Sports

Another outstanding DCHS softball player has signed a letter of intent with Cumberland University of Lebanon to play collegiate ball after she graduates here.

17 year old Kristena Bain, a senior, put pen to paper Wednesday at the DCHS library. Members of Bain’s family, coaches, and fellow players joined her for the occasion.

Cumberland is a member of the Mid-South Conference affiliated with the NAIA.

“The reason I chose Cumberland University was because the school is local and they have a good athletic program and a good nursing program and that is what I plan to major in,” said Kristena.

“I believe Kristena is our fourth or fifth athlete from DeKalb County. We have always had good players from DeKalb County High School and we expect the same from her,” said Assistant Cumberland Varsity Coach and Head JV Coach, Stephanie Theall. Heather Stanfill is the Head Coach at Cumberland.

Tigerette Coach Danny Fish said he is very happy that Kristena will have a chance to play softball at the collegiate level.

“She has been a very hard worker over her career here playing for the Tigerettes. She has come a long way. I can remember hitting with her when she was in the sixth grade and it was a goal of hers to be where she is at today. She is a very goal oriented athlete. She has been behind the plate for us the last three years and she will be back there again this year. We expect good things out of her. She is a very charismatic leader and she really puts everything she has in what she does. Offensively, she swings the bat pretty well but we’re going to ask her to step up her game this year. We want her to get a lot more at bats. Defensively behind the plate we thought we would have a problem when Dani Meadows graduated but she (Kristena) has really slipped into that (role) and been a relentless worker and teammate and because of that we are here today. I am very happy for her. This is a good moment for Kristena,” said Coach Fish.

Before she heads off to college, Kristena has one more high school season in front of her and she is looking forward to it.

“I hope to put in some big hits this season and score some runs and I hope our pitching game steps up and we all hit the way we are supposed to,” said Kristena.

Coach Fish said the DCHS Tigerette softball season begins March 12. “We open up with district play right away and then we will jump into a tournament. We have a really tough schedule this year. We’re going down to Gulf Shores during spring break. It should be an interesting year. We graduated a lot of seniors last year and all of them are playing at the college level now so we have big shoes to fill but our seniors know what it takes to win and I am hoping they will lead the team by example and that we will have a chance to be back where we normally are at the state tournament,” said Coach Fish.

Kristena was joined at the signing by her parents, Bobby Rader and Ann Rader; DCHS Tigerette head coach Danny Fish and assistants Melissa Ruch and Tim Jared, Cumberland Assistant Coach Stephanie Theall; Randy Farnsworth, Kristena’s summer travel league ball coach, along with her brothers and fellow Tigerette teammates.

The Upperman Bees and Ladies came to Smithville Friday night and left with victories over DeKalb County winning 85 to 39 in the girls game and 56 to 52 for the boys.

In the girls game, Upperman led 31 to 10 after the 1st period, 52 to 27 at halftime, and 72 to 35 after the 3rd period before taking the win 85 to 39.
Emme Colwell scored 14. Lydia Brown 11. Kenzie France, Mya Ruch, and Megan Walker each with 4 and Mallorie Hart had 2 points.

The Bees led 11 to 9 after the 1st period of the boys game. The Tigers grabbed a 27 to 21 lead by halftime and held a 37 to 36 edge after the 3rd period but fell behind in the 4th period and lost 56 to 52.

Trey Jones and Marshal Evins each scored 11. Tanner Poss and Austin Johnson each had 9. Nathan Atkins with 7. Colter Norris with 3 and Dallas Cook with 2 points.

DeKalb County will conclude the regular season next week with trips to Smith County on Tuesday, February 6 and at Macon County on Thursday, February 8. Action begins each night with the girls games at 6 p.m. WJLE plans LIVE coverage.

The DCHS Lady Tigers upended the Livingston Academy Lady Wildcats 36 to 25 Tuesday night on the road. The Tigers lost to the Wildcats 80 to 56.

In the girls game, the Lady Tigers led 14 to 4 after the 1st period, 18 to 11 at halftime, and 29 to 21 after the 3rd period before going on to win 36 to 25.
Lydia Brown scored 15. Emme Colwell 13. Mya Ruch 4. Madison Parsley 3 and Kenzie France with 1 point.

The Tigers led the Wildcats 19 to 13 after the 1st period and 36 to 25 at halftime but fell behind 55 to 50 after the 3rd period and lost 80 to 56.

Evins scored 23 for the Tigers. Austin Johnson 9. Tanner Poss and Nathan Atkins each with 6. Colter Norris 4. Trey Jones 3. Noah Martin and Dallas Cook each with 2 points and Alan Munoz with 1.

DeKalb County will host Upperman Friday night, February 2 starting with the girls game at 6 p.m. followed by the boys game. WJLE will have LIVE coverage.

Bradley Miller, a senior, was named Most Valuable Player of the 2017 DCHS Tiger Football Team during the annual Awards Banquet held Saturday night at the Smithville First Baptist Church Life Enrichment Center building.

The MVP trophy was presented to Miller by Coach Steve Trapp.

“This guy has played a lot of football for us this year as a senior. I don’t think he came off the field a whole lot. He was on special teams, defense, and offense. We put him in as running back in a couple of games. He returned kicks and punts. Last year as a junior he probably had the best defensive back year ever as a DCHS football player but he didn’t have as many opportunities this year because people just wouldn’t throw at him. Last year he was All-State in different areas and pre-season All State this year. He is a tremendous high school football player,” said Coach Trapp.

In addition to his MVP trophy, Miller was named Most Outstanding Defensive Back in Region 3 Class 4A

The Tiger football team finished the season in November with an overall record of 3-8 and another appearance in the state play-offs. The Tigers lost in the first round of the TSSAA Class 4A Football Play-Offs at Lewisburg to Marshall County on November 4. The final score was 42-0.

Meanwhile, Breanna Gibson, a senior, was named Most Valuable Cheerleader at the football banquet Saturday night. The presentation was made by Cheer Coach Amanda Fuller.

“This girl is beautiful inside and out. She is brilliant. She works hard. She is very calm. Slow to anger. She leads by example and has pushed herself very hard for four years to become the awesome cheerleader that she is today. She is a perfect example of what a cheerleader should be and although she had an injury this season she was still at all the practices and games leading her team. She was an NCA All American nominee and was asked this year to join the NCA staff which is a great and rare honor. She has been a true blessing to this squad for four years,” said Coach Fuller.

Other individual Football Player Awards are as follows:

Offensive Player of the Year- Tyler Cantrell
Offensive Lineman- Gage Delape
Offensive Back- David Bradford
Receiver- Braxton Linder
Defensive Player of the Year- Jesse Smith
Defensive Lineman- Isaac Cross
Linebacker- Nick May
Defensive Back- Grayson Redmon
Special Teams Player- Andrew Fuson
Most Improved- Peyton Leaf
MVP- Bradley Miller
Coach Clay Edwards Memorial Tiger Pride Award-Nick May

Coach Trapp presented awards to eight members of the team and an assistant coach for earning All Region 3 Class 4A Honors including the following:

Most Outstanding Tight End: Braxton Linder
Most Outstanding Returner: Paxton Butler
Most Outstanding Defensive Back: Bradley Miller
DCHS Assistant Coach Thomas Cagle received Special Teams Coach of the Year in Region 3

Named to the All Region 1st Team from DCHS are:
Jesse Smith, Nick May, and Gage Delape

Named to the All Region 2nd Team from DCHS are:
Tyler Cantrell and David Bradford.

Individual Cheer Awards are as follows:

Best Stunts- Alley Sykes
Most Spirited- Breanna Gibson
Best Jumps- Kiersten Griffith
Best Dancer-Katherine Malone
Best Cheer-Allison Maynard
MVC- Breanna Gibson
DEAR (Dedication, Enthusiasm, Attitude, and Responsibility)-Shaunta Koegler

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