Both the Tigers and the Lady Tigers’ seasons came to an end last week after each team fell in the first round of the District 7-3A basketball tournament. The girls would keep things close until the final period, while the boys fell behind early and never recovered.
On Tuesday, February 15, the Lady Tigers traveled to Baxter where they took on the Upperman Lady Bees in the first round of post-season play. The game would remain close throughout.
The Lady Tigers scored eight points in the first period with Kadee Ferrell sinking a two-pointer and a free throw, while Avery Agee hit a three-point basket. Xharia Lyons got on the board with a two-point shot of her own. Upperman stayed right with them, scoring nine points and taking the early lead.
Ella Van Vranken and Agee each sank a three-point basket for the Lady Tigers in the second period, while Ferrell added a two-pointer and Lyons a free throw. The Lady Bees upped their play, scoring 14 points and going up 23-17 at the half.
DeKalb came roaring back in the third period, with Van Vranken hitting a pair of three-pointers and a two-point basket. Ferrell also added another two-point shot. Upperman was held to only five points, with the Lady Tigers tying the score at 27.
It would come down to the fourth period, with Ferrell scoring on a pair of two-point shots, while Agee added a two-pointer herself. Ferrell would end up fouling out in the final seconds of the game, ending her DeKalb Tiger Basketball career. Upperman would come away with 14 points, claiming the 41-33 win.
Ferrell and van Vranken tied for the most points in the game for the Lady Tigers, each with 11. Agee would come away with eight, while Lyons scored three.
The Tigers game would not be as dramatic, with the boys falling behind early. On Wednesday, February 16, the Tigers traveled to the far away land of Crossville where they would take on the Cumberland County Jets. DeKalb took several shots in the game but just could not find the hoops.
Elishah Ramos scored three points off of free throws for the Tigers in the first period, while Conner Close got on the board with a two-point basket. The Jets seemed as though they couldn’t miss, putting 13 points on the board and taking a lead DeKalb would never be able to overcome.
It was all Close for the Tigers in the second period. He scored all 10 points for DeKalb with a pair of three-point baskets, a two-pointer, and a couple of free throws. The Jets continued to pull away, scoring 18 points and taking a 31-15 halftime lead.
The Tigers scored 11 points in the third period, with Ramos sinking three two-point shots, while Close added a two-pointer and a free throw. Brayden Antoniak got on the board with a two-pointer of his own. The Jets just couldn't be stopped, scoring 23 points and taking a 54-26 lead.
Nathaniel Crook got on the board for the Tigers in the fourth period, scoring on a two-pointer and a couple of free throws. Close added a pair of two-point shots, while Jordan Young hit a three-pointer. Ramos also had a two-point basket. The Jets were held to 13 points, giving Cumberland County the 67-39 victory.
Close was the top scorer for the Tigers with 19 points, while Ramos came away with 11. Crook had four points, Young had three, and Antoniak had two points.
The Tigers’ season ended at 13-14, while the Lady Tigers concluded their season at 15-14.
