Dragons Fall To Rival Bobcats After Buzzer Beater, Gearing Up For Region Play

Yesterday, the PHS Dragons varsity basketball team took to 515 again for the final day of the annual Thanksgiving Tournament to take on their bitter rival, the Gilmer Bobcats. Earlier in the day, the Fannin Rebels cliched the championship with their win over Hiwassee Dam, so the winner of the Pickens/Gilmer game, found themselves runner up.

 

In the 1st, we got a physical match up as expected when you have a Pickens & Gilmer game going. The Bobcats took a slim 13-12 lead into the 2nd. In the 2nd quarter, the Dragons found a rhythm on offense. Pickens outscored Gilmer in the frame 20-17, to take a 32-30 lead into the break.

 

Both teams would get their shot working in 3rd, going back and forth. The Dragons held a 15-13 scoring advantage in the frame to take a 47-43 lead going to the 4th and final quarter. The 4th is where it got very interesting. During the 4th, a foul, & technical foul would be called on Gilmer. However, Pickens could not convert on those free throw attempts. With the clock under ten seconds and the scored tied, the Dragons got a wide open dunk to take a 2 point lead. The Bobcats, took the ball down the court and threw up a running three that banked in off the glass with 1.2 seconds left. The ensuing pass in bounds went out of play but stayed with Pickens, giving them 0.9 to work with. A prayer hit the back of the rim as time expired to give Gilmer the 55-54 win.

 

Leading the way for the Dragons were:

Chase Simmons: 16 points, 6 rebounds, 3 steals, & 1 block

Joseph Gossett: 11 points, 2 assists, 2 rebounds, & 2 steals

Seth Bishop: 10 points, 2 assists, 6 rebounds, & 1 steal

Blake Gorth: 6 points, 3 assists, 4 rebounds, & 1 steal

Matthew Stewart: 6 points, & 3 assists

Zach Goss: 3 points, 1 assist, & 4 rebounds

Hunter Hermann: 2 points, 2 assists, & 4 rebounds

 

The Dragons will now look to regroup as they prepare for the start of region play next week. Pickens will be traveling to LaFayette to take on the Ramblers on Tuesday. Tip off scheduled for 7:30 p.m.