Nettes Defeat Lady Canes Clinch State Tournament Spot

Yesterday, the Dragonettes varsity basketball team traveled to Southeast Whitfield to take on the Lady Canes of Cartersville in the first round of the 7AAAA Region Tournament. A win for either team put them in the semifinals on Friday and the State Tournament.The Lady Canes scored the first four points of the ball game then the Nettes went on a 7-0 run to take the lead. The rest of the first quarter was back and forth with Cartersville coming out with the lead 16-13 over Pickens. The Nettes defense showed up in the second quarter and fueled a 20-4 quarter run as Pickens went into the half with the lead, 33-20.

In the third, the Lady Canes outscored the Nettes slightly 8-7, as Pickens held the lead going to the fourth, 40-28. The final quarter of play was nerve racking for Nettes fans to say the least as Cartersville won the quarter, 14-8. Pickens held off the Lady Canes comeback attempt to get the win, 48-42. With that win, the Nettes advance to the 4A state tournament.

Leading the way for Pickens yesterday would be:

Haley Kalson: 16 points, 5 assists, 2 rebounds, and 4 steals

Autumn Young: 10 points, and a rebound

Ashley Nelson: 8 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 steals

Makayla Payne: 6 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals

Paula Pickett: 4 points, 2 assists, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals

Kaitlin Redman added 3 points, grabbed 5 rebounds, and picked off 2 passes while Shelby Cook pulled in 3 rebounds

The Nettes will now get ready for their semi-final match up with the #2 seeded Northwest Whitfield Lady Bruins on Friday at 4 pm. The winner in that game will go on to the region championship game on Saturday and will ensure themselves a first round state tournament game at home.