The DeKalb County High School Lady Tigers had a full schedule last week, playing two regularly scheduled games, then one make-up game at home last Saturday. It would be a tough week, as the girls would fall to the No. 2 and No. 5 top ranked teams in the state.
On Tuesday, January 12, the Lady Tigers were at home taking on the Upperman Lady Bees, currently one of the top teams in AA basketball. Upperman would jump out to a big lead, and DeKalb would have to play catch-up through most of the match. But, the Lady Tigers would put a scare into the longtime rival, pulling to within six points at one point in the third quarter.
The Lady Tigers would score eight points in the first quarter, with Megan Cantrell scoring a three-pointer and a free throw, while Kadee Ferrell and Summer Crook each had a two-point shot. The Lady Bees would jump out big, scoring 20 points.
DeKalb came away with 11 points in the second quarter, with Ella VanVraken scoring a two-pointer and four free throws, while Crook had a three pointer, and Ferrell had two free throw points. Upperman increased their lead with 18 points, taking a 38-19 halftime lead.
The Lady Tigers got hot in the third quarter, with Madison Martin getting a pair of three-point baskets and a two-pointer, while Cadee Griffith had a two-pointer, a three-pointer, and free throw. VanVraken added a two-point shot and four free throw points, while Ferrell had a couple of free throws. DeKalb would pull to within six points at one point, but Upperman kept at it, scoring 18 points and holding a 56-41 lead.
Martin sank a two and three-point basket for the Lady Tigers in the fourth quarter, while Cantrell had a three-pointer of her own. Xharia Lyons added a two-pointer and a free throw. But Upperman's lead was too much. The Lady Bees came away with 23 points, taking the 79-52 win.
The following Friday, the Lady Tigers were on the road, this time taking on another district rival, the 5th ranked Lady Tigers of Macon County. Once again, it would be a tough night for DeKalb County.
The Lady Tigers kept things close in the first quarter, scoring 13 points. Cantrell sank three three-point baskets, while Ferrell and VanVraken each had a pair of free throw points. Macon scored 14 points, taking the slim lead.
VanVraken had a couple of two-point shots for the Lady Tigers in the second quarter, while Summer Crook had a two-pointer of her own. Cantrell had a pair of free throw points. Macon opened things up however, scoring 21 points. At halftime, Macon was up, 35-21.
DCHS scored 11 points in the third quarter, with Griffith scoring a two-pointer and a couple of free throws, Martin a two-pointer, Ferrell with three free throw points, and Cantrell with two free throws. Macon stretched their lead with 14 points, taking a 49-32 lead.
The Lady Tigers got hot in the fourth quarter, scoring 25 points. Ferrell had a couple of two-point shots and four free throw points, while Cantrell and VanVraken each had two two-pointers and two free throw points. Griffth had a two-pointer and three free throw points. Despite the points, Macon scores 22, more than enough to secure the 71-57 victory.
The next day, the Lady Tigers were back in front of the hometown crowd, this time playing a make-up game against visiting Sequatchie County.
DeKalb would take the early lead and never let it go. The Lady Tigers scored 18 points in the first quarter, with Cantrell, VanVraken, and Natalie Snipes each getting a three-point basket, while Ferrell had a pair of two-pointers and three free throw points, and Lyons had a couple of free throws. Sequatchie was held to 11 points.
VanVraken scored three two-point baskets and a free throw for the Lady Tigers in the second quarter, while Ferrell had three two-point baskets of her own. Griffith had two two-pointers. Sequatchie was held to 14 points, giving DCHS the 35-25 lead at the half.
The hoops were even hotter for the Lady Tigers in the third quarter, scoring 22 points. Cantrell had a pair of three-point baskets, while VanVraken had three two-point baskets. Griffith, Ferrell, and Crook each had a three-point shot, while Martin added a free throw point. Sequatchie managed 12 points, with DeKalb up, 57-37.
The Lady Tigers came away with 17 points in the fourth quarter, with Ferrell getting a two-pointer, a three-pointer, and a free throw, while Crook had a two-pointer and a pair of free throws. Snipes added another three-point basket, while Lyons and Cantrell each had a two-point shot. Sequatchie was held to 13 points, securing the Lady Tigers' 74-50 victory.
