Nettes Pull Off Upset Advance To First Sweet Sixteen Since 2001

This afternoon, the Dragonettes varsity basketball team traveled to Gainesville to take on the Lady War Eagles of Chestatee in the first round of the state tournament. The winner found itself in the sweet sixteen and advance to play Americus-Sumter.The first quarter started with the Lady War Eagles getting the first two buckets. The Nettes outscored Chestatee the rest of the quarter, 8-6, but found themselves down 10-8 after one. Pickens outscored the Lady War Eagles in the second quarter 16-11, and ended the half with some intense defense leading it, 24-21. In the second quarter, Senior Haley Kalson surpassed the 1,000 point milestone for her career.

Both teams traded buckets during the third quarter, the Nettes outscored Chestatee 12-11 in the quarter to take a 36-32 lead going to the fourth and final quarter. In the fourth, both defenses came into play. Pickens used good passing and clutch free throws down the stretch to close out the ball game and seal the upset, 42-37.

Leading the way for the Nettes today were:

Haley Kalson: 12 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds, and 5 steals

Autumn Young: 11 points, 1 assist, 1 rebound, and 2 steals

Ashley Nelson: 9 points, 1 assist, 1 rebound, and 1 steal

Makayla Payne: 8 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, and a steal

With the win, the Nettes will now travel tomorrow to play the #1 seed out of region 1AAAA, the Americus-Sumter Lady Panthers in Americus, Ga. The Lady Panthers have a record of 28-1 on the season. Pickens will be playing in the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 2001. Tip off is scheduled for 7 pm.