Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, were back on the home floor on Friday, January 30th as they welcomed the North Hall Trojans to the Dragons Den for another big time 6-AAA region ball game. The Dragons, came into the game riding a 3-game win streak and were looking to continue that while also earning a sweep of the Trojans. The third quarter would be the difference in this one as the Dragons would come away with a 73-59 win.

The Trojans, would split a pair of free throws to get the scoring going in the first quarter. After a layup by Hayden Jones gave the Dragons a 2-1 lead, Gunner Spain and Kenny Sullivan, would combine to go on a 6-0 run to make it 7-2 Trojans. A three by DJ Mitchell, would cut the lead to two. A three by Walker Vining, would give the Trojans a 10-5 lead. A 6-0 combined run by Brody Bryant, McCord Purdy, and Mitchell, would make it 11-10 Dragons.

Carter Causey, would split a pair of free throws to tie the game at 11. He would again split another pair of free throws to give the Trojans a one point lead. Purdy, would hit a three just before the buzzer to give the Dragons a 14-12 lead heading to the second quarter.

Jonah Jordan and Purdy would begin the second quarter with back to back baskets to make it 18-12. A three by Vining, would cut the lead in half. Mitchell and Purdy, would then combine to go on a 7-0 run to stretch the Dragons lead out to ten. Vining and Spain, would combine to go on a 6-0 run to trim the lead down to four. A bucket by Jones, would make it a six point game.

Causey, would hit a three to once again cut the lead in half. Purdy and Spain would trade baskets to end the first half as the Dragons would take a 29-25 lead into the break.

Mitchell, would open up the second half with a three to make it 32-25. After a bucket by Vinings, Bryant, Mitchell, and Jones, would combine to go on an 8-0 run to give the Dragons a 40-27 advantage. Spain, would cut the lead to nine after back to back baskets. The two teams would then trade buckets until Vinings and Sullivan would go on a 4-0 run to make it 46-39.

Purdy and Mitchell, would end the third quarter by hitting back to back threes to give the Dragons a 52-39 lead over the Trojans heading to the fourth.

Back to back baskets by Sullivan and Spain to start the fourth quarter, would cut the Dragons lead to nine. Mitchell, would respond with back to back three pointers to make it 58-43. Sullivan and Aiden Mumaw, would then trade buckets as the Dragons led it, 60-47. After Purdy split a pair of free throws, Spain, would get a jumper to go to make it 61-49. The two Seniors, Jones and Purdy, would make it 65-49 after back to back baskets.

A 4-0 run by the Trojans, would cut the lead to twelve. Bryant, would extend the lead to fourteen after hitting a pair of free throws. A three by Drew Cronan, would trim the lead to eleven. Bryant, would split a pair of free throws to make it 68-56. A three by Spain, would cut the lead to single digits. Purdy and Mitchell, would end the game by making several free throws to give the Dragons a 73-59 victory.

Leading scorers for the Dragons:

DJ Mitchell: 28 points

McCord Purdy: 22 points

Brody Bryant: 9 points

Hayden Jones: 8 points

Aiden Mumaw: 4 points

Jonah Jordan: 2 points

6-AAA Boys Region Standings:

GAC: 10-10 (9-1)

Lumpkin: 18-3 (8-2)

Pickens: 12-9 (8-2)

Dawson: 11-10 (5-5)

North Hall: 9-12 (5-5)

White County: 4-17 (4-6)

Chestatee: 4-17 (1-9)

Johnson-Gainesville: 0-19 (0-10)

The Dragons, will be back home on Tuesday for the final time in the regular season as the take on the GAC Spartans on Tuesday, February 3rd. The Dragons, will be looking to split the season series with the Spartans. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 pm.