Jasper, Ga — After the girls game, it was time for the boys teams to take the court. Coming into the game, the Dragons were 2-4 overall and 0-1 in 7-AAAA play while the Central-Carroll Lions came in at 3-1 overall and 1-0 in region play. After getting down early, the Dragons fought back in the fourth quarter, but the Lions held on for a 60-48 win.

In the first quarter, Luke Rogers got the scoring started for Pickens as he hit one of two free throws. From there, Central-Carroll would go on a 10-0 run to make it 10-1. Rogers stopped the run with a bucket to make it 10-3. The Lions then went on a 5-0 run to stretch their lead out to 15-3. The Dragons then countered with a 7-0 run getting a three pointer by Jaden Stewart, and two buckets from Collin Kellogg to make it 15-10. After a three pointer by Central-Carroll, Pickens got a bucket from Kadyn Hampton to make it 18-12 Lions going to the second quarter.

Dragons with the ball in the 1st quarter

The saw quarter saw both teams trade buckets back and forth early on. The Dragons then cut a 23-16 deficit, to just a one possession game at 23-20 after buckets from Rogers and Stewart. The Lions would go on an 8-0 run to make it 31-20. After two free throws from Stewart, Central-Carroll closed the first half on a 4-0 run to make it 35-22 at the break.

Dragons defending the Lions

After a 4-0 start to the third quarter by the Lions, the Dragons got four points back after a free throw from Rogers, and a three pointer from Stewart to make it 39-26. After Central-Carroll hit four free throws, Pickens went on a 6-0 run aided by two buckets from Rogers, and a bucket from Stewart to make it 43-32. The two teams then traded a pair of buckets to make it 45-34 Lions. As the third quarter was coming to a close, Stewart launched a prayer from well behind half court and nailed it to make it 45-37 going to the fourth.

Jaden Stewart getting a screen

Stewart, would open up the fourth quarter the same way he ended the third quarter to cut the Lions lead down to 45-40. After a bucket by Central-Carroll, the Dragons got a three pointer from Kellogg to make it 47-43. The Lions, then went on an 8-0 run to make it 55-43. From then on the teams would each score five points as Central-Carroll came away with a 60-48 win.

Leading scorers for Pickens:

Jaden Stewart: 19 points

Luke Rogers: 14 points

Collin Kellogg: 11 points

7-AAAA Region Standings:

Central-Carroll: 4-1 (2-0)

Heritage: 3-3 (2-0)

Southeast Whitfield: 3-2 (1-0)

Cedartown: 1-2 (1-1)

Ridgeland: 1-4 (0-1)

Northwest Whitfield: 5-2 (0-2)

Pickens: 2-5 (0-2)

On Tuesday, December 14th, the Dragons will be back on the road as they head up to take on the Generals of Heritage. Pickens will look to put an end to their recent struggles and pick up their first region win. Tip off set for 7:30.