While other teams took a holiday break in their basketball season last week, the DeKalb County High School teams trudged right along, playing a home game on Monday, then traveling to Cannon County for Black Friday games. Both teams came away with big wins in front of the hometown crowd, while they struggled on the road.

On Monday, November 25, the teams opened up homecourt play as they hosted visiting Monterey. In the girls’ game, the Lady Tigers would take the lead early and never look back.

The Lady Tigers scored 11 points in the first period, with a pair of two-pointers by Chloe VanVranken, a two-point basket and a free throw by Avery Agee, a two-point shot by Brooklyn Fuson and a couple of free throws by Allie Melton. The Lady Wildcats were held to five points.

Melton hit a three for DeKalb in the second period, while VanVranken and Millie Barton each had a two-point shot. Jordyn Agee added a pair of free throw points. Monterey was held to just a single free throw. The Lady Tigers were up at the half, 20-6.

Avery Agee caught fire in the third period, sinking four three-point baskets, while Bella Rackley got on the board with one three-pointer. Fuson, Melton, and Lillie Young each had a two-pointer. Monterey came away with five more points, giving DeKalb the 41-11 lead.

The Lady Tigers would end the game with 12 more points on the board. Caroline Crook, Rackley, Autumn Crook, Melton, Young, and Barton each had a two-point shot. Monterey ended the game with 15 points, giving DeKalb the 53-26 victory.

The boys would have a closer game, but would prevail in the end. The Tigers scored eight points in the first period, with a three-point basket by Jon Hendrix, a two-pointer and a free throw by Dallas Kirby, and a two-point shot by Porter Hancock. Monterey would take the early lead with 14 points.

The board would flip in the second period with DeKalb putting 14 on the board. Hendrix sank a pair of three-point shots, while Hancock added a three and a two-pointer. Chase Young hit a two-point shot, while Kirby added a free throw. Monterey was held to eight points, tying the score at 22 at the half.

Hendrix sank a pair of threes and a couple of free throws for the Tigers in the third period, while Jordan Parker got on the board with a two-pointer. Kirby added a pair of free throw points. Monterey came away with five points, giving DeKalb the 34-27 lead.

The Tigers lit up the scoreboard in the fourth period, putting up 20 points. Hendrix hit on a pair of three-pointers, while Kirby and Parker each had a two and a couple of free throws. Seth Fuson and Hancock each had a two-point basket and one free throw point. Monterey added 14 to their tally, far less than they needed. The Tigers claimed the 54-41 win.

On Black Friday, the teams traveled to Woodbury where they would face off with a the Lionettes and the Lions of Cannon County. It would be a tough night for both DeKalb teams.

In the Lady Tigers’ game, DeKalb scored four points in the first period. Young hit on a two-point shot, while Jordyn Agee sank a pair of free throws. The Lionettes steamrolled out with 19 points.

DeKalb came away with eight points in the second period, with Jordyn Agee sinking three free throws, while Melton added a two-pointer. VanVranken had a pair of free throw points, while Young had one. Cannon County put 11 on the board, taking the 30-12 halftime lead.

Melton would score the only points for the Lady Tigers in the third period, off of a three-point basket. The Lionettes added 15 and were up 45-15.

Melton and Avery Agee each had a three-point basket for the Lady Tigers in the fourth, while VanVranken added a couple of free throws. Cannon sealed the game shut with 12 points, taking the 57-23 win.

The Tigers would stay close through the first half, but watch the game slip away in the third period.

DeKalb scored 11 points in the first period, with a two and three-point basket by Fuson, a three-pointer by Hendrix, and a two-pointer by Hancock. Logan Duke would also add a free throw point. Cannon jumped out with 16 points.

Hendrix hit a three-pointer for the Tigers in the second period, while Hancock added a couple of two-pointers. Elliott Barnes also got on the board with a two-point basket. The Lions added 12 and held a 28-20 lead at the half.

Kirby would score the only points for the Tigers in the third, a lone two-point basket. The Lions poured it on, adding 25 to the scoreboard, and taking a 53-22 lead.

The Tigers would get back on track in the third, but it was too little, too late. David Wheeler scored a two and three-pointers, while Young added a two-point basket and a free throw. Kiece Hannah and Fuson each had a two-pointer. Cannon County added 18 to their score, taking the 71-34 win.