Jasper, Ga — It was a bitterly cold night in Jasper on Friday, January 7th as the Pickens Dragonettes welcomed the Northwest Whitfield Lady Bruins to the Dragons Den for a battle of the two undefeated teams in region play. Coming into the game, the Nettes were riding a 10 game win streak and brought in a record of 12-2 (4-0) while the Lady Bruins came in with a record of 8-5 (4-0). The Nettes, swept the Lady Bruins last season on their way to a 7-AAAA title and knew that Northwest Whitfield had revenge on their minds. In a back and forth game that saw multiple ties and lead changes, the Nettes came away with a hard fought 43-41 win.

In the first quarter, the Nettes got off to a 5-0 start. After a 5-0 run by the Lady Bruins to tie things up, Emma Gleason made a bucket to give the Nettes a 7-5 lead. After a pair of free throws by Northwest Whitfield to tie it back up, Amanda Nelson made a bucket to give Pickens the two point lead. Before the end of the quarter, the Lady Bruins were able to tie it back up and send this one to the second quarter all knotted up at 9.

Nettes with the ball on offense

In the second quarter, the Nettes retook the lead after a Caroline Mullins bucket to make it 11-9. The Lady Bruins, responded with a 5-0 run to make it 14-11 and to take the lead for the first time. Bella Hopkins then tied it back up with a three pointer. Carmyn Mullins followed that up with a bucket to make it 16-14 Pickens. A run by Northwest Whitfield had them out front, 24-19 with little time left in the first half. Nelson, cut the Lady Bruins lead down to 24-22 just before the half ended to send us to the break.

Nettes defending Northwest Whitfield

The Nettes, started off the second half much like they did the first half by coming out on a 5-0 run to retake the lead once again, 27-24. An 8-0 run by the Lady Bruins helped them reclaim the lead 32-27. After a pair of free throws from Nelson, Emmie Moore hit a three pointer to tie things up at 32. Bella Hopkins then gave Pickens the lead with a pair of free throws. A bucket by Northwest Whitfield tied things up at 34 as we headed to the fourth quarter.

Nettes with the ball in the third

The Lady Bruins started the fourth quarter off with a three pointer to retake the lead, 37-34. Nelson, would then go to the free throw line on a couple of occasions as she was able to tie things up at 37. Hopkins then went 1-2 from the line to give the Nettes a one point lead, and Nelson made a bucket to put Pickens up, 40-37. Northwest Whitfield would respond with a 4-0 run to take a 41-40 lead. Needing a score, Caroline Mullins delivered for the Nettes as she made the bucket, then made the free throw to give the Nettes a 43-41 lead. The Lady Bruins, had a couple of chances in the final seconds but the defense for the Nettes held strong and Pickens came away with a 43-41 victory.

Leading Scorers For The Nettes:

Amanda Nelson: 13 points

Caroline Mullins: 11 points

Bella Hopkins: 9 points

Emmie Moore: 3 points

Madison Powell: 3 points

Emma Gleason: 2 points

Carmyn Mullins: 2 points

7-AAAA Basketball Standings:

Pickens: 13-2 (5-0)

Northwest Whitfield: 8-6 (4-1)

Heritage: 9-5 (3-1)

Central-Carroll: 6-8 (2-2)

Cedartown: 2-7 (1-3)

Ridgeland: 1-11 (0-4)

Southeast Whitfield: 0-14 (0-4)

The Nettes, will be back on the road on Friday, January 14th as they travel to take on the Southeast Whitfield Lady Raiders in another 7-AAAA region game. Tip off for that one scheduled for 7 pm.