Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, were back inside the Dragons Den on Thursday, January 9th as they took on the Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans in another 6-AAA match up. This game, was originally scheduled for Friday, January 10th, but the impending weather forced it to be moved up a day to Thursday. The Dragons, came into the game with a 15-0 overall record and 5-0 in region play. The Spartans, came into the game 11-4 overall and 4-1 in region play. The Dragons, raced out to a nice lead and used that to pick up an 87-60 win.

The first quarter started with the Dragons going on a 10-0 run to begin the game. Senior Brock Barton, would get that run started with 3 of his 8 first quarter points. The Davis brothers, Dodge and Parker, added 7 and 6 points respectively in the quarter. A smothering Dragons defense, allowed just 4 points in the first quarter. Heading to the second quarter, the Dragons led the Spartans, 21-4.

Barton, would open up the scoring in the second quarter as he would hit his third three of the first half to make it 24-4. After a bucket by the Spartans, Caleb Lanford, who scored his 1,000th career point on Tuesday in the win against Johnson, nailed a three to make it 27-6. Scoring wise, the second quarter was closely contested as the Dragons outscored the Spartans, 23-20. At the half, the Dragons led it, 44-24.

Barton’s good night continued in the third quarter as he led with 10 points. Dodge Davis contributed 8 points in the quarter, and Lanford added 3 points. The third quarter was another nice back and forth quarter between the two teams as the Dragons outscored the Spartans, 21-20 in the quarter. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons were still on top, 65-44.

The fourth quarter saw the Dragons put on a little bit of a show as there were dunks off of fast breaks and alley oops off of set plays. McCord Purdy would also show off his passing ability with a behind the back pass that would lead to a layup. The Dragons, would outscore the Spartans, 22-16 in the fourth on their way to an 87-60 victory.

Scoring leaders for the Dragons:

Brock Barton: 28 points (6 threes)

Dodge Davis: 27 points (3 threes)

Caleb Lanford: 16 points (4 threes)

Parker Davis: 12 points

Jamin Martin: 2 points

McCord Purdy: 2 points

6-AAA Boys Basketball Standings:

Pickens: 16-0 (6-0)

Lumpkin: 11-6 (5-1)

GAC: 11-5 (4-2)

North Hall: 10-7 (3-3)

Dawson: 5-12 (2-4)

White County: 3-13 (2-4)

Chestatee: 2-14 (1-4)

Johnson-Gainesville: 1-11 (0-5)

The Dragons, were set to take on Walton on Saturday, January 11th, but the impending weather forced all school activities for Saturday to be cancelled. No word on if that game will be made up or not. The Dragons, will now turn their attention to Tuesday, January 14th as they take to the road to battle the Dawson Tigers in another 6-AAA ball game. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm.