On Tuesday, the Pickens Dragonettes (15-7, 8-2) hosted the Gilmer Lady Cats (14-6, (9-1) in a rivalry battle with big region implications. The Lady Cats, hadn’t lost in region play up until this point and the Nettes, were simply looking to keep pace with Northwest Whitfield. It was one of those classics last night as Pickens defeated Gilmer in overtime by a score of 70-66.

In the first quarter, Mykenzie Weaver got things going for the Nettes with an opening bucket. The Lady Cats, came back with a three by Hope Colwell, and a bucket by Elly Callihan to make it 5-2 early on. Weaver, went on a quick 5-0 run herself to make it 7-5 Pickens. Both teams played the opening quarter very close as no lead grew higher than three. Going to the second, Gilmer led, 17-16.

Weaver driving into the lane

To start the second quarter, the Lady Cats went on a 6-0 run to stretch their lead to 24-16. Carmyn Mullins, would make two layups back to back, to cut the Gilmer lead down to 24-20. Later on, Weaver connected on a three pointer to cut it to 27-26, then Marlee McClure stepped up and drained a three pointer as well to give the Nettes a 29-28 lead. Jalynn Ledford, would make two late free throws to give the Lady Cats a 30-29 lead going into the break.

Gilmer looking to inbound the ball underneath their goal

To start the third quarter, both Elly Callihan and Weaver traded buckets with Elly Callihan getting the slight upperhand, 6-4. Colwell added a free throw and the Lady Cats led 37-34. That lead disappeared quickly as Reagan Harwood hit a three to tie things up at 37. Emma Callihan came right back with a three of her own to make it 40-37 Gilmer. Sarah Morris then came down on the other end and knocked down a three as well as it was raining threes inside the Dragons Den. Just before the end of the quarter, Weaver put up a three pointer and it found it’s mark, giving the Nettes a 50-48 lead going to the fourth.

Coach Thomas going over strategy with the Nettes

Elly Callihan made two free throws to start the fourth, to tie things up at 50. Morris, came down and hit another big three to give Pickens a 53-50 lead. Elly Callihan then hit four consecutive free throws to give the Lady Cats the lead, 54-53. Morris connected on a two pointer and the Nettes were back in front, 55-54. Gilmer, went on a 4-0 run to take a 58-55 lead. Harwood, split a double team, and found a wide open lane to the basket and made the layup to make it 58-57. After a Weaver basket cut the Lady Cats lead to one, the Nettes got a big stop on defense. Weaver, drove into the lane for a potential game winner and was fouled on the attempt. She would hit one of two free throws to tie it at 61. Gilmer had one final chance to win it in regulation as a desperation heave nearly went in. To overtime we went, tied at 61.

In the overtime period, Beth Burnette got things going for the Lady Cats with a three to make it 64-61. Morris, hit another three to tie it up at 64 a piece. Weaver then connected on a layup and a pair of free throws to give the Nettes a 68-64 lead. Gilmer hit a two pointer to make it 68-66. With little time remaining, Amanda Nelson stepped to the line, and calmly knocked down a pair of free throws to make it 70-66. The Lady Cats wanted a foul called after a three point attempt, but it was not called and time ran out as the Nettes handed Gilmer their first region loss of the season, 70-66.

Leading the way for the Nettes were:

Mykenzie Weaver: 38 points

Sarah Morris: 16 points

Reagan Harwood: 7 points

Leading the way for the Lady Cats were:

Elly Callihan: 20 points

Bailey Teague: 15 points

Jalynn Ledford: 10 points

On Friday, the Nettes will travel to Tunnel Hill to take on the Northwest Whitfield Lady Bruins in another key region meeting with the region tournament looming. Pickens, still has an outside shot at the #2 seed in the region tournament. They will need to defeat both Northwest and Southeast Whitfield and hope that the Lady Cats can defeat the Lady Bruins again. Tip off for the Nettes and Northwest Whitfield is set for 7 pm.