The DeKalb County High School Tigers basketball team fell early in the week on the road, but bounced back in a big way last Friday with a big win over a top team.
On Tuesday, January 24, the Tigers traveled to Sparta to face a tough Warriors team. DeKalb would fall behind big in the first half and never bounce back.
The Tigers put 10 points on the board in the first period, with a pair of two-point baskets by Alex Antoniak, and one each by Elishah Ramos, Conner Close, and Ean Jones. White County would come away with 17 points.
DeKalb scored 12 points in the second period, with Ramos sinking a pair of two-point shots and a free throw, while Stetson Agee added one two-pointer and a free throw. Zack Birmingham and Jones each had a two-point shot. The Warriors piled on 31 points and took the 48-22 lead at the half.
Ramos put up nine points for the Tigers in the third period, with three two-point baskets and three free throw points, while Close had a three-pointer and two-pointer. Agee added a two-point shot and a free throw, while Wheeler had a two-pointer of his own. White County poured it on with 29 more points and the 77-41 lead.
Kaleb Spears and Owen Snipes scored DeKalb’s only four points in the fourth period, both on two-point shots. White County ended the game with seven points, and the 84-45 win.
Ramos was the top scorer for DeKalb with 16 points, while Close had seven. Agee had six points, Antoniak and Jones each had four, while Birmingham, Wheeler, Spears, and Snipes each had two.
The following Friday, the team was back on their home court, this time taking on another top team in the Livingston Academy Wildcats. It would be a close game through the first half, then DeKalb would pull away.
The Tigers scored 19 points in the first period, with Robert Wheeler coming out on fire. Wheeler sank four two-point baskets, while Conner Close hit a two and three-pointer. Stetson Agee and Zack Birmingham each hit a three-point shot. The Hog-Eye were held to 14 points.
DeKalb put 11 points on the board in the second period, with Close sinking a two-point basket and a free throw, while Jon Hendrix came away with a three-point shot. Birmingham and Ean Jones each had a two-pointer, while Agee added a free throw. Livingston bounced back, scoring 16 and tying the game at halftime at 30.
The Tigers kept up the pressure in the third period, scoring 18 points. Close had a three-point basket, three two-pointers, and three free throws, while Wheeler came away with a two-point shot and a pair of free throws. Antoniak got on the board with a two-point basket. Livingston was held to just nine points, giving DeKalb the 48-39 lead.
The Tigers put 25 points on the board in the fourth period. Wheeler put up another three two-point shots, while Close added a pair of two-pointers and five free throw points. Agee had a two-point basket and four free throws, while Antoniak sank three free throws. Hendrix also added another free throw point. Livingston came on strong, scoring 22 points, but DeKalb would claim the 73-61 victory.
Close was the top Tiger in the game with 29 points. Wheeler came away with 18 points, while Agee had 10. Birmingham and Antoniak each had five points, Hendrix had four, and Jones had two.
After that game the Tigers were 11-11 on the season, 3-6 in the district. It was only the third loss of the year for the Wildcats who are 20-3 (6-2).
