Jasper, Ga — The third and final day of the PHS Thanksgiving Classic brought us a 515 rivalry match up as the Pickens Dragonettes, faced off against the Gilmer Lady Cats on Tuesday, November 25th. Barring a match up in the playoffs, this was the only time Pickens and Gilmer will have met this season. It was a high intensity, low scoring game. In the end, the Nettes, would come out on top, 42-35.

The Lady Cats, would go on an early run to start the game as Bree Burnette and Jace Sanderson, combined to score the first 7 points of the night. Ellison Steinhauer, would get the Nettes going with a 5-0 run to make it 7-5. Make Taylor, Sanderson, and Chelsey Griggs, would combine to go on a 6-0 run to make it 13-5. A three by Bree Jewell, would cut the Lady Cats lead to 13-8 heading to the second quarter.

A bucket by Steinhauer, would cut the lead to 3 to start the second quarter. Burnette and Caleigh Hofford, would then trade three point makes as Gilmer led it, 16-13. After a basket by Tania Rivera would cut the lead to 1, Sanderson, would make back to back baskets to give the Lady Cats a 20-15 lead. After Jewell split a pair of free throws, Steinhauer, would make a pair of free throws to close out the first half as the Lady Cats led it, 20-18 at the break.

Griggs, would get the second half started with a bucket to make it a 4 point game. Steinhauer, would respond with a 6-0 run to give the Nettes a 24-22 lead. Paula Robertson, would tie things up with a bucket. After a basket by Steinahuer, Robertson, would hit a three to give the Lady Cats a 27-26 lead. Ally Phillips, would split a pair of free throws to make it a 2 point game. Rivera, would hit a three just before the third quarter buzzer to give the Nettes a 29-28 lead.

Sanderson, would split a pair of free throws to begin the fourth quarter to tie things up at 29. Hofford, would hit her second three of the game to give the Nettes a 32-29 lead. Steinhauer, would then make a pair of free throws to stretch the lead out to 5. A basket by Sanderson, would trim the lead back to 3. A lay-in by Skyler Lathem, would put the Nettes back up 5.

After a bucket by Taylor, Reagan Ludington, would split a pair of free throws to make it 37-33. A basket by Burnette, would cut the lead to 2. Ludington and Steinhauer, would close out the game with several free throws as the Nettes would come away with the win, 42-35.

Scoring leaders for the Nettes:

Ellison Steinhauer: 23 points (All-Tournament Team)

Caleigh Hofford: 6 points

Tania Rivera: 5 points

Bree Jewell: 4 points

Skyler Lathem: 2 points

Reagan Ludungton: 2 points (All-Tournament Team)

The Nettes, head into the first region games of the season with a record of 3-2. They will open up 6-AAA play on Friday, December 5th as they take on the Chestatee Lady War Eagles at home. Tip off is set for 7 pm.