pointers and a couple of free throws. Ramos would also have a couple of free throw points. Watertown would be held to just three points, giving DeKalb the hard-fought 60-49 win.
Wheeler was the top scorer for DeKalb with 19 points, followed closely by Ramos who had 18. Close had 12, Birmingham had six, and Agee five.
