Jasper, Ga — One of the biggest games in the state of Georgia took place on Friday, January 12th as the Pickens Dragonettes hosted the Wesleyan Lady Wolves in a battle of top ranked teams. Coming into the game, the Nettes, were 17-0, 4-0 in 7-AAA, ranked 3rd in 3A, and 4th in the state of Georgia on MaxPreps. The Lady Wolves, came into the game 12-1, 4-0 in 7-AAA, ranked 2nd in 3A, ranked 3rd in the state of Georgia on MaxPreps, and ranked in the top 25 nationally. The Lady Wolves, pulled away late to pick up a 62-54 win.

The first quarter began with the Lady Wolves going on a 6-0 run as Johanna Potter and ’24 4-star Ga Tech signee Chazadi “Chit-Chat” Wright combined for the run. ’24 Valdosta State signee Bella Hopkins, got the Nettes on the board with a layup to cut the lead to 4. A 4-0 run by Potter and ’24 4-star Texas signee Bryanna Preston, stretched the lead out to 10-2. The Nettes, answered with a 5-0 run as Hopkins got another basket to fall and Ellison Steinhauer hit a three to make it 10-7.

Wright, ended the run with a three pointer to make it 13-7. A bucket by ’24 UVA-Wise signee Caroline Mullins cut the lead to 4. After a pair of free throw makes by the Lady Wolves, the Nettes would close out the first quarter on a 4-0 run as Mullins and Caleigh Hoffard made back to back layups to make 15-13 going to the second quarter.

A basket by Steinhauer tied the ball game at 15 to start the second quarter. After a three pointer from the Lady Wolves, Hopkins would make a jumper, and Steinhauer would split a pair of free throws to tie it at 18. A bucket by Wesleyan pushed them ahead by 2. Steinhauer, hit a three to give the Nettes their first lead of the game. Potter, gave the lead back to the Lady Wolves with a layup as both teams were trading baskets. A 4-0 run by Steinhauer gave the Nettes a 25-22 lead.

Preston, would then drive in for a layup to cut the Nettes lead down to 1. Back to back three pointers from Freshman Reagan Ludington and Steinhauer gave the Nettes their biggest lead at 31-24. Another layup from Preston cut the Nettes lead to 31-26. A three by Steinhauer increased the lead 34-26. Potter, split a pair of free throws to close out the first half as the Nettes took a 34-27 lead into the break.

Potter, began the second half by again splitting a pair of free throws to cut the lead to 34-28. Another three pointer from Steinhauer increased the lead to 37-28. For the rest of the third quarter, both teams would trade baskets as the Nettes maintained the lead over the Lady Wolves. Going to the fourth, the Nettes led Wesleyan, 48-40.

The Lady Wolves, started the scoring in the fourth quarter after a couple of fouls as Wright and Shayla Bahr combined for a 5-0 run to cut the lead down to 48-45. A bucket by Hopkins stretched the lead back to 5. A 9-0 run led by Preston and Wright, gave the Lady Wolves a 54-50 lead. A basket by Mullins put an end to the run and cut the lead down to 2. Potter and Mullins would then trade buckets as the Lady Wolves led it, 58-54. Wright, closed out the game hitting four free throws as the Lady Wolves came away with a 62-54 victory.

Scorers for the Nettes:

Ellison Steinhauer: 24 points

Caroline Mullins: 14 points

Bella Hopkins: 11 points

Reagan Ludington: 3 points

Caleigh Hoffard: 2 points

7-AAA Girls Basketball Standings:

#2 Wesleyan: 13-1 (5-0)

#3 Pickens: 17-1 (4-1)

#5 White County: 15-3 (3-2)

#6 Dawson: 10-7 (3-2)

Gilmer: 7-8 (2-4)

Lumpkin: 5-11 (1-4)

West Hall: 0-13 (0-5)

The Nettes, will be back on the road on Tuesday, January 16th as they take on the West Hall Lady Spartans. Tip off is set for 6 pm.