“Nettes” Nip Lady Knights’ Night, but Knights Flight in OT Too Much for Dragons

The Pickens High School Dragonettes and Dragons basketball teams hosted the Lady Knights and Knights of River Ridge High School. The Dragonettes emerged victorious, with a come from behind three point 51-48 win. The Dragons were slain in overtime by the Knights, 68-61.The Dragonettes’ contest began with a River Ridge three that the “Nettes” answered with back to back buckets by Sarah Smith and Danielle Goss.

Another Smith basket put the “Nettes” up 6-3; however, a 6-3 run by River Ridge tied the game at 9-9. Pickens’ Haley Kalson’s three put Pickens up 12-9. The lead did not last long, as a 7-0 run by River Ridge closed the quarter with the Lady Knights leading 16-12.

The second quarter proved to be a defensive struggle as, Goss’ free throw with almost a full two minutes into the period was the first point of the quarter.

Afterward the Lady Knights went on a 5-2 run that gave River Ridge a 21-15 with just under five minutes left in the first half. The half ended with River Ridge leading 26-20.

The Lady Knights opened the second half with a 5-0 run; however, back-to-back threes from Goss and Kalson cut the lead to 31-26. Kalson added two free throws that cut the lead to three 31-28 with 3:38 left in the third quarter.

Ridgeland went into the fourth quarter with a four point, 38-34 lead.

The “Nettes” tied the game at 38-38 with three minutes left in the game when Kalson assisted Smith’s lay up. Kadie Mullinax’s three, also assisted by Kalson, gave the “Nettes” a 41-38 lead with 2:07 left in the game.

River Ridge was held scoreless and Pickens held a 45-38 lead with 46.1 seconds left in the game. After a Lady Knights time out, the visitors scored five unanswered points cutting the “Nettes’” lead to two with 26 seconds left.

Kalson put Pickens up four with two free throws; however, a Ridgeland three cut the lead to one, 47-46, with 16.9 seconds left in the game. Goss’ two free throws pushed the Pickens’ lead up to three, 49-46.

The Lady Knights answered with lay up that cut the lead to one. Mullinax’s two free throws put the “Nettes” up 51-48 with 2.6 seconds left in the game. Smith’s interception of the inbounds pass sealed the three point win for the “Nettes.”

Goss lead the “Nettes” with 16 points, followed by Smith with 13. Both Kalson and Mullinax scored 10. Olivia LeMieux was the only other Dragonette to score, she had two points.

The boys’ game began with the Dragons on fire, as the home team heated up quickly and run out to an early 11-3 lead. A River Ridge three cut the lead down to 11-6 with just over four minutes left in the first.

The Knights managed to score two more points over the rest of the quarter and Pickens led 19-8 at the end of the first period.

The second quarter was filled with runs, as River Ridge roared to start the period. The Knights scored seven straight points to cut the lead to four, 19-15, with 6:06 left in the first half.

The Dragons responded by heating up. A 5-2 run put Pickens up 24-17 with just over five minutes remaining in the half.

However, an 8-0 River Ridge run gave the Knights its first lead of the night, 25-24. The half ended with the Knights nursing a two point, 32-30 lead.

Shannon Brooks’ put-back “And One” three point play put Pickens on top, 33-32, to open the second half. The two teams proceeded to trade leads and ties through out the quarter. The period ended with the Dragons leading by two 51-49.

Neither team took control early of the fourth quarter. Pickens lead 53-51 with four minutes left in regulation. Tyjai Howell’s put back hook shot with 2:04 left in the fourth put Pickens up 57-54.

River Ridge managed only one more point over the next minute and change; however, and Knights steal and lay up tied the game 57-57 with 42 seconds left tied the game. The scored remained the same as regulation came to a close.

The Knights outscored the Dragons 11-4 in the over time period resulting in Ridgeland winning 68-61.

Shannon Brooks and Jacob Stephens lead the Dragons in scoring with 14 points a piece. Tyjai Howell was second with 10 points. Chris Leicht and Wesley Sparks each had eight.

PHS Dance Team Performance