Jasper, Ga — After the game between the Nettes and Lady Generals was over, it was time for the Pickens Dragons and the Heritage Generals to take the floor. Coming into the game, the Dragons held a record of 9-11 (3-4) while the Generals came in at 8-9 (4-4). Both teams were looking for a win to stay in the thick of the 7-AAAA standings race with only a couple weeks left until the region tournament. The first meeting between these two in December went the way of the Generals as they defeated the Dragons 56-31 at Heritage. In what was a very physical game, a tough fourth quarter led to the Generals coming away with a 49-46 win.

 

The first quarter got off to a very rough start for both teams as turnovers and missed shots were the theme to begin the game. Heritage, finally broke the drought and went on a 4-0 run to give them the lead. A bucket by Collin Kellogg got the Dragons on the board and cut the Generals lead in half. Heritage would respond by going on a 6-0 run to make it 10-2. A free throw make by Luke Rogers made it 10-3 Generals going to the second.

 

To start the second quarter, Rogers again split a pair of free throws to make it 10-4. After a three pointer by the Generals, the Dragons went on a 9-0 run powered by two three pointers from Jaden Stewart, and Rogers converting an and-1 to tie things up at 13. The tie didn’t last long as the Generals got an and-1 of their own to retake the lead, 16-13. The Dragons ended the first half on a 5-0 run as Stewart hit his third three pointer of the quarter and Caleb Keith made a layup just before the buzzer to give Pickens an 18-16 lead at the break.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The third quarter began with Caleb Bryant hitting two free throws to make it 20-16. Caleb Keith kept the run going with a three pointer to make it 23-16. All together, the Dragons went on a 10-0 run to take the first lead of the game. Heritage answered with a 4-0 run to make it 23-20. After the two teams traded buckets, Pickens went on a 7-0 run as Kadyn Hampton contributed 4 points, and Camden Dunn hit a three to make it 37-25 Dragons. The Generals then got a bucket to cut the lead down to 37-27. Rogers got a bucket to drop as Pickens took a 39-27 lead over Heritage into the fourth.

 

The Generals started the fourth quarter on a 7-0 run to cut the Dragons lead down to 39-34. Rogers then countered with a 5-0 run on his own as he made two field goals and made a free throw to make it 44-34. A 13-0 run from Heritage would flip the game and give the Generals their first lead since the second quarter at 47-44. Rogers and Hampton both split a pair of free throws to make it 47-46. A pair of free throws from Heritage made it 49-46. The Dragons had a couple final chances for a game tying three pointer, but they would fall short and the Generals would come away with the win, 49-46.

 

7-AAAA Region Standings:

Central-Carroll: 13-6 (7-1)

Northwest Whitfield: 17-3 (6-3)

Cedartown: 7-9 (5-3)

Heritage: 9-9 (5-4)

Pickens: 9-12 (3-5)

Southeast Whitfield: 8-12 (2-6)

Ridgeland: 7-12 (1-7)

 

A two game road trip for the Dragons starts on Friday, January 28th as they will travel up to Rossville to take on the Ridgeland Panthers. Earlier this month, the Dragons came away with a 61-58 win over the Panthers in Jasper. Tip off for this one is set for 7:30.