The DeKalb County High School Tigers basketball team closed out the regular season last week, dropping a road game before falling at home against another tough district opponent.
On Tuesday, February 7, the boys’ were on the road to the far away land of Cumberland County, where they faced off with the Cumberland County Jets. The Tigers stayed within striking distance in the first half, but slowly the Jets would pull away.
DeKalb scored six points in the first period, with a pair of two-point baskets by Conner Close and a two-point shot by Elishah Ramos. The Jets were held to eight points.
The Tigers came away with 13 points in the second period. Ramos put up a pair of two-pointers and a couple of free throws, while Close had two-two-point baskets and one free throw point. Zack Birmingham got on the board with a two-pointer of his own. The Jets crept ahead with 16 points and the 24-19 halftime lead.
Birmingham sank a three-pointer for the Tigers in the third period, while Ramos added a two-point shot and a pair of free throws. Close had another two-point shot, while Robert Wheeler got on the board with a free throw. Cumberland continued to inch forward, scoring 12 and taking the 36-28 lead.
Conner Close broke loose in the fourth period, scoring four two-point baskets, a pair of three-pointers, and a free throw, while Wheeler had a two-pointer and a free throw. Ramos also added a two-point shot. The Jets were held to 20, but it was more than enough. Cumberland claimed the 56-49 win.
Close was the top Tiger with 26 points in the game. Ramos scored 14, Birmingham had five, and Wheeler had four.
The following Friday, the Tigers were back at home playing on the Coach Harold Luna Court in front of the hometown crowd as they faced off against the Upperman Bees. The boys’ would start the game well, but would slowly let it slip away.
The Tigers put 11 points on the board in the first period, with a pair of two-point shots by Robert Wheeler, a three-pointer by Jon Hendrix, a two-point shot by Elishah Ramos and a pair of free throws by Ean Jones. The Bees were held to just eight points.
Stetson Agee and Birmingham each had a couple of two-point baskets for the Tigers in the second period, while Close added a free throw. The Bees came out strong, scoring 20 points and taking the 28-20 lead at the half.
The Tigers came away with another nine points in the third period. Agee hit a three-point shot, while Close had a pair of two-pointers. Ramos also had a two-point basket. The Bees put 13 on the board, increasing their lead, 41-29.
DeKalb made it a game in the fourth period, scoring 19 points. Agee came away with a pair of three-pointers and four free throw points, while Ramos added a two-pointer and four free throws. Wheeler also had a two-point basket. Upperman was held to 14, but it would be enough for the 55-47 win.
Agee was top of the scoreboard for the Tigers with 17 points. Ramos had 10 points, Wheeler six, Close had five, Birmingham had four, Hendrix three, and Jones had two.
