St. Simons Island — The Pickens Dragons, were lucky enough to ring in the new year down near the beach as they were one of eight teams that took part in Basketball at the Beach. A scouting service/media outlet named Relentless Hoops, put on the event. Frederica Academy, hosted the event. On Monday, December 30th, the Dragons, defeated the Johnson-Savannah Atom Smashers by a score of 62-54. On Tuesday, a big third quarter helped the Dragons pick up a 63-41 win over the Groves Rebels.

Dodge Davis got the scoring going for the Dragons with a bucket. The Rebels, answered with a basket to tie it up at 2. The Dragons, would then go on a 7-0 run to lead it, 9-2. Back to back buckets from Tyrone Chisholm, would cut the lead down to 9-6. After both teams traded baskets, the Dragons would close out the first quarter on a 4-0 run as Montego Morgan would hit a three, and McCord Purdy would split a pair of free throws to make it 17-10 going to the second.

Avion Dillard, would get the scoring started in the second quarter as he would cut the lead to 5. A 5-0 run by Purdy, would stretch the lead out to 22-12. Davion Adams, would end the run with a basket to make it 22-14. The two teams would go back and forth the rest of the first half as the Dragons led the Rebels, 25-18 at the break.

The second half began with Cameron Jenkins getting the bucket for the Rebels to once again cut the lead to 5. A combined 5-0 run by Caleb Lanford and Parker Davis, stretched the lead out to 30-20. A basket by Chisholm, would again get the lead down to single digits. Dodge Davis, would then go on a 6-0 run to make it 36-22 Dragons. After a bucket by Kaleb Detty put an end to the run, the Dragons, would rattle off 13 straight points to make it 49-24. A free throw by Adams closed out the third as Pickens led Groves, 49-25.

Dillard, would split a pair of free throws to begin the fourth quarter. Parker Davis, would score the first field goal of the fourth to make it 51-26. After a bucket by Detty, Dodge Davis would make a pair of free throws as the Dragons led it, 53-28. After both teams made a basket, Chisholm, would go on a 5-0 run to make it 55-35. Camden Jones, would put an end to the run with a bucket to make it 57-35.

The Rebels, would then go on a 6-0 run to cut the lead to 57-41. The Dragons, would end the game on a 6-0 run as Brock Barton and Parker Davis combined for the run. The Dragons, took this one, 63-41.

Leading scorers for the Dragons:

Dodge Davis: 16 points

Parker Davis: 11 points

Caleb Lanford: 11 points

McCord Purdy: 10 points

Brock Barton: 6 points

Jamin Martin: 4 points

Montego Morgan: 3 points

Camden Jones: 2 points

The Dragons, will enter the 2025 with a 12-0 record. Pickens, will be on the road to begin the new year as they will head up to Cleveland to take on the White County Warriors in a 6-AAA match up. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm.