Jasper, Ga — It was Championship Saturday on February 15th as the Pickens Dragonettes, battled the White County Lady Warriors for the 6-AAA Girls Region Championship. These two teams were the top two seeds coming into the tournament, and it was sure to be a back and forth ball game the whole way through. This game, needed an extra four minutes to decide a winner as it would be the Nettes who would come away victorious, 64-59.

Bella Martin, would get things started in the first quarter as she hit a three to put the Nettes ahead, 3-0. After a layup by Aslyn Burkett cut the lead to one, Martin and Ellie Hollis would go on a 4-0 run to make it 7-2 Nettes. A three by Kylie Watkins would cut the lead down to two. That would start what would become a 7-0 run as the Lady Warriors would take a 10-7 lead.

Ellison Steinhauer, would cut the lead down to one after sinking a pair of free throws. After Watkins split a pair of free throws, Tania Rivera and Anijah Moss, would trade three point baskets as the Lady Warriors led it, 14-12. Steinhauer, would then split a pair of free throws and then drain a three to make it 16-14 Nettes. A 4-0 run by Burkett and Watkins, would give the Lady Warriors an 18-16 advantage heading into the second quarter.

Watkins, would continue her fast start to the game as she opened up the second quarter with a layup to make it 20-14. A layup by Hollis, would make it a two point game. The two teams would trade buckets for the rest of the first half as the Lady Warriors, maintained a 34-32 lead heading into halftime.

Hollis, Martin, and Steinhauer, would begin the second half with a 6-0 run to give the Nettes a 38-34 lead. A layup by Watkins, would end the run and cut the lead in half. Rivera, would then make back to back baskets to put the Nettes ahead, 42-36. Watkins and Steinhauer, would trade buckets as the Nettes led it, 44-38. A 5-0 run by Moss and Watkins, would cut the lead down to one.

Steinhauer, would make a pair of free throws to give the Nettes a 46-43 lead over the Lady Warriors heading to the fourth quarter.

Steinhauer, would go on a 4-0 run to begin the fourth quarter to stretch the lead out to 50-43. A 5-0 run by Watkins and Emma Lightsey, would cut the lead down to two. After a basket by Steinhauer, Watkins and Lightsey would go on a 4-0 run to tie the game at 52. A layup by Steinhauer, would put the Nettes back in front, 54-52. A long two pointer from Burkett, would tie the game up at 54.

Steinhauer, had a good look at a potential game winning shot, but it would not go and the 6-AAA Region Championship, would be headed to overtime.

Rivera, would get things going in overtime as she would make a short jumper as she was being fouled. She would make the free throw to put the Nettes ahead, 57-54. A pair of free throws by Watkins, would cut the lead to one. Rivera, would then hit a big time three to put the Nettes ahead, 60-56. After a bucket by Lightsey, Steinhauer, would make a pair of free throws to make it 62-58 Nettes.

Steinhauer, would step to the line again and calmly make another pair of free throws to stretch the lead out to 64-58. Burkett, would split a pair of free throws to make it 64-59. The Nettes, would hang on to capture the 6-AAA Region Championship, 64-59.

Leading scorers for the Nettes:

Ellison Steinhauer: 30 points

Tania Rivera: 13 points

Bella Martin: 10 points

Ellie Hollis: 9 points

Reagan Ludington: 2 points

The Nettes, will now have to play the waiting game to see where they end up seeding wise for the AAA State Tournament. As a region champion, the Nettes are guaranteed a top 8 selection. Some have even predicted that the Nettes may end up with the top overall seed. We’ll have to wait for the GHSA to come out with their rankings for the final answer.