The DeKalb County High School Lady Tigers basketball team was back on the hardwood last week, playing one team on the road, then another back on home turf. Both games would be against top-ranked teams.
On Tuesday, January 24, the ladies traveled to Sparta where they faced the Lady Warriors of White County. The game would get away early and DeKalb would never be able to recover.
DeKalb scored nine points in the first period, with a three-pointer, two-pointer and a free throw by Ella VanVranken, and a three-point shot by Madison Martin. White County put 18 on the board.
Ella VanVranken and Avery Agee put up the Lady Tigers’ 16 points in the second period, with VanVranken hitting a pair of three-point shots, a two-pointer, and three free throws, while Agee had a three-pointer and two free throw points. The Lady Warriors were held to 15, but claimed the 33-25 halftime lead.
The Lady Tigers scored 12 in the third period, with Ella VanVranken sinking a two-pointer and three free throws, while sister Chloe scored on three free throws. Martin and Agee each added a pair of free throw points. White County inched farther away with 14 points and the 47-37 lead.
DeKalb put 14 more points on the board in the fourth, with a three-point basket and a pair of free throws by Agee and a two-pointer and a couple of free throws by Ella VanVranken. Martin had a two-point shot and a free throw, while Chloe VanVranken had a two-pointer of her own. The Lady Warriors poured it on with 25 points, taking the 72-51 win.
Ella VanVranken was top of the board for the Lady Tigers with 26 points, while Agee had 12. Martin had eight points, while Chloe VanVranken had five.
On Friday, January 27, the girls were back on their home court, this time taking on the top team in the state, Livingston Academy. DeKalb would hold their own through the first half of play, but would let things slip away in the second.
The Lady Tigers came away with 11 points in the first period, with Ella VanVranken sinking a pair of three-point baskets, Madison Martin with a three-pointer, and Ella Hendrixson hitting a two-point shot. The Lady Wildcats put 18 on the board, taking the early lead.
DeKalb lit up the scoreboard in the second period, scoring 16 points. Ella VanVranken hit a three-pointer, a pair of two-pointers, and three free throws. Avery Agee got on the board with a three-point shot and a free throw, while Tess Barton added a two-pointer. The Hog-Eye were held to just eight points, with Livingston holding on to a narrow 27-26 lead.
Agee sank a three-point basket and a free throw for the Lady Tigers in the third, while Chloe VanVranken got on the board with a two-point shot and a free throw. Ella VanVranken and Barton each added a two-point shot. Livingston roared back with 18 points and the 45-38 lead.
The Lady Tigers put 15 points on the board in the fourth period. Ella VanVranken hit a two-pointer and five free throws, while Agee had four free throw points. Chloe VanVranken and Ella Hendrixson each had a two-pointer. Unfortunately, the Lady Wildcats put 25 on the board, taking the 70-53 win.
Ella VanVranken was the top scorer on the DeKalb side with 25 points, while Agee had 12. Chloe VanVranken had five points, Barton and Hendrixson each had four, and Martin had three.
