December 31, 2024
By: Dwayne Page
The top local sports story of the year came in September as the DeKalb Saints battled the Avery Trace Red Raiders into four overtimes before claiming a 26 to 18 victory for the Championship of the Upper Cumberland Conference at Cookeville completing an undefeated 10-0 season. It was their first conference title since 2018. Avery Trace finished the year at 9-1 as the defending conference champion. Making the All-Conference team for the DeKalb Saints were Levi Cripps, Reed Midgett, Collin Donnell, Gavin Frazier and William Soto.
Also ranking among the top local sports stories of the year 2024 are as follows:
*The DCHS Lady Tigers competed in the Division IAA State Golf Tournament in October at the Sevierville Golf Club and finished in 6th place, 24 strokes behind 1st place Page High School and 35 strokes better than their 2023 performance. The overall record for the year was 40-6. Chloe Boyd, a sophomore, finished in 4th place. Alison Poss, a senior, finished an incredible high school career with a 39th place finish. Emily Anderson, a junior, finished tied for 44th.
*DCHS cross country standout, Ben Driver, set a new personal record at the Division I A-AA State Cross Country Championships, which was held in November at Sanders Ferry Park in Hendersonville. He covered the 3.1 mile course with a PR of 18:41 which was 16 seconds faster than his time at the Regional Championships on October 29th at Macon County High School.
*DCHS graduate Kaleb Spears wrapped up his senior track season competing at the TSSAA- DI State Track and Field Championship Meet on May 23rd at the Dean A. Hayes stadium at MTSU. The University of Milligan signee qualified in the 400-meter dash and posted a time of 50.9 seconds, finishing 15th overall. Spears broke his own school record in this event two times over the course of the season with a personal record of 50.13 seconds. Congratulations to Kaleb for representing DeKalb and Warren County’s track and field program with such dedication and leadership.
*The DeKalb County Junior Football Tigers went undefeated on the season, 9-0, and won the Middle Tennessee Youth Football Conference Super Bowl. The team shut out Fentress County, 14–0, in October at Crossville to claim the championship.
*The DeKalb Fishing Team made an impressive showing at the two-day state championship held on Kentucky Lake from May 31st to June 1st. Among the standout performances, Braden Mangin displayed his angling prowess, securing a total of 2.97 pounds with one fish over the two-day event. Tyler Dunn and Jaxon Humphrey’s combined efforts yielded a commendable total of 9.27 pounds, reeling in four fish during the championship. However, it was Mason Taylor and Wesley Kent who truly shone, amassing an impressive total of 28.57 pounds from ten fish, securing a notable 15th place in the competition. Their outstanding achievement was duly recognized, as they were awarded a scholarship check for their remarkable performance. Notably, Jaxon Humphrey was also honored with the prestigious Hunter Northcutt Scholarship Check, further adding to the team’s accolades. The DeKalb Fishing Team’s success at the state championship exemplifies their dedication, skill, and competitive spirit, solidifying their reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the angling community.
*Several members of the Dekalb Fishing Team competed in the Central Tn Bass Nation High School Tournament on Dale Hollow Lake on Nov. 2nd,. The girls team made up of Carly Thomas and Kaylee Kent came up empty handed however the other teams did bring fish to the scales. Bill Stanton & Braeden Mangin had 1 fish for 1.55 while Rowan Miller & Tyler Dunn had 2 fish for 2.74. The newest team members Jacob Johnson & Slade Bennet came in with 2 fish for 5.09 pounds. Mason Taylor & Wesley Kent had a 5 fish limit with 13.45 and came in 7th place and managed to cut a scholarship check. Mason & Wesley are ranked 3rd on the Central Tn Bass Nation High School Trail.
*Another first! Almost two years ago DCHS teacher and coach Danielle Tyson Horton made history by becoming the first ever female head coach of the Tigerette softball program. Horton has done it again by being named the first ever coach of the newly created DCHS girls volleyball program which launched its inaugural season in the summer of 2024. In addition to volleyball, Coach Horton continued to lead the girls softball program as well until she later switched roles with her assistant softball coach Ethan Duke,
*Outstanding senior defensive lineman Wil Farris, who blazed a trail over his award-winning four-year football career at DCHS, will be aiming to do the same starting next season at the college level. Accompanied by members of his family, coaches, and fellow Tiger football players at DCHS, Farris signed a letter of intent in February with Cumberland University in Lebanon to play for the Phoenix. Farris will graduate from DCHS in May as a member of the Class of 2024.
*A DeKalb County High School track runner will soon be sprinting off to college in full stride! Kaleb Spears, a senior, signed papers in February committing to Milligan University to join the Buffaloes next year. He was joined at the signing by family, friends, and coaches. It was during his middle school years that Spears became a runner in cross country and he continued participating in the sport at high school, but he really took off as a sprinter when he joined the DCHS/Warren County cooperative track program as a sophomore. Just last year as a junior, Kaleb set a school (Warren County) record placing 1st overall at Franklin County High School’s Sub-Sectional meet, with a personal best of 51.65 seconds. It was the third time Spears had broken the school’s record and his own in the same season.
*Senior Ari White was named Most Valuable Player of the 2023 DCHS Tiger Football Team during the annual Awards Banquet held in January at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center building. Meanwhile, Ally Fuller, a Senior received the Most Valuable Football Cheerleader Award. The trophies, sponsored by Liberty State Bank, were presented to White and Fuller respectively by Tiger Football Coach Steve Trapp and Cheer Coach Amanda Fuller, Ally’s mother. Although MVP Ari White made his mark on defense for the Tigers and was awarded the Region’s Most Outstanding Linebacker, Tiger Coach Steve Trapp said he was often used in other positions because of his athletic talent and versatility.
*Three DCHS basketball players earned All-District honors in 2024. Senior Tiger Conner Close was named to the 1st Team All-District while Senior Lady Tiger Ella VanVranken made the 2nd Team All-District. Sophomore Lady Tiger Chloe VanVranken received Honorable Mention.
*Seniors Conner Close and Ella VanVranken were named the DCHS Tiger and Lady Tiger basketball Most Valuable Players in April at the annual team banquet, while Senior Elaina Turner 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 an MVP three-peat as he won the team’s highest award his sophomore and junior seasons as well. During his high school career Close scored a total of 1,287 points. He notched his 1,000th career point on December 12, 2023 at home against Smith County. 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 and Dallas Kirby also made the DTC All-Star Team. For VanVranken, it was her second straight MVP award. She is also a member of the 1,000-point club at DCHS having reached that milestone as a junior during her 2022-23 season. This year, VanVranken made the 2nd Team All-District.
*Elliot Barnes received the Upper Cumberland Conference All Tournament award for the DeKalb Middle School Saints basketball. The ceremony was held after the championship game at Upperman Middle School.
*The season came to a close for the DCHS Tigerette fast pitch softball team in May. After losing to Upperman in the region tournament championship game in Smithville, the Tigerettes traveled to Soddy Daisy for the Class 3A sectionals and lost 13 to 1. The Tigerettes wrapped up the year at 20-14 overall with a District 7-3A championship. Tigerette Pitcher Kora Kilore was the District Tournament MVP while fellow Tigerettes Elaina Turner, Rylee Wilbur, and Bri Murphy were also named to the All-Tournament Team. For the regular season, Kora Kilgore was Pitcher of the Year. Bryna Pelham took Defensive MVP honors and Rylee Wilbur was awarded as Freshman of the Year. Members of the Regular Season All Freshman Team were Brooklyn Fuson and Hannah Brown while Gracie Randolph, Bri Murphy, Raylie Cowan, and Zayleigh Bain made the All-District Team-Regular Season. Meanwhile, the DCHS Tiger Baseball Team, District Tournament runners-up, concluded their season in the Region Tournament with a 13-1 loss to Lawrence County at Tullahoma.
*Something to cheer about! Family and friends of DCHS football cheerleader Allyson Fuller gathered at DCHS in May to celebrate her signing with Tennessee Tech University where she will be joining the Golden Eagles’ cheerleading team next season. Sydney Hickerson, Tech’s head coach of cheer and dance was also on hand for the signing. Fuller, an outstanding high school student and cheerleader, graduated in May from DeKalb County High School and will be furthering her education at Tech toward a career path in nursing. She is the daughter of Anthony and Amanda Fuller. Ally received the 2023 DCHS Most Valuable Football Cheerleader Award during the team banquet in January. Ally’s mother Amanda, who has been the DCHS football cheer coach, said she could not be prouder of her talented daughter.
*A Brentwood teen repeated as the overall winner of the Fiddler 5K and One Mile Fun Run Saturday, July 6. For the 26th annual Fiddler 5K, 17-year-old Callahan Fielder ran the course in 16:43. His time last year was 16:16 seconds. Meanwhile, the overall female winner was 13-year-old Camryn Maynor of Baxter with a time of 21:14. She came in 12th overall. The race featured 276 runners. Winners in other categories were: TOP MALE MASTERS (Age 40 and older): 62-year-old James Angel of Smithville at 19:46. TOP FEMALE MASTERS (Age 40 and older): 42-year-old Rachel Mahan at 24: 36. One-Mile Fun Run (age 12 and younger) winners: TOP MALE: 12-year-old A. Herndon of Kingsport at 7:43. TOP FEMALE: 11-year-old C. Farmer of Dowelltown at 8:14. Funds raised will support Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County.
*Payne Denman joined Tennessee’s men’s golf coaching staff as an assistant coach in August, according to head coach Brennan Webb. Denman joined Webb and fellow assistant coach Bo Andrews, who are each entering their seventh season on Rocky Top in 2024-25. “We are excited to add Payne to our staff,” said Webb. “As a world class amateur player who still competes at the elite levels of amateur golf, Payne brings a unique perspective to our program that will be a tremendous resource for our players. Denman spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach at MTSU. During the 2023-24 season, Denman helped guide Middle Tennessee to a team win at the Daniel Island Intercollegiate and he aided in the development of his players individually and ultimately saw five Blue Raiders earn All-CUSA awards.
*DeKalb County High School is sending another outstanding athlete to the college ranks. Kora Kilgore, 17-year-old daughter of John and Ginda Kilgore, and star pitcher on the Tigerette fast pitch softball team signed in November with Anderson University to play for the Trojans after she graduates next May. The school is located in Anderson South Carolina. Members of her family and coaches past and present joined Kora for the signing.
*Six members of the 2024 DCHS Tiger Football Team earned Region 4 Superlative honors. Tiger signal caller Jordan Parker was named the Region’s Most Outstanding Quarterback for the 2024 season while Jarett Hamilton was selected as the Region’s Most Outstanding Tight End. Meanwhile, Ty Webb and Ryan Lyons were selected to the 1st Team All Region while Jon Hendrix and Cecil Ketchum made the 2nd Team All Region. The Tigers finished the season 6-4.
*More than 40 years after he coached his last DeKalb County High School basketball game, the late legendary coach Harold Luna was recognized during the DCHS basketball games as they played host to Cannon County in December. Last year, the Board of Education voted to name the DCHS gym floor in honor of Coach Luna, who passed away in December, 2022 at the age of 85. A brief ceremony was held between the boys and girls games to dedicate the naming of the gym floor in honor of Coach Luna. Luna coached both boys and girls at DeKalb County High School from 1964-69, then began coaching the boys program only until 1984. His total record was 516-179.
*DCHS baseball senior Ty Webb is looking forward to his last season as a Tiger coming soon, but the star catcher is equally excited about his next move after high school playing days. In December, Webb’s family, friends, and coaches celebrated Ty’s signing with Maryville College to play for the Scots baseball team. The celebration was held at the DCHS auditorium. Webb, son of Tad and Tracy Webb, said Maryville College seemed to be the best fit for him and along with playing baseball he plans to study civil engineering.