Last night, the PHS Nettes varsity basketball team took to the road to open the 2019-20 season against the Lady Warriors of Gordon Central. Gordon Central, is a AA school in Calhoun. Nettes coach Brandon Thomas, debuted a new style of play for this season. A more fast paced style of play. It was surely on display last night.

 

The opening quarter saw Pickens get off to a somewhat slow start. It picked up for the Nettes towards the end of the frame, but the Lady Warriors would take a 16-12 lead into the 2nd quarter.

In the 2nd quarter, things picked up for the Nettes on offense & that new fast paced style they implemented was a big part of that. Pickens, outscored the Lady Warriors 34-21 in the 2nd to take a 46-37 lead into the break.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the 3rd quarter, it was very much back & forth. Both teams were playing at a fast pace as a total of 41 points were scored between the two teams in the frame. Gordon Central outscored the Nettes, 21-20, but Pickens continued to lead with a score of 66-58, going to the 4th.

The 4th quarter, saw the Lady Warriors start out on a big run to tie the ball game up. For the majority of the quarter, each team would trade bucket for bucket, gaining no more than a four or five point lead. With under a minute left, the Nettes, were down five. Senior Mykenzie Weaver, a 1,000 point career scorer, drained a three to cut it to two. Pickens, got the turnover they needed, & called timeout to set up a game tying or potential winning bucket. Weaver, would miss the shot as time expired, but an official called a foul on the shot, much to the displeasure of the home crowd. With the crowd getting on her, Weaver calmly sank the two free throws to send us into overtime tied at 82.

 

In the overtime, both teams had opportunities to possibly put the game away with free throws, but it seemed like none of them would fall. Tied at 90, the Nettes decided to play keep away. Pickens, held the ball for what seemed like the entire final minute of the overtime period. With 3 seconds left, Sarah Morris found an opening, drove to the bucket, & made the layup as time expired to give the Nettes the 92-90 win over Gordon Central in an epic battle.

 

Mykenzie Weaver led the way for the Nettes on this night with 50 points. A career game high for her & possibly a school record for a single game (searching through the record books for that answer).

This afternoon, the Nettes will bring their fast paced style to Blue Ridge as they participate in day one of  the annual Thanksgiving Tournament. Today’s opponent, the Gilmer Lady Cats. Tip off is set for 3 pm.