Dragons Cease Fire in Fourth, Grizzlies “Bearly” Win

The Pickens Dragons Varsity Basketball team hosted a scrimmage exhibition with the Grizzlies of Creekview High School. Despite having a one point lead going into the fourth quarter, the Dragons fell 49-40.The varsity scrimmage opened with the visiting Grizzlies racing to a 6-0 lead. Sam Crawford broke the Pickens drought with a three that cut the lead in half. After another basket that pushed the Grizzlies lead to five, Spencer Jones hit another three for the home team that cut the lead to two. The Dragons tied the game at 8-8 with just over a minute left in the first quarter.

The game featured defensive dominance from both squads. The varsity Dragons made a much better commitment to rebounding than did their junior varsity counterparts earlier in the day. Crawford seemed to be grabbing boards like there was a two for one sale at surf shop.

Austin Murphy gave the Pickens its first lead of the day with a corner three that made the score 11-8. Pickens’ lead increased to 15-8 with another three from Jones with just over six minutes left in the half.

The Grizzlies came back with a 5-0 run that cut the lead to two. After trading buckets, Creekview tied the game 17-17 at the free throw line. Thanks to a 6-3 run to close out the half, Pickens lead 23-20 at the half.

Pickens came out with a trapping zone in the second half, but quickly switched to a man to man defense. Defense was the key for both teams as baskets were harder to come by than actual spouses on “Basketball Wives.” The two teams traded the lead troughout the third quarter, with the home team taking a one point 33-32 lead into the fourth.

The Grizzlies scored the first basket of the last quarter, with a corner three that gave Creekview a lead that would not be relinquished. The Grizzlies’ defense put out the Dragons’ fire in the fourth quarter, by outscoring the home team 17-7. The Dragons were held scoreless for almost three whole minutes in the quarter, finally falling 49-40.