Dragons move on to Sweet 16 after defeating Fayette County

Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, began their journey in the AAA State Tournament on Wednesday, February 19th as they hosted the Tigers of Fayette County. The Dragons, came into the tournament as the #10 seed. The Tigers, came in as the #23 seed. The Dragons, would lead throughout and advance to the Sweet 16 after picking up a 68-48 win.

The first quarter began with the Tigers committing a pair of fouls. Brock Barton, would give the Dragons an early lead after making a pair of free throws. That would kick start a 6-0 run as Dodge Davis and Caleb Lanford, would make back to back layups to make it 6-0. Ali Sheriff, would end the run and get the Tigers on the board with a jumper. After a bucket by Dodge Davis, Aden Saunders, would hit a three to cut the lead to 8-5.

Barton, Lanford, and Dodge Davis, would go on another 6-0 run to stretch the lead out to 14-5. A second three by Saunders, would cut the lead to 14-8. The Dragons, would close the first quarter with back to back baskets by Parker Davis and Lanford. The Dragons, would lead the Tigers 18-8 heading to the second.

Jackson Rutley, would start the second quarter off by going on a 5-0 run to cut the lead to 18-13. Dodge Davis, Lanford, and Jamin Martin, would then combine for an 8-0 run to stretch the lead out to 26-13. A three by Elijah Barksdale, would end the run and cut the lead to 10. Martin and Rutley, would then trade buckets as the Dragons led it, 28-18. Lanford and Rutley, would go back and forth to end the first half as the Dragons led it, 31-20.

The second half began with Barton driving in for a tough basket to make it 33-20. A three by Jaren Blankenship, would cut the lead back down to 10. Both teams, would then go back and forth a bit as the Dragons maintained an 11 point lead. Dodge Davis, would then go on a 5-0 run as he would hit a three, then make a pair of free throws to make it 45-29.

Both teams, would again trade baskets to end the third quarter as the Dragons led the Tigers, 49-34 heading to the fourth.

Saunders, would start the fourth quarter with a bucket to cut the lead to 49-36. A three by Dodge Davis and a layup by Barton, would make it 54-36. Blankenship and Rutley, would each make one out of two free throws to cut the lead to 54-38. A three by Martin, would make it 57-38. The two teams, would then trade baskets as the Dragons led the Tigers, 59-42.

A layup by Parker Davis and a pair of free throws from McCord Purdy, would make it 63-42. After a bucket by Blankenship, Parker Davis, would complete an and-1 play to make it 66-44. Anthony Perry and Saunders, would make a free throw a piece to cut the lead to 66-46. Purdy, would again make a pair of free throws to make it 68-46. A late basket by Sheriff, would close out the game as the Dragons defeat the Tigers, 68-48.

Leading scorers for the Dragons:

Dodge Davis: 22 points

Parker Davis: 11 points

Caleb Lanford: 11 points

Brock Barton: 8 points

Jamin Martin: 8 points

McCord Purdy: 8 points

The Dragons, will now get ready for their Sweet 16 match up as they travel to Albany on Saturday, February 22nd to take on the #7 seeded Monroe Golden Tornadoes. Monroe, defeated the Gilmer Bobcats to advance to the Sweet 16. Tip off is set for 7 pm.