VanVranken sinks bucket at the buzzer to give Lady Tigers Win in Watertown Tournament-Tigers Also Win

December 30, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Lady Tiger Ella VanVranken made a shot at the buzzer to give DeKalb County a 57 to 56 win over the Gallatin Green Wave in the AFLAC Shootout at Watertown Wednesday. The Tigers defeated the Community Vikings 52 to 49 in their Watertown tournament game.

Today (Thursday, December 30), the Lady Tigers (9-5) will wrap up tournament play against Pearl Cohn at 3 p.m. while the Tigers (7-5) will face Moore County at 4:30 p.m. at Watertown High School.

In the girls’ game Wednesday, DeKalb County led 18 to 13 after the 1st period and trailed 30 to 25 at halftime. Gallatin led 43 to 40 after the 3rd period but VanVranken sank the game winner at the buzzer for a 57 to 56 Lady Tiger victory.

Kadee Ferrell scored 28 followed by Ella VanVranken with 9, Avery Agee and Dare Collins each with 7, Madison Martin 4 and Ella Hendrixson with 2.

The Tigers led Community 11 to 8 after the 1st period but trailed 28 to 23 at halftime and 32 to 30 after the 3rd period before rallying to get the win 52 to 49

Stetson Agee and Conner Close each scored 11 followed by Elishah Ramos and Isaac Knowles each with 9, Zack Birmingham 5, Jordan Young 4, and Nathaniel Crook 3.

Tuesday, January 4 DeKalb County will return to regular season play hosting Livingston Academy starting with the girls’ game at 6 p.m. followed by the boys’ contest.

December 29, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The DeKalb County High School Lady Tigers scored a 59 to 53 overtime victory over the Community Vikings in the AFLAC Shootout at Watertown Tuesday night. The Tigers lost their tournament game to the Siegel Stars 50 to 39.

Today (Wednesday, December 29) the Lady Tigers (8-5) will take on the Gallatin Green Wave at 3 p.m. while the Tigers (7-5) will face the Community Vikings at 4:30 p.m. at the Watertown Middle School.

In the girls game Tuesday night, the Lady Tigers and Community were tied at 8 after the 1st period. DC trailed 22 to 18 at halftime and 34 to 31 after the 3rd period. The game was tied at 46 by the end of regulation but the Lady Tigers outscored Community in the overtime period and won 59 to 53.

Ella VanVranken scored 19 followed by Kadee Ferrell 13, Madison Martin 10, Avery Agee 7, Natalie Snipes and Ally Fuller each with 3 and Ella Hendrixson and Dare Collins each with 2.

The Tigers trailed Siegel 16 to 10 after the 1st period, 29 to 19 at halftime, and 37 to 28 after the 3rd period before losing 50 to 39.

Elishah Ramos scored 12 followed by Isaac Knowles scored 9, Robert Wheeler 8, Stetson Agee 6, and Nathaniel Crook and Jordan Parker each with 2.

December 29, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

For the 11th consecutive year in 2021, the DeKalb County High School Football program made an appearance in the TSSAA play-offs, and that feat ranks as among the top local sports stories of the year. But the state football play-off run, the 17th overall in school history, ended for the Tigers November 12 at Baxter with a 40 to 14 loss to the Bees in the second round.

The Tigers concluded the season at 7-5

DeKalb County, who finished in 3rd place in Class 4A Region 4 at 3-2, defeated Smith County 33-14, Cumberland County 35-10, Cannon County 49-7, Livingston Academy 45-15, Warren County 28-0, Stone Memorial 21-20, and East Hamilton 35-21. Their losses were to Macon County 32-29, Watertown 38-20, Upperman 24-14, Goodpasture 21-13, and Upperman 40-14.

The Tigers played their 600th football game in school history against Macon County in week three and notched their 250th all-time victory in week six against Cannon County. The 2022 season will mark 60 years of DCHS football.

The following are some of the other top local sports stories of 2021:

*Senior quarterback Axel Aldino was named Most Valuable Player of the 2020 DCHS Tiger Football Team during the annual Awards Banquet held Saturday night, January 23 at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center building. Meanwhile Talon Billings, a senior received the Most Valuable Player Football Cheerleader Award. The trophies were presented to Aldino and Billings respectively by Tiger Football Coach Steve Trapp and Cheer Coach Amanda Fuller. “In his four-year 40 game career as quarterback, MVP Aldino threw for 61 touchdowns and had 5,848 passing yards. He completed 369 passes out of 639 attempts with 22 interceptions and 43 sacks. Aldino had 472 carries running the ball for 2,024 yards and 24 touchdowns. A job well done,” said Coach Trapp. The season ended for the Tigers in the second round of the state playoffs in November 2020 at 7-5 although one of the losses was not on the field but a COVID-19 forfeit to Cumberland County. The 2020 Tigers made history by being the first DCHS football team to win a regular season region championship and the first to host back-to-back state playoff football games in Smithville.

*Another outstanding DCHS Lady Tiger basketball player became a member of the 1,000-point club in January. Needing only 14 points to reach the milestone entering the game at Cannon County Friday night, January 8 Junior Kadee Ferrell pumped in 27 for the game, which was half the points scored by the Lady Tigers in their 54-43 victory over the Lionettes. Ferrell was honored at halftime of the boys’ game against Sequatchie County in Smithville Saturday, January 16. Kadee was presented a 1,000-point game ball and a plaque by Kathy Pugh. Roy and Kathy Pugh had been gracious supporters of DeKalb County basketball for many years and because of their dedication the 1,000-point game ball was named on their behalf. Roy passed away in December,2020. In addition to Kathy Pugh, Kadee was joined during the recognition by her parents, Anthony and Trena Ferrell, fellow players, and Coach Danny Fish.

* Two outstanding DCHS football players announced intentions in February to further their careers after high school on the collegiate level. Quarterback Axel Aldino signed with the University of Central Missouri at Warrensburg, Missouri to play quarterback and major in business marketing while Tyzaun Ladet was to play at outside linebacker for Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee. Aldino was the 2020 team’s Most Valuable Player as well as the Region MVP and 1st Team All-Region. He was also a semi-finalist for the 2020 TSSAA Class 4A Tennessee Titans Mr. Football honor. Tyzaun Ladet was sidelined for the 2020 football season after suffering a broken leg in a California car crash in July 2020 that killed his mother and injured three of his siblings. In his junior year, Ladet was named the team’s Receiver of the Year and 1st Team All-Region. He caught the winning touchdown pass in the state play-off game against Marshall County that sent the Tigers to the quarterfinals.

*Eight DCHS basketball players received All-District honors in February for the 2020-21 season. Evans Jones of the Tiger basketball team was named to the 2nd Team All-District while Brayden Antoniak made the All-District Defensive Team. Jordan Young and Elishah Ramos earned Honorable Mention. Kadee Ferrell of the Lady Tigers made the 1st Team All-District and the All-District Defensive Team. Ella VanVranken was named the District’s Freshman of the Year and she made the 3rd Team All-District. Cadee Griffith was named to the District’s All-Freshman Team while Megan Cantrell and Watertown’s Brittni Allison shared the honor of being the District’s Most Improved Players of the Year.

*Desmond Nokes had been one of the brightest stars on the DCHS Tiger football team over the previous four years. Now he has advanced to the college ranks where he hopes to shine just as brightly as an athlete. Family and friends joined Nokes Wednesday, March 3 at DCHS where the senior signed a letter of intent to play for the UT Martin Skyhawks. Nokes, who left his mark at DCHS as a gifted football player on offense, defense, and as a kick returner, said he was anxious to further his skills at the college level. Nokes’ talents on the field contributed to many Tiger victories over the previous three years including the game winning touchdown pass reception over Macon County in October,2020 to earn the Tiger program its first ever regular season region football championship in school history.

*Carly Vance, a senior and Class of 2021 Valedictorian at DCHS and a star Lady Tiger soccer player signed a letter of intent with Freed-Hardeman University in April to play collegiate soccer for the Lady Lions. Joining Vance for the signing were members of her family, coaches, and fellow players. “I am very excited. I have been looking forward to this opportunity for a long time. I have always wanted to play college soccer and I am very grateful for this opportunity. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me at Freed-Hardeman and I can’t wait to grow as a player,” said Vance. During her high school years, Carly anchored the Lady Tiger Soccer Team as a defensive midfielder.

*Talented DeKalb County High School basketball player Kennedy Agee signed a letter of intent in April to play for the Lady Knights of Kentucky Christian University. She shared that special moment with her family, coaches, and teammates. “I am excited. This is a lifelong dream I have been waiting for but after tearing an ACL three times I never thought it was possible. (KCU) Coach (Lisa) Conn never gave up on me. She kept her eyes on me when I was injured and she is making my dreams come true,” said Agee. Almost three years ago, Agee had her first ACL injury on the left side in the 4th period of a game against Warren County. She worked her way back in seven months instead of the nine doctors expected, but when she returned for a scrimmage game on October 30, 2019, the ACL on her left knee gave out again but after rehealing the unthinkable happened once more. While playing in a travel ball tournament in Alabama on August 16, 2020, Agee hurt one of the major ligaments in her right knee. Still, she never even thought of quitting.

*The DCHS Tigers were denied a trip to the state baseball tournament losing at Signal Mountain 3 to 1 in the sub-state in May. The Tigers concluded the season at 16-13-1. The game remained scoreless until the third inning when each team scored a run. Signal Mountain broke the tie with two runs in the fifth inning and went on to win 3 to 1.

*Four members of the DCHS Tigerette Fast Pitch Softball Team earned All-District Awards. Morgan Walker, Aniston Farler, and Jacey Hatfield have been named to the All-District Team and Hatfield made the All-District Tournament Team. Bri Murphy was selected to the All-District Freshmen Team. The Tigerettes were eliminated from the District Tournament in May and finished the season at 13-13.

*The historic season for the DCHS Tiger Soccer team ended in May. The Tigers were defeated 2 to 0 in the sub-state at Chattanooga Red Bank. The season for the Tigers, who finished 9-9 overall, was historic in that it was the program’s first ever appearance in the sub-state after making history as the first Tiger Soccer boys’ team to win a Region Tournament game. The Tigers beat Loudon 2 to 0 in the Region Tournament Semi-Finals before losing to Cumberland County 9 to 0 in the Regional Tournament Championship game. But winning the Semi-Finals match qualified the Tigers to advance to the Sub-State even without winning the Region Tournament title.

*In September DCHS freshman golfer Alison Poss competed in the Region 4 Large School Tournament at Country Hills Golf Course in Hendersonville. Poss, who finished 3rd in the District Tournament, shot an 88 to finish 10th out of 24. This concluded a stellar freshman campaign for Poss who was named 1st Team All District 7.

*The DeKalb County High School Cross Country Boys team made history in October at Henry Horton State Park in Chapel Hill, Tennessee. DeKalb County High School first formed a cross country team in 2013. Over the course of the eight years, DeKalb has had some exceptional runners individually qualify for state, like Mya Ruch in 2016, but the program has never had a team qualify for state. That is until 2021 DeKalb County captured its first ever berth to state with a fourth-place finish in the TSSAA Region 4A/AA Men’s Race against 23 other high school teams. The rigorous 3.1-mile course featuring hills, asphalt, and off road paths was the challenge for 116 athletes all vying for the same limited spots to the state meet and the title of regional champion. Aaron Gottlied led the Tigers finishing 10th with a time of 17:55. Cooper Brown had a 23rd place finish with a time of 19:09 followed by Ian Colwell (28th, 19:21), Caleb Gay (35th, 19:58) Andrew Tramel (40th, 20:16), Kaleb Spears (49th, 20:36), and Cale Brown (79th, 22:36). Blake Yuenger of Central Magnet High School (Murfreesboro) won the regional championship with a time of 16:19. Ella VanVranken also earned a berth to state, taking second place behind Samantha Ouellette (Central Magnet, 18:38) with a time of 18: 51. The DeKalb County girls’ team was unable to clinch a berth finishing 7th in the field of 14 teams. Running for the Tigers was VanVranken (2nd, 18:51), Mylie Phillips (34th, 23:47), Madeline Martin (51st, 25:18), Emily Young (61st, 25:49), and Cadee Griffith (74th, 27:12).

*The Board of Education in November honored DCHS Tiger and Lady Tiger Soccer Coach Dylan Kleparek by naming the new high school soccer field for him. It will now be known as the “Dylan Kleparek Coach K Soccer Field”. Fourth district member Kate Miller made the motion during the regular monthly meeting of the School Board. Sixth district member Jason Miller offered a second to the motion and it was adopted unanimously. Coach K, as he is affectionately known, helped start the high school soccer program several years ago and has been its only head coach for both boys and girls’ teams since.

*Ten DCHS Football players earned 2021 All-Region honors including Tiger Senior Isaac Knowles who was named the Offensive Most Valuable Player in Region 4, Class 4A. Knowles was joined by Isaiah Harrington, the region’s Most Outstanding Linebacker; Colby Barnes-Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman; and Diego Coronado-Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman. All Region 1st Team from DeKalb County: Tyler Estes, Brady Hale, Silas Cross, and Wil Farris. All Region 2nd Team from DeKalb County: Ean Jones and Shadie Rankhorn. The State Football Play-Off run ended for the DeKalb County Tigers November 12 at Baxter with a 40 to 14 loss to the Bees in the second round. The Tigers concluded the season at 7-5.

*One of DeKalb County High School’s most outstanding Lady Tiger basketball players will soon be trading her black and gold school colors for red, white, and gold. Kadee Ferrell, a senior and member of the 1,000-point club, signed a letter of intent in November with Bryan College in Dayton, Tennessee to play for the Lady Lions next season. Joining Kadee at the signing were her parent’s Anthony and Trena Ferrell, other family members, as well as fellow players and coaches. “Out of all the schools I had been to I really liked Bryan the best because it is a small Christian school and the players and coaches there really made me feel welcome. I just had a connection with all the people there and felt like that was the place for me,” said Ferrell. Her field of study there will be in the Physical Therapy Program.

*Two DeKalb County High School Basketball legends were honored in December during the 1st ever DCHS Basketball Alumni Homecoming Week. The observance for 1970’s Tiger star Rickey Usrey and the late 1959 Lady Tiger sensation Helen Lee was held as DCHS hosted Stone Memorial. The names of Usrey and Lee are being placed on a “Wall of Fame” created at the school as a way of paying tribute to DCHS basketball standouts over the school’s 60 plus year history in the sport. Alumni Homecoming Week is commemorated in much the same way as Homecoming Week in Football except it celebrates basketball with daily activities, pep rallies, a school dance, and other events leading up to the Friday night basketball games that week and the crowning of the DCHS Baron and Baroness along with the naming of two past basketball stars on the “Wall of Fame”. DCHS Lady Tiger Senior Basketball star Kadee Ferrell and Tiger Senior Manager Aiden Whitman were crowned the school’s first ever “Baron” and Baroness” culminating a weeklong inaugural Alumni Homecoming observance. The presentations were made as DCHS hosted Stone Memorial.

*The New York Yankees made two selections in December’s Minor League Rule 5 Draft, taking right-hander and former DeKalb County High School pitcher Steven Jennings from the Pirates’ High-A roster in the first round. Jennings, 23, owns a career 19-19 record with one save and a 4.75 ERA in 79 games (51 starts) over four Minor League seasons (2017-19, ’21). The Brush Creek, Tenn., native combined to go 9-1 with one save, a 4.99 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 74 innings over 29 appearances (one start) this past season for Low-A Bradenton, High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona. Pittsburgh originally selected Jennings in the second round (42nd overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft.

*Patrick Cantrell, a senior and ace pitcher for the DCHS Tiger baseball team signed a letter of intent with Freed-Hardeman University in December to play collegiate ball for the Lions after he graduates. Joining Cantrell at the signing were members of his family, coach, and teammates. Last year, Cantrell was 9-1 on the mound and helped lead the Tigers to the Class AA Sectional where they lost to Signal Mountain 3-1 on May 21. The Tigers finished the year 16-13-1 with an 8-2 district mark.

*Eli Cross is an All-American! The former DCHS football standout and three of his teammates at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky were selected in December to the Associated Press NAIA All-America Football team. Cross and Robert Carter each earned first-team honors while Cameron Dukes and Joe Gressette received second-team accolades. Cross and Gressette were recognized as offensive lineman while Carter was mentioned as a defensive back and Dukes as a quarterback. Cross, a three year All Mid-South Conference player, is a starting left tackle on the offensive line for the Blue Raiders of Lindsey Wilson. Cross was named twice this calendar year by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) to the Academic All-America NAIA Football First Team and in October Cross was crowned Homecoming King. Lindsey Wilson won its first ever NAIA National Championship with a 45 to 13 thumping of Northwestern (Iowa) at Grambling State University in Louisiana in the title game on Monday night, May 10 completing an undefeated spring football season at 11-0 including the Mid-South Conference Championship. This fall the #1 ranked Blue Raiders set out on a quest to repeat as NAIA National Champions in the same calendar year but their dreams were dashed on December 4 as they lost to #3 Grand View (Iowa) 34-28 in the NAIA FCS Semifinal. The loss was the Blue Raiders (12-1) first in 727 days, last falling 34-24 to Marian (Ind.) in the NAIA FCS Semifinals on Dec. 7, 2019. In the 2021 calendar year, the Blue Raiders were 23-1. Undefeated Morningside went on to beat Grand View 38-28 for the NAIA Title on December 18.

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