Dragons and Rebels go toe to toe on the hardwood

Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, were back on Roy Cowart Court on Saturday, January 10th for the second of three straight home games as they took on the Fannin Rebels in non-region action. This was the rematch to the game these two teams played on November 18th. After a tough shooting fourth quarter for the Dragons, the Rebels, were able to hit some free throws down the stretch to pick up the win, 58-50.

 

The Dragons, would get off to a fast start to open the ball game as McCord Purdy would hit a three, and Hayden Jones would connect on a layup to make it 5-0. Kolton Kaylor, would go on a 4-0 run to get the Rebels on the board. DJ Mitchell, would split a pair of free throws to put the Dragons up 2. Mitchell, would then hit his first three of the game to make it a 5 points lead once again.

After a basket by Keaton Watkins, Mitchell, would hit his second three of the quarter to make it 12-6. Kaylor, would cut the lead to 4 after his third field goal of the quarter. Purdy, would hit his second three of the quarter to make it 15-8. Kaylor, would then make a pair of free throws to trim the lead to 5. Mitchell, would then connect on his third three of the quarter to make it 18-10. A late basket by Kaylor, would make it 18-12 Dragons heading to the second quarter.

 

Mitchell, would continue his hot shooting as he would hit his fourth three of the first half to begin the second quarter. Watkins and Kaylor, would make back to back baskets to cut the lead to 21-16. Purdy, would also stay hot as he hit another three to make it 24-16. After a three by Kaylor, Purdy, would match it to make it 27-19. The Rebels, would answer with a 13-0 run to take 32-27 lead.

Jones, would put an end to the run with a basket to make it 32-29. Tyler Blake, would end the first half scoring with a pair of free throws. The Rebels, would take a 34-29 lead into the break.

 

Mitchell, would start the second half with another three to cut the lead to 2. After a basket by Brody Henson, Purdy, would hit a three to make it 36-35. Hudson York, would put the Rebels up by three. Aiden Mumaw, would then make back to back baskets to give the Dragons a one point lead. A bucket by Watkins and a pair of free throws by Henson, would put the Rebels up, 42-39.

A 5-0 run by Jones and Jonah Jordan, would give the Dragons a 44-42 lead over the Rebels heading to the fourth quarter.

 

A 7-0 run by the Rebels to start the fourth quarter would help give them a 49-44 lead. Purdy, would end the run as he split a pair of free throws to cut the lead to 4. Mitchell, would end a fast break with a layup to cut the lead to 2. While the Dragons had plenty of open looks and chances down the stretch, the shots just wouldn’t fall for the home team. The Rebels, were able to make a couple of field goals and free throws to make it 58-47.

A three by Purdy right before the final buzzer, would give us a final score of 58-50 with the Rebels coming away with the win.

 

Leading scorers for the Dragons:

McCord Purdy: 19 points

DJ Mitchell: 18 points

Hayden Jones: 6 points

Aiden Mumaw: 4 points

Jonah Jordan: 3 points

 

The Dragons, will wrap up their three game home stand on Tuesday, January 13th as they will take on the Johnson-Gainesville Knights in 6-AAA region play. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm.