Dragons set to battle Bobcats for 7-AAA Championship
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports February 16, 2024
Dahlonega, Ga — A trip to the 7-AAA Region Championship was up for grabs as the Pickens Dragons took on the Lumpkin Indians on Thursday, February 15th. The Dragons, defeated Lumpkin in both match ups in the regular season. Defeating a team three times in one season is a tough feat, but the Dragons were able to get by the Indians, 51-35.
The Indians, started off hot offensively to begin the ball game as Cal Faulkner would hit back to back threes to put them up 6-0 early on. The Dragons, would answer with an 8-0 run as both Dodge and Parker Davis, as well as Caleb Lanford helped give Pickens its first lead of the night. Stephen Sherrill, ended the Dragons run with a three to put the Indians ahead, 9-8.
Lanford and McCord Purdy would hit back to back threes to put the Dragons on top, 14-9. A layup by Faulkner would end the first quarter as the Dragons would take a 14-11 lead into the second quarter.
The Dragons, began the second quarter by going on a 9-0 run as Dodge Davis, Lanford, and Purdy all contributed to the run to put Pickens up, 23-11. The Indians, responded with a 7-0 run as Landon Pierce hit a three, and Faulkner and Preston Cox made back to back baskets to cut the lead to 23-18. Parker Davis, would then go on a 4-0 run to stretch the lead back out to 27-18.
Faulkner and Purdy would trade buckets to end the first half as the Dragons would go into the locker room with a 29-20 lead.
The second half scoring started with a 5-0 run by Dodge Davis to make it 34-20 Dragons. A three by T.J. Gaddis would end the run and cut the lead to 34-23. Both teams would then trade baskets to end the third quarter as Hayden Jones would get into the score book with a layup, Faulkner would add to his total, and Nathan Wallace would score on a layup to make it 38-26 Dragons going to the fourth.
Parker Davis and Purdy would split free throws to make it 40-26 to begin the fourth quarter. A bucket by Sherrill would cut the lead back to 12. A three by Lanford and a pair of split free throws by the Davis Brothers would make it 45-28. A three by Faulkner would cut the lead down to 15. After Purdy split a pair of free throws, Cox was able to make the layup and the free throw to cut the lead to 46-33.
A 5-0 run by Purdy and Lanford would extend the lead to 51-33. A late basket by Gaddis, would make it 51-35 as the Pickens Dragons would advance to the 7-AAA Region Championship game.
Scorers for the Dragons:
Dodge Davis: 14 points
Caleb Lanford: 14 points (4 threes)
McCord Purdy: 11 points
Parker Davis: 8 points
Hayden Jones: 2 points
Nathan Wallace: 2 points
The Dragons, will now turn their attention to the 7-AAA Region Championship game on Saturday, February 17th as they take on their 515 rivals, the Gilmer Bobcats. The Bobcats, defeated the Dawson Tigers 74-60 in the other region semifinal game to advance to Saturday. The Dragons and Bobcats split their regular season meetings with each team winning on their home floor. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm.
Nettes to face Lady Wolves in 7-AAA Region Championship
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports February 16, 2024
Dahlonega, Ga — It was semifinal Thursday on February 15th as the Pickens Dragonettes took on the Dawson Lady Tigers for a spot in the 7-AAA Region Championship game. These two teams split their two regular season meetings with the home team getting the win on those occasions. Behind big games from Bella Hopkins and Caroline Mullins, the Nettes picked up a 67-45 win over the Lady Tigers.
The Lady Tigers, got things going to start the ball game with a three from Kindra Coker to give them an early lead. After a tough layup by Hopkins to cut the lead to 1, Morgan Chester and Abby Samples-Slaton would make back to back layups to stretch the lead to 7-2. A three by Hopkins would cut the lead to 7-5. After a bucket by Eva Bishop, the Nettes would go on an 8-0 run with Hopkins and Mullins to take the lead, 13-9.
A three by Samples-Slaton would cut the lead down to 1. The Nettes, would end the first quarter with a 5-0 run as Mullins made a layup, and Hopkins hit her second three to make it 18-12 going to the second quarter.
Hopkins, continued her offensive onslaught to begin the second quarter as she hit a three, and completed an and-1 play to make it 24-12. Bishop, broke what ended up being an 11-0 run by the Nettes with a basket to cut the lead to 10. The Nettes, would answer with an 8-0 run as Bella Martin would hit a three, then Ellison Steinhauer would make back to back layups and a free throw to make it 32-14.
A 4-0 run by Bishop and Chester would cut the lead down to 32-18. After a basket by Steinhauer, Chester would go on a 4-0 run to make it 34-22. Back to back threes from Hopkins closed out the first half as the Nettes took a 40-22 lead into the break.
Bishop, started the second half with a bucket to make it 40-24. Mullins would answer back with a layup of her own. After Steinhauer split a pair of free throws, Ava Roberson would get her name into the score book with a layup to make it 43-26. Hopkins, would then score her first points of the second half to make it a 19-point game. The two teams would then trade baskets as Martin would hit her second three to make it 52-32.
The Lady Tigers, would end the third quarter on a 6-0 run as Chester, Anna Ayers, and Heather Burt would help cut the lead down to 52-38 going to the fourth.
After a couple of fouls and turnovers by both teams, Steinhauer began the fourth quarter scoring with a three to make it 55-38. Hopkins, would then complete an and-1 to make it 58-38. Samples-Slaton, would end the 5-0 run with a bucket to make it 58-40. A 5-0 run from Martin would give the Nettes a 63-40 lead. A three by Coker would cut the lead to 63-43.
Mullins, would make back to back layups to make it 67-43. Chester, would score the final points of the game with a layup as the Nettes come away with the 67-45 victory.
Scorers for the Nettes:
Bella Hopkins: 27 points (5 threes)
Caroline Mullins: 16 points
Ellison Steinhauer: 13 points
Bella Martin: 11 points
The Nettes, will now turn their focus to Saturday, February 17th as they face off against the Wesleyan Lady Wolves for the 7-AAA Region Championship. Wesleyan defeated the White County Lady Warriors 87-55 to advance to the region title game. Tip off is set for 6 pm and will be played at Lumpkin.
Nettes advance to AAA State Tournament
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports February 14, 2024
Jasper, Ga — It was the ladies turn on Tuesday, February 13th for the first round of the 7-AAA Region Tournament. Just like the Dragons, by virtue of being the #2 seed, the Nettes were the host school for the first round. Earlier games saw White County defeat Lumpkin at the buzzer 45-43, and Dawson hold off a very game Gilmer team, 36-30. The Nettes, were able to join those two as they defeated the West Hall Lady Spartans, 74-12.
The first quarter started with the Nettes going on a 10-0 run. Caroline Mullins, would score 8 of the 10 points with Brylee Deering scoring the other 2 points with a layup. Yatsar Matos, ended the run with a bucket to make it 10-2. The Nettes, would then go on a 9-0 run with Ellison Steinhauer hitting back to back threes, then Bella Martin connected on a three to make it 19-2. The Lady Spartans, ended that run with a three of their own to make it 19-5.
The Nettes, would close out the first quarter with another 9-0 run as Emery Steinhauer hit a three, Caleigh Hoffard made a layup, and Mullins made back to back layups. Going to the second quarter, the Nettes led the Lady Spartans, 28-5.
That run, continued to begin the second quarter as Mullins made another layup, and Deering completed the and-1 to make it 33-5. After a bucket by Matos to make it 33-7, the Nettes would go on an 11-0 run as Martin hit back to back threes, Ellie Hollis would make a layup, and Bella Hopkins would hit a three to stretch the lead to 44-7. The two teams would trade baskets for the rest of the first half as they went into halftime with the Nettes leading, 49-12.
The third quarter saw the Nettes go on a 13-0 run throughout the entire quarter as Reagan Ludington started it off with back to back threes. Brylee Deering, would add 5 more points to her total in the quarter as she made two layups and a free throw. Mullins, would make a layup during the run to push the Nettes lead out to 62-12 going to the fourth.
It was more of the same in the fourth quarter as the Nettes would go on a 12-0 run throughout the frame. Bree Jewell, would make three threes in the fourth while Martin would make her fourth of the game during the shortened fourth quarter. The Nettes, would come away with a 74-12 win.
Scorers for the Nettes:
Caroline Mullins: 16 points
Bella Martin: 12 points (4 threes)
Brylee Deering: 10 points
Bree Jewell: 9 points (3 threes)
Bella Hopkins: 6 points (2 threes)
Reagan Ludington: 6 points (2 threes)
Ellison Stienhauer: 6 points (2 threes)
Ellie Hollis: 4 points
Emery Steinhauer: 3 points (1 three)
Caleigh Hoffard: 2 points
With the win, the Nettes have earned a spot in the AAA State Tournament. They have also advanced to the 7-AAA Region Tournament Semifinals where they will take on the Dawson Lady Tigers at Lumpkin on Thursday, February 15th. Tip off is scheduled for 4 pm.
Dragons punch ticket to AAA State Tournament
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports February 13, 2024
Jasper, Ga — It’s region tournament time as the 7-AAA region tournament started on Monday, February 12th. By virtue of being the #2 seed, Pickens hosted the first round of the tournament. Earlier games saw Dawson defeat Wesleyan, and Lumpkin defeat White County. The Dragons, with the home crowd watching, picked up a 66-36 win over the Spartans to advance to the State Tournament and the semifinals of the region tournament.
The first quarter began with the Dragons going on an 11-0 run. Nathan Wallace, Dodge Davis, Caleb Lanford, and McCord Purdy all contributed to the run. A basket just outside the free throw line by the Spartans ended the run and made it 11-2. The Dragons, would answer with a 5-0 run to make it 16-2. a bucket by the Spartans just as the shot clock was about to go off would make it 16-4 going to the second quarter.
The second quarter began with a three by Lanford. His third of the first half. After a basket by the Spartans to make it 19-6, West Hall followed it up with a three pointer to cut the lead to 19-9. The Spartans would add to their run with a free throw line jumper to make it 19-11. The Dragons, would put an end to the 7-0 run with a three by Purdy to stretch the lead to 22-11.
Jamin Martin, would then hit his first three of the ball game to make it 25-11. The run would continue for the Dragons as Parker Davis got the layup to go to make it 27-11. The 8-0 run would come to an end as the Spartans hit a jumper to make it 27-13. After a cold streak by both teams, Lanford would find Parker Davis underneath for the layup to make it 29-13. Hayden Jones, would somehow split a double team for the layup to make it 31-13.
A long three by the Spartans would make it 31-16. Parker Davis, would collect an offensive rebound and get the put back amidst the contact. He would make the free throw to give the Dragons a 34-16 lead. Just before the end of the first half, a foul on a three point attempt was called. The Spartans, would make two of the three free throws and going into the half, the Dragons led, 34-18.
The third quarter started with Lanford hitting his fourth three pointer of the game to stretch the lead to 37-18. After a defensive rebound by the Dragons, Purdy found Jones with an outlet pass who then found a cutting Dodge Davis, who threw down the two-handed dunk to make it 39-18. The Spartans, would end the 5-0 run with a tough layup to cut the lead to 39-20. The fifth three of the evening by Lanford gave the Dragons a 42-20 lead.
Parker Davis, would then use a nice head fake to drive in for the layup to make it 44-20. Dodge Davis, would then split a pair of free throws to make it 45-20. The Spartans, would get the hook shot to fall and make the free throw to cut the lead to 45-23. Dodge Davis, would get by his man for the layup to make it 47-23. After a turnover by the Spartans, Martin, would hit his second three of the night to make it 50-23.
Marin, would continue his hot shooting as he hit another three to make it 53-23. The Spartans, would end the run with a turnaround jumper to cut the lead to 53-25. A lay in by the Spartans would make it 53-27. Purdy, would then split a pair of free throws to make it 54-27. A steal by Montego Morgan would lead to Martin’s third three of the quarter and his fourth of the game. A running hook shot by the Spartans would make it 57-29.
A nice find from Parker Davis to Hayden Jones for the layup made it 59-29. After a defensive rebound by the Dragons, Martin hit Jones with a great lead pass from the other end of the court for the layup to make it 61-29. The Spartans, used a nice jump stop move for the layup to make it 61-31 going to the fourth.
The shortened fourth quarter would begin with the Spartans making a layup after a nice pass to cut the lead to 61-33. The Spartans, would then collect a defensive rebound and turn it into a three pointer to make it 61-36. The Dragons, would end the 5-0 run by the Spartans as Jones got into the lane for the layup and the foul. Jones, would make the free throw to put the Dragons up, 64-36. Camden Jones, would make the layup after a nice pass to make it 66-36.
That would be the final as the Dragons defeated the West Hall Spartans for the third time this season to advance to the AAA State Basketball Tournament and to the semifinals of the 7-AAA region tournament.
Scorers for the Dragons:
Caleb Lanford: 17 points (5 threes)
Jamin Martin: 12 points (4 threes)
Dodge Davis: 9 points
Parker Davis: 9 points
Hayden Jones: 9 points
McCord Purdy: 6 points
Camden Jones: 2 points
Nathan Wallace: 2 points
The Dragons, will now get ready for Thursday, February 15th as they head to Lumpkin to take on the Indians in one of the semifinal games of the 7-AAA region tournament. Tip off is set for 5:30 pm.
Dragons lock up #2 seed for next week’s Region Tournament
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports February 10, 2024
Jasper, Ga — On Friday, February 9th, the Pickens Dragons hosted the West Hall Spartans for the final regular season game of the 2023-24 season. The Dragons, were also celebrating their two Seniors, Caymen Morgan and Nathan Wallace. Coming into the game, the Dragons were 17-7, and 8-3 in region play. The Spartans, were 6-17, and 2-9 in region play. Four Dragons scored in double figures as Pickens defeated the Spartans, 80-24.
The Dragons, began the ball game on a 14-0 run as Dodge Davis, Caleb Ledford, Parker Davis, and Senior Nathan Wallace all contributed to the run. Troy Smith, would end the run and get the Spartans on the board with a jumper just inside the free throw line. After Ledford split a pair of free throws, Teryk Tilley hit a three to make it 15-5. Ethan Clippard then drove the baseline for a layup to make it 15-7.
The Dragons, would close the first quarter with an 8-0 run as Parker Davis made a layup, and Hayden Jones and Ledford hit back to back threes. Going to the second quarter, the Dragons led the Spartans, 23-7.
The run that ended the first quarter, would continue into the second quarter as Dodge Davis 7 straight points to put the Dragons up, 30-7. Smith, would go on a 4-0 run to make it 30-11. A three by Dodge Davis would make it 33-11. That would kick off a 15-0 run to end the first half as Dodge Davis would hit another three, then Jamin Martin would connect on a three, then Wallace would hit his second three, then Martin would hit another one. Going into halftime, the Dragons were leading the West Hall Spartans, 45-11.
The Dragons, kept the threes flying to start the second half as McCord Purdy got in the score book with his first three of the game to make it 48-11. The Dragons, would go on to score 21 points in the third while holding the Spartans to just 4 points to increase their lead to 66-15 going to the fourth.
The fourth quarter began with Parker Davis making a layup to stretch the lead to 68-15. A layup by Karter Shields would make it 68-17. After a pair of free throws by Dodge Davis, Glenn Matiba, would make a layup to make it 70-19. The teams then traded threes as Purdy hit his 2nd three, then Landon Bennett answered with a three to make it 73-22. A 5-0 run by Dodge Davis and Martin would make it 78-22.
Another layup by Matiba would end the run and make it 78-24. A layup from Aiden Mumaw would be the final bucket of the game as the Dragons defeated the Spartans, 80-24.
Scorers for the Dragons:
Dodge Davis: 22 points
Caleb Lanford: 14 points
Parker Davis: 13 points
Jamin Martin: 12 points
McCord Purdy: 6 points
Nathan Wallace: 6 points
Hayden Jones: 5 points
Aiden Mumaw: 2 points
Final 7-AAA Boys Basketball Standings:
Gilmer: 16-8 (10-2) #1 seed
Pickens: 18 -7 (9-3) #2 seed
Lumpkin: 13-12 (6-6) #3 seed
Wesleyan: 11-14 (6-6) #4 seed
Dawson: 14-11 (6-6) #5 seed
White County: 7-18 (3-9) #6 seed
West Hall: 6-18 (2-10) #7 seed
The Gilmer Bobcats, by virtue of being the #1 seed, will get a bye and automatically earn a spot in the AAA State Tournament. The first round of the 7-AAA Region Tournament will take place at Pickens High School on Monday, February 12th. Wesleyan will take on Dawson at 4:30, Lumpkin will take on White County at 6, and Pickens will take on West Hall at 7:30.
Nettes secure #2 seed in next week’s region tournament
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports February 10, 2024
Jasper, Ga — Friday, February 9th was the final day of the 2023-24 regular season as the Pickens Dragonettes hosted the West Hall Lady Spartans for Senior Night. Coming into the game, the Nettes were 21-3, 8-3 in region play, and ranked 4th in AAA. The Lady Spartans, were 1-20, and 0-11 in region play coming into the game. All 5 Nettes Seniors would start and score as the Nettes defeated the Lady Spartans, 81-11.
To begin the ball game, Yatsar Matos scored with a layup to put the Lady Spartans up 2-0. The Nettes, quickly tied things up as Senior Emery Bryant, who had been out with an injury, got to suit up and she score the first points of the night for the Nettes. That layup would lead to a 17-0 run by the Nettes as Senior Caroline Mullins, Ellison Steinhauer, Senior Emery Steinhauer, and Seniors Bella Hopkins and Ashaela Buchanan all contributed to the run.
After a bucket by Heidi Zuniga ended the run, the Nettes would close the first quarter making 5 straight threes. Ellison Steinhauer and Reagan Ludington would make the first two, then Hopkins would make three straight to make it 32-4 going to the second quarter.
Bree Jewell, would start the second quarter with a pair of free throws to make it 34-4. That would begin what would end up being another 17-0 run to begin the quarter. The run ended up being a 32-0 run across the end of the first quarter and through the second quarter. Matos, ended the long run with a three to make it 49-7. A layup by Hopkins closed out the second quarter scoring to give the Nettes a 51-7 lead at the half.
Hopkins, would begin the second half with her 5th three of the night to make it 54-7. After Cayla Radich hit a jumper to make it 54-9, Hopkins, would hit her 6th three of the night as she became the 22nd Nettes player in history to eclipse 1,000 career points. That three would lead to a 15-0 run by the Nettes as Brylee Deering would hit a three, Bella Martin would make 7 straight points and find a wide open Deering for a layup to make it 69-9 going to the fourth.
The fourth quarter began with Radich making a basket to make it 69-11. From there, the Nettes would close out the shortened quarter on a 12-0 run as Ludington, Caleigh Hoffard, Buchanan, and Jewell contributed to the run as the Nettes picked up their 22nd win of the season with an 81-11 victory over the West Hall Lady Spartans.
Scorers for the Nettes:
Bella Hopkins: 23 points (Senior)
Caroline Mullins: 10 points (Senior)
Reagan Ludington: 10 points
Bree Jewell: 8 points
Bella Martin: 7 points
Ashaela Buchanan: 5 points (Senior)
Brylee Deering: 5 points
Ellsion Steinhauer: 5 points
Caleigh Hoffard: 4 points
Emery Bryant: 2 points (Senior)
Emery Steinhauer: 2 points (Senior)
Final 7-AAA Girls Basketball Standings:
Wesleyan: 21-3 (12-0) #1 seed
Pickens: 22-3 (9-3) #2 seed
Dawson: 16-9 (8-4) #3 seed
White County: 18-7 (6-6) #4 seed
Lumpkin: 9-16 (4-8) #5 seed
Gilmer: 8-15 (3-9) #6 seed
West Hall: 1-21 (0-12) #7 seed
By being the #1 seed, Wesleyan has earned a first round bye and have already clinched a spot in the AAA State Basketball Tournament. The first round of the 7-AAA Region Tournament will take place on Tuesday, February 13th at Pickens High School. The White County Lady Warriors will take on the Lumpkin County Lady Indians at 4:30, the Dawson Lady Tigers will take on the Gilmer Lady Cats at 6, and the Nettes, will take on the West Hall Lady Spartans at 7:30.
Dragons punch their ticket to 3A state tournament
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports February 15, 2023
Cleveland, Ga — After defeating the West Hall Spartans on the road on Friday, February 10th to secure the #3 seed in the 7-AAA Region Tournament, the Pickens Dragons made the trip up to White County to take on the Dawson Tigers. The winner, would advance to the 3A State Tournament, and to the semifinals of the region tournament. The Tigers, had gotten the better of the Dragons in the regular season winning both games. Pickens, picked up the win over Dawson win it mattered most as they advanced with a 75-64 victory.
The Dragons, came out hot to start the ball game. After Kadyn Hampton hit a pair of free throws, Caleb Lanford got on the board with a bucket to make it 4-0 Pickens early. The Tigers, cut the lead to one with a three pointer to make it 4-3. The Dragons, then went on an 8-0 run as Isaiah Williams made a lay in and James Tilley hit back to back three pointers to make it 12-3. Dawson, ended the run with a layup to make it 12-5.
Williams, then went to the line and made a pair of free throws to stretch the lead back to 9. Jaden Stewart, got in the score book as he split a pair of free throws to make it 15-5. The Tigers responded with a 4-0 run to cut the lead down to 15-9. Pickens ended the first quarter on a 5-0 run as Stewart hit his first three of the game and McCord Purdy made a pair of free throws to make it 20-9 Dragons going to the second.
Purdy, kept the run going to begin the second quarter as he hit a three to make it 23-9. Dawson, ended the run with a basket to make it 23-11. Purdy, then went to the line for two more shots and he made them both to make it a 14 point lead again. The Tigers, then got hot offensively as they went on a 10-0 run to cut the Dragons lead down to 25-21. Williams, ended the big Dawson run with a layup to make it 27-21.
The Tigers answered with a layup of their own to cut the lead back down to 4. After Stewart split a pair of free throws, Williams then hit a three pointer to make it 31-23. Both teams would then split free throw shots as that made it 32-24. As the remaining seconds ticked off the clock in the first half, both teams trade buckets as the Dragons went into the break with a 34-26 lead.
Dawson got the third quarter going with a basket to cut the lead down to 6. The Dragons, then went ona 9-0 run as Lanford would make a two pointer then a three pointer, and Stewart would make a three pointer and split a pair of free throws to make it 43-28. The Tigers, countered and went on a 5-0 run to cut the lead to 10. After Lanford split a pair of free throws, Dawson hit a three to cut the lead to 44-36.
The Dragons, then went on a 6-0 run as Hampton got a layup to go, Williams, converted an and-1, and Seth Cronic split a pair of free throws to make it 50-36. After a pair of free throws from the Tigers, Caleb Keith went on a 4-0 run to make it 54-38. Dawspn, ended the third quarter with another pair of free throws as Pickens took a 54-40 lead into the fourth.
Both teams traded three pointers to begin the fourth quarter as it remained a 14 point lead for the Dragons. That three pointer by Tilley sparked what would be another 9-0 run for Pickens as they stretched their lead out to 63-43. After both teams made a basket each, Dawson, went on an 8-0 run to cut the Dragons lead down to 65-53. Pickens ended the run after a bucket by Williams and a pair of free throws by Purdy to make it 69-53.
The Tigers, doing everything they can to get back into it, went on a 6-0 run to cut the lead to 69-59. Once again, the tandem of Purdy and Williams stopped the Dawson run as Purdy continued to be automatic from the free throw line making a pair of shots and Williams got a bucket to go to make it 73-59. After a 5-0 run by Dawson cut the lead to 9, Stewart stepped up and hit a pair of free throws to close it out and give the Dragons a 75-64 win.
With the win the Dragons will advance to the 3A State Tournament and also to the 7-AAA Region Tournament Semifinals where they will take on the #2 seeded White County Warriors. The Warriors, outlasted #7 seed Lumpkin County 58-50 in overtime to advance. The Dragons and Warriors split their two regular season match ups. Both winning on their home floor. The third meeting will take place at a neutral site as they will play at Dawson. Tip off time is set for 5:30.
Dragons will be #3 seed in next week’s region tournament
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports February 11, 2023
Oakwood, Ga — After a tough game at home on Tuesday, February 7th against the now 7-AAA regular season champs Wesleyan, the Pickens Dragons, had one game left in the regular season. On Friday, February 10th, they traveled down to take on the West Hall Spartans. With a win, the Dragons would leap Gilmer for the #3 seed in the 7-AAA region tournament. It was a back and forth game with Pickens staging a late comeback to defeat the Spartans, 62-58.
The Spartans, got things going to begin the first quarter as Andrew Malin hit a floater in the lane to make it 2-0 early on. Jaden Stewart tied things up at 2 as he took the hand off from Kadyn Hampton and banked in a floater of his own. Hampton, then stole the ball and found McCord Purdy for a three pointer to give the Dragons a 5-2 lead. Malin, hit a free throw line jumper to cut the lead to 5-4. Owen Jenkins, gave West Hall its first lead of the game with a layup.
Caleb Lanford, answered with a three to give Pickens the lead back at 8-6. Hampton, then drove into the lane and got fouled. He would split the free throws to make it 9-6. Isaiah Holder, got a turnaround shot to go to cut the Dragons lead down to 9-8. Pickens, then went on a 6-0 run getting a lay in from Hampton, and two straight buckets from Purdy to make it 15-8. Quintavous Reid, would go on a 5-0 run to close the first quarter as the Dragons led, 15-13.
Reid, continued his scoring run into the second quarter as he tied the game up at 15. Lanford, ended what ended up being a 7-0 run with a lay in after a nice find by Hampton to put Pickens back on top, 17-15. West Hall, quickly retook the lead with a three pointer by Holder to make it 18-17. Stewart responded with a three of his own to make it 20-18 Dragons. The Spartans, then tied it at 20 with a layup as each team traded baskets.
James Tilley, retook the lead for Pickens as he made his first three of the game. Holder, made a layup after a bounce pass from Reid to make it 23-22 Dragons. Caleb Keith, then found Tilley for a mid range shot to make it 25-22. After a bucket by Reid, Stewart and Tilley made back to back three pointers to make it 31-24. A 4-0 run by West Hall cut the Dragons lead down to 31-28. Stewart, ended the run with a basket to make it 33-28.
A 5-0 run by the Spartans would tie the game back up. This time, at 33 a piece. With 2 seconds remaining in the first half, Isaiah Williams made a layup after a great pass by Purdy to put the Dragons up 35-33 over the Spartans at the break.
Lanford, got the scoring started in the second half with a three to make it 38-33 Pickens. Malin, got a pair of free throws to fall and Holder hit a three to tie the game at 38. Hampton, caught a pass from Lanford as he was cutting in the lane and laid it in to give the Dragons a 40-38 advantage. After Reid split a pair of free throws, Pickens went on a 5-0 run with Williams making a layup and Lanford hitting a three to make it 45-39.
Malin, split a pair of free throws to cut the Dragons lead down to 45-40. Williams, got a nice entry pass from Lanford as he would hit a turnaround floater to make it 47-40. The Spartans, then hit a three to make it 47-43. Williams, was then at the right place at the right time as he picked up a loose ball and laid it in to make it 49-43. With the game clock draining in the third, Xavier Felix threw up a contested corner three and made it to make it 49-46 Dragons going to the fourth.
Holder, got the scoring going in the fourth for the Spartans as he cut the Pickens lead down to 49-48. After a pair of free throws by Tilley, made it 51-48 Dragons. West Hall, would then go on a 10-0 run to take a 58-51 lead. Williams, ended the run as he split a pair of free throws to make it 58-52. He then cut the lead down to 58-55 after a three pointer. After a timeout by the Dragons, Lanford added to the run by making back to back baskets to put Pickens in front, 59-58.
With around 13 seconds left in the game, Hampton poked the ball loose and Williams was able to force a jump ball with the arrow pointing the way of the Dragons. With no choice but to foul, the Spartans put Stewart on the line to shoot the one and one. Stewart, made the front end, but would miss the second attempt to make it 60-58. On their next possession, West Hall threw the ball out of bounds. Turning it over. The Spartans fouled Tilley with 5 seconds left, and he calmly knocked down both shots to seal a 62-58 win for the Dragons.
Final 7-AAA Boys Basketball Standings:
Wesleyan: 19-6 (10-2) regular season champs & #1 seed
White County: 14-11 (8-4) #2 seed
Pickens: 12-12 (7-5) #3 seed
Gilmer: 17-8 (7-5) #4 seed
West Hall: 12-13 (6-6) #5 seed
Dawson: 9-16 (3-9) #6 seed
Lumpkin: 4-21 (1-11) #7 seed
The Dragons, will now look towards the 7-AAA Region Tournament next week as it will begin on Tuesday, February 14th at White County. As you see in the standings above, Pickens will be the #3 seed and take on the #6 seeded Dawson Tigers for a chance to make the 3A State Tournament. The Tigers, swept the season series with the Dragons taking the first game on December 13th 77-61 in Dawsonville, and the second game on January 26th 59-54 in Jasper. Tip off for the third meeting is set for 6 pm.
Nettes defeat Lady Spartans, will face Dawson on Monday in region tournament
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports February 11, 2023
Oakwood, Ga — It was the final night of the regular season as the Pickens Dragonettes traveled down to Oakwood, Ga to take on the West Hall Lady Spartans on Friday, February 10th. The Nettes, defeated the Lady Spartans in Jasper on January 17th, and looked to complete the season sweep ahead of next week’s region tournament. In a great game by everyone involved, Pickens picked up a 61-8 win over West Hall.
The Nettes, started the game on fire going on a massive run. It began early on in the first quarter with a quick basket. Freshman Ellison Steinhauer, stole the ball, took it all the way down the court, made the layup, got fouled, and coverted the and-1 to make it 5-0. Pickens, would then force a shot clock violation on the Lady Spartans. Caroline Mullins would find Emma Gleason underneath the basket for the lay in to make it 7-0.
The scoring continued for the Nettes as Ashaela Buchanan and Ellison Steinhauer hit back to back three pointers to make it 13-0. In the last remaining seconds of the first quarter, Emery Steinhauer grabbed the ball after a block by Mullins and raced down the court and laid the ball in just before the buzzer to make it 15-0 Nettes going to the second.
To open up the second quarter, Ellison Steinhauer got possession of the ball after a wide pass by West Hall and found a streaking Brylee Deering for the layup to make it 17-0. Steinhauer, Ellison that is, then got another steal and took it coast to coast for the bucket to make it 19-0. After a block by Bella Hopkins, Pickens was able to save the ball and Hopkins took it all the way for the lay in.
Hopkins then stole the in-bounds pass and got fouled. She would make both free throws to make it 23-0. Mullins, got in the score book as she received the in-bounds pass from Emery Steinhauer and got the short shot to fall to make it 25-0. Buchanan, then made back to back three pointers to make it 31-0. Mullins, was able to drive into the lane and make the layup with contact. She would complete the and-1 to make it 34-0. Emery Steinhauer, hit a three pointer to make it 37-0 as they hit halftime.
Bella Hopkins, got the second half started with a pair of free throws to make it 39-0. The Lady Spartans would then finally break their drought and get on the board with a three pointer to make it 39-3. The Nettes, then went on an 8-0 run as they got baskets from Ellison Steinhauer, Mullins, and Emmie Moore. Hopkins also made a pair of free throws during the run to make it 47-3.
West Hall, ended the run with a free throw line jumper to make it 47-3. Deering, split a pair of free throws and Ellison Steinhauer would make both of hers as the Nettes took a 50-5 lead into the fourth quarter.
In a shortened fourth quarter, Pickens got the scoring started as Mullins found a cutting Gleason for the lay up to make it 52-5. That would turn into a 6-0 run as Hopkins and Deering both got layups after steals to make it 56-5. The Lady Spartans ended the run as they made a contested shot and got the free throw to go to make it 56-8. The Nettes would close the game on a 5-0 run as Moore found Emery Steinhauer for a three pointer, and Deering got another layup to go after another steal. The final score in this one, 61-8.
Final 7-AAA Girls Region Standings:
Lumpkin County: 21-3 (11-1) region champion & #1 seed
Wesleyan: 21-3 (10-2) #2 seed
White County: 18-7 (8-4) #3 seed
Pickens: 19-6 (7-5) #4 seed
Dawson County: 12-13 (4-8) #5 seed
Gilmer: 6-19 (2-10) #6 seed
West Hall: 3-22 (0-12) #7 seed
The Nettes, will now turn their attention to the 7-AAA Region Tournament that starts on Monday, February 13th. Pickens, as seen above, will be the #4 seed in the tournament and take on the #5 seeded Dawson Lady Tigers. The Nettes swept the Lady Tigers during the regular season winning 62-46 on December 13th in Dawsonville and 46-37 on January 26th in Jasper. Tip off for this third meeting is set for 4:30 pm on Monday. The game will be played at Wesleyan.