Dragons sweep Grangers to punch Elite 8 ticket
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports May 2, 2025
Jasper, Ga — The Sweet 16 for the GHSA AAA State Baseball Tournament, began on Thursday, May 1st. The #8 seeded Pickens Dragons, hosted the #9 seeded LaGrange Grangers in a best of three series where the winner would advance to the Elite 8. Pitching and clutch hitting were on display for the Dragons on Thursday as they took game one 4-0, and waited out another storm to take game two, 8-1.
Game One:
Junior Christian Starks, got the call to start game one for the Dragons. Starks, would get off to a nice start as he would induce three ground ball outs in a scoreless top of the first. In the bottom of the frame, Grangers starter Sinjon Lash, would begin his outing by striking out the side to send it to the second with the score tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Starks, would pick up his first two strikeouts of the game and a fly out in a 1-2-3 inning. In the bottom of the inning, Kam Jenkins, would lead off by drawing a full count walk. Cade Sutton, would follow that up with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. Starks, would help himself out as he would drive in courtesy runner Drew Dunlap with an RBI ground out to make it 1-0 Dragons.
Sam Hammontree, would bring in Sutton with an RBI ground out of his own to make it 2-0. Matthew Davis, would then work the second full count walk of the inning to keep the bottom of the second going for the Dragons. Lash and the Grangers, would get out of the second with a strikeout. Heading to the third, Pickens led LaGrange, 2-0.
Cooper Stephens, would lead off the top of the third with a single for the first hit of the game for the Grangers. Starks, would work around that as he picked up his 3rd strike out, a pop out, and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the third, A.J. Rice, would lead off with a first pitch single. After a fly out, Rice would advance to 2nd after a pick off attempt got by the first baseman.
After a strikeout for the 2nd out, Jenkins, would drive in Rice with an RBI single to make it 3-0 Dragons. Jenkins, would advance to 2nd after an error by the right fielder. Sutton, would pick up his 2nd hit of the game as he would bring in the courtesy runner, Dunlap, with an RBI single to make it 4-0. Sutton, would then advance into scoring position by swiping 2nd.
Starks, would keep the inning alive by drawing a full count walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Hammontree, would come up unlucky as his liner was barely caught and held onto by Lane to end the third and send it to the fourth with the Dragons ahead, 4-0.
Rob Skinner, would lead off the top of the fourth with a double. The Grangers, would leave Skinner stranded at 3rd as Starks would get out of the fourth with three fly outs. In the bottom of the inning, Dawson Holland, would draw a 1-out walk to reach base. Holland, would move up to 2nd after a ground out by Rice. The Grangers, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout. Heading to the fifth, Pickens led LaGrange, 4-0.
In the top of the fifth, after a line out and a strikeout for the first two outs, Kayden Sutton, would draw a walk to keep the inning going. Starks, would get out of the fifth with a fly out to send it to the bottom half of the inning. In the bottom of the fifth, Sutton, would reach base for a third time after being hit by a pitch with two outs. Sutton, would then be caught in a run down to end the fifth. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led it, 4-0.
Grady Westmoreland, would lead off the top of the sixth with a single. After a fly out and a pop out, Westmoreland, would get into scoring position by stealing 2nd. Starks, would get out of the sixth with a ground out to send it to the bottom of the inning. The Dragons, would go down in order in the bottom of the sixth after a ground out, a fly out, and a pop out. Heading to the seventh, Pickens led LaGrange, 4-0.
Dylan Walls, would come on in relief of Starks for the top of the seventh. Brandon Bennett, thought he had a lead off line drive single, but Rice, would lay out and make a great catch for the first out. Lash, would hit a come backer off the foot of Walls. Walls, would stay with it and flip it to 1st for the second out. Walls, would seal the 4-0 win for the Dragons with a strikeout.
Stats for the Dragons in Game One:
A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-2 with 1 walk, and 1 single
Cade Sutton: 2-2 with 1 double, 1 single, 1 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 6 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 4 K on 87 pitches
Sam Hammontree: 1 RBI
Matthew Davis: 1 walk
Dawson Holland: 1 walk
Drew Dunlap: 2 runs scored
Dylan Walls: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 K on 15 pitches
Game Two:
For game two of the doubleheader, the Dragons, would become the visitors. In the top of the first, Jennings Allen, would reach with a 1-out single. The Grangers, would get out of the first with a double play to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the first, Grant Westmoreland, would reach with a lead off single. After a strikeout, Westmoreland, would advance to 2nd after a ground out.
Mason Calhoun, would drive in Westmoreland with an RBI double to put the Grangers up 1-0. Dragons starter A.J. Rice, would get out of the first with his 2nd strikeout of the inning. Heading to the second, LaGrange led Pickens, 1-0.
Kam Jenkins, would lead off the top of the second with a double. Cade Sutton, would follow that up by drawing a walk. Jenkins’ courtesy runner, Drew Dunlap, would take 3rd on a wild pitch. The Grangers, thought they had Dunlap picked off at 3rd, but a balk was called which led to Dunlap coming in to score to tie the game at 1. Sutton, would move up to 2nd on the call.
Christian Starks, would keep the line moving with a single to put runners at 1st and 3rd. Sam Hammontree, would bring in Sutton with an RBI ground out to make it 2-1 Dragons. Starks, would advance to 3rd after a ground out by Matthew Davis. The Grangers, would get out of the second with a strikeout. In the bottom of the inning, Cooper Stephens, would reach with a 1-out single.
After a strikeout, Jackson Bozeman, would reach with a 2-out single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. Rice, would get out of the second with a ground out. Heading to the third, Pickens led LaGrange, 2-1.
The top of the third was a mirror of the first inning as Allen, would pick up his 2nd hit of the day with a 1-out single. The Grangers, would get out of the third with their 2nd double play of the game. In the bottom of the inning, Rice, would strikeout the side to bring his total up to 7 for the game. As they were about to start the fourth, the rains came.
After a delay of about an hour or so, the two teams came back out onto the field to resume the game. In the top of the fourth, Starks, would reach with a 2-out single. The Grangers, would get out of the fourth with a ground out. Brandon Bennett, would lead off the bottom of the fourth, by getting hit by a pitch. Rice, still in as the starter, would settle down to strike out the side. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led the Grangers, 2-1.
In the top of the fifth, Dawson Holland, would reach by drawing a 1-out walk. Rice, would help himself out by driving in Holland with an RBI double to make it 3-1. Allen, would reach base for a third time on the night as he drew a walk. Both Rice and Allen would advance after a passed ball on the play. Dawson Lowit, affectionately known as “Boogie”, would bring both Rice and Allen with a 2-RBI single to make it 5-1.
Jenkins, would then be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Sutton, would draw a walk to load the bases with 1-out. Pitch runner Caden Kirchoff, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 6-1 Dragons. The Grangers, would get out of the fifth with a pop out and a fly out. Heading to the bottom of the inning, Pickens led LaGrange, 6-1. Rice, would continue his dominance in the bottom of the fifth.
Rice, would pick up two ground outs and his 11th strikeout in a scoreless fifth inning. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led it, 6-1.
In the top of the sixth, Holland, would reach by drawing a 1-out, full count walk. He would then advance to 2nd after a balk was called. The Grangers, would get out of the sixth with back to back strikeouts. Rice, would begin the bottom of the sixth by striking out his 12th batter. Mason Calhoun, would then reach on a dropped 3rd strike. He would advance to 2nd on an error.
Rice, would respond by picking up two more strikeouts giving him four for the inning, and 15 on the night. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led it, 6-1.
Lowit, would lead off the top of the seventh by beating out an infield single. Lowit, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. Jenkins, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Sutton, would then draw his 3rd walk of the game to load the bases. Lowit, would come in to score and courtesy runner Dunlap, would advance to 3rd as the Grangers would turn a double play.
Sam Hammontree, would drive in Dunlap with an RBI double to make it 8-1 Dragons. The Grangers, would get out of the seventh with a ground out. Heading to the bottom of the frame, the Dragons led it, 8-1.
Rice, would come back out for the bottom of the seventh to try and finish the complete game. Rice, would start the bottom of the seventh by picking up his 16th strikeout. After a ground out to 1st for the second out, Rice, would pick up his 17th strikeout to finish off the complete game as the Dragons defeat the LaGrange Grangers 8-1 to advance to the Elite 8.
Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:
A.J. Rice: 1-4 with 1 double, 1 RBI, 1 run scored and 7 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 H, 1 HBP, 17 K on 109 pitches
Jennings Allen: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Dawson Lowit: 2-4 with 2 singles, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 HBP, and 1 walk
Cade Sutton: 3 walks and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 2-4 with 2 singles
Sam Hammontree: 1-4 with 1 double and 2 RBI
Dawson Holland: 2 walks and 1 run scored
Drew Dunlap: 2 runs scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored
The Dragons, will now wait to see who they will face and where they will be for the Elite 8. The Dragons, will face the winner of the Harlem/Whitewater series. Should Harlem win, the Dragons will be making the trip down to Augusta for the second straight year. Should Whitewater win, the Dragons will be hosting the Elite 8 series. The Elite 8, will begin on Wednesday, May 7th with a doubleheader. The “if” game, would be on Thursday, May 8th.
Dragons advance to fourth straight Sweet 16
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 26, 2025
Jasper, Ga — It was the start of the AAA State Baseball Tournament on Friday, April 25th as the #8 seed Pickens Dragons, took on the #25 seed Dougherty Trojans in a best of three series in the first round. The Dragons, would take game one, 16-1 in four innings. Game two, was back and forth with the Dragons breaking the tie in the top of the sixth. After waiting out a line of storms, the Dragons defeated the Trojans in game two, 12-1 to sweep the series.
Game one:
In the top of the first, Dragons starter A.J. Rice, would work around a 2-out walk as he picked up a pair of ground outs and a strikeout. In the bottom of the frame, Rice, would reach with a lead off single. After a fly out, Rice, would steal 2nd to get into scoring position. He would then move up to 3rd after a balk was called. Rice, would then come in to score after a wild pitch to make it 1-0 Dragons.
Cade Sutton, would then draw a walk to reach 1st. Kam Jenkins, would then follow with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Sutton and courtesy runner Drew Dunlap, would move up a base after a wild pitch. Dawson Lowit, would bring in Sutton to score after reaching on an error by the short stop. Sam Hammontree, would drive in Dunlap with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 3-0 Dragons.
Lowit, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Matthew Davis, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single. Dawson Holland, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 2-out. Jennings Allen, would bring in both Lowit and Davis with a 2-run single to make it 5-0. Allen, would then swipe 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Rice, would drive in both Holland and Allen with a 2-RBI single to make it 7-0 Dragons after one.
Rice, would pick up where he left off in the top of the first as he struck out a pair and forced a ground out in a scoreless second. In the bottom of the second, Jenkins, would reach with a 1-out double. Lowit, would then be hit by a pitch. Hammontree, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Lowit would be forced out at 2nd. Courtesy runner Dunlap, would advance to 3rd on the play.
Hammontree, would advance into scoring position after stealing 2nd. Davis, would bring in both Dunlap and Hammontree with a 2-RBI single to make it 9-0. Davis, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Holland, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single. Allen, would drive in Davis with an RBI single to make it 10-0 Dragons heading to the third.
In the top of the third, Kingston Offord, would pick up the first hit of the game for the Trojans with a lead off single. Offord, would then steal 2nd to move into scoring position. After a strikeout, Offord, would advance to 3rd on a ground out. Offord, would come in to score as Joshua Weaver would reach on an error to make it 10-1. Jenkins, would throw out Weaver trying to steal 2nd to send it to the bottom of the third with the Dragons ahead, 10-1.
Christian Starks, would lead off the bottom of the third with a single. The Trojans, would then pick up a double play as Sutton would line out to short, and Starks would be caught in no-man’s-land as he would get thrown out at 1st. The Trojans, would get out of the third with a fly out. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led Dougherty, 10-1.
Ezra Faber, would come on in relief of Rice in the top of the fourth. Faber, would work around a 1-out walk as he picked up a fly out, a ground out, and a strikeout in a scoreless frame. In the bottom of the fourth, Lowit, would lead off with a double. Hammontree, would then reach on an error as pitch runner Caden Kirchoff would advance to 3rd on the play. Hammontree, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out.
Davis, would bring in Kirchoff with an RBI single to make it 11-1. Holland, would then drive in Hammontree with a single to make it 12-1. Allen, would pick up his third hit of the game with a 2-RBI triple to make it 14-1. Rice, would draw a walk to put runners at the corners. Rice, would then move up to 2nd after a wild pitch. Allen, would come in to score after a balk was called to make it 15-1.
Starks, would draw a walk to again put runners at the corners. Sutton, would then be hit by a pitch to load the bases. Jenkins, would drive in Rice with an RBI single to walk it off and seal the game one win for the Dragons, 16-1.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored, and 3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 4 walk on 49 pitches
Christian Starks: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk
Cade Sutton: 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 3-4 with 2 singles, 1 double, and 1 RBI
Dawson Lowit: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 hit by pitch, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 1 RBI and 2 runs scored
Matthew Davis: 3-3 with 3 singles, 3 RBI, and 3 runs scored
Dawson Holland: 2-2 with 2 singles, 1 walk, and 2 runs scored
Jennings Allen: 3-3 with 2 singles, 1 triple, 4 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Ezra Faber: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 1 K on 14 pitches
Drew Dunlap: 2 runs scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored
Game two:
For game two, the teams flipped sides with Dougherty being the designated home team. In the top of the first, A.J. Rice, would lead off by drawing a walk. He would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. After a ground out, Rice, would be picked off at 2nd. It looked like he had gotten his foot underneath the tag, but he was called out. The Trojans, would get out of the first with a ground out.
Dragons starter Christian Starks, would toss a scoreless bottom of the first with a pair of ground outs and a strikeout. Heading to the second, the game was still tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Kam Jenkins, would lead off with a double. An error by the left fielder, would allow Jenkins to come around to score to make it 1-0 Dragons. After a ground out, Sam Hammontree, would be hit by a pitch. Hammontree, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. After a fly out, Dawson Holland, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single.
Jennings Allen, would then work a 4-pitch walk to load the bases. The Trojans, would get out of the bases loaded jam as they would force a pop out to send it to the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the frame, Starks, would work around a 2-out hit batsman as he picked up a pair of fly outs and a ground out. Heading to the third, the Dragons led it, 1-0.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the third after a ground out, a fly out and a pop out. The Trojans, would also go down in order in the bottom of the inning as Starks would induce three ground outs to send it to the fourth with the Dragons still leading, 1-0.
In the top of the fourth, it was more of the same for the Dragons as they went down 1-2-3 a ground out, a fly out, and a pop out. In the bottom of the fourth, Jayden Miller, would reach with a lead off double. Daven Abernathy, would then come on in relief of Starks. Courtesy runner Rodney Pruitt, would advance to 3rd after a ground out. Allen, would then make a great play as he would catch a pop fly tailing into foul territory, and then turn and throw the back towards home.
A 2-out RBI single by Kameron Knighton, would bring in Pruitt to tie the game at 1. Abernathy, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout to send it to the fifth with the game all knotted up at 1.
Holland, would lead off the top of the fifth by drawing a walk. After a pop out, Holland, would steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Rice, would draw his 2nd walk of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Holland, would then steal 3rd to put runners at the corners. Abernathy, hitting in Starks’ spot, would draw a walk to load the bases. The Dragons, thought they had taken the lead as it looked like Cade Sutton had reached on a fielder’s choice.
However, the umpires would call interference on Abernathy which meant Sutton would be called out, ending the top of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, after a strikeout, Kingston Offord, would reach on a 1-out single. Offord, would then advance to 2nd on a ground out. Offord, would then take a risk and steal 3rd with 2-outs. Brayden Still, would then draw a walk to put runners at the corners.
Still, would then advance to 2nd on defensive indifference. Abernathy, would settle in and pick up his 3rd strikeout of the game to send it to the sixth with the game still tied at 1.
In the top of the sixth, Dawson Lowit, would reach on an error by the short stop. Hammontree and Matthew Davis, would then be hit by back to back pitches to load the bases with 1-out. Holland, would clear the bases with a 3-run triple to make it 4-1 Dragons. Allen, would bring in Holland with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 5-1. The Trojans, would get out of the sixth with a fly out.
Dylan Walls, would come on in relief of Abernathy in the bottom of the sixth. After Walls forced a ground out for the first out, the storms came. After a couple hour delay, the game would resume. Jenkins, would come on in relief of Walls. The Dragons, would get out of the sixth as Lowit would throw out a would be base stealer, and Jenkins would induce a ground out. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led it, 5-1.
In the top of the seventh, Sutton, would draw a 1-out walk to reach 1st. Jenkins, would follow that by drawing a walk of his own. Lowit, would follow suit and draw a third straight walk to load the bases. Zach Williams, pitch-hitting for Hammontree, would bring in both Sutton and courtesy runner Drew Dunlap to make it 7-1. Courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, would then come in to score on a passed ball to make it 8-1.
After Davis was hit by a pitch, Holland, would draw a walk to load the bases. Allen, would bring in both Williams and Davis to make it 10-1. Holland, would then come in to score on a balk to make it 11-1. Allen, would come in to score on a passed ball to make it 12-1. The Trojans, would get out of the seventh with a double play. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons led it, 12-1.
In the bottom of the seventh, Jenkins, would work around a 1-out hit batsman as he picked up a ground out and a pair of strikeouts as the Dragons defeated the Trojans, 12-1 to sweep the series.
Stats for the Dragons in Game two:
A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 double, and 2 walks
Christian Starks: 1-4 with 1 double and 3 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, on 47 pitches
Cade Sutton: 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-4 with 1 double, 1 walk, 1 run scored, and 1.2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, and 2 K on 19 pitches
Dawson Lowit: 1 walk
Sam Hammontree: 2 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored
Zach Williams: 1-1 with 1 single, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Matthew Davis: 2 hit by pitch and 2 runs scored
Dawson Holland: 2-2 with 1 single, 1 triple, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Jennings Allen: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, 3 RBI, and 1 run scored
Daven Abernathy: 1 walk and 2 IP, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K on 35 pitches
Dylan Walls: 0.1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K on 5 pitches
Caden Kirchoff: 2 runs scored
Drew Dunlap: 1 run scored
With the series win, the Dragons, advance to the Sweet 16 where they will take on the #9 seed LaGrange Grangers. LaGrange, swept the Gilmer Bobcats to advance to the next round. The best of three series will begin on Thursday, May 1st, with a doubleheader. Times yet to be determined as of this writing.
Dragons split doubleheader with GAC to end regular season
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 18, 2025
Norcross, Ga — The regular season of high school baseball was winding down as the Pickens Dragons took to the road to take on the Greater Atlanta Christian Spartans in a doubleheader on Thursday, April 17th. By virtue of their win on Tuesday, the Dragons, locked up the #2 seed in 6-AAA with an outside shot at the #1 seed. The Spartans, came in wanting to improve their post season ranking before they go off to their tournament. The Spartans, would take game two, 5-3. The Dragons, would come back to take game three, 7-5.
Game 1:
A.J. Rice, would lead off the top of the first with a single. The Spartans, would then turn a 6-3 double play to clear the bases. Cade Sutton, would keep the inning alive with a 2-out single. Kam Jenkins, would follow that with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Spartans, would get out of the first as Sutton would be caught trying to take 3rd on a double steal attempt.
Z. Koons, would lead off the bottom of the first by getting hit with the first pitch he saw. D. Watkins, would follow that up with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. The Dragons, would then decide to intentionally walk J. Bowens to load the bases. After a strikeout, S. Phillips, would bring in Koons with an RBI ground out to make it 1-0 Spartans.
T. Joiner, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 2-out. The Dragons, would get out of the first with a ground out. Heading to the second, the Spartans were ahead, 1-0.
Sam Hammontree, would look to get something started as he would draw a walk with 1-out. After a pop out for the second out, Matthew Davis, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Jennings Allen, would keep the inning going for the Dragons with a 2-out single to load the bases. Rice, would give the Dragons the lead with a bases clearing 3-RBI double. Christian Starks, would then reach on an error by the short stop to put runners at the corners.
The Spartans, would get out of the second with a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the second, H. Glime, would lead off with a single. P. Wilson, would follow that by drawing a walk. Dragons starter Christian Starks, would force Koons to ground into a 4-3 double play. Glime, would advance to 3rd on the play. Watkins, would then drive in Glime with an RBI single to make it 3-2 Dragons.
Starks, would get out of the second with a pop out. Heading to the third, the Dragons led the Spartans, 3-2.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the third after a pair of pop outs and a strikeout. In the bottom of the third, Starks, would pick up his 2nd strikeout of the game for the first out. Philips, would reach after being hit by a pitch. After a ground out, M. Lazarus, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Starks, would get out of the third with his 3rd strikeout. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons still led it, 3-2.
Dawson Holland, would lead off the fourth by drawing a full count walk. He would be left stranded as the Spartans would pick up a pair of strikeouts and a fly out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom half of the fourth, Koons, would reach with a 1-out double. After a strikeout, Koons, would advance to 3rd after a throwing error. After intentionally walking Bowens, I. Cobb, would bring in both Koons and Bowens with a 2-RBI double.
The Dragons, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout. Heading to the fifth, the Spartans led the Dragons, 4-3.
The Dragons, would again go down quietly in the top of the fifth after a ground out, a fly out, and a dropped 3rd strike. After a fly out, Lazarus, would look to get something started for the Spartans by drawing a walk. Lazarus, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Glime, would follow that by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out.
Dylan Walls, would then come on in relief of Starks. After picking up a strikeout for the second out, Koons, would draw a walk to load the bases. Walls, would pick up a strikeout to get out of the fifth and keep it a 4-3 game heading to the sixth.
In the top of the sixth, Hammontree, would look to get a rally going as he drew his 2nd walk of the game. Holland, would then reach on an error by the 3rd baseman. Davis, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as pitch runner Caden Kirchoff, would be forced out at 3rd for the second out. The Spartans, would get out of the sixth with a strikeout. Bowens, would lead off the bottom of the sixth with a home run to make it 5-3 Spartans.
Cobbs, would follow that up with a single. Phillips, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as pitch runner R. Umphenour, would be forced out at 2nd. Walls, would get out of the sixth after forcing a double play. Heading to the seventh, the Spartans led the Dragons, 5-3.
After a ground out and a strikeout, Sutton, kept the game alive for the Dragons by drawing a full count walk. The Spartans, were able to close things out with a ground out to take game one of the doubleheader, 5-3.
Stats for the Dragons in game one:
A.J. Rice: 2-4 with 1 single, 1 double, and 3 RBI
Christian Starks: 4.1 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, 5 H, 5 BB, 5 K on 89 pitches
Cade Sutton: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk
Kam Jenkins: 1-4 with 1 single
Sam Hammontree: 2 walks and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 1 walk
Matthew Davis: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Dylan Walls: 1.2 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 2 K on 28 pitches
Game 2:
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the first after a strikeout, a ground out, and a fly out. In the bottom of the inning, Dragons starter Ezra Faber, would work around a pair of back to back hit batsmen to get out of an early jam with a pair of ground outs and a fly out. Heading to the second, the game was tied at 0.
Kam Jenkins, would lead off the top of the second with a single. The Spartans, would clear the bases with a 4-6-3 double play. A ground out, would get the Spartans out of the second. Faber, would only need 9 pitches to get out of the bottom of the second as he picked up a pair of ground outs and a line out. Heading to the third, the game was still tied at 0.
Dawson Holland, would lead off the third by reaching on an error by the 2nd baseman. Matthew Davis, would follow that with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. After a strikeout, A.J. Rice, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Holland would be forced out at home. Christian Starks, would bring in Davis with an RBI single to make it 1-0 Dragons.
The Spartans, would get out of the third after Starks would be forced out at 2nd. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons led it, 1-0. In the bottom of the third, Z. Koons, would pick up the first hit for the Spartans with a 1-out single. Koons, would then advance into scoring position after stealing 2nd. After a line out, the Dragons would intentionally walk J. Bowens, Faber, would force a line out for the second out.
A 2-out RBI single by I. Cobbs, would bring in Koons to tie the game at 1. M. Lazarus, would then draw a walk to load the bases. Bowens, would come in to score after a wild pitch. H. Glime, would bring in both Cobbs and Lazarus with a 2-RBI single. Glime, would advance to 2nd on the throw. T. Stopher, would then be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Faber, would get out of the inning after a fly out. Heading to the fourth, the Spartans led the Dragons, 4-1.
In the top of the fourth, Dawson Lowit, would reach with a 1-out single. Sam Hammontree, would follow that with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Holland, would then reach on an error by the 3rd baseman. Courtesy runner Drew Dunlap, would come in to score after a wild pitch to make it 4-2. Davis, would then draw a walk to load the bases.
Pitch runner Caden Kirchoff, would come in to score as Jennings Allen would reach on a fielder’s choice. The Spartans, would get out of the fourth with a ground out. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Spartans led the Dragons, 4-3. Daven Abernathy, would come on in relief of Faber in the bottom of the fourth. After a strikeout, Koons, would reach with a 1-out double.
D. Watkins, would then get hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Bowens, would bring in Koons with an RBI single to make it 5-3. Abernathy, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout and a fly out.Heading to the fifth, the Spartans led the Dragons, 5-3.
Cade Sutton, would look to get something going for the Dragons as he drew a walk with 1-out. Jenkins, would follow that with a single. Lowit, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 1-out. Hammontree, would then draw the third walk of the inning to bring in Sutton to make it 5-4. Holland, would draw the fourth walk of the inning as Jenkins would come in to score to tie the game at 5.
After a strikeout, courtesy runner Drew Dunlap and Hammontree, would come in to score as Allen would reach on an error by the short stop. The Spartans, would get out of the fifth after Rice would be robbed of a potential home run. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons led the Spartans, 7-5. Glime, would lead off the bottom of the fifth by drawing a a walk.
Glime, would then be caught trying to steal 2nd. After picking up a strikeout for the second out, T. Joiner, would keep the inning going by drawing a walk. Joiner, would then advance to 2nd after a passed ball. Abernathy, would get out of the fifth with a strikeout. Heading to the sixth, the Dragons led the Spartans, 7-5.
In the top of the sixth, Jenkins, would pick up his third hit of the game with a 2-out single. That would be all for the Dragons in the sixth as the Spartans would pick up a strikeout and a pair of fly outs. Phillips, would be hit by a pitch to lead off the bottom of the sixth. After a fly out, Bowens, would be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Jenkins, would come on in relief of Abernathy.
After a single by Cobbs to load the bases, Jenkins, would pick up back to back strikeouts to keep the Dragons in front. Heading to the seventh, the Dragons led the Spartans, 7-5.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the seventh after a ground out, a fly out, and a strikeout. Heading to the bottom of the inning, the Dragons still led the Spartans, 7-5. After a fly out for the first out of the bottom of the seventh, Joiner and P. Wilson would draw back to back walks to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. A passed ball, would lead to both Joiner and Wilson moving up a base.
Jenkins, would settle down and strikeout the next two batters to seal the 7-5 win for the Dragons.
Stats for the Dragons in Game two:
Christian Starks: 1-4 with 1 single and 1 RBI
Cade Sutton: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 3-4 with 3 singles, 1 run scored and 1.2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 H, 2 BB, 4 K on 33 pitches
Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk
Sam Hammontree: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 1 walk and 1 RBI
Matthew Davis: 1-3 with 1 double, 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Ezra Faber: 3 IP, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 H on 58 pitches
Daven Abernathy: 2.1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 4 K on 52 pitches
Drew Dunlap: 2 runs scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored
The Dragons, finish the 2025 regular season at 25-5. They will represent 6-AAA as the #2 seed in next week’s AAA State Baseball Tournament. The Dragons, will find out their seeding and who they will be facing on Monday, April 21st. The first round best of three series, will take place at Dunn Field with a doubleheader on Friday, April 25th with the “if” game on Saturday, April 26th if necessary.
Dragons sweep War Eagles in doubleheader
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 12, 2025
Jasper, Ga — It was doubleheader day around 6-AAA on Friday, April 11th as both Pickens and Chestatee, as well as White County and GAC both played two after getting rained out on Thursday, April 10th. For Pickens and Chestatee, Chestatee would be the home team for the first game. The Dragons, would get wins in both games as they picked up a 4-3 win in eight innings in game one, and a 10-0 victory in six innings in game two.
Game One:
A.J. Rice, would look to get something started in the top of the first as he would draw a walk to reach base. The War Eagles, were prepared for Rice’s steal attempt, and got him out in a rundown. A fly out, would send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the first, Eli Chaffin, would reach with a 1-out double. Ethan Dunn, would then reach on a single, Chaffin, would come around to score to make it 1-0 War Eagles.
Dunn, would advance to 2nd on the play. Carter Edmondson, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Dunn would be forced out at 3rd. Dragons starter Jackson Nunn, would get out of the first with a strikeout. Heading to the second, Chestatee led Pickens, 1-0.
Dawson Lowit, would lead off the top of the second by drawing a walk. Cade Sutton, would then follow that up with a single. Lowit, would advance all the way to 3rd on the hit. Sutton, would make the heads up play and move to 2nd on the throw to 3rd. War Eagles starter Ryland Head, would pick up a strikeout, a pop out, and a line out to get out of the jam to send it to the bottom of the second.
Trenton Eaton, would lead off the bottom of the second with a single. After a pop out, Zac Benna, would reach with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Thomas Martens, would then reach with a single. Courtesy runner Riley Nix, would be waved home, but a good throw by Christian Starks would get Nix at the plate. Heading to the third, the War Eagles, still led the Dragons, 1-0.
Jennings Allen, would lead off the top of the third with a single. Allen, would then advance to 2nd after a passed ball. Kam Jenkins, would drive in Allen with an RBI triple to tie the game at 1. After a fly out, Starks, would bring in courtesy runner Ezra Faber with a sacrifice fly RBI to give the Dragons a 2-1 lead. Head and the War Eagles, would get out of the third with a line out.
In the bottom of the third, Nunn, would work around a 2-out double by Edmondson, and a wild pitch to keep the War Eagles scoreless. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led Chestatee, 2-1.
After a pop out and a strikeout started the top of the fourth, Sam Hammontree, would keep the inning alive for the Dragons after getting hit by a pitch. Dawson Holland, would then reach with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-out. The War Eagles, would get out of the fourth with a line out. In the bottom of the fourth, Cort Hagerman, would draw a 1-out walk to reach base. Benna, would drive in Hagerman with an RBI triple to tie the game at 2.
Parker Grant, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Benna would be forced out at home for the second out. Martens, would bring in Grant with an RBI double to give the War Eagles a 3-2 lead. During the next at bat, Nunn, would have to unfortunately leave the game due to injury. Dylan Walls, would come on in relief of Nunn. Walls, would get out of the fourth with a strikeout as the War Eagles took a 3-2 lead into the fifth.
Jenkins, would be hit by a pitch to lead off the fifth inning. His courtesy runner, Ezra Faber, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Rice, would advance Faber to 3rd after a fly out to right. Starks, would bring in Faber with a sacrifice fly RBI to tie the game at 3. Lowit, would then reach on an error by the 3rd baseman. The War Eagles, would get out of the fifth with a strikeout.
In the bottom of the fifth, Dunn, would lead off with a single. Walls, in his first full inning of relief, would pick a strikeout and force a 4-6-3 double play to send it to the sixth with the game still tied at 3.
In the top of the sixth, Hammontree, would again be hit with a pitch to reach base with 1-out. Holland, would follow that by picking up his 2nd hit of the day to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. The War Eagles, would get out of the sixth with a 6-3 double play. In the bottom of the sixth, Walls, would work around a 2-out walk drawn by Benna to pick up a pop out, a ground out, and a strikeout to send it to the seventh, still tied at 3.
In the top of the seventh, Rice, would reach with a 1-out single. Rice, would then be called out trying to steal 2nd as the field umpire ruled that Rice’s foot popped up off the bag. The War Eagles, would get out of the seventh with a fly out. In the bottom of the inning, Walls, would work around a 2-out single by Dunn as he picked up a pair of strikeouts and a ground out to send it to the eighth with the game still tied at 3.
In the top of the eighth, Lowit, would give the Dragons the lead with a lead off home run. Sutton, would follow that with a double. Faber, who came on for Matthew Davis in the fifth, would move Sutton over to 3rd with a sacrifice bunt. The War Eagles, would get out of the eighth with a pop out and a fly out as the Dragons would take a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the frame.
Walls, would come out for the bottom of the eighth looking to close things out. Walls, would pick up a pair of ground outs and a strikeout to help seal the 4-3 win for the Dragons.
Stats for the Dragons in Game One:
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 triple, 1 HBP, and 1 RBI
A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk
Christian Starks: 2 RBI
Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 home run, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Cade Sutton: 2-4 with 1 single and 1 double
Ezra Faber: 2 runs scored
Sam Hammontree: 2 HBP
Dawson Holland: 2-4 with 2 singles
Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Jackson Nunn: 3.2 IP, 3 R, 2 ER, 8 H, 0 BB, 2 K on 58 pitches
Dylan Walls: 4.1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 6 K on 75 pitches
Game Two:
Prior to game two beginning, the Dragons recognized two special people in Hudson and Kodi as it was Pink Out Night. Two young men representing both families, would throw perfect strikes for the ceremonial first pitch to the applause of the crowd.
In the top of the first, Dragons starter Christian Starks, would strike out the side to send it to the bottom half of the inning. In the bottom of the first, Starks, would be hit by a pitch with 2-outs to keep the inning going. The War Eagles, would get out of the first with a ground out to send it to the second with the game still scoreless.
In the top of the second, Starks, would pick up his 4th strikeout, a ground out, and a pop out in a scoreless frame. In the bottom of the second, Cade Sutton, would lead off with a single. Sutton, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Matthew Davis, would follow that with a single to put runners at the corners with nobody out. The Dragons, would then pull off a double steal as Davis took 2nd and Sutton took home to make it 1-0.
After a pop out, Dawson Holland, would then drive in Davis with an RBI triple to make it 2-0 Dragons. Holland, would then get caught in a rundown between 3rd and home for the second out. Jennings Allen, would keep the inning going by reaching on an error by the 2nd baseman. The War Eagles, would get out of the second with a fly out. Heading to the third, the Dragons led it, 2-0.
In the top of the third, Starks, continued his nice start with a pair of strikeouts and a fly out in a scoreless frame. In the bottom of the inning, Rice, would reach with a lead off single. He would advance to 2nd after an error by the short stop. Starks, would drive in Rice with an RBI double to make it 3-0. Dawson Lowit, would follow that with an RBI single to score Starks to make it 4-0 Dragons.
Sutton, would then reach with a double to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. After a pop out, Sam Hammontree, would bring in pitch runner Daven Abernathy with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 5-0. The War Eagles, would get out of the third with a fly out. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led Chestatee, 5-0.
Thomas Martens, would lead off the top of the fourth with a double. Eli Chaffin, would follow that with a single. Chaffing, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. Starks, would get out of the jam with a pair of strikeouts and a pop out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the fourth, Allen, would lead off with a single.
Allen, would take 2nd to get into scoring position. Allen, would then advance to 3rd after a wild pitch. Kam Jenkins, would drive in Allen with an RBI single to make it 6-0. Rice, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as the War Eagles would force the out at 2nd. Rice, would then advance to 2nd after a wild pitch. Starks, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out.
Another wild pitch, would move up Rice and courtesy runner Zach Williams up a base. After a pop out for the second out, Sutton, would draw a walk to load the bases. Rice, would come in to score after a balk was called to make it 7-0 Dragons. The War Eagles, would get out of the seventh with a strikeout. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led it, 7-0.
In the top of the fifth, Zac Benna, would reach on an error with 2-outs. Starks, would work around it as he picked up a pair of strikeouts and a ground out in a scoreless inning. In the bottom of the fifth, Hammontree, would lead off with a single. After a strikeout, Allen, would pick up his 2nd hit of the game. Pitch runner Caden Kirchoff, would come in all the way from 1st to make it 8-0. Allen, would make it all the way to 3rd on an error.
Jenkins, would bring in Allen with a sacrifice fly RBI to make it 9-0 Dragons. Rice, would keep the inning going by drawing a walk. The War Eagles, would get out of the fifth with a strikeout. Heading to the sixth, Pickens led Chestatee, 9-0.
Jenkins, would come on in relief of Starks in the top of the sixth. Martens, would reach by drawing a lead off walk. Martens, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Chaffins, would follow that by drawing a walk of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. After forcing an infield fly, Jenkins, would pick up back to back strikeouts to send it to the bottom of the inning.
Drew Dunlap, pitch hitting for Lowit, would draw a lead off walk to begin the bottom of the sixth. Dunlap, would then advance to 2nd on a passed ball. After a strikeout, Walker, would by hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Kirchoff, would then reach on a bloop single to load the bases. Dunlap, would come in to score on a wild pitch to give the Dragons a 10-0 win in six innings.
Stats for the Dragons in Game Two:
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single, 2 RBI and 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 BB, 2 K on 25 pitches
A.J. Rice: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 2 runs scored
Christian Starks: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 walk, 1 HBP, 1 RBI, 1 run scored and 5 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 BB, 10 K on 82 pitches
Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 RBI
Drew Dunlap: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Cade Sutton: 2-2 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Matthew Davis: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1-1 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 1-3 with 1 double
Jennings Allen: 2-3 with 2 singles and 2 runs scored
The Dragons, winners of ten in a row, will look to finish the season strong as they prepare for the final series of the regular season as a three game set with the GAC Spartans begins on Tuesday, April 15th at Dunn Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:55 pm.
Starks throws complete game shutout as Dragons sweep Tigers
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 5, 2025
Dawsonville, Ga — It was another beautiful day at the ball park as the Pickens Dragons made the short trip up to Dawsonville to take on the Dawson Tigers in the third and final game of their series. The Dragons, were looking for the series sweep, while the Tigers, were looking to steal a game and stay slightly ahead of Lumpkin for 4th. Dawson “Boogie” Lowit, led the way offensively, while Christian Starks would toss a complete game shutout as the Dragons picked up a 5-0 win.
The Dragons, looked for an early rally in the top of the first as Starks would reach with a 2-out single. Lowit, would follow that up with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 2nd with two out. Tigers starter Case Gravitt, would get out of the first with a line out to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the first, Preston Bannister, would lead off with a single.
Kam Jenkins, would throw out Bannister trying to steal 2nd for the first out. Starks, would then pick up a strikeout and a line out to send it to the second with the score tied at 0.
Matthew Davis, would lead off the top of the second by reaching on an error. Sam Hammontree, would follow that by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. After a ground out, both Davis and Hammontree, would then advance on a wild pitch. Gravitt, would pick up a fly out and a ground out to get out of the jam and send it to the bottom of the second.
In the bottom of the second, Starks, would work around a 1-out walk drawn by Dylan Edwards to pick up a line out, a strikeout, and a ground out. Heading to the third, the game was still tied at 0.
In the top of the third, Starks, would pick up his 2nd hit with a 1-out single. Starks, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Lowit, would drive in Starks with an RBI single to make it 1-0 Dragons. Cade Sutton, would follow that up with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Lowit and Sutton, would then move up a base after a ground out by Davis.
Hammontree, would keep the inning going by bringing both Lowit and Sutton on a 2-RBI single to make it 3-0. Dawson Holland, would then reach with a 2-out single. A wild pitch, would move runners up to 2nd and 3rd. The Tigers, would get out of the third with a ground out. In the bottom of the third, Starks, would pick up a line out and two fly outs to send it to the fourth with the Dragons leading the Tigers, 3-0.
The Dragons, would look to add to their lead in the top of the fourth as Starks would pick up his 3rd hit of the game with a 2-out single. Lowit, would follow that with his 3rd hit of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd with two out. Starks and Lowit, would then pull off a double steal to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. The Tigers, would once again escape a potential scoring threat as they would pick up a fly out to send it to the bottom of the fourth.
Starks, would continue his good night on the mound in the bottom of the fourth as he picked up his 3rd strikeout, a fly out, and a pop out to send it to the fifth with the Dragons leading the Tigers, 3-0.
In the top of the fifth, Tripp Williams, who came on in relief of Gravitt in the top of the fourth, would toss a scoreless frame as he picked up a ground out, a fly out, and a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the fifth, Starks, would work around a 1-out double by Carson Sosebee as he picked up a ground out, a pop out, and a strikeout to send it to the sixth with the Dragons still leading the Tigers, 3-0.
In the top of the sixth, A.J. Rice, would look to get something going as he reached with a 2-out single. Williams, would get out of the sixth with a ground out to keep the score at 3-0. In the bottom of the inning, the Tigers, were swinging early and often as Starks picked up a line out, a ground out, and a fly out on just five pitches. Heading to the seventh, Pickens led Dawson, 3-0.
Lowit, would lead off the top of the seventh with his 4th hit of the game. Sutton, would follow that with his 2nd hit of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. A sacrifice bunt by Davis, would move the runners up to 2nd and 3rd. Hammontree, would then bring in both pitch runner Caden Kirchoff and Sutton with his second 2-RBI single to make it 5-0 Dragons.
Holland, would follow that with his 2nd hit of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Tigers, would get out of the seventh with an unconventional 6-5-4 double play to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the seventh, Starks, would work around a 2-out single by Edwards, to pick up a line out, a strikeout, and a ground out as the Dragons picked up the 5-0 win to sweep the series.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 1-4 with 1 single
Christian Starks: 3-4 with 3 singles, 2 steals, 1 run scored & 7 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 K on 74 pitches
Dawson Lowit: 4-4 with 4 singles, 1 steal, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Cade Sutton: 2-4 with 2 singles and 2 runs scored
Sam Hammontree: 2-3 with 2 singles, 1 walk, and 4 RBI
Dawson Holland: 2-4 with 2 singles
Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored
6-AAA Baseball Standings:
North Hall: 17-5 (13-2)
Pickens: 20-4 (12-3)
GAC: 14-7 (11-4)
Dawson: 13-11 (8-7)
Lumpkin: 12-11 (6-9)
White County: 10-13 (5-10)
Chestatee: 6-18 (5-10)
Johnson-Gainesville: 2-22 (0-15)
The Dragons, will be back in action on Tuesday, April 8th as they begin a three game series with the Chestatee War Eagles at home. It’s the second to last series of the regular season. The first pitch, is scheduled for 5:55 pm.
Dragons celebrate Senior Night with series sweep
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 29, 2025
Jasper, Ga — It was a special night for the Pickens Dragons as they honored four Seniors on Friday, March 28th for Senior Night. Sam Hammontree, Dawson Holland, Coleman Keener, and Cade Sutton were all in the starting 9 as the Dragons took on the Johnson Knights in the series finale. The Dragons, would take game three, 11-1 in five innings for the series sweep.
A welcomed sight for the Dragons in the top of the first as starting pitcher Dylan Walls, made his season debut. Walls, would work around a 2-out walk as he struck out two and forced a fly out in his lone inning of work. In the bottom of the inning, Cade Sutton, would look to get something started after being hit with a pitch with 2-outs. The Knights, would get out of the first with no harm done. Heading to the second, Pickens and Johnson were tied at 0.
Christian Starks, would come on in relief of Walls in the top of the second. Starks, would strikeout the side on 14 pitches to send it to the bottom of the second. In the bottom half of the frame, Dawson Lowit, would reach with a lead off single. His courtesy runner, Zach Williams, would advance to 2nd after a balk was called. After a ground out, Williams, would steal 3rd. Sam Hammontree, would bring in Williams with an RBI single to make it 1-0.
Ezra Faber, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Coleman Keener, would then drive in both Hammontree and Faber with a 2-RBI double. A.J. Rice, would follow that up with an RBI double that scored Keener to make it 4-0 Dragons heading to the third.
Starks, would work a scoreless top of the third with a pair of strikeouts and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the third, the Dragons, would go down in order with a pair of ground outs and a pop out to send it to the fourth with the Dragons leading it, 4-0.
In the top of the fourth, Starks, in his third inning of relief, worked around a 1-out walk to pick up a pair of strikeouts and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the inning. Hammontree, would lead off the bottom of the fourth with a double. After a line out, Hammontree would steal 3rd. After a strikeout, Rice, would reach on an infield single that would score Hammontree to make it 5-0.
A single by Starks, would move Rice all the way to 3rd. Starks, would then advance into scoring position after stealing 2nd. Rice, would come in to score after a wild pitch. Starks, would advance to 3rd on the play. Sutton, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 3rd with 2-out. Sutton and Starks, would then pull off a double steal as Sutton would swipe 2nd, and Starks would steal home. Sutton, would advance to 3rd after the throw home got by the catcher.
Kam Jenkins, would then drive in Sutton with an RBI single to make it 8-0 Dragons heading to the fifth.
Daven Abernathy, would come on in relief of Starks in the top of the fifth. After a pair of strikeouts, the Knights, would load the bases with a pair of singles and a walk. Alex Alvarez, would reach on an error that would score Felipi Delgado to make it 8-1. Abernathy, would limit the damage to just the one run as he forced a fly out to send it to the bottom of the fifth.
In the bottom of the inning, Matthew Davis, who came on a replacement for Dawson Holland, would draw a lead off walk to reach base. Davis, would then advance into scoring position by stealing 2nd. Caden Kirchoff, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Faber, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Kirchoff would be forced out at 2nd.
Faber, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 1-out. An RBI ground out by Jennings Allen, would bring in Davis to make it 9-1. Rice, would then drive in Faber with an RBI double to make it 10-1 Dragons. Rice, would then steal 3rd to move up a base. Starks, would then reach on an infield single as Rice would come in to score to give the Dragons the 11-1 victory.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 3-4 with 1 single, 2 doubles, 3 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Christian Starks: 2-4 with 2 singles, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, & 3 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 7 K on 29 pitches
Cade Sutton: 1 HBP, 1 walk, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 RBI
Dawson Lowit: 1-3 with 1 single
Matthew Davis: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 2-2 with 1 single, 1 double, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Ezra Faber: 1 walk, and 2 runs scored
Coleman Keener: 1-2 with 1 double, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Zach Williams: 1 run scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 walk
Jennings Allen: 1 RBI
Dylan Walls: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K on 19 pitches
Daven Abernathy: 1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K on 29 pitches
6-AAA Region Standings:
North Hall: 14-5 (10-2)
Pickens: 17-4 (9-3)
GAC: 11-7 (8-4)
Dawson: 13-8 (8-4)
Chestatee: 6-15 (5-7)
Lumpkin: 10-10 (4-8)
White County: 9-11 (4-8)
Johnson-Gainesville: 2-19 (0-12)
The Dragons, will take to the road to begin a three game series with the Dawson Tigers on Tuesday, April 1st. The Dragons, will be looking to keep pace with North Hall at the top of the region standings. First pitch is scheduled for 5:55 pm.
Dragons shut out Knights to win series
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 27, 2025
Gainesville, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, made the trip over to Gainesville on Thursday, March 27th to take on the Johnson Knights in game two of their three game region series. The Dragons, who took game one on Tuesday, 15-0 in three innings, were looking to pick up the series win and keep pace at the top of the region standings. The Dragons, did just that as the bats were alive and the pitching was spectacular as they came away with a 17-0 win in three innings.
Christian Starks, would reach base on an error with 1-out. Starks, would come around to score on an error to make it 1-0 Dragons early. Kam Jenkins, would keep the inning going with a single. He would make it all the way to 3rd on an error. Dawson Lowit, would knock in Jenkins with an RBI single to make it 2-0 Dragons. Zach Williams, the courtesy runner for Lowitt, would steal 2nd to get into scoring position.
Matthew Davis, would then get hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Williams and Davis, would then pull off a double steal to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. The Knights, would get out of the first with a fly out to center. Heading to the bottom of the frame, Pickens led Johnson, 2-0. In the bottom of the first, Dragons starter Jackson Nunn, picked up a pair of strikeouts and a line out to send it to the second with the Dragons leading the Knights, 2-0.
Sam Hammontree, would lead off the top of the second with a double. An infield single by Jennings Allen, would put runners at the corners with nobody out. Allen, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. A.J. Rice, would drive in both Hammontree and Allen with a 2-RBI single to make it 4-0. Rice, would advance into scoring position by stealing 2nd.
Starks, would bring in Rice with an RBI double to make it 5-0. Starks, would then steal 3rd. An RBI ground out by Jenkins, would make it 6-0 Dragons heading to the bottom of the second. In the bottom of the inning, Nunn, picked up his 3rd strikeout, a fly out, and a ground out to send it to the third with the Dragons ahead, 6-0.
Davis, would lead off the top of the third with a single. He would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Dawson Holland, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Davis would be forced out at 3rd. After Holland stole 2nd to get into scoring position, Hammontree, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. A wild pitch, would advance Holland and Hammontree up a base.
Allen, would then draw a walk to load the bases with 1-put. Chase Hulsey, who came on to pitch hit for Rice, would drive in Holland with an RBI single to make it 7-0. Zach Williams, would then be hit with a pitch as Hammontree would come in to score. A double by Cade Sutton, would bring in both Allen and Hulsey to make it 10-0. Jenkins, would then drive in Williams with an RBI single to make it 11-0.
After Lowit drew a walk to load the bases, Davis, would drive in Sutton and Jenkins with a 2-RBI single to make it 13-0. After a strikeout, courtesy runner Daven Abernathy, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 14-0. Davis, would move up to 3rd on the play. Caden Kirchoff, would keep the inning going with a walk. Coleman Keener, would drive in Davis with an RBI single to make it 15-0.
Hulsey, would draw a walk to load the bases. Williams, would follow that by drawing a walk to bring in Kirchoff to make it 16-0. Keener, would then come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 17-0 Dragons heading to the bottom of the third. Ezra Faber, would come on in relief of Nunn in the bottom of the third. After a pair of strikeouts, Joe Sanchez, would reach base on an error. Sanchez, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch.
Faber, would shake that off to pick up his 3rd strikeout of the inning to seal the 17-0 win for the Dragons.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 1-2 with 1 single, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Christian Starks: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Cade Sutton: 1-3 with 1 double, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Kam Jenkins: 2-3 with 2 singles, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Dawson Lowit: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 1 RBI
Matthew Davis: 2-2 with 2 singles, 1 HBP, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 1-1 with 1 double, 1 walk, and 2 runs scored
Jennings Allen: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 2 runs scored
Chase Hulsey: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Zach Williams: 1 HBP, 1 BB, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Coleman Keener: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Daven Abernathy: 1 run scored
Jackson Nunn: 2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K on 21 pitches
Ezra Faber: 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 3 K on 19 pitches
The Dragons, will look to sweep the series on Friday, March 28th in the series finale. It will also be Senior Night as the Dragons will honor the Seniors who have become the winningest class in Pickens Baseball history. The first pitch for the series finale is set for 5:55 pm.
Dragons run rule Johnson to open series
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 26, 2025
Jasper, Ga — It was a beautiful day at the ball field as the Pickens Dragons took on the Johnson Knights of Gainesville in game one of their three game set on Tuesday, March 25th. The Dragons, were coming off of a big series win against Lumpkin last week. The Knights, haven’t had the best of seasons, but were looking to possibly spoil a season as we head towards the playoffs. The Dragons, got things going early and took home the win, 15-0 in three innings.
In the top of the first, Payton Rose, would get things started for the Knights by getting hit with a pitch. Dragons starter A.J. Rice, would bounce back with a strikeout. Kam Jenkins, would then throw out Rose trying to steal 2nd. Rice, would pick up another strikeout to send it to the bottom of the first. In the bottom half of the frame, Christian Starks, would reach on a two base error with 1-out.
Starks, would then steal 3rd. Starks, would then come in on a wild pitch to make it 1-0 Dragons. A pair of 2-out walks drawn by Jenkins and Dawson Lowit, would put runners at 1st and 2nd. An RBI single by Matthew Davis, would bring in courtesy runner Daven Abernathy to make it 2-0. Davis, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 2-out. An RBI single by Dawson Holland, would bring in Lowit to make it 3-0 Dragons heading to the second.
In the top of the second, Rice, would pick up two more strikeouts and a ground out in a scoreless inning. In the bottom of the second, Jennings Allen, would lead off with a double. Rice, would follow with a single to put runners at 1st and 3rd. Allen, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 4-0. Rice, would steal 2nd and advance to 3rd on the wild pitch. Starks, would bring in Rice with an RBI single to make it 5-0.
Starks, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. After a ground out, Jenkins, would drive in Starks to make it 6-0. Lowit, would add on to the lead with a 2-run home run to make it 8-0. Davis, would keep the inning going with a triple. He would then come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 9-0 Dragons. After back to back walks from Holland and Sam Hammontree, Allen, would load the bases with a single.
Rice, would help himself out by clearing the bases with a 3-RBI triple to make it 12-0. Starks, would bring in Rice with an RBI single to make it 13-0. Starks, would advance to 2nd after an error on the play. Chase Hulsey, would come on to pitch hit for Cade Sutton. Hulsey, would reach base after being hit with a pitch. The Knights, would finally get out of the second with a ground out and a fly out. Heading to the third, the Dragons led the Knights, 13-0.
In the top of the third, Daven Abernathy, would come on in relief of Rice. After a strikeout, Felipi Delgado, would reach base after drawing a walk. Alex Alvarez, would then be hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Delgado and Alvarez, would then move up a base after a wild pitch. Abernathy, would settle in to pick up a strikeout and a ground out to keep the Knights scoreless and send it to the bottom of the third with the Dragons leading, 15-0.
In the bottom of the third, Caden Kirchoff, would draw a lead off walk to reach base. Kirchoff, would then advance to 2nd on a wild pitch. After a strikeout, Kirchoff, would then move up to 3rd on another wild pitch. Ezra Faber, would draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 3rd with 1-out. Kirchoff, would come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 14-0. Coleman Keener, would reach on an error by the second baseman.
Abernathy, would then be hit with a pitch to load the bases. J. Walker, would bring in Faber on a fielder’s choice to seal the win for the Dragons, 15-0.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 2-3 with 1 single, 1 triple, 3 RBI, 2 runs scored, & 2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 hit batsman, 0 BB, 4 K on 25 pitches
Christian Starks: 2-3 with 2 singles, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 walk, and 1 RBI
Dawson Lowit: 1-1 with 1 walk, 1 home run, 2 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Matthew Davis: 2-2 with 1 single, 1 triple, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 1-1 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Sam Hammontree: 1 walk and 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 2-2 with 1 single, 1 double, and 2 runs scored
Daven Abernathy: 1 HBP, 2 runs scored, & 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 hit batsman, 2 K on 24 pitches
Caden Kirchoff: 1 walk and 1 run scored
J. Walker: 1 RBI
Ezra Faber: 1 walk, and 1 run scored
The series will now shift over to Gainesville as game two will take place on Thursday, March 27th at Johnson. First pitch is scheduled for 5:55 pm.
Dragons fall in final inning in series opener against Trojans
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 12, 2025
Gainesville, Ga — It was the start of arguably the biggest series in 6-AAA as the Pickens Dragons traveled down to Gainesville to take on the North Hall Trojans on Tuesday, March 11th. The Dragons, came into the game 11-1 overall, 3-0 in 6-AAA, and ranked 2nd in AAA. The Trojans, came in at 7-3 overall, 3-0 in 6-AAA, and ranked 4th in AAA. The game would live up to the hype as the final inning saw the lead change hands twice as it would be the Trojans who would come away with the win in game one, 3-2.
The Dragons, were looking for some early 2-out magic in the top of the first as Cade Sutton and Kam Jenkins would reach on back to back singles to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Trojans starter Campbell Payton, would induce a ground ball for the 3rd out to send it to the bottom of the inning. Dragons starter A.J. Rice, would strikeout the side in the bottom of the frame to send it to the second with the score still tied at 0.
Dawson Holland, would lead off the top of the second by reaching on an error. A 1-out single by Dawson Lowitt, would put runners at 1st and 2nd. Jennings Allen, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Lowitt would be forced out at 2nd. Holland, would move up to 3rd on the play. The Trojans, would get out of the inning after picking off Allen at 1st. Rice, would continue his hot start to the game in the bottom of the second.
Rice, would force a ground out in addition to picking up his 4th and 5th strikeouts in a scoreless bottom of the second. Heading to the third, Pickens and North Hall were still tied at 0.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top half of the third after a pop out, a ground out, and a fly out. In the bottom of the frame, Custis Honeycutt, would pick up the first hit of the game for the Trojans as he would lead off with a double. A sacrifice bunt by Payton, would move Honeycutt over to 3rd. Rice, would get out of the jam by inducing a ground ball and forcing a pop out to send it to the fourth with the game still scoreless.
In the top of the fourth, Jenkins would reach 1st with a lead off walk. Matthew Davis, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as courtesy runner Zach Williams, would be forced out at 2nd. After a fly out by Holland, Sam Hammontree looked to keep the inning alive with a single, however, Davis, would be thrown out at 2nd to send it to the bottom of the fourth.
The Trojans, looked to get something going in the bottom of the fourth as they drew a pair of walks and picked up their 2nd hit of the game to load the bases with 1-out. After Rice picked up his 6th strikeout for the 2nd out, Smith McGarvey, would come in to score the game’s first run after a wild pitch. Rice, would force a fly out to limit the damage and send it to the fifth with the Trojans leading, 1-0.
Lowitt, would lead of the top of the fifth with his 2nd hit of the day, but would be thrown out at 2nd trying to stretch it into a double. Payton, would pick up his 3rd and 4th strikeout of the game to send it to the bottom of the inning. Rice, would bounce back in the bottom of the fifth as he would strikeout the side to send it to the sixth with the Trojans still ahead, 1-0.
Christian Starks, would lead off the sixth by drawing a walk. Sutton, would follow with his 2nd hit of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Starks, would be forced out at 3rd as Jenkins reached on a fielder’s choice. After a line out by Davis, Holland, would reach as the ball would fall out of the center fielders glove allowing Sutton to score to tie the game at 1.
Rice, would carry that momentum over to the bottom of the sixth as he would force a fly out, and pick up his 10th and 11th strikeout of the game to send it to the seventh with the score tied at 1.
Lowitt, would lead off the top of the seventh by drawing a walk. Caden Kirchoff, would then come in to pitch run for Lowitt. Allen, would follow that up with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. After a strikeout of Rice for the first out, Starks, would reach on an error that would allow Kirchoff to come in and score to give the Dragons a 2-1 lead. Allen and Starks, would end up at 2nd and 3rd after the play.
Mills Lothridge, who came on in relief of Payton, would limit the damage as he would force a ground out, and pick up a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the seventh. Rice, looking to finish the game, picked up his 12th strikeout of the game and a fly out for the first two outs of the seventh. Honeycutt, would tie the game with a solo home run to left field.
McKinley Kemp, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single. Cole Cable, would follow that by drawing a walk. Lothridge, would then drive in pitch runner Brayden Martin with an RBI single to give the Trojans a 3-2 win in game one.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 6 2/3 IP, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 H, 12 K, 2 BB on 107 pitches
Christian Starks: 1 walk
Cade Sutton: 2-4 with 2 singles and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk
Dawson Holland: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 RBI
Sam Hammontree: 1-3 with 1 single
Dawson Lowitt: 2-2 with 2 singles and 1 walk
Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single
Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored
The series will shift to Dunn Field on Thursday, March 13th as the Dragons will look to tie the series as they host the Trojans for game 2. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:55 pm.
Rice throws no hitter as Dragons defeat Warriors
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 5, 2025
Cleveland, Ga — The calendar flipped over to March which meant it was time for the region schedule for baseball to get underway. The Pickens Dragons, made the trip up to Cleveland to begin a three game series with the White County Warriors. The Dragons, came into the game with an 8-1 record. The Warriors, came into the game with a 5-3 overall record. Junior Auburn commit A.J. Rice, threw his 2nd no hitter of the season as the Dragons got the win, 8-0.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the first as Warriors starter, Trevor Butler, would force a pair of ground outs, and pick up his first strikeout. In the bottom of the frame, Rice, would work around a 1-out walk drawn by Alex Freeman, as Rice would strikeout the side to send it to the second inning, with the score tied at 0.
Kam Jenkins, would draw a walk on a full count to lead off the top of the second. A sacrifice bunt, would move the courtesy runner Caden Kirchoff, over to 2nd. An RBI single from Matthew Davis, would drive in Kirchoff to make it 1-0 Dragons. Davis, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. A 2-out RBI single by Sam Hammontree, would bring in Davis to make it 2-0.
A double by Jennings Allen, would put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 2-out. A 2-RBI double by Rice, would make it 4-0 Dragons heading to the bottom of the second. The Warriors, would go down in order in the bottom of the second as Rice forced a ground out, a line out, and picked up his 4th strikeout to send it to the third with Pickens leading, 4-0.
Butler, tossed a scoreless top of the third with a ground out and a pair of strikeouts. In the bottom half of the third, Rice, would strikeout the side to push his total up to 7 for the night. Heading to the fourth inning, the Dragons continued to lead White County, 4-0.
The Dragons, would go down in order in the top of the fourth as Butler would force a pop out, and pick up another pair of strikeouts to push his total up to 6. In the bottom half of the fourth, Rice, would again strikeout the side. The second inning, continued to be the difference maker as the Dragons still led the Warriors, 4-0, heading to the fifth.
Butler, doing his best to keep his team in it, tossed his third consecutive scoreless inning in the top of the fifth as he forced two ground outs and picked up his 7th strikeout. In the bottom of the fifth, Rice, would force a ground out, and pick up his 11th and 12th strikeout to send it to the sixth with Pickens leading, 4-0.
Cade Sutton, would lead off the top of the sixth by drawing a walk as the Dragons would have their first base runner since the second inning. Sutton, would then advance all the way to 3rd after an error by the Warriors. After Butler picked up back to back strikeouts, Davis, would reach on a dropped third strike as Sutton would come in to score to make it 5-0 Dragons.
Dawson Holland, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Butler and the Warriors, would get out of the sixth without any other damage done after a ground out. In the bottom of the sixth, Rice, would force a ground out, and pick up strikeout #13 and #14 on the night. Heading to the seventh, Pickens led White County, 5-0.
Rice, would reach with a 1-out single in the top of the seventh. Christian Starks, would drive in Rice with an RBI triple to make it 6-0. A sacrifice fly RBI by Sutton, would bring in Starks to make it 7-0. A 2-out double by Jenkins, would keep the inning going for the Dragons. Dawson Lowitt, would drive in courtesy runner Coleman Keener with an RBI single to make it 8-0 Dragons heading to the bottom of the seventh.
In the bottom half of the seventh, Rice, would finish the complete game no hitter with his 15th and 16th strikeout, and a ground out. The Dragons, pick up the win in their 6-AAA opener, 8-0.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 2-4 with 1 double, 1 single, 2 RBI, and 1 run scored & 7 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 16 K on 86 pitches
Christian Starks: 1-4 with 1 triple, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Cade Sutton: 1 walk, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-3 with 1 double, and 1 walk
Dawson Lowitt: 1-4 with 1 single and 1 RBI
Matthew Davos: 1-4 with 1 single, 1 steal, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 1-3 with 1 single
Sam Hammontree: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 double, and 1 run scored
Caden Kirchoff: 1 run scored
Coleman Keener: 1 run scored
The Dragons and Warriors, will be back at it on Thursday, March 6th as the series shifts to Dunn Field for game two of the three game set. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:55 pm.
Dragons score 100 points in win against Trojans
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports December 14, 2024
Jasper, Ga — Much like the Nettes, it was the final home game of the 2024 portion of the season for the Pickens Dragons as they took on the Trojans of North Hall on Friday, December 13th. Both teams, were coming off big wins and the winner of this one would find themselves atop the 6-AAA standings. The Dragons, scored no less than 20 points in every quarter on their way to a 103-40 win.
The Dragons, started off the game with a quick bucket as Parker Davis won the tip, Brock Barton grabbed it, tossed it to Dodge Davis, who would score a tough basket to make it 2-0. A bucket by Cole Hulsey, would tie the game up at 2. After a basket by McCord Purdy gave the Dragons the lead, Hulsey, would go on a 4-0 run to make it 6-4 Trojans. A 10-0 run by the Dragons would give them a 14-6 lead. Hulsey, ended the run with a bucket to make it 14-8.
The Dragons, would then go on a 5-0 run to stretch the lead to 19-8. A pair of free throws by Hulsey, would cut the lead down to 9. The Dragons, would close out the first quarter on a 6-0 run as they led the Trojans, 25-10 heading to the second quarter.
The Trojans, would finally get someone other than Hulsey in the score book to begin the second quarter as Cole Brooks would make a layup to cut the lead to 25-12. A three pointer from Brock Barton, would make it 28-12. That would kickoff a 17-0 run by the Dragons as they led it, 42-12. A pair of free throws by Brooks, would make it 42-14. After a three pointer from Montego Morgan, the Trojans, would hit a late bucket to make it 45-16 at the half.
The second half started with Dodge Davis scoring back-to-back baskets to make it 49-16. A pair of free throws from Walker Vining, would make it 49-18. After a layup by Barton, Hulsey, would go on a 5-0 run to make it 51-23. Barton, would then complete an and-1 play to make it 54-23. Later on in the third, the Dragons, would go on a 12-0 run to stretch the lead out to 75-31. Max Young, would split a pair of free throws to make it 75-32 going to the fourth.
Dodge Davis, again got the scoring going as he opened up the fourth quarter with a bucket to make it 77-32. After Vining split a pair of free throws, the Dragons, would go on another 12-0 run to make it 89-33. A free throw make by Drew Cronan, would put an end to the run. After the two teams traded baskets, the Dragons would go on a mini 4-0 run to make it 96-36.
After Cronan again split a pair of free throws, A 7-0 run by the Dragons would make it 103-37. Cronan, would hit a late three pointer as the final score in this one would be Pickens 103 North Hall 40.
Scoring leaders for the Dragons:
Dodge Davis: 23 points
Brock Barton: 21 points
Parker Davis: 17 points
McCord Purdy: 13 points
DJ Mitchell: 8 points
Montego Morgan: 8 points
Caleb Lanford: 6 points
Jamin Martin: 4 points
Aiden Mumaw: 2 points
Caden Kirchoff: 1 point
6-AAA Boys Basketball Standings:
Pickens: 8-0 (3-0)
GAC: 6-3 (2-1)
North Hall: 5-3 (2-1)
Lumpkin: 5-4 (2-1)
Dawson: 3-6 (1-2)
White County: 3-6 (1-2)
Chestatee: 1-8 (0-3)
Johnson, Gainesville: 0-8 (0-3)
Much like the Nettes, the Dragons will end the 2024 portion of the schedule by taking part in a pair of tournaments. The first tournament, will be the War Lodge Invitational at Sequoyah High School where they will take on Alcovy and Seckinger. First up, Alcovy on Friday, December 20th. Tip off is set for 5:30 pm.