DeKalb too much for Lions

By TONY STINNETT/ Courier Sports Editor

One dominant quarter was enough for regular-season champion DeKalb County to secure a road win against rival Cannon County at Robert A. Harris Gymnasium Tuesday (Feb. 5).

Take away DeKalb County’s 13-6 spurt in the second quarter and the game was 46-42 in favor of the Tigers. Factor in the second quarter and the visitors claimed a 59-48 win.

Cory Henley led the Lions with 14 points on the strength of four second-half 3-pointers. Tanner Larson continued to play strong inside with nine points and five rebounds. He also played strong post defense on Tiger big man Brandon Atnip.

Jarrett Melton tallied eight points and dished out four assists. Garrett McReynolds added seven points and seven rebounds.

The Lions missed a great opportunity for an upset as DeKalb County shot just 45 percent from the field, including 1-of-13 from 3-point range. The Tigers were also a miserable 12-of-22 from the free-throw line; however, they grabbed 37 rebounds, including 13 offensive boards for easy second-chance opportunities.

Cannon County connected for just 18 field goals and turned it over 16 times.

The Lions trailed 15-11 after the first quarter but were outscored 13-6 in the second quarter as DeKalb County stretched the lead to 33-20 by halftime.

It proved too much of a deficit for the Lions to overcome in the second half.