December 13, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
DCHS senior basketball standout Conner Close entered Tuesday night’s game against Smith County in Smithville “close” to reaching a milestone.
Needing only five points to gain entry to the prestigious DCHS 1,000-point club, Close wasted no time. After just under three minutes into the game, Close had done it scoring the first 5 points of the contest giving his team an early lead and etching his name forever in the annals of Tiger basketball history.
The game was stopped momentarily with 5:42 left in the 1st period to mark the accomplishment. Coach Joey Agee presented Close a 1,000th point game ball as fellow players, family, friends, and fans gave Close a standing ovation of applause and cheers. Close finished the night with 15 points and a total of 1,010 for his high school career as the Tigers defeated the Owls 66 to 56. The night was even more memorable as the Lady Tigers evened the score with the Owlettes winning 50 to 48 after losing to them only a week ago at Carthage 67-44.
In the boys game, the Tigers trailed 16 to 14 after the 1st period and 26 to 23 by halftime. The Tigers jumped out front 47 to 34 after the 3rd period and went onto win 66 to 56.
Jordan Parker led the Tigers in scoring with 23 followed by Conner Close with 15, Dallas Kirby 14, Alex Antoniak 8, Jon Hendrix 4, and Seth Fuson 2.
Last week the Tigers beat the Owls 59 to 49 at Carthage.
The girls game was tied at 13 by the end of the 1st period, 19 to 19 at halftime and 33 all at the end of the 3rd period. In the 4th quarter, the Lady Tigers outscored the Owlettes 17 to 15 and won 50 to 48.
Chloe VanVranken scored 16 followed by Ella VanVranken 15, Allie Melton 13, and Tess Barton with 6.
Both the Tigers and Lady Tigers improve to 5-4 and will travel to Cannon County Friday night, December 15. Action begins with the girls game at 6 p.m. followed by the boys contest and WJLE will broadcast both LIVE.
In the earlier meeting on November 28 in Smithville, the Tigers beat the Lions 54 to 52 to start their now five game winning streak but the Lady Tigers lost 53 to 46.