Dragons win physical game against Mt. Bethel

Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, took on the Mt Bethel Christian Academy Eagles on Saturday, November 23rd on day one of the Pickens Thanksgiving Classic. Earlier boys action saw The Kings Academy defeat Alpharetta, 80-73. The game between the Dragons and the Eagles was a physical one and it got chippy at times. Pickens, got a pair of free throws from McCord Purdy late in the game to seal a hard fought win, 47-43.

The Eagles, began the game by scoring the first seven points of the quarter. Mt. Bethel, would get baskets from Peter Julius, Tej Efemini, and a three pointer from Bony Shingani. The Dragons, would get on the board as Dodge Davis split a pair of free throws. After Efemini made a layup, Dodge Davis would score the first field goal of the game for the Dragons to make it 9-3. Dodge Davis, would then again split a pair of free throws to make it 9-4.

After a timeout by the Eagles, Trumane Watkins would hit a three to make it 12-4. Parker Davis, would get in on the action to close out the first quarter as he made back to back tough buckets to cut the Eagle lead down to 12-8 heading to the second quarter.

Much like he did in the first quarter, Julius would get the second quarter going with a layup to make it 14-8. Parker Davis, would get his third basket to make it a four point game. After a pair of fouls by the Eagles, McCord Purdy would score his first points of the contest with a bucket to cut the lead down to 14-12. Julius, would make another layup to stretch the lead back to four. The Dragons, answered with a 5-0 run as Caleb Lanford made a basket, and Purdy would hit a three to make it 17-16 Dragons.

Julius, would split a pair of free throws to tie the game at 17. Lanford, would make a tough shot to give the Dragons a 19-17 lead over the Eagles heading into the break.

The Dragons, would carry that momentum into the second half as they began the third quarter with back to back buckets from Lanford and Purdy to make it 23-17. Julius, would end the mini run with a layup to cut the lead down to four. Dodge Davis, would then make a pair of free throws to give the Dragons a 25-19 lead. After a series of fouls, Roman Avery and Dodge Davis would trade three point baskets as Pickens led it, 28-22.

Watkins, would make a pair of free throws to cut the lead to 28-24. Dodge Davis, would then drive then lane and dunk over the attempted block of Julius to make it 30-24. Lanford, would add to the lead with a three to make it 33-24. After free throws from Efemini and Nate Robinson, the Pickens lead was cut to 33-28. Purdy, would get two of those free throws back as he made both of his. The Eagles, would close the third quarter by going on a 6-0 run to cut the Dragons lead down to 35-34 heading to the fourth.

The Eagles, would continue their run that closed the third quarter to begin the fourth as Julius and Efemini made back to back buckets to give Mt. Bethel a 38-35 lead. The Dragons, would counter with a 5-0 run to retake the lead as Dodge Davis hit a three that tied it at 38. Brock Barton, would get into the score book with a very tough layup to make it 40-38. A three by Watkins would give the Eagles a 41-40 lead.

The Dragons, would again answer with a 5-0 run as Dodge Davis would make a bucket, and then Jamin Martin would nail a clutch three to make it 45-41 Pickens. A basket by Robinson would cut the Dragons lead down to 45-43. With the ball game under 30 seconds remaining, and the Eagles at only two fouls, they had to foul the Dragons three straight times to send them to the free throw line.

With 12 seconds left in the game, Purdy would head to the line with a chance to potentially seal the win for the Dragons. Purdy, cool, calm, and collected, nailed both free throws to make it 47-43. The Eagles, wouldn’t be able to get a last second shot up and the Dragons would hang on to win it, 47-43.

Dragons leading scorers:

Dodge Davis: 16 points

McCord Purdy: 11 points

Caleb Lanford: 9 points

Parker Davis: 6 points

Jamin Martin: 3 points

Brock Barton: 2 points

The Dragons, will be back on the court on Monday, November 25th as they take on the Alpharetta Raiders for day two of the Pickens Thanksgiving Classic. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm.