Jasper, Ga — Coming off a tough loss in non-region play to Fannin last Saturday, the Pickens Dragons, were looking to get back in the win column on Tuesday, January 13th as they welcomed the Johnson-Gainesville Knights to the Dragons Den for a 6-AAA contest. A big first quarter for the Dragons, would propel them to a big 77-42 win over the Knights.

After a nearly three minute back and forth to start the game where neither team could get anything to fall, McCord Purdy, would make a layup to give the Dragons a 2-0 lead. A three by Payton Rose, would give the Knights a 3-2 lead. The Dragons, would counter with a 13-0 run led by Aiden Mumaw, DJ Mitchell, and Brody Bryant. Monty Young, would end the run with a high arching three pointer to cut the lead to 15-6.

The Dragons, would close the first quarter on a 14-o run. Bryant, Mumaw, Mitchell, Purdy, and Hayden Jones would all contribute to the run. Heading to the second quarter, Pickens led Johnson, 29-6.

Young, would start the second quarter with a basket to cut the lead to 29-8. Cam Jones and Jonah Jordan, would then combine to go on a 5-0 run to make it 34-8. After a three by Maddox Whitmire, the Dragons, would go on a 7-0 run. Jordan, Cam Jones, and Purdy, would contribute to the run. Rose, would score 8 straight for the Knights as that would cut the lead down to 41-19.

Just before the first half buzzer, Landon Rice, would hit a corner three to give the Dragons a 44-19 lead over the Knights heading to the break.

The Dragons, would begin the second half by going on an 8-0 run. Hayden Jones, Mitchell, and Mumaw, all scored during the run. After a basket by Richard Silva, Mumaw, Cam Jones, and Purdy, would combine to go on a 6-0 run to make it 58-21. Rose and Aidan Patterson, would go on a 5-0 run to make it 58-26 Dragons. Rice, would end the third quarter with a layup to make it 60-26 heading to the fourth.

Young, would split a pair of free throws to begin a shortened fourth quarter. Bryant and Hayden Jones, would then make back to back baskets to stretch the lead out to 64-27. Josh Smith and Brady Gobert, would hit back to back threes for the Knights to make it 64-33. Mumaw, would complete an and-1 play to make it 67-33. After a three by Patterson, Purdy and Mumaw would go on a 5-0 run to make it 72-36.

Gobert, would hit his second three of the quarter to end the run. Cam Jones and Jedidiah Lanford, would go on a 5-0 run to make it 77-39. A three by Jesus Contreras, would give us a final score of 77-42.

Scoring leaders for the Dragons:

DJ Mitchell: 13 points

Aiden Mumaw: 13 points

McCord Purdy: 13 points

Brody Bryant: 8 points

Cam Jones: 8 points

Hayden Jones: 8 points

Jonah Jordan: 6 points

Landon Rice: 5 points

Jedidiah Lanford: 3 points

6-AAA Boys Standings:

Lumpkin County: 15-1 (5-0)

Pickens: 8-8 (4-1)

GAC: 5-9 (4-1)

Dawson County: 9-7 (3-2)

North Hall: 6-10 (2-3)

White County: 2-14 (2-3)

Chestatee: 3-13 (0-5)

Johnson-Gainesville: 0-13 (0-5)

The Dragons, will be on the road on Friday, January 16th as they head down to GAC to take on the Spartans in a big region match up. The winner, will have 2nd place by themselves. Tip off is scheduled for 8:30 pm.