The DCHS Tigers took the floor against the Cheatham County Cubs in their first game of the Watertown Christmas Tournament last Tuesday afternoon and were edged out 61-56.
The Cubs took an early lead, outscoring DeKalb in the first period 18-11.
The DeKalb boys came back in the second period to take a 34-32 lead.
The third period was a shoot-out, with both teams scoring 14 points.
 The period ended with DeKalb trailing Cheatham 48-46.
The Cubs proved to be too much for the Tigers in the fourth period, slipping by  with a final score of 61-56.
Stephen Howell led the team with 23 points.
Sonni Young dropped 17 of his own, while Braxton Atnip and Braxton Howell each had 10.
Eli Lomas added two to the books.
The Tigers’ loss lined them up to play  the Montery Wildcats the following afternoon.
In this match-up the Tigers came out strong in the first quarter, with Stephen Howell dropping two three-point baskets in the opening minutes.
DeKalb played a strong first period, finishing the first quarter with a 14-6 lead over Monterey.
The Tigers kept the momentum going through the second quarter as well, outscoring the Wildcats 19-10, which took the Tigers into the half with a 33-16 lead.
The third quarter proved to be more difficult for the Tigers, as the Wildcats outscored the DeKalb team 16-8, bringing the third quarter to an end with Monterey closing in and cutting the Tigers lead to nine points with a score of 41-32.
As the fourth period progressed, the Tigers were plagued with turnovers and missed oppourtunities.
The Wildcats capitalized on the Tigers mistakes once again, outscoring DeKalb 17-6 in the fourth.
As the final seconds ticked off the clock, DeKalb had a two-point lead with the score at 49-47.
Monterey drove the ball drove down the court for a game-tying basket, ending regulation to force overtime.
Overtime  excitement filled the gymnasium as both teams and fans at the tournament were at the edge of their seats as the clock ticked.
The game turned into a “shoot-out” as each team had an answered back with a basket of their own to keep the score dead even.
With one minute left in extra time, DeKalb once again had a two-point lead.
The Wildcats pressed on and fought back to keep their tournament chances alive as they pushed their way down court once again.
With 20 seconds remaining the Wildcats dropped in another game-tying basket.
DeKalb had just one more chance with time winding down in the last 15 seconds of the game.
The Tigers pressed down the court and put the ball in Sonni Young’s hands for a last-chance desperation shot.
Young nailed the game winner just before the buzzer to clinch the DeKalb victory.
The Tigers leading scorer Sonni Young laid in 21 points.
Behind Young was Stephen Howell with 14 of his own.
Braxton Atnip also tossed in eight  points, and Braxton Howell dropped seven in.
Zach Vincent scored five and Eli Lomas had three, while Ethan Roller and Lucas Phillips each bagged one each.
The Tigers ended play in Watertown on Thursday evening with a win against the Davidson Academy Bears and a fifth-place finish in the tournament.
The Bears held on to stay within two points of DeKalb in the first quarter, ending the period with nine points while the Tigers managed 11.
The Tigers came out on fire in the second period, holding the Bears to two points.
 The Tigers dropped in 19,ending the quarter with the Tigers leading 30-11.
In the third period the Bears found their rhythm, outscoring DeKalb 16-15.
The third quarter ended with DeKalb still maintaining a 45-27 lead.
The Tigers never looked back in the final period, again outscoring the Bears 16-6.
The Tigers walked away with a 28-point victory over Bears and a final score of 61-33.
The Tigers were led in scoring by Sonni Young with 19 points in the game.
Right behind Young was Stephen Howell and Zach Vincent, who both dropped in 11.
Braxton Atnip scored eight points, while Eli Lomas landed five.
Ethan Roller and Lucas Phillips each tossed in two and Will Molander scored one.
 Tiger  Sonni Young was named to the All-Tournament Team averaging 19 points a game.
The Tiger’s next game will be in Upperman on Jan. 6 at 6 p.m.