Tigers rout Red Boiling Springs in regular season finale

February 13, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

The DCHS basketball teams closed out the regular season at Red Boiling Springs Friday night and while the Lady Tigers were beaten 40 to 34 the Tigers won handily 61 to 22.

The Lady Tigers wrap up the regular season at 10-14 (4-10 district) and finished 6th place in the 8 team District 8AA. The Tigers finished at 10-13 (5-9 district) and are also in 6th place.

DeKalb County will host Smith County to begin district tournament play Monday night, February 15 in Smithville. The girls game starts at 6 p.m. followed by the boys game. WJLE will have LIVE coverage

In the girls game Friday night the Lady Tigers led Red Boiling Springs 10 to 6 after the 1st period but trailed 16 to 15 at halftime and 24 to 23 after the 3rd period before losing 40 to 34.

Kadee Ferrell scored 16, Madison Martin and Ella VanVranken each with 6, Cadee Griffith 4, and Summer Crook with 2.

In the boys game, the Tigers led 14 to 7 after the 1st period, 29 to 12 at halftime, and 48 to 20 after the 3rd period before claiming a 61 to 22 victory.

Conner Close scored 17 followed by Evan Jones 14, Elishah Ramos 6, Luke Jenkins 5, Setson Agee and Robert Wheeler each with 4, Nathaniel Crook 3, and Jacob Hendrix, Kaleb Spears, Andrew Tramel, and Isaac Brown each with 2.

February 12, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Eight DCHS basketball players have received All-District honors.

The selections were announced Friday.

(Click link below to view Boys and Girls District Tournament Basketball brackets)

FILE_9620 (pdf)

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.

Alex Rush and Reagan Hurst of Upperman were named the District’s Most Valuable Players. Dana McWilliams of Upperman was named the Girl’s District Coach of the Year while Bobby McWilliams of Upperman and Roy Whited of York Institute shared the honor of being the Boy’s District Coaches of the Year.

The DCHS Basketball teams, seeded 6th, will make their debut in the District 8 AA Tournament Tuesday night, February 16 in Smithville hosting Smith County, seeded 7th.

The Lady Tigers will face the Owlettes at 6 p.m. followed by the Tigers game with the Owls. WJLE will have LIVE coverage.

DISTRICT 8 AA ALL-DISTRICT SELECTIONS (BOYS)

Player of the Year: Alex Rush-Upperman

Coach of the Year: Bobby McWilliams-Upperman and Roy Whited-York Institute

Defensive Player of the Year: Alex Rush-Upperman

All Defensive Team: Collin Gore-Upperman, Nick Smith-York Institute, Eli Melton-Livingston Academy, Q. Hughes Malone-Watertown, and Brayden Antoniak-DeKalb County.

Freshman of the Year: Bryson Bilbrey-York Institute and Miles Leffew-York Institute

All Freshman Team: A.J. Armstrong-Cannon County, Peyton Hix-Smith County, Theo Winters-Cannon County, and Zach Byrd-York Institute.

Most Improved Player: Jonathan Heddings-York Institute

1^st Team All-District: Collin Gore-Upperman,  Matthew Sells-Livingston Academy, Riley Cooper-York Institute, Nick Smith-York Institute, and Gus Davenport-Cannon County

2^nd Team: Q. Hughes Malone-Watertown, Evan Jones-DeKalb County, Jonathan Heddings-York Institute, Eli Scarlett-Watertown, and Jace McWilliams-Upperman

3^rd Team: Jaxon Fox-Upperman, Lavell Rogers-Cannon County, Braydee Brooks-Macon County, Eli Melton-Livingston Academy, and Nick Choate-Livingston Academy

Honorable Mention: A.J. Armstrong-Cannon County, Jordan Young-DeKalb County, Elishah Ramos-DeKalb County, Conner Johnson-Macon County, Dennis West-Smith County, Matthew Sinclair-Smith County, Brayden Holliman-Smith County, A.J. Nash-Upperman, Brayden Cousino-Watertown, Miles Leffew-York Institute, and Bryson Bilbrey-York Institute

DISTRICT 8 AA ALL-DISTRICT SELECTIONS (GIRLS)

Player of the Year: Reagan Hurst-Upperman

Coach of the Year: Dana McWilliams-Upperman

Defensive Player of the Year: Brooklyn Crouch-Upperman

All Defensive Team: Abby Shoulders-Macon County,  Haylee Johnson-York Institute,  Kadee Ferrell- DeKalb County,  Reagan Hurst-Upperman, and Jaylnn Gregory-Macon County

Freshman of the Year: Ella VanVranken-DeKalb County

All Freshman Team: Merissa Spivey-Smith County, Mallie Gene Coleman-Livingston Academy, Kierah Maklary-Watertown, Cadee Griffith-DeKalb County, and Madison King-Watertown.

Most Improved Player: Megan Cantrell-DeKalb County and Brittni Allison-Watertown.

1^st Team All-District: Jaylnn Gregory-Macon County, Haylee Johnson-York Institute, Kadee Ferrell-DeKalb County, Brooklyn Crouch-Upperman, and Emma Christensen-Watertown.

2^nd Team: Abby Shoulders-Macon County, Aleah Melton-Livingston Academy, Torie Brooks-Upperman, Aiyana Levy- Upperman, and Gabby Beaty-York Institute.

3^rd Team: Brittni Allison-Watertown,  Keaton Webb-Livingston Academy,  Ella VanVranken-DeKalb County,  Ellie Leffew-York Institute, and Abigail Johnson-Upperman.

Honorable Mention: Shelby Smithson-Cannon County, Hailey Cronk- Livingston Academy, Allie Qualls-Livingston Academy, Saranda Woodson-Macon County, Emma Enoch-Smith County, Addie Hawkins-Smith County, Anna Vinning-Smith County, Merissa Spivey-Smith County, Anna Grace McClain-Upperman, Jayla Cobb-Upperman, Daejah Maklary-Watertown, Sage Smith-York Institute, and MiKaela Reagan-York Institute.

FILE_9620 (pdf)

February 12, 2021
By: Dwayne Page

Why not make this Valentine’s Day a little extra special for your family by adopting a lovable pet from the DeKalb Animal Shelter? The gift that keeps on giving year round.

Meet “Olaf” the WJLE/DeKalb Animal Shelter featured “Pet of the Week”

This eight year old male Retriever, Black Labrador mix just may be the perfect companion for you and your Valentine.

DeKalb Animal Shelter employee Emmaly Bennett with Olaf from dwayne page on Vimeo.

“Olaf is our eight year old senior. You might remember him. He was at the shelter about a year ago around this time. He got returned back but he is still a wonderful dog. He wants to be an inside lap dog and he has packed on some pounds since he was here before. He likes his treats. Olaf is great with people, other pets, and children. He is just a great dog. Olaf is a sponsored pet so his adoption fee is only $20. He is also up to date on all of his vaccinations and he has been neutered. We will also have him microchipped. Olaf is ready for a couch and someone to cuddle with,” said shelter employee Emmaly Bennett.

“If you would like to meet Olaf go to our website under our adoptable animals tab at //www.dekalbanimalcoalition.org/ and you will be called to set up an appointment after you fill out an adoption application. For more information call 615-597-3647 or send a message on facebook or email,” said Bennett.

Meanwhile, if you need pet food for your cats and dogs be sure to stop by the shelter Friday, February 19 from 8 until 12 noon during a food pantry sponsored by the Friends organization. Please stay in your vehicle and someone will bring the food to you.