Cleveland, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, came into their game against the White County Warriors playing their best ball of the season as they brought a five game win streak with them. In what was a close game throughout, the Dragons, were able to pull away in the fourth quarter to pick up a 66-48 win.

Blayne Gunter, would get the game started with a layup to give the Warriors the early advantage. McCord Purdy, would tie the game with a bucket. Carter Nguyen, Gunter, and Cohen Michaud, would combine to go on an 8-0 run to make it 10-2. The Dragons, would counter as Aiden Mumaw and Brody Bryant, would combine for a 5-0 run to cut the lead to three.

Gunter and DJ Mitchell, would trade baskets to end the first quarter as the Warriors would take a 12-9 lead into the second quarter.

Gunter, would open the second quarter with another bucket to stretch the lead to five. Purdy and Jonah Jordan, would then combine to go on a 7-0 run to give the Dragons a 16-14 lead. After Gunter tied it with a basket, Purdy, would then complete an and-1 play to make it 19-16. Michaud, would answer that with his own and-1 play to tie the game at 19. Back to back buckets from Mumaw and Purdy, would make it 23-19.

The Warriors, would counter with back to back baskets to once again tie the game. Mitchell, would give the Dragons the lead and Purdy, would split a pair of free throws to make it 26-23. Michaud, would trim the lead to one after a pair of free throws. Purdy, would then get another bucket to drop as the Dragons would lead it, 28-25. A pair of free throws by Gunter, would once again make it a one point game.

Purdy, as he has done several times in his career at PHS, would beat the first half buzzer with a three to give the Dragons a 31-27 lead at the break.

Mitchell, would begin the second half with a three to make it 34-27. Nguyen, would counter with a 6-0 run to trim the lead to 34-33. The Dragons, would answer that with a 5-0 run as Mitchell would hit another three, and Hayden Jones would make a pair of free throws to make it 39-33. A 5-0 run by Cooper Adam and Nguyen, would trim the lead to one. Purdy, would make a pair of free throws to give the Dragons a three point lead.

A 4-0 run by the Warriors, would give them a 42-41 lead. A three by Jedidiah Lanford and a lay-in by Mumaw, would make it 46-42 Dragons. After a bucket by Gunter, Bryant and Purdy, would end the third quarter on a 4-0 run to make it 50-44 heading to the fourth.

Jordan, Mumaw, and Bryant, would start the fourth quarter by going on a 10-0 run to stretch the lead out to 60-44. After a basket by Gunter, Bryant and Jordan, would make back to back buckets to make it 64-46. Nguyen, would make it 64-48 after a layup. Purdy, would end the night with a layup as the Dragons would come away with the win, 66-48.

Scoring leaders for the Dragons:

McCord Purdy: 20 points

Jonah Jordan: 12 points

Brody Bryant: 11 points

DJ Mitchell: 10 points

Aiden Mumaw: 8 points

Jedidiah Lanford: 3 points

Hayden Jones: 2 points

6-AAA Boys Region Standings:

GAC: 11-11 (10-2)

Lumpkin: 20-3 (10-2)

Pickens: 14-9 (10-2)

Dawson: 13-10 (7-5)

North Hall: 9-14 (5-7)

White County: 4-19 (4-8)

Chestatee: 5-18 (2-10)

Johnson-Gainesville: 0-21 (0-12)

The Dragons, will be back on the road for their second of three straight road games to close out the regular season as they will head over to Gainesville to take on the Johnson Knights on Tuesday, February 10th. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm.