Close, VanVranken, and Gassaway Capture DCHS Basketball’s Highest Program Awards

April 23, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Junior Conner Close was named the DCHS Tiger basketball Most Valuable Player Saturday night at the annual team banquet, while Junior Ella VanVranken received the Lady Tiger MVP honor. Senior Katherine Gassaway is the Most Valuable Cheerleader. The awards were sponsored by Love-Cantrell Funeral Home and presented by Chad and Shelia Kirby. The MVP and MVC awards are named in memory of Kirby’s grandfather Allen D. Hooper.

For Close, it’s back-to-back MVP titles as he won the team’s highest award for the 2021-22 season as well. In addition to being named MVP, Close earned awards for being the team’s Best Offensive Player and he was selected to the 1st Team All-District 7AAA. Close also made the DTC All-Star Team.

Along with having earned the MVP honor, VanVranken, a member of the 1,000-point club at DCHS, was recognized for having been named to the 2nd Team All-District 7AAA as well as the District’s All-Defensive Team and she made the DTC All-Star Team.

State Representative Michael Hale presented to VanVranken a resolution adopted by the Tennessee General Assembly honoring her for having scored more than 1,000 points for her career. Ella scored her 1,000th career point on December 21,2022 in a holiday tournament between the Lady Tigers and Ezell Harding at Wilson County High School in Lebanon leading the team in scoring with 26 points that day in a 56 to 51 victory for DeKalb County.

The season for the Tigers ended in February with a loss to White County in the District 7AAA Tournament. The Tigers, under first year coach Joey Agee, finished with an overall record of 12-15. Coach Brandy Alley’s first year Lady Tigers wrapped up their season at 14-15 after losing to White County in the district tournament in February.

Other Lady Tiger basketball awards were as follows:

MVP (Love Cantrell Funeral Home Allen D. Hooper Memorial Award): Ella VanVranken. She was also named to the 2nd Team All-District 7AAA as well as the District’s All-Defensive Team and DTC All Star Team

Leadership Award: Madison Martin

Most Improved: Darrah Ramsey

Best Defensive Player: Chloe VanVranken. She was also named to the District 7AAA All-Freshman Team

Hustle Award: Cam Branin

Sharp Shooter: Avery Agee. She also made the DTC All Star Team

Best Teammate: Tess Barton

For the Tigers,
MVP (Love Cantrell Funeral Home Allen D. Hooper Memorial Award) and Best Offensive Player: Conner Close. He was also named to the 1st Team All-District 7 AAA and DTC All Star Team

Defensive Player and Best Sixth Man: Alex Antoniak. He also made the District 7AAA All-Defensive Team

Best Ball Handler: Elishah Ramos. He also received All District Honorable Mention

Team Leader: Stetson Agee

District 7AAA All-Freshman Team: Jon Hendrix

Best Rebounder: Robert Wheeler. He also made the 3rd Team All District 7AAA and DTC All Star Team

Most Improved: Zack Birmingham

Best Sixth Man: Ean Jones

Other individual cheerleading awards included:

MVC (Love Cantrell Funeral Home Allen D. Hooper Memorial Award) : Katherine Gassaway

Most Coachable: Averie McMinn

Outstanding Jumps: Yvette Chivers

R.O.A.R. Award (Respectful, Outstanding, Accountable, and Reliable): Katie Patterson

Outstanding Motions: Annabella Dakas

Team Favorite: Hannah Lohorn

April 23, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

DCHS Junior Basketball Star Ella VanVranken received a special honor during Saturday night’s team awards banquet at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center.

VanVranken, the 2022-23 Love-Cantrell Funeral Home Allen D. Hooper Memorial Most Valuable Player on the Lady Tiger team and latest member of the DCHS Basketball 1,000-point club, was presented a resolution by State Representative Michael Hale recently adopted by the Tennessee General Assembly and signed by the Governor honoring her for having scored more than 1,000 points for her career.

Ella scored her 1,000th career point on December 21,2022 in a holiday tournament between the Lady Tigers and Ezell Harding at Wilson County High School in Lebanon leading the team in scoring with 26 points that day in a 56 to 51 victory for DeKalb County.

In making the presentation, State Representative Hale read from the resolution as follows:

“A RESOLUTION to honor and congratulate Ella VanVranken of DeKalb County High School on scoring her 1,000th point in varsity basketball.

WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this General Assembly should recognize those incredibly successful student athletes who have attained significant milestones in their careers; and

WHEREAS, junior Ella VanVranken of DeKalb County High School recently scored her 1,000th career point, reaching that incredible milestone in just three seasons, something that most players can only dream of attaining in four years; and

WHEREAS, the daughter of Zach and Kristen VanVranken, Ella has already enjoyed a storied basketball career at DeKalb County High School, winning Freshman of the Year and All District 3rd Team honors her freshman year and All District 2nd Team honors, the DTC Award, and Offensive MVP after her sophomore campaign; and

WHEREAS, during her freshman season, she recorded 367 points, 123 rebounds, 33 assists, and 60 steals and tallied 427 points, 158 rebounds, 67 assists, and 70 steals during her sophomore season; and

WHEREAS, a player who leads by example, Ms. VanVranken joined the 1,000 point club on December 21, 2022, against Ezell-Harding, scoring 26 points; she has already accumulated 346 points, 67 rebounds, 47 assists, and 34 steals so far this season; and

WHEREAS, Ella VanVranken has now claimed her rightful place among the most elite basketball players in DeKalb County High School history; and

WHEREAS, Ms. VanVranken exemplifies the spirit, determination, and perseverance for which Tennesseans are notable, and she is richly deserving of our approbation on this special occasion; now,

Therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, THE SENATE CONCURRING, that we honor and congratulate Ella VanVranken of DeKalb County High School on scoring her 1,000th point in varsity basketball and wish her all the best in her future endeavors, both on and off the court”.

April 22, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County High School Class of 2023 Valedictorian Robert Wheeler and Salutatorian Amelia Atnip have been recognized by the Tennessee General Assembly in a resolution introduced by State Representative Michael Hale. The DCHS Graduation will be Friday, May 12 at 7 p.m.

The Resolution honoring and recognizing Valedictorian Wheeler states as follows:

“WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this legislative body should pause to pay tribute to those students who, through their natural talents and unflagging commitment to academic excellence, have distinguished themselves in the classroom; and

WHEREAS, Robert S. Wheeler is one such exceptional student, who was recently named Valedictorian of the 2023 graduating class at DeKalb County High School; and

WHEREAS, through diligent study, steady composure during examinations, and steadfast commitment of time and talent, Mr. Wheeler has achieved outstanding academic success and joined the ranks of the best and brightest students in Tennessee and our country; and

WHEREAS, in his remarkable high school career, Mr. Wheeler has earned an exemplary grade point average while participating in numerous extracurricular activities, including Beta Club, FBLA, basketball, and the ACT 29+ Club; and

WHEREAS, his display of intellectual aptitude and ambition surely bodes well for his future success as he pursues his goal of becoming a physician; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Wheeler’s noteworthy achievement is a tremendous source of pride for his mother, Kim Wheeler, his school, and his community; Robert’s father, the late Scott Wheeler, would be deeply proud of his son as well if he were with us today; and

WHEREAS, Robert Wheeler’s dedication to excellence is clearly deserving of the respect, admiration, and commendation of the members of this legislative body; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, that we commend and honor the 2023 DeKalb County High School Valedictorian, Robert S. Wheeler, on his impressive academic achievement and extend to him our best wishes for a happy, successful future”.

The Resolution honoring and recognizing Salutatorian Atnip states as follows:

“WHEREAS, it is fitting that the members of this legislative body should pause to pay tribute to those students who, through their natural talents and unflagging commitment to academic excellence, have distinguished themselves in the classroom; and

WHEREAS, Amelia Atnip is one such exceptional student, who was recently named Salutatorian of the 2023 graduating class at DeKalb County High School; and

WHEREAS, through diligent study, steady composure during examinations, and steadfast commitment of time and talent, Ms. Atnip has achieved outstanding academic success and joined the ranks of the best and brightest students in Tennessee and our country; and

WHEREAS, in her remarkable high school career, Amelia Atnip has maintained an impressive grade point average while participating in numerous extracurricular activities, including cheerleading, FBLA, Service Society, Science Club, Literature Club, Spanish Club, and ACT 21+ Club; and

WHEREAS, her display of intellectual aptitude and ambition surely bodes well for her future success as a student at Middle Tennessee State University; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Atnip’s noteworthy achievement is a tremendous source of pride for her parents, Jessica and Chris Higgins and Jason and Karen Atnip, her school, and her community; and

WHEREAS, Amelia Atnip’s dedication to excellence is clearly deserving of the respect, admiration, and commendation of the members of this legislative body; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRTEENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE, that we hereby commend and honor the 2023 DeKalb County High School Salutatorian, Amelia Atnip, on her impressive academic achievement and extend to her our best wishes for a happy, successful future”.

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