It was another great year for DeKalb County sports with some triumphs made on and off the field of play. Here are the top sports stories for the first six months of the year 2024.
January 2024
Tigers football, cheer honored at banquet
The DeKalb County High School Football Program held its annual banquet and awards ceremony, honoring some of last season’s top players and cheerleaders.
Taking this year’s top awards for the Tigers were seniors Ari White and Ally Fuller. White was named the 2023 Most Valuable Player, while senior Fuller, was named the Most Valuable Football Cheerleader. This year’s awards were sponsored by Liberty State Bank.
February 2024
Barnes awarded
Elliot Barnes received the Upper Cumberland Conference All Tournament award for DeKalb Middle School Saints basketball. The ceremony was held after the championship game at Upperman Middle School.
DCHS teams fall in District Tourney
The DeKalb County High School basketball season came to an end last Friday after both the Lady Tigers then the Tigers fell in the first round of the TSSAA District-7 3A Basketball Tournament. The opening round of the tournament was hosted at Tennessee Tech’s Hooper Eblen Center in Cookeville.
In the first game of the evening, the Lady Tigers took on the Lady Wildcats of Livingston Academy. DeKalb would fall behind early and never catch back up.
Next up, the Tigers faced the Wildcats in the boys’ round. DeKalb would be more competitive, but it would not be enough.
Horton named new volleyball coach
DCHS announced the formation of a new girls’ volleyball program, and a new coach for the program was announced. As expected, Coach Danielle Tyson Horton was named to head the new sport.
Farris signs with Cumberland Phoenix
Another DeKalb County Tiger football player will be continuing his career at the college level, signing with the Cumberland University Phoenix in Lebanon. DCHS’s number 55, Wil Farris, was on hand at a signing ceremony last Monday where he signed a letter of intent for Cumberland.
Spears signs with Milligan University
Yet another DeKalb County athlete has signed on to continue his sports career at the college level. Kaleb Spears, a DCHS senior, announced he will be moving on to Milligan University to join the Buffaloes and their track program.
March 2024
Spears was a stand-out athlete with the DeKalb/ Warren County High School cooperative track program. He set a school (Warren County) record last season, placing first overall at Franklin County High School’s Sub-Sectional meet, with a personal best time of 51.65 seconds. It was the third time Spears had broken the school’s record in the same season.
April 2024
Basketball awards banquet honors athletes
The DeKalb County High School basketball program held their annual awards banquet where it honored some of the outstanding players and cheerleaders for the 2023-24 season.
It was no surprise with seniors Conner Close and Ella VanVranken named the DCHS Tiger and Lady Tiger Most Valuable Players at the annual banquet, while senior cheerleader Elaina Turner recognized as the Most Valuable Cheerleader.
Other Tigers recognized during the event were Jordan Parker, who was named Best Ball Handler and Best Three Point Percentage Shooter; Ian Colwell as Best Sixth Man; Alex Antoniak as Best Defensive Player (Led Team in Deflections and Steals); and the Most Improved Player Seth Fuson.
Other Lady Tigers recognized during the event were Bella Rackley as Most Energetic; Allie Melton as Most Passionate Player; Chloe VanVranken as an All-District Honorable Mention and Best Defensive Player; Avery Agee earned the Sharpshooter Award; Tess Barton as the Most Improved Player and Sportsmanship Award; Cam Branin for the Best Hustle Award; and MaKayla Scales as Best Teammate.
Other cheerleaders recognized during the banquet were Landen Tubbs for Outstanding Jumps; Annabella Dakas for Outstanding Motions; Sara Moore as Team Favorite Cheerleader; Izzy Prichard for Most Coachable; and Madeline Martin for ROAR Award (Respectful, Outgoing, Accountable, Reliable).
May 2024
Tigers make it to championship game
The DeKalb County Tigers baseball team made an amazing rebound late in the season, going into district tournament play on fire and landing themselves in the championship game against rival Upperman. The late wins have also guaranteed a spot in region play.
CHAMPIONS!
The DeKalb County High School Tigerettes softball team managed to get into District Tournament action and come away victorious as District Champions. District games had been delayed due to severe weather in the area. The Tigerettes made quick work of Stone Memorial in the first round, then went on the defeat their season nemesis Upperman in the final two games.
On May 9, the Tigerettes were in Baxter where they took on the Lady Panthers in the first district tourney game. DeKalb would go up big in the second inning, and go on to dominate the game.
Spears qualifies for state
DCHS senior, Kaleb Spears, qualified for the TSSAA State Championship track and field meet. At the Section 2 qualifier meet held at East Hamilton High School, Spears broke his own school record in the 400-meter dash posting a blazing time of 50.13 seconds. His time earned him a third-place finish advancing him to States which will be held at MTSU’s Dean A. Hayes track and field stadium on Thursday, May 23.
Smithville pool back for season
The Smithville Municipal Swimming Pool is back in operation after major renovations and newly trained lifeguards. With the opening, the pool has some new hours and special days for local kids.
June 2024
DeKalb fishing team makes big showing at State
The DeKalb Fishing Team made an impressive showing at the two-day state championship held on Kentucky Lake. Among the standout performances, Braden Mangin displayed his angling prowess, securing a total of 2.97 pounds with one fish over the two-day event.
Tyler Dunn and Jaxon Humphrey’s combined efforts yielded a commendable total of 9.27 pounds, reeling in four fish during the championship. However, it was Mason Taylor and Wesley Kent who truly shone, amassing an impressive total of 28.57 pounds from ten fish, securing a notable 15th place in the competition. Their outstanding achievement was duly recognized, as they were awarded a scholarship check for their remarkable performance.
Denman wins 109th Tennessee Amateur
DeKalb County native Payne Denman, who serves as the assistant golf coach at Middle Tennessee State, won the 109th Tennessee Amateur at Tennessee National Golf Club in Loudon. Denman finished 18-under, with rounds of 70-68-64-68, winning by four shots.
