The Pickens Dragons (12-3, 4-1 Region 6-AAAA) ended 2019 on a tough note by dropping games to Sonoraville and Lassiter. On Friday night, Jan. 3, 2020, they looked to get back on track as they hosted the Southeast Whitfield Raiders (0-17, 0-6) in a region battle.

To start the first quarter, the Dragons went on an 8-0 run with three made shots from Noah Sutton and one from Ean Goodwin. The rest of the frame was back-and-forth as Pickens outscored Southeast Whitfield 8-7 to take a 16-7 lead going to the second quarter.

In the second quarter, after a pair of made free throws by the Raiders, Pickens went on another 8-0 run fueled by Sutton and Luke Rogers. Later in the quarter, the Dragons went on an 11-0 run with Sutton making a couple of shots, Whit Pierce making a shot, Tucker Lowe hitting a 3-pointer and a pair of free throws, and Aidan Sanchez hitting a free throw to cap off the run. Going into the half, Pickens led Southeast Whitfield, 36-13.

In the third quarter, Sutton and Goodwin led a 6-0 run for the Dragons to make it 42-13 early. Later in the third, Owen Moss went on a personal 6-0 run with two made shots and a pair of free throws. To close out the quarter, Sanchez connected on a layup to make it 55-17 Pickens going to the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter was shortened but productive for the Dragons as Clay Shoffer made two made shots, Will Roland connected on a shot, Daniel Tetterton made a shot, Spencer Moody made a free throw, and Hayes Pickett made two shots. The final in this one was 68-22 to Pickens.

Leading the way for the Dragons were: Noah Sutton (22 points), Luke Rogers (10 points), Owen Moss (nine points), and Tucker Lowe (six points).

Pickens will be back on the court Saturday, Jan. 4, as the Northwest Whitfield Bruins come to Jasper for an afternoon tilt. Both teams are close in the region and this game will be crucial to the standings going forward. Tip-off is set for 4:30.