Regionals ... here we come
By Casey Midgett
Times Sports Editor
It was a night of history for the Lady Tigers last Thursday in the first round of the District 8-AA tournament held at Tennessee Tech. The fifth seeded Lady Tigers, who had not won a postseason game since 1993, defeated fourth seeded York Institute, 73-68. The game, which was the third match up of the two teams this season, proved to be a revenge game for DeKalb, as they had lost the previous two games by a combined total of thirty-one points. The win guarantees the Lady Tigers a birth into the Regional round of postseason play.
 The game was filled with excitement from beginning to end, as tensions were high for both sides because of the ability to advance in play with a win. The game was a dead heat for much of the first period, as both teams opened the game with a 7-7 run. York began to pull away with three and a half minutes left as they closed the period with an 11-3 run to end the first period of play with an eight point, 18-10, lead.
York expanded their lead to ten early in the second period before DeKalb's, Nikki Bass, began aggressively attacking the boards to pull DeKalb back within three, 22-19 with 4:19 left in the half. York would jump back out by as many as nine points again in the period, but an 18-7 run by DeKalb to close the period would give the Black and Gold a two point advantage, 37-35, going into halftime.
York would begin to answer in the third, tying the game at 42-42 with 4:33 left in the third. York would go on to outscore the Lady Tigers, 14-12 during the remainder of the period, but three big Kristina Stephens threes would keep DeKalb close going into the final period down by only two, 35-37.
The fourth period would be painted Black and Gold by the Lady Tigers, as DeKalb entered the period with intensity and enthusiasm and simply the belief that they could win, such as has not been exhibited by the team in many years past.
Fifteen seconds into the period, Alex Meadows connected on a three to give DeKalb a one point advantage. York would tie the game back up at 60-60 with 2:41 to play, but a huge foul on a good Kristina Stephens three gave DeKalb a four point advantage with just over two minutes left. York would tie the game again at sixty-four, but a Cynthia Woodward field goal seconds later would give DeKalb the lead for good. Good foul shooting and timely shots by Nikki Bass would seal the historic win for DeKalb, 73-68.
Kristina Stephens made her bid for tournament honors by leading the Lady Tigers in scoring with thirty-one. Cynthia Woodward followed with fifteen, Martha Webb added fourteen and Nikki Bass had double digit scoring with ten. Alex Meadows rounded out the Lady Tiger scoring attack with three.
The win gave the Lady Tigers the chance to play in the semi-final game against Cannon County the following night. On a night in which some of the Lady Tiger players were a bit under the weather, the number one seeded Cannon County Lionettes proved why they were the regular season district champions.
Cannon County exploded out of the gate, opening up a 9-1 lead with 5:48 to play in the first. Kristina Stephens again started the game hot from behind the three point arch as she connected on two consecutive threes to bring DeKalb back within two, 9-7, with 3:26 left in the period. Cannon County would take over from there, going on a 10-2 run to end the period with a 19-9 advantage.
Cannon County would build their lead to fourteen early in the second period before DeKalb would answer by putting together a 14-4 run to bring the Lady Tigers back within four, 23-27, with a minute and a half left in the half. Cannon County would close the half on a 7-0 run, though, to give the Lionettes an eleven point lead, 34-23, at the break.
The third period would be totally dominated by the Lionettes as they exploded for fifteen points, while only allowing DeKalb eight to give Cannon County a very comfortable twenty point lead, 31-51, at the end of three periods of play.
Cannon County looked like they might blow DeKalb out of the game early in the final period, as they expanded their lead to twenty-nine, 61-32, with 5:07 left. DeKalb proved its pride, though, as the Lady Tigers outscored Cannon County 14-7 throughout the remainder of the game, but still fell short of the Lionettes, 68-46.
Cynthia Woodward led DeKalb in scoring during the contest with thirteen. Kristina Stephens added nine, Martha Webb scored eight, Elicia Cantrell added six and Mercedes Luna had five while Alex Meadows scored three points in the game and Morgan Page contributed with two.
The loss to Cannon County meant that the Lady Tigers would play in the consolation game Saturday night against district powerhouse, Livingston Academy. Both teams struggled from the floor early, but Livingston Academy finally got in sync and came away with a twenty-one point win, 59-38.
The game was close early, as the Lady Tigers were able to keep LA from getting into any kind of real rhythm. DeKalb cut the LA lead to three, 7-4, with 4:45 left in the first period, but then saw the Lady Wildcats go on a 9-4 run to close the period out with a 16-8 advantage.
The second period proved disastrous for the Lady Tigers as Livingston Academy was able to totally dominate the scoreboard, outscoring DeKalb 10-3 in the period to make the halftime score, 26-11 in favor of the Lady Wildcats.
LA continued to pour it on in the second half as again, Livingston outscored the Lady Tigers 20-9 in the period to give the Lady Wildcats a dominating twenty-six point lead, 46-20, going into the final period.
Refusing to rotate any of her starters out until very late into the game, Livingston Academy Coach, Lesley Smith, looked to run DeKalb out of the building.
The plan didn't go as envisioned.
While DeKalb was not able to mount a furious comeback, the Lady Tigers did manage to chip away at the Livingston lead and, at one point in the fourth period, narrowed the LA lead to seventeen.
With very little time left in the game, Smith did substitute and her backups played surprisingly well, expanding the lead back out to twenty-one to close the game out with a 59-38 victory.
All-District Tournament player, Kristina Stephens, along with Mercedes Luna, led the way for the Lady Tigers in the game each with eleven points. Cynthia Woodward had seven, Morgan Page had four, Alex Meadows and Martha Webb each added two and senior, Elicia Cantrell hit a free throw in the game.
After the weekend's games, the Lady Tigers’ record improves to 16-14 overall for the year.
The Lady Tigers will begin the Region 4AA round of tournament action this Friday night, entering into the tournament as the fourth seed from District 8-AA and will play the first seed from District 7-AA. The District 7-AA championship game is tonight and features Grundy County and Chattanooga Christian. DeKalb will travel to the home court of the winner in this contest.
Lions end Tigers’ postseason hopes
By Casey Midgett
Times Sports Editor
The Tiger Basketball season came to an early end Thursday night in the opening round of the Class 8-AA district tournament when fourth seeded DeKalb lost to fifth seeded Cannon County, 73-63.
 Cannon County, led by Justin Davenport, vented some pent up aggression against the Tigers, beating them for the first time this season. "I thought we played a decent first half," said Tiger Coach Lynus Martin. "The foul line was the total story of the second half. Cannon County was 28-33 from the line in the game. That's just phenomenal."
The game started off normally for DeKalb, as they outscored the Lions 12-7 to open up the game. Cannon County responded with two big threes to take the lead back from the Tigers, 13-12 and then went on to hold off the Black and Gold for the rest of the period, ending the first stanza with a 15-14 lead.
DeKalb responded in the second period. DeKalb would open up a 26-18 lead behind a big Hunter Poteete three with 3:17 left in the half.
Cannon would rally from there, narrowing the Tiger lead to just one, 26-25 with just under two minutes to play. DeKalb would again answer with a Payne Denman three, a Seth Willoughby field goal to expand the Tiger lead back out to six. Cannon County would connect on a field goal late in the half, but Hunter Poteete was again true from behind the arch with 0:04 left to send the Tigers into the halftime locker room with a comfortable seven point advantage, 34-27.
Cannon County would begin its long battle back in the third period, outscoring DeKalb 10-4, to narrow the Tiger lead to one, 38-37, at the third period 5:00 mark. The Lions would spend the next four minutes on an 8-4 run to take the lead late, 45-42, but another three by Hunter Poteete with under a minute left tied the game at 45-45 at the end of the period.
Cannon County would take the lead for good with just over seven minutes left, 50-47 and would use the foul line to enact their revenge for the remainder of the period. Being a perfect 15-15 from behind the line in the fourth period alone, Justin Davenport led the Lions in the final stanza, outscoring the Tigers 28-18 in the period, to defeat DeKalb for the first time this season, 73-63.
Justin Davenport led all scores in the contest with thirty points, aided by an improbable 16-17 effort from behind the foul line. For DeKalb, four Tigers had double digit point totals, being led by senior, Hunter Poteete with sixteen. Sonni Young added fourteen and senior, Seth Willoughby added twelve, while senior, Zach Neal had ten. Two other seniors rounded out the Tiger scoring attack with Payne Denman adding six and Abram Edwards contributing with five.
With the loss, the Tigers end their 2009-10 campaign with a record of 16-12.
For seven Tiger players, Abram Edwards, Seth Willoughby, Travon Johnson, Hunter Poteete, Zach Neal, Payne Denman and Ethan Hale, this would be the last basketball game they would play as a Tiger. This group of seniors has done a lot in their high school career to earn the respect and admiration of the fans, coaches and the community around them. "It has been my honor to be around these kids all year," said Tiger Assistant Coach, Greg Medlin. "This group of seniors is some of the best group of people I have ever had the privilege to be around. I love every one of them just like family." Head Coach, Lynus Martin echoed these compliments. "This is probably the best group of kids I have ever had. I'm not talking about basketball, which is temporary. They're just the best group of people I have ever been around. That type of group may never come around again."
DCHS gets District honors
By Casey Midgett
Times Sports Editor
The DCHS basketball teams represented the school well last Tuesday when the All District 8-AA teams were chosen.
For the Tigers, Seth Willoughby was named the district's Most Improved Player while also being named to the First Team All-District team. Payne Denman was named to the Second Team All-District team and Sonni Young was named to the Third Team All-District team, the All-Freshman team and the All-Defensive Team. Hunter Poteete and Destry Wiggins received Honorable Mention votes.
For the Lady Tigers, Cynthia Woodward was named to the Second Team All-District team. Kristina Stephens and Martha Webb received Honorable Mention votes and Alex Meadows was named to the All-Defensive team.
The 2010 District 8-AA awards went to:
Girls MVP
Makenzie Sells, Livingston
Girls Coach Of The Year
Michael Dodgen, Cannon Co.
Girls Defensive Player of the Year
Alyson Roberts, Upperman
Girls Freshman of the Year
Ashley Wright, York Institute
Girls Most Improved Player
Taylor King, Cannon Co.
Girls First Team All-District
Kayla Biles, Upperman
Alyson Roberts, Upperman
Emily Sissom, Cannon Co.
Karissa Dyer, Upperman
Rachel Brown,York Institute
Girls Second Team All-District
Taylor King, Cannon Co.
Lauren Ruehlen, Cannon Co.
Shelby Taylor, Livingston
Cynthia Woodward,
DeKalb Co.
Ashley Wright, York Institute
Girls Third Team All-District
Mallory MaHaney, Livingston
Caroline Owen, Smith Co.
Ashley Campbell, Cannon Co.
Samantha Maya, Livingston
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continued from page 8
Kelly Jones, York Institute
Elizabeth Carter, Upperman
Girls Honorable Mention
Erica Melton, Cannon Co.
Lindsey Reed, Cannon Co.
Martha Webb, DeKalb Co.
Kristina Stephens,
DeKalb Co.
Abby Miller, Livington
Alyssa Thompson, Livington
Amber Welch, Livington
Taylor Randolph, Upperman
Girls All-Freshman Team
Abby Jakes, Cannon Co.
Sydney Staggs, Livingston
Katherine Carter, Upperman
Katelyn Butler, York Institute
Girls All-Defensive Team
Karissa Dyer, Upperman
Taylor Kin, Cannon Co.
Rachel Brown, York Institute
Mallory MaHaney, Livingston
Alex Meadows, DeKalb Co.
Boys MVP
T.J. Smith, Livingston
Boys Coach Of The Year
Richard Melton, Livingston
Boys Defensive Player of the Year
T.J. Smith, Livingston
Boys Freshman of the Year
Mason Ramsey, Livingston
Boys Most Improved Player
Seth Willoughby, DeKalb Co.
Boys First Team All-District
Justin Davenport, Cannon Co.
Tyrell Asberry, York Institute
Mitchell Simmons, Upperman
Seth Willoughby, DeKalb Co.
Mason Ramsey, Livingston
Boys Second Team All-District
Chris Nash, Upperman
Anthony Williams, York Inst.
Cody Stephens, York Inst.
Brad Jackson, Livingston
Payne Denman, DeKalb Co.
Boys Third Team All-District
Kailen Melton, Livingston
Ryan Allen, Smith Co.
Sonni Young, DeKalb Co.
Colin Jones, Cannon Co.
Jared Nave, Cannon Co.
Boys Honorable Mention
Hunter Poteete, DeKalb Co.
Destry Wiggins, DeKalb Co.
Cody Ruhlen, Cannon Co.
Jake Huitt, Livingston
Will Wilson, York Institute
Lance Maynard, York Institute
Daniel Taylor, Upperman
Boys All-Defensive Team
Tyrell Asberry, York Institute
Mitchell Simmons, Upperman
Sonni Young, DeKalb Co.
Jared Nave, Cannon Co.
Cody Ruhlen, Cannon Co.
Boys All-Freshman Team
Sonni Young, DeKalb Co.
Kailen Melton, Livingston
Brock McCoin, Livingston
Beau Carr, Smith Co.
Jordan Craighead, Smith Co.
Thank you Supermen
This week, I have had something on my mind that just wouldn't go away. I have had a topic on my mind lately that, well, has simply been compelling me to write about. I am going to step away from sports topics this week to pay honor to a group of local individuals that I believe, might possibly be the most underrated group of individuals that exist in our county.
This winter has been noteworthy, if not extraordinary. We have had more snow in a single winter season this year than we have had in the past ten plus years combined. While the weather has been beautiful at times, it has also caused many headaches. Many of us have been able to enjoy the snow and ice by getting out with our kids and building snowmen and having snowball fights and having the chance to dust the old sled off (which reminds me - local merchants, please plan on stocking more sleds next year!) We have all gotten the chance to make pounds of snow cream and really just gather with family and enjoy God's wondrous creation and magical beauty together in a way that we so rarely have the chance to do.
But for one group of our number, the winter has caused, basically, direct opposite effects.
If you have driven at all closely after any of our snow falls then, no doubt, you have noticed the conditions of our roads.
Driving around and crossing into other counties as much as I have lately, I couldn't keep from noticing the absolutely fantastic job our local TDOT employees have done keeping the State roads safe. How many of us that live on State roads, can readily recall laying in bed late at night and hearing the familiar roar of a salt truck passing the house. How many of us can testify, early on a morning after a great snow fall, looking outside and seeing another snow plow go by? Do these guys work all night long?
The answer, many times, is yes.
How many of us have noticed how much better our local TDOT employees have done in their jurisdiction this year, than TDOT in other counties around us? In many instances this winter, it would have been possible to draw a line at our county lines after the snow. It has truly been remarkable at just how diligent these employees have been at keeping our roads safe and as clean as humanly possible. This has been no small feat, as many times this winter, snow has fallen continuously all day long and all night long for more than one day at a time.
We have all heard the jokes that people tell about State employees. We have all laughed at them, me included. Well, let me be the first to apologize to all of our wonderful local TDOT employees. These folks work hard year round and get very little acknowledgment. These guys and girls are not public office seekers. These people have no hidden agenda, nor are they looking to impress anyone. They get paid no bonuses for keeping their section of the earth any better than those around them.
Instead, their work is dictated simply by their pride and because it is the right thing to do.
How many of us would willingly separate ourselves from our family for many hours and days at a time, to better the conditions of those around us. These people have families that they love and enjoy spending time with, every bit as much as any of us do. The wives, children and close relatives of these wonderful people are forced to witness their loved ones go out into weather conditions that are so treacherous, people are warned to stay home. Yet, they go anyway.
So to all of our local TDOT employees, I give you my humble thanks. You have made a new fan this year by your tireless work and dedication to those around you. We all, as a county, owe you much more respect than you receive, yet you continue to complete your job with utmost integrity.
You truly are our Supermen. |
