Panama City, Florida — The Pickens Dragonettes, are closing out 2023 down at Panama City Beach as they are taking part in the Marlin Christmas Classic Tournament. The tournament, is hosting teams from Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Kentucky, and of course, Florida. On Thursday, December 28th, the Nettes defeated Stone Memorial from Tennessee, 68-53 to advance to Friday, December 29th, where they took on the Shelbyville Central (TN) Eaglettes. Down 2 to start the second half, the Nettes used an 18-6 run in the third quarter to help pick up a 49-36 win.

 

The Eaglettes, got things going to start the ball game as Kate McKamey connected on a jump shot to make it 2-0 early. Bella Hopkins, who hit a single game record 10 three pointers against Stone Memorial, made her first three of the game to give the Nettes a 3-2 lead. Aliyah Singleton and McKamey combined for a 4-0 run to give the Eaglettes a 6-3 lead. Ellison Steinhauer, would nail a corner three to tie the game at 6.

After a bucket by MaKayla Batts, Steinhauer would go on a 4-0 run as the Nettes would take a 10-8 lead. Singleton and McKamey, combined for a 5-0 run to make it 13-10 Eaglettes. A bucket by Hopkins would make it 13-12 Shelbyville Central going to the second quarter.

 

The Eaglettes, began the second quarter by stretching their lead out to 5 after a basket by Lilly Brown. A three by Reagan Ludington tied the game up at 15. Both teams then saw a scoring drought until Steinhauer split a pair of free throws to give the Nettes a 16-15 lead. After Singleton and Steinhauer traded buckets, McKamey hit a three just before the buzzer to give the Eaglettes a 20-18 lead at the half.

 

The third quarter, would mostly be controlled by the Nettes. The second half started with Caroline Mullins banking in a shot to get herself going and tie things up at 20. After a bucket by Brown put the Eaglettes ahead 22-20, the Nettes would go on an 8-0 run led by Hopkins and Steinhauer to make it 28-22. Brown, would end the run with a layup to make it 28-24. A pair of free throws by Hopkins made it 30-24 Nettes.

Singleton, would make good on a drive to the basket to cut the lead to 30-26. Back to back three pointers by Steinhauer, including one just before the buzzer, put a bow on an 18-6 quarter run for Pickens to send it to the fourth with the Nettes leading, 36-26.

 

McKamey, started the fourth quarter with a three pointer to cut the lead to 36-29. A 5-0 run by Mullins and Hopkins stretched the lead out to 41-29. After McKamey made a jumper, Hopkins and Mullins again combined for a 5-0 run to make it 46-31. The Eaglettes, countered with a 5-0 run of their own as Jazmine Western and McKamey helped cut the lead down to 46-36. Steinhauer, would close the game out with three free throw makes to give the Nettes a 49-36 win.

 

Scorers for the Nettes:

Ellison Steinhauer: 22 points

Bella Hopkins: 18 points

Caroline Mullins: 6 points

Reagan Ludington: 3 points

 

With the win, the Nettes advance to the championship game of the Aardvark Lawn & Pool Services Bracket where they will take on the Lipscomb Academy (TN) Lady Mustangs on Saturday, December 30th. The Lady Mustangs, defeated Bartram Trail and Brewster Tech to advance to the championship game. Tip is scheduled for 1 pm, but that is subject to change.