The DeKalb County High School Tigers basketball team were at home all week last week, playing some exciting games in front of the hometown fans. While there are still no cheerleaders at the games, and attendance is still limited to immediate family, a good crowd was on hand to root for the team.
On Tuesday, January 19, the Tigers faced off against the Smith County Owls in a game that would see the lead switch several times. It all came down to the fourth quarter.
The Tigers took the early lead with 17 points in the first quarter. Jordan Young came away with a three-point shot and a two-pointer, while Evan Jones laid in a couple of two-point baskets. Elishah Ramos, Luke Jenkins, and Conner Close each had a two-point basket. The Owls were held to 13 points.
DeKalb scored nine points in the second quarter, with Jenkins getting a two and three-point shot, while Close and Brayden Antoniak each had a two-pointer. Smith County came to life scoring 22 points. They held a 35-26 lead at the half.
The Tigers found new life in the third quarter, cutting into Smith County's lead. DeKalb scored 19 points with Young sinking two three-point baskets and a two-pointer, while Stetson Agee had a two and three-point shot of his own. Jones added a couple of two-point shots and a pair of free throws, while Close had a couple of free throw points. The Owls were held to 12 points, with Smith County holding a narrow 47-45 lead.
It all came down to the fourth quarter and the Tigers began where they had left off. DeKalb scored 22 points, with Jenkins getting a three-pointer and a pair of free throws, while Close had three two-pointers. Young had a two-pointer and three free throw points, while Jones had a couple of two-pointers. Antoniak also had a two-point shot. Smith was held to 15 points, giving the Tigers the 67-62 victory.
The following Friday, the Tigers were again on their home court, this time taking on a tough opponent in the York Institute Dragons. DeKalb would keep the game close, but York would slowly pull away.
Jordan Young scored five of the Tigers' nine points in the first quarter. He had a two and three-point basket, while Antoniak and Jones each had a two-pointer. The Dragons put 13 points on the scoreboard, giving them the early lead.
Jones had three two-point baskets for the Tigers in the second quarter, while Ramos, Jenkins, and Agee each had a two-point shot. Antoniak had a free throw point. York was held to 15 points, but they kept a 28-25 lead at the half.
The Tigers scored 14 points in the third quarter, with Jones getting three two-pointers and a free throw, while Antoniak had a pair of two-point shots. Young also sank a three-point basket. The Dragons came away with 20 points, stretching their lead, 48-39.
DeKalb put 17 points on the board in the fourth quarter, with Ramos getting a two-pointer, a three-pointer, and a free throw, while Antoniak had a couple of two-point baskets and a free throw. Jenkins had a three-pointer and a pair of free throws, while Agee had one point off of a free throw. Despite their efforts, York scored 14 points, giving them the 62-56 win.
