After the Nettes secured their win, the Pickens Dragons (11-1, 3-1) hosted the Excel Christian Academy Eagles (2-8, 1-1) for their day one match up in the Pickens Holiday Tournament. The last game for Pickens, was an emotionally thrilling win in Ellijay against Gilmer. That however, was ten days ago.

 

The first quarter saw the Dragons go on a 9-0 run to begin the ball game. Tucker Lowe started it off with a three pointer, then Noah Sutton scored six straight to spark the early run. The rest of the quarter, it was a tightly contested frame as both teams scored 11 points. Going to the second, Pickens led the Eagles, 20-11.

In the second quarter, the frame was mostly back and forth as both teams traded bucket for bucket. Both scored 13 points each, as Pickens kept their nine point lead over the Eagles at 33-24.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To start the third quarter, the Dragons went on a 6-0. Owen Moss & Ean Goodwin got things going for Pickens and led them on that run. The Dragons again went on another run in the middle of the quarter. This time, it was a 7-0 run involving Goodwin, Lowe, and Sutton. Pickens, outscored Excel Christian 22-15 in the third, to take a 55-39 lead into the fourth.

In the fourth quarter, the Eagles made a run. Down 16 to start the frame, Excel Christian cut the Dragon lead down to 57-50 at one point. To the credit of the Dragons, they stayed calm, and outscored the Eagles 11-3 to close the game and pick up their 11th win of the season, 68-53.

 

Leading the way for the Dragons were:

Noah Sutton: 18 points

Tucker Lowe: 17 points

Owen Moss: 14 points (10 in the second half)

Luke Rogers: 8 points

Ean Goodwin: 6 points

Aidan Sanchez: 3 points

 

Tomorrow, the Dragons will be back on their home floor for day two of the Pickens Holiday Tournament when they take on the Sornoraville Phoenix. Tip off is set for 5:30 pm.