The DeKalb Middle School basketball teams had a busy week last week, playing two road dates on the road, and another at home. There would be some exciting close matches.

On Monday, Dec. 7, DMS was on the road, taking on Algood. In the girls' game, the match would be tight early on.

The Lady Saints scored six points in the first quarter, with Bella Dakas and Avery Agee each sinking a three-point basket. Algood stayed right with them, scoring six points of their own.

Dare Collin came away with a pair of two-pointers in the second quarter, with Agee getting another three-point shot. But, Algood came away with 11 points, taking the 17-13 halftime lead.

Dakas got a three-point shot for the Lady Saints in the third quarter, while Collins added a two-pointer. Algood added to their lead with 10 more points, giving them a 27-18 lead.

It was all Collins for the Lady Saints in the fourth quarter, getting three three-point baskets and a two-pointer.  However Algood came away with eight points, securing their 36-29 win.

In the boys' game, the Saints would get off to a slow start. DMS scored only three points in the first quarter, with Ty Webb sinking a three-pointer. Algood came away with 10 points.

The Saints scored six points in the second quarter. Jordan Parker had a three-point shot, while Owen Snipes had a two-pointer, and Seth Fuson a free throw point. Algood added six points, giving them a 16-9 halftime lead.

Snipes and Devin Fish each had a two-point basket in the third quarter, while Dallas Kirby added a free throw point. Algood padded their lead with nine points, taking a 25-14 lead.

That would be all the Saints could muster. They were shut out of the fourth quarter, while Algood added five more points. Algood took the 30-14 win.

The following evening, the teams were at home, this time taking on teams from Sparta.

In the Lady Saints' game, the team put nine points on the scoreboard in the first quarter. Agee had a two-pointer and a pair of free throw points, while Collins added a two-pointer and a free throw. Chloe VanVraken had a two-point shot of her own. Sparta took the early lead, getting 13 points.

Collins had two two-point baskets for the Lady Saints in the second quarter, while Dakas had one. Larissa Mooneyham had one point off of a free throw. Sparta added 11 more to their tally, taking a 24-16 halftime lead.

The Lady Saints kept up the pressure in the third quarter, scoring 11 points. Collins had a two and three-point basket, while VanVraken had a couple of two-point shots. Mooneyham also had a two-pointer. Sparta was held to only four points. DMS had cut their lead to only one point, 28-27.

VanVraken and Agee each had a pair of two-point baskets and two free throw points for the Lady Saints in the fourth quarter. Collins had two free throw points, while Mooneyham added one point. The Lady Saints kept things close, but Sparta came up with 16 points, giving them the 44-42 victory.

In the boys' game there would be a different outcome. The Saints took the lead in the first quarter and would never let it go. They scored five points, with Snipes getting a pair of two-pointers, and Parker getting a free throw. Sparta was held to three points.

The Saints put nine points on the scoreboard in the second quarter. Cody Love had a three-point shot, while Parker, Snipes, and Maddox Hale each had a two-pointer. Sparta was held to seven points, giving DeKalb a 14-10 halftime lead.

Kirby and Hale each sank a three-point basket for the Saints in the third quarter, while Sparta was held to five points. DMS was up, 20-15.

Hale had a pair of three-point shots for the Saints in the fourth quarter, while Ian Barnes had a two-pointer. Sparta only got four points, giving the Saints the 28-19 victory.

On Thursday, Dec. 10, the teams were back on the road, this time facing off with Avery Trace Middle School.

In the girls' game, the Lady Saints took the early lead, getting eight points in the first quarter. Agee had a three-point basket and a couple of free throw points, while VanVraken had two free throw points and Laurie Rigsby had one. Avery Trace was held to six points.

The Lady Saints came away with only two points in the second quarter, both off of free throws by Mooneyham. Avery Trace surged ahead with nine points, taking the 15-10 halftime lead.

Collins had a two-pointer and a free throw for the Lady Saints in the third quarter, while Agee and VanVraken each sank a two-point basket. Avery Trace was held to four points, with the Lady Saints cutting into their lead, 19-17.

Rigsby scored the only points for the Lady Saints in the fourth quarter, getting a three-point shot. Avery Trace sealed the win with nine points added to the board. They took the 28-20 victory.

The Saints would have an even tougher night. DMS scored five points in the first quarter, with Parker and Snipes each getting a two-pointer, while Kirby added a free throw. Avery Trace took the lead, scoring nine points.

Barnes scored the only points for the Saints in the second quarter, off of a two-point basket. Avery Trace added to their lead with eight points, taking the 17-7 halftime lead.

Kirby sank a three-pointer for the Saints in the third quarter, but again that would be the only points the team would see. Avery Trace added 13 points to their tally, giving them a 30-10 lead.

Barnes and Hale each had a three-point shot for the Saints in the fourth, while Parker had a two-pointer, and Love had a free throw. It was far from enough. Avery Trace had 10 points of their own, giving them the 40-20 win.