Jasper, Ga — The ’25-’26 basketball season for the Dragons and to help get ready for the upcoming season, the Dragons hosted the Christian Heritage Lions for a scrimmage. The Lions, finished the ’24-’25 season with a 26-2 record. The Dragons, finished the ’24-’25 season with a 28-2 record. In one of the most interesting games I’ve seen in person, the Dragons were able to hang on and win the game 77-69 after finishing the game with only 4 players on the court.

The first quarter was riddled with foul calls. A majority of those calls went against the Dragons. Putting several players in early foul trouble. The Dragons, were already a bit shorthanded as the football players were unavailable for the game. DJ Mitchell, led the way in scoring in the quarter with 15. Aiden Mumaw, had 2 points, and Brody Bryant and Landon Rice each hit a free throw. Despite the early foul trouble, the Dragons found themselves only down 20-19 heading to the second quarter.

In the second quarter, both teams again would remain close, with the Lions narrowly outscoring the Dragons, 19-15. Mitchell, again led the Dragons in scoring in the quarter with 8. Rice, would score 3, and Jonah Jordan and Jedidiah Lanford, would each score 2 points. Heading into the break, the Lions led the Dragons, 39-34.

The third quarter saw the Dragons retake the lead after several turnovers by the Lions led to buckets for Pickens on the offensive end. The Dragons, outscored the Lions 21-14 in the third. Mitchell, continued his big night with 8 third quarter points. Jordan, would score 5 points, Lanford would hit a three, and Rice would score 2 points. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led Christian Heritage, 55-53.

The fourth quarter, is where things started to get wacky. Several Dragons went into the fourth quarter with 4 fouls. With a little over two minutes left and the Dragons leading, the fifth Dragon player would foul out. After a timeout by the Dragons, they retook the floor with only four players as the home crowd applauded. After the Lions would tie the game, the Dragons, would go on an impressive run to retake the lead.

With 12 seconds left, the Lions had the ball with a chance to tie or win it. They would be able to do either as an offensive foul was called. After a pair of technical fouls and an ejection, Bryant would calmly step to the line and sink four free throws. The Dragons, would come away with a 77-69 win.

Scoring leaders for the Dragons:

DJ Mitchell: 34 points

Brody Bryant: 14 points

Jonah Jordan: 12 points

Landon Rice: 10 points

Jedidiah Lanford: 5 points

Aiden Mumaw: 2 points

Much like the Nettes, the Dragons will also be at Sequoyah High School on Saturday, November 15th as they take part in Sandy’s Spiel Tip-Off Classic. The Dragons, will take on the South Paulding Spartans. Tip off is set for 10 am.