Dragons drop region opener to Bobcats

PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports

Ellijay, Ga — December means it’s time for region play in high school basketball in the state of Georgia and 7-AAA play tipped off on Tuesday, December 5th as the Pickens Dragons made the short trip up to Ellijay to take on the Gilmer Bobcats. Pickens came into the game at 3-2, while the Bobcats came into the game at 2-2 with wins over Northview and Murray County. A 20-8 third quarter run and a 31 point outing from Jackson McVey helped the Bobcats pull out a 76-71 win.

 

The first quarter of this game was a wild one as both teams got their offense going early. Caleb Lanford got things going for the Dragons with a bucket to give them an early 2-0 lead. It was all McVey to begin the scoring for the Bobcats as he scored the first 8 points of the game for Gilmer. The Bobcats would go on an 8-0 run to jump out to a 14-6 lead. McCord Purdy would make a basket and Dodge Davis would hit a three to cut the lead to 14-12.

After a bucket by McVey, Parker Davis went on a personal 5-0 run to give the Dragons a 17-16 lead. A 4-0 run by McVey gave the Bobcats a 20-17 lead. After a bucket by Parker Davis, Keegen Bryant and McVey would combine for a 4-0 run to make it 24-19. Just before the buzzer, Purdy hit a step back three to make it 24-22 Bobcats going to the second quarter.

 

The Bobcats, went on a 3-0 run to start the second quarter to stretch their lead out to 27-22. A bucket by Hayden Jones and back to back steals by Lanford that turned into layups for the Dragons gave Pickens a 28-27 lead. A layup by Jacob Becerra ended the 6-0 Dragons run and gave the Bobcats the lead back. The Dragons, followed that up with a 7-0 run as Purdy hit two free throws and a three pointer and Parker Davis made a basket to make it 35-29 Pickens.

Towards the end of the first half, after the Bobcats cut the Dragons lead to 3, Lanford split a pair of free throws and Purdy again beat the buzzer with a three to give the Dragons a 44-37 lead at the half.

 

Jones started off the second half with a three to give the Dragons a 47-37 lead. The Bobcats would then start to claw back. After that three pointer that gave the Dragons a 10 point lead, the Bobcats outscored Pickens 17-4 to take a 54-51 lead. Parker Davis, would split a pair of free throws to cut the lead down to 2. The Bobcats, would close out the third quarter scoring with a three pointer to make it 57-52 going to the fourth.

 

McVey, started the fourth quarter on a 4-0 run to make it 61-52. Jones, would get the layup and the free throw to cut the lead to 61-55. Later on in the quarter, the Bobcats would increase their lead to 72-60. The Dragons, would then go on a 10-0 run as Purdy, Lanford, and Parker Davis all contributed to the run to cut the Bobcat lead down to 2. From then on it was a free throw game and the Bobcats made theirs to get the win, 76-71.

 

7-AAA Region Standings:

Dawson: 5-2 (1-0)

Gilmer: 3-2 (1-0)

Wesleyan: 5-3 (1-0)

White County: 3-5 (0-0)

Pickens: 3-3 (0-1)

West Hall: 1-5 (0-1)

Lumpkin: 1-6 (0-1)

 

The Dragons, will be back in non-region action on Friday, December 8th as they head to Calhoun to take on the Sonoraville Phoenix. Pickens, defeated the Phoenix 50-46 on November 20th as part of the Pickens Thanksgiving Tournament. Tip off set for 8:30 pm.

Dragons defeat Phoenix to move to 2-1

PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports

Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons came into the 2023-24 basketball with some familiar faces, some fresh faces, and under a new direction. Head coach Bob Martin is now the captain running the ship at PHS. The Dragons started off the season with a big 53-30 win over LFO on the road on Saturday, November 11th. The following Saturday saw the Dragons drop a tough one to Lassiter on the first day of the Pickens Thanksgiving Tournament 60-53 in overtime.

On Monday, November 20th, the Dragons were back on the court taking on the Sonoraville Phoenix for the second day of the Pickens Thanksgiving Tournament. In a tightly contested game, the Dragons were able to come out on top, 50-46.

 

In the first quarter, the Phoenix got on the board first for an early 2-0 lead. Dodge Davis tied things up for the Dragons with his first bucket of the night. The Dragons, took their first lead of the night as Dodge Davis and Caleb Landford hit back to back three pointers to make it 8-5. The Phoenix, then went on a 5-0 run to retake the lead, 10-8. Pickens, cut the lead to 1 after Dodge Davis split a pair of free throws to make it 10-9.

After both teams traded three point makes, Nathan Wallace picked the ball off and scored to make it 16-14 Phoenix going to the second quarter.

 

After four consecutive fouls were called to begin the second quarter, three of them on Sonoraville, Parker Davis got the scoring going with a free throw. Dodge Davis, continued his hot start and gave the Dragons the lead back with a bucket. Wallace, added to the lead with a three to make it 20-16 Pickens. Wallace, would extend the lead out to 7 as he was hit in the act of shooting a three and made all of them. Montego Morgan got into the scorebook as he hit a nice jumper after using a nifty move to get open.

After both teams traded a couple of baskets, the Phoenix went on a 4-0 run to close out the first half. Going into the break, the Dragons led, 29-24.

 

The third quarter began with Lanford going on a personal 5-0 run to make it 34-24. A 5-0 run by the Phoenix cut the lead down to 34-29. After a bucket by Lanford, the rest of the quarter turned into fouls and free throws. As the teams headed to the fourth, the Dragons led it, 37-33.

 

The Phoenix, started the fourth quarter scoring early as a 5-0 run gave them the lead for the first time since the first half. Hayden Jones would split a pair of free throws to tie the game up at 38. Jones would then give the Dragons the lead with a basket to make it 40-38. After a three was hit by Sonoraville to give them the 1 point lead, Parker Davis stepped to the line and made both to once again, put the Dragons ahead.

The lead kept changing hands every few seconds it seemed as a floater by the Phoenix gave them a 1 point advantage. Huge back to back three pointers from Parker Davis and McCord Purdy gave the Dragons a 48-43 lead. A three pointer by the Phoenix cut the lead down to just two with well under a minute to go. Purdy, headed to the line looking to seal for the Dragons and the Sophomore did just that. Dragons hold on and take this one, 50-46.

 

Scoring for the Dragons:

Caleb Lanford: 13 points

Dodge Davis: 9 points

Nathan Wallace: 8 points

McCord Purdy: 7 points

Parker Davis: 6 points

Hayden Jones: 5 points

Montego Morgan: 2 points

 

The Dragons, will be back in action on Tuesday, November 21st to close out the Pickens Thanksgiving Tournament as they play host to the Creekview Grizzlies. Tip off set for 7:30 pm.

Dragons open 2023 season with big win over Sonoraville

PHS Football, Team FYN Sports

Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons began their 2023 campaign on Friday, August 18th as they welcomed the Sonoraville Phoenix to Dragon Stadium. The Dragons also recognized their Seniors on the football team and cheerleading squad before the ball game. Behind a great offensive showing and a physical defensive outing, the Dragons came away with an impressive 38-21 win over the Phoenix.

 

The Dragons won the opening coin toss and elected to receive. During their first drive of the season, the Dragons used a good mix of the run and pass game as they drove down the field 80 yards and capped off the drive with a 1-yd touchdown run by Senior Miguel Salto. The PAT from Senior Charlie Gibbons was good and with 8:30 left in the first quarter, the Dragons led the Phoenix, 7-0. The Phoenix wasted little time answering as a quick 3-play drive saw QB Jaxson Pate find Keegan Townsend for a 69-yd touchdown. The PAT was good and we were all tied at 7.

 

The Dragons had an answer of their own as Senior QB Sam Streicher found Sophomore WR McCord Purdy in the right corner of the end zone for an 18-yd touchdown. The PAT was once again successful and the Dragons retook the lead, 14-7.

Miguel Salto would score on the drive

We head to the second quarter now as the Dragons would extend their lead as Junior RB Canaan Denson punched it in from 1-yd out to make 21-7 with 8:57 left in the first half. The final score of the first half came when the Phoenix got their own 1-yd touchdown run from Ty Brown to cut the Dragons lead in half, 21-14.

Dragons defense during a timeout

Halfway through the third quarter, Streicher found Sophomore WR Hayden Jones in the left corner of the end zone for a 22-yd touchdown. With the PAT, the Dragons now led Sonoraville 28-14 with 6:06 left in the third. The Phoenix once again cut it to a one score game as Pate had to chase down a high snap and run around a bit until he found Langston Butler in the left corner of the end zone to make it 28-21 Pickens as they headed to the fourth quarter.

QB Sam Streicher drops back for a pass attempt

In the fourth quarter, the Dragons defense came up big as a big sack on Pate led to a fumble recovery by Sophomore Jacob Watkins, who took it 40 yards for a touchdown to make it 35-21. On the next series for the Phoenix, the Dragons defense again came away with a turnover as Junior Oscar Rivera recovered the fumble to give Pickens the ball right back. That drive ended with Gibbons connecting on a 27-yd field goal to make it 38-21. The Dragons, open the season with a 38-21 victory.

 

The Dragons will be back in action next Friday as they welcome the North Murray Mountaineers to Jasper. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.

Dragons drop non-region game to Phoenix

PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports

Jasper, Ga — Coming into their game against the 5-0 Sonoraville Phoenix on Friday, December 9th, the Pickens Dragons were off to a 3-1 start. Those three wins were against Fannin, Copper Basin, and most recently, Gilmer on Tuesday night. While the Dragons fought the entire game, a 19 point halftime deficit was too much to overcome as the Phoenix came away with the 71-56 win.

 

The Dragons, opened up with the first points of the ball game as Isaiah Williams made a layup to make it 2-0. Sonoraville tied it, with a Bryson Shellnutt bucket. Camden Dunn got the lead back for Pickens with a layup to make it 4-2 early. The Phoenix, then went on an 8-0 run getting a three by Blake Cole, a bucket and a free throw make from Shellnutt, and a bucket from Donovan McDaniel to make it 10-4. Dunn stopped the Sonoraville run with a basket to make it 10-6. The Phoenix went on a mini 4-0 run getting buckets from Jaxson Pate and Shellnutt to make it 14-6. Jaden Stewart got his first points of the night to make it 14-8. For the rest of the first it was 3-2 in favor of Sonoraville as they took a 17-10 lead into the second.

Dragons looking for a shot on offense

Freshman Mccord Purdy opened the scoring in the second quarter as he cut the Phoenix lead down to 5. Sonoraville, then went on a 7-0 run as Jordyn Stoney hit two free throws and a three pointer. Pate concluded the run with a bucket to make it 24-12. Kadyn Hampton, split a pair of free throws, but stayed with the ball and got a layup out of it to cut the lead down to 24-15. Purdy followed it up with a three pointer to make it 24-18. After McDaniel picked up 4 quick points, Caleb Lanford got a bucket to make it 29-20.

The Phoenix, then went on an 8-0 run to stretch their lead out to 37-20. Lanford again ended a Sonoraville run with a bucket to make it 37-22. Another 7-0 run by the Phoenix made it 44-22. Lanford hit a three just before the buzzer to make it 44-25 Sonoraville at the half.

Dragons on defense against the Phoenix

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Camden Dunn opened up the second half with a three pointer to make it 44-28. Stoney answered with a three of his own making it 47-28. Dunn, not to be outdone, hit another three that started a nice run for the Dragons. Stewart and Williams both made buckets and James Tilley hit a three. All told it was a 10-0 run making it 47-38 Sonoraville. McDaniel, hit a pair of free throws to make it 49-38. Stewart hit a three to make it 49-41. The two teams then traded baskets and it was 51-43. A bucket by Pate got the Phoenix lead back to double digits at 53-43. Both teams then traded free throws, and it  would be 54-45. Hampton the made a basket to cut the lead down to 54-47. McDaniel hit a pair of free throws to make it 56-47 Sonoraville going to the fourth.

Dragons working the ball offensively

The Phoenix got things started in the fourth with a three pointer by Ethan Hibberts. Purdy answered with a three of his own to make it 59-50. Sonoraville then got a pair of threes from McDaniel and Stoney to stretch their lead out to 65-50. After a bucket by Lanford, the Phoenix again hit a pair of three pointers to make it 71-52. Purdy and Stewart picked up the final four points for the Dragons as Sonoraville got the win, 71-56.

 

Dragons leading scorers:

Camden Dunn: 12 points

Jaden Stewart: 11 points

McCord Purdy: 10 points

Caleb Lanford: 9 points

Kadyn Hampton: 7 points

Isaiah Williams: 4 points

James Tilley: 3 points

 

The Dragons, will be right back at it on Saturday, December 10th as they head to Tunnel Hill to take on the Northwest Whitfield Bruins in another non-region contest. Tip off is set for 4:30 pm.

Dragons face old friends and new challenges as the ’22 season approaches

PHS Football, Team FYN Sports

Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons are just 12 days away from taking the field against the Rockmart Yellow Jackets in their second scrimmage in preparation for the 2022 season. The Dragons, are in a new region this year as we discussed in a prior article. While the Dragons are in a new region and new classification, the teams they are going up against are very familiar.

 

The 2021 Dragons went 4-5 overall and 1-4 in 7-AAAA. Despite that, they were just a game out of reaching the playoffs in a very competitive region. The Dragons, had a young, competitive bunch last season and with another year of experience under their belt, that bunch looks to take the next step in 2022.

 

Returning players:

The Dragons, return a vast majority of their players from the 2021 season. Returning under center is Sam Streicher. While he did battle the injury bug late in the season, Streicher finished 2021 with 1,353 yards and 13 touchdowns. He added 155 yards and 1 touchdown rushing. The leading receiver, Marcus Pike, is also back. Pike, finished with 668 yards and 5 touchdowns. The Dragons, also have their third leading receiver Isaiah Williams and their fourth leading receiver Colby Brooks back as well. The Dragons, will also have their leading rusher, Miguel Salto back toting the rock.

 

Defensively, the Dragons return their leading tackler from last season, Kadyn Hampton. Hampton, racked up 112 total tackles in 2021 recording 12.4 tackles per game and 12 tackles for loss. Also back, the Dragons second leading tackler, Kaleb Nicholson. Nicholson, recorded 64 tackles last season from the defensive line averaging 7 tackles per game. He also had 10 tackles for loss. The Dragons will also return Kaleb Taylor, Trevor Morgan, and Mason Powell on the defensive side.

 

Schedule:

As mentioned earlier, the Dragons will take on the Rockmart Yellow Jackets on Friday, August 12th at Dragons Stadium in the final tune up before the 2022 season. The Yellow Jackets, have been a very consistent, very good team for a while and have several athletes on both sides of the ball. It will be a good test in the fall scrimmage for the Dragons. Right out of the gate to start the regular season, the Dragons will head to Sonoraville to take on the Phoenix. The Phoenix, took the place of the Dragons in 7-AAAA and they have the tools to potentially make a run in 7-AAAA. What a way to open the year. From there, the Dragons travel to Murray County to take on North Murray and their really athletic bunch. The Dragons will log more miles after that as they head to Blue Ridge to take on the 2x defending region champion Fannin Rebels.

 

After a bye week, the Dragons finally have their home opener as they host Christian Heritage. Another team with some up and coming players that will be a good test for the Dragons. The Dragons will then get into region play in 7-AAA. With away games at Lumpkin, Dawson, and West Hall and big home games against Gilmer, White County, and Wesleyan. The Dragons have in total, 6 away games and 4 home games on the schedule. There is no easy game on this schedule either. I’m willing to bet, that’s how head coach Grant Myers and the Dragons want it.

 

Expectations:

With the Dragons returning many from last season’s team, they do also have some holes to fill. Kaleb Nicholson and Kaleb Taylor will sub in on the offensive line, Kadyn Hampton and Mason Powell will join Salto in the backfield. We saw during the spring scrimmage, Hampton moved from the linebacker spot to the secondary. With the Sanchez brothers, Jose and Juan moving on after graduation, the Dragons will have to see who can and will take over the kicking duties.

 

Then there’s the young guys. If you’ve seen the youth football scene in Pickens County the last several years, you know that a very talented group are heading into their freshman year. If you don’t know about them yet, you will soon enough. Will any of these promising players make an impact during the 2022 season? Time will tell. The immediate future is promising for the Dragons.

 

The Dragons are looking to get back into the playoffs and moving into a new region I believe helps that. With their non-region schedule the way it is, I firmly believe it will help them get ready for the grind that is region football. I see the Dragons making the playoffs, and possibly contending for a home playoff spot.

 

Record Prediction:

There is no short selling how difficult the Dragons non-region schedule is. Quite frankly I believe it is one of the tougher non-region schedules in the area. Three of the four games are on the road and all of the teams have legit chances to make the playoffs. Their schedule as a whole will be challenging in its own way. I think if the Dragons can manage a 2-2 record heading into the region portion of their schedule, they will be in a good spot. Final prediction: 7-3.

Dragons sweep series with Southeast Whitfield

PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports

Jasper, Ga — After defeating the Raiders on Tuesday, 13-1, the Pickens Dragons welcomed Southeast Whitfield to Dunn Field for games 2 and 3 of the series on Friday, April 8th. After a tough stretch that included a 4 game losing skid, the Dragons looked to sweep the Raiders and keep pace near the top of the 7-AAAA standings. Using timely pitching in game 2, and hot bats in game 3, the Dragons did indeed pick up the sweep.

 

Game 2:

Trey Payne started for the Dragons in game 2 of the series. After giving up a 1-out solo home run, Payne settled down and sent it to the bottom of the first. In the bottom of the first, Trace Ledbetter and Anthony Antinozzi both reached on 1-out walks. Harlan Will, then reached on an error, which allowed both Ledbetter and Antinozzi to score. Trey Payne then laced a double into the outfield to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. The Raiders, were able to force two consecutive pop outs to get out of the inning. Going to the second, Pickens led Southeast Whitfield, 2-1.

 

In the top of the second, Payne worked around a pair of walks as he picked up his first two strikeouts of the game to send us to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the second, Evan Giddens reached with a 1-out single and Ledbetter reached with a 2-out walk. They would be left stranded however as the Raiders once  again forced a fly out to end the inning and keep it 2-1 Dragons going to the third.

 

In the top of the third, Southeast Whitfield retook the lead using two hits and two walks to plate 2 runs to make it 3-2 Raiders. In the bottom of the third, Pickens went down in order. Going to the top of the fourth, the Raiders now led the Dragons, 3-2.

 

Tate Hales came on in relief of Trey Payne in the top of the fourth and Hales had a phenomenal outing. Hales, kept the Raiders bats quiet in the top of the fourth to send it to the bottom of the frame. Hales, then reached on a 1-out single. Tyler Payne, then reached on a 2-out single. The Raiders, were able to get the runner at the plate to end the inning and send it to the fifth with Southeast Whitfield still leading, 3-2.

 

In the top of the fifth, Hales again held the Raiders scoreless as his impressive outing continued. In the bottom of the fifth, Antinozzi reached on a 1-out single. Will, then reached after drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with still 1-out. After the runners moved up to 2nd and 3rd, Trey Payne drove in Antinozzi with a grounder to the second baseman. After a 2-out walk drawn by Cade Sutton, the Dragons had runners at 1st and 3rd. The Raiders, were able to get out of the inning having just given up the 1 run. Going to the sixth, Pickens and Southeast Whitfield were tied at 3.

 

In the top of the sixth, Hales needed just 5 pitches to sit the Raiders down in order, and send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the frame, Hales, reached with his second hit of the game. Colby Brooks, running for Hales, stole 2nd to get in scoring position. Sam Hammontree, who came on in the top of the inning as a replacement for Ledbetter, drove in Brooks with an RBI single to give the Dragons a 4-3 lead going to the seventh.

 

JP Nunn came on in relief of Hales to try and close it out. The Raiders, made it interesting as they drew three straight walks to load the bases. Nunn, then forced a grounder to the shortstop Giddens who threw home for the force out. Nunn, then got back to back strikeouts to close it out and give the Dragons the 4-3 win.

 

Game 3:

After winning game 2 and taking the series, the Dragons looked to get the three game sweep over the Southeast Whitfield Raiders. In the top of the 1st, Dragons starter James Tilley needed 11 pitches to get the Raiders in order. In the bottom of the first, Pickens struck early as Harlan Will led off with a walk, his courtesy runner Tee Knight, stole 2nd, reached 3rd on a wild pitch, then ended up scoring on that same wild pitch. Anthony Antinozzi, who drew to walk initially, reached 2nd during the madness. Tyler Payne, then drove in Antinozzi with a 1-out double to make it 2-0 Dragons. Cade Sutton, followed that RBI double with an RBI double of his own to score Payne to make it 3-0 Pickens going to the second.

 

In the top of the second, Tilley continued his stellar outing as he needed 10 pitches to get out of the top half of the second. In the bottom of the second, the Dragons bats came alive. Pickens, batted around and plated 7 runs to stretch their lead over the Raiders to 10-0 going to the third.

 

In the top of the third, Tilley struck out the side to bring his total to 4 on the night. Heading to the bottom of the frame, the Dragons still led Southeast Whitfield, 10-0. In the bottom of the third, Antinozzi started it off with a lead off walk. Trey Payne drove in Antinozzi with an RBI single to make it 11-0. Sutton, drove in Payne after a grounder to the third baseman to make it 12-0. Tilley, reached on a walk, and Sam Hammontree reached on an error. A single from Colby Brooks drove in Tilley and Hammontree to make it 14-0. Evan Giddens, then reached on a walk. Will, then blooped one into shallow left field to score Brooks to make it 15-0. With the run rule in place, the Dragons took game 3, 15-0, and earned the sweep of Southeast Whitfield.

 

7-AAAA Baseball Standings:

Cedartown: 16-7 (10-2)

Heritage: 15-9 (8-4)

Pickens: 14-9 (9-6)

Central-Carroll: 15-8 (7-5)

Northwest Whitfield: 13-10 (7-5)

Ridgeland: 7-12 (3-9)

Southeast Whitfield: 3-23 (1-14)

 

The Dragons, will be out of region play next week as they will play four games with three different teams. First up, a home and home series with the Sonoraville Phoenix. The first game of the series will be at Sonoraville on Monday, April 11th. First pitch is set for 5:55 pm.

Dragons drop tough game to Phoenix

PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports

Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons welcomed the Sonoraville Phoenix to the Dragons Den for the second day of the Pickens Holiday Tournament. After a hard fought game against Lassiter on Tuesday, the Dragons looked to get back on track against a Phoenix team that was also looking to string together some wins. After some back and forth, the Phoenix used a big fourth quarter to come away with a 62-47 win.

 

In the first quarter, the Dragons got things started with an opening bucket from Jaden Stewart to make it 2-0. From there, the Phoenix went on an 8-0 run to make it 8-2. After both Pickens and Sonoraville traded buckets, Luke Rogers hit a pair of free throws and Stewart hit a three pointer to make it 10-9. The Phoenix, were able  to get a bucket just before the quarter ended to make it 12-9 going to the second quarter.

Dragons on offense to start the game

Sonoraville, started the second quarter on a 10-0 run, including 3 three pointers to make it 22-9. All together, the Phoenix went on a 12-0 run going back to the end of the first quarter before Rogers made a bucket to cut it to 22-11. After a foul call sent Rogers to the free throw line, Sonoraville’s coach was called for a technical for arguing that it was a blocking foul on Rogers instead of a charging call on his player. Rogers would split his pair of free throws, and Stewart hit both technical free throws to make 22-14. After a back and forth, Caleb Lanford hit a three to make it 26-20. Again, the Phoenix got the final bucket as they took a 28-20 lead into the break.

Dragons on defense in the 1st half

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Phoenix again started of quick as they opened the third quarter with a 4-0 run to make it 32-20. A three from Caleb Keith made it 32-23. The rest of the quarter was played very closely as Sonoraville just outscored Pickens 13-9 to make it 45-32 going to the fourth.

Dragons in-bounding the ball

In the fourth quarter, the Phoenix opened things up with an 11-0 run to make it 56-32. After the tough start to the quarter, the Dragons closed the game on a 15-6 run. Sonoraville, came away with the win, 62-47.

 

Leading Scorers For Pickens:

Jaden Stewart: 14 points

Luke Rogers: 13 points

Caleb Keith: 9 points

Caleb Lanford: 3 points

Isaiah Williams: 3 points

 

Later today, the Dragons will be back on the court for the final time in 2021 as they host the Gilmer Bobcats for the final day of the Pickens Holiday Tournament. The first two games between these two have gone the way of the Bobcats as the Dragons will look to grab some momentum heading into 2022. Tip off is set for 6 pm.

Short-handed Dragons fall to Lassiter

PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports

Jasper, Ga — It was the first day of the Pickens Holiday Tournament as Southeast Whitfield took on Sonoraville, Creekview took on Gilmer, and the host team, the Pickens Dragons, took on Lassiter. After a nice showing last week at a tournament at North Murray, which saw the Dragons go 2-1, the Dragons came into this tournament with some confidence and looked to close out the 2021 portion of their schedule. Pickens, playing short-handed, were unable to complete multiple comeback attempts as the Lassiter Trojans picked up the win, 64-53.

 

In the first quarter, Lassiter got things going with an early bucket. After the Dragons got a bucket from Caleb Keith to tie it up, the Trojans went on a 4-0 run to make it 6-2. The two teams then traded buckets to make it 10-6 Lassiter. Another Trojan 4-0 run made it 14-6. After a Collin Kellogg bucket cut it to 14-8, Lassiter once again countered with a 4-0 run to make it 18-8. Two free throws by Luke Rogers would make it 18-10 Trojans, going to the second quarter.

Dragons in-bounding the ball

To start the second quarter, Pickens would go on a 5-0 run as they got a bucket from Jaden Stewart, and a three pointer from James Tilly to cut the Lassiter lead to 18-15. The Trojans, would then make two free throws and get a bucket to make it 22-15. An Isaiah Williams bucket then cut it to 22-17. After a pair of Trojan free throws, Kellogg connected with a bucket to make it 24-19. Rogers then made another pair of free throws to make it 24-21. After a bit of back and forth between the two teams, the Dragons closed the half on a 4-0 run as Stewart and Kadyn Hampton cut the Trojan lead  down to 28-27 going to the break.

Dragons defending Lassiter

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the third quarter, the Trojans got out to a 6-0 run to make it 34-27. A Rogers bucket stopped the run and cut the lead to 34-29. After both teams again traded buckets, Lassiter built their lead up to 44-33 late in the third. Pickens got back to back three pointers from Stewart and Nathan Wallace to make it 44-39 Trojans going to the fourth.

Dragons on offense in the third

Pickens kept the run from the end of the third going to start the fourth quarter as Rogers and Williams both made buckets to make it 44-43. After a 4-0 Trojan run, Williams made another bucket to make it 48-45. After a quick back and forth, Stewart hit a three pointer to make it 53-50. From there, Lassiter went on an 11-0 run aided by 7 made free throws to make it 64-50. Stewart would make one more three pointer, but the Trojans would get the win, 64-53.

 

Leading Scorers For Pickens:

Jaden Stewart: 17 points

Luke Rogers: 12 points

Collin Kellogg: 8 points

Isaiah Williams: 6 points

Kadyn Hampton: 4 points

James Tilley: 3 points

Nathan Wallace: 3 points

 

The Dragons, will be back at it this afternoon as they take on the Sonoraville Phoenix for the second day of the Pickens Holiday Tournament. Tip off is set for 6 pm.

Pickens Dragons walk-off against Sonoraville

PHS Baseball, Sports, Team FYN Sports

It was a nice day for high school baseball on Tuesday as the PHS Dragons varsity baseball team welcomed the Phoenix of Sonoraville to Dragons Field for a non-region contest. Coming into the game, Pickens held a record of 6-1 while the Phoenix held a record of 2-1. Those two wins came against the only team to beat the Dragons so far, Dalton. After a classic pitchers duel for the entirety of the game, the Dragons were able to walk off with a 2-1 win.

Oglethorpe signee Colby James started off strong in the top of the first with his first strikeout of the game and sitting down Sonoraville on just 11 pitches. In the bottom of the inning, the Dragons had an early chance to put a run on the board after a two-out walk by Tyler Vreeland and a single by Chad Pacas. The Phoenix, were able to get out of the early jam and send us to the second, tied a zero.

Senior Colby James on the mound

We’ll take things to the fifth inning as this is where things picked up. James, picked up his ninth strikeout on the day in the fifth, but the Phoenix were able to pus across one run on two hits to make it 1-0 Sonoraville. In the bottom of the fifth, the Dragons had a runner on second base with two outs, but couldn’t bring him home as Pickens trailed Sonoraville 1-0 going to the sixth.

In the top of the sixth, James notched strikeout number 10 and 11 as his masterful performance kept rolling. In the bottom of the frame, Hunter White led off with a single, Vreeland followed him with a single, Pacas got the runners over on a fly ball, Austin Chester drew a walk, and then James helped himself out by driving in White on an RBI fly out to tie things up at 1-1 going to the seventh.

Dragons at the plate against Sonoraville

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the top of the seventh, James was still going strong. After a renewed sense of energy after tying the game up in the bottom of the sixth, James came out and struck out the side on 13 pitches giving him 14 for the game. In the bottom of the seventh, second baseman Drake Sutton led off with a walk, designated hitter Jarod Whitmore followed suit with a walk of his own. With a one ball, one strike count, Coastal Carolina signee Brady Moore said let’s go home as he smacked a walk off double into the left field corner to score Sutton and give the Dragons the 2-1 win.

Stats:

Brady Moore: 1-4 with a double and one RBI

Hunter White: 1-3 with a single and one run scored

Tyler Vreeland: 1-2 with a single and a walk

Chad pacas: 1-3 with a single

Austin Chester: one walk drawn

Colby James: seven innings, three hits, one run, 14 strikeouts on 103 pitches and one hit-by-pitch and one RBI

Alex Snelgrove: 1-3 with a single

Drake Sutton: one walk drawn and one run scored

Jarod Whitmore: one walk drawn

With the win, the Dragons are now 7-1 on the season. This win will mean a little more to head coach Adam Williams as last nights win was his 100th. These two teams are scheduled to meet on Thursday at Sonoraville with a first pitch time of 5:30 pm.

Dragons split doubleheader with Dalton

PHS Baseball, Sports, Team FYN Sports

After defeating the Lumpkin County Indians on Friday 5-2, the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Dalton Catamounts, a 6A school to Pickens High School for a doubleheader. This was originally scheduled to be a four game day with Dominion Christian joining in but they had to drop out due to a sporting conflict. In a great afternoon of baseball, Dalton took game one, 6-1, and the Dragons took game two, 8-5.

Game one:

In the top of the 1st inning, Dalton looked to get on the board early with two hits and runners on first and third. Dragons starter Alex Snelgrove was able to work around the jam and send the Dragons up in the bottom of the frame. Coastal Carolina signee Brady Moore led off with a triple and Hunter White drove him in. After a two-out double by Chad Pacas and a walk by Austin Chester, the Catamounts were able to get out of a jam themselves and send us to the second, Dragons up, 1-0.

Alex Snelgrove pitching for the Dragons

Pickens held that 1-0 lead till the top of the fourth inning as Dalton would hit a 2-run home run to take a 2-1 lead. In the bottom of the frame, Seth Densmore picked up a 2-out single, but that would be all as we would head to the fifth, Catamounts now on top, 2-1.

In the top of the sixth inning, Dalton added to their lead with four runs. Half of those runs came on another 2-run home run. Chester drew his second walk of the game in the bottom of the inning, but again, Dalton got out of it and we headed to the seventh, Catamounts up 6-1.

Hunter White at the plate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the top of the seventh, Dalton looked to really blow it open as they had the bases loaded. Pacas, making his season debut on the mound, got out of the huge jam without giving up anything to send us to the bottom of the frame. Snelgrove drew a walk to start the bottom of the seventh and Moore drew a 2-out walk, but that would be it as the Catamounts took game one, 6-1.

Stats:

Brady Moore: 1-2 with a double, two walks, and one run scored

Hunter White: one RBI

Chad Pacas: 1-3 with a double

Austin Chester: two walks

Seth Densmore: 1-3 with a single

Alex Snelgrove: one walk

Game two:

Much like the Dragons in game one, Dalton started off the top of the first in game two with a triple. The Catamounts cashed in that lead off triple and took a 1-0 lead going to the bottom of the inning. Brady Moore led off with a walk, Hunter White followed with a walk, Moore advanced to third on a wild pitch, Chad Pacas got hit by a pitch, and Austin Chester drove in Moore with an RBI single to tie things up at 1-1 going to the second.

Tyler Vreeland batting for Pickens

In the bottom of the third, Pickens added to their lead after both White and Tyler Vreeland scored on a pair of wild pitches to make it 3-1. Seth Densmore drove in Pacas with a 2-out RBI single to make it 4-1 Dragons going to the fourth.

In the top of the fourth, Dragons starting pitcher Colby James continued his great outing with a 9-pitch fourth inning. In the bottom of the frame, Pickens had four straight 1-out hits as White drove in Moore with an RBI single, and Pacas plated White and Vreeland with a 2-RBI double. Going to the top of the fifth, the Dragons led Dalton 7-1.

Colby James pitching in game two

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After nothing doing for either team in the fifth, the Catamounts cut into the Dragons lead with a three run inning including a solo home run to make it 7-4 Pickens. The Dragons got one run back in the bottom of the frame as Pacas drove in Vreeland with an RBI single to make it 8-4 going to the seventh.

In the top of the seventh, Dalton again was threatening as they had already plated one run to make it 8-5, and had runners at first and third with the potential tying run up. Moore came in and closed it out with a strikeout to give the Dragons the win in game two, 8-5.

Stats:

Brady Moore: 1-3 with a double, a walk, and two runs scored

Hunter White: 1-1 with a single, three walks, and two runs scored

Tyler Vreeland: 3-4 with two singles, one double, one RBI, and three runs scored

Chad Pacas: 2-2 with one double, one single, one hit-by-pitch, three RBI, and one run scored

Austin Chester: 1-1 with one single, two walks, one hit-by-pitch, and one RBI

Seth Densmore: 1-3 with a single and a walk

The Dragons are now 6-1 on the season after this week’s set of games. They have another full slate of games coming up next week as they will host the Sonoraville Phoenix on Tuesday, travel to Sonoraville on Thursday, and head to Murray County to take on the Indians on Saturday. Both games against Sonoraville will have a 5:30 first pitch time. The game against Murray County has a 1 pm first pitch time.

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