Jasper, Ga — In what was the final home game of the 2023 portion of the schedule, the Pickens Dragons took on the Lumpkin Indians on Friday, December 15th. The Dragons, came in winners of two straight, and were looking to jump to a tie for 3rd place in the region standings. The Indians, came in looking to put an end to a two game losing streak, and avoid an 0-4 start in region play. A big third quarter by the Dragons propelled them to an 81-50 win.

The Dragons, got off to a fast start in the first quarter as a 5-0 run by Dodge Davis gave Pickens an early 5-0 lead. Back to back three pointers from Landon Pierce, gave the Indians a 6-5 advantage. Preston Cox, would then split a pair of free throws to make it 7-5 Lumpkin. The Dragons, retook the lead after two free throws from Dodge Davis and a three pointer by Caleb Lanford. Dodge Davis, would give the Dragons a 12-9 lead heading to the second quarter after hitting two free throws.

The Dragons, would begin the second quarter with a 6-0 run as Hayden Jones and McCord Purdy both made baskets, and Dodge Davis hit two more free throws to make it 18-9. After Cal Faulkner and Purdy traded buckets, Faulkner and Cox combined for a 5-0 run to cut the Dragons lead to 20-16. The Dragons, would increase their lead to as much as 11 in the second quarter. They would take a 32-23 lead into the break.

Purdy, got the second half going with a three to make it 35-23. After a basket by T.J. Gaddis, Parker Davis hit a three to make it 38-25. Lanford, followed up with a pair of free throws to make it a 15 point game. The Dragons, would outscore the Indians 22-14 the rest of the way in the third. The third quarter was capped off by Jones hitting a half court buzzer beater to give Pickens a 62-39 lead going to the fourth.

The fourth quarter began with Faulkner making a bucket to hopefully jump start the Indians. Purdy and Parker Davis responded with back to back three pointers to make it 68-41. The Dragons, would out score the Indians 13-9 in the rest of the fourth as they picked up a big 81-50 win.

7-AAA Region Standings:

Gilmer: 7-2 (4-0)

Wesleyan: 6-5 (2-0)

Pickens: 6-4 (2-1)

West Hall: 3-6 (2-1)

Dawson: 5-4 (1-2)

White County: 3-8 (0-3)

Lumpkin: 2-9 (0-4)

The Dragons, will be on the road next week as they travel to Blue Ridge for three days of holiday tournament action starting on Tuesday, December 19th as they take on the Fannin Rebels. Tip scheduled for 8:30 pm.