Dragons will be the #4 seed in next week’s region tournament
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports February 11, 2022
Jasper, Ga — After the girls game was over, we were set for a big time battle between the Pickens Dragons and the visiting Cedartown Bulldogs. Coming into the game, the Dragons were 11-13 overall and 5-6 in 7-AAAA play. The Bulldogs, came in at 10-11 overall and 7-4 in 7-AAAA play. Cedartown defeated Pickens earlier in the season on December 7th in a close game, 55-52. In what was a physical game played by both teams, the Dragons came away with a 52-48 win.
Both teams struggled a bit to start the first quarter until Junior Kadyn Hampton broke the scoreless streak with a layup to make it 2-0 Pickens. Cedartown got it’s first points of the game after a three pointer to take their first lead, 3-2. The Dragons answered with a 7-0 run as Senior Luke Rogers and Sophomore Caleb Keith made layups and Sophomore Camden Dunn hit a three to make it 9-3. After the Bulldogs split a pair of free throws, the Dragons went on a little 3-0 run as Dunn hit a jumper and Rogers split a pair of free throws to make it 12-4. Cedartown made a bucket to make it 12-6 Pickens going to the second quarter.
Jaden Stewart with the ball for Pickens
The Bulldogs started the second quarter off on a 10-0 run to retake the lead, 16-12. A three pointer by Sophomore Marcus Pike cut the lead down to 16-15. After the two teams traded free throw makes, Pike made a layup plus the free throw after being fouled to give the Dragons a 20-18 lead. After Cedartown went down and tied the game up at 20, Pickens went on a 7-0 run Rogers made a layup, Junior Jaden Stewart hit a three, and Pike continued his hot quarter with another layup to make it 27-20. The Bulldogs countered that with a 14-0 run to reclaim the lead, 34-27. Stewart made a layup to make it 34-29 going into the break.
Dragons on defense in the second quarter
The third quarter was a low scoring frame for both teams and that would end up benefiting the Dragons. Senior Caleb Bryant got things going by splitting a pair of free throws, Hampton, who had been battling foul trouble, made a layup to cut the Bulldog lead down to 34-32. Cedartown ended the mini 3-0 run with a three pointer to make it 37-32. Those would be the only points for the Bulldogs in the third as Pickens went on a 7-0 run to end the quarter capped off by Stewart beating the clock with a layup to give the Dragons a 39-37 lead going to the fourth.
Dragons on offense in the third
The fourth quarter began with the Dragons continuing their run from the third quarter as Stewart and Bryant made back to back layups to give Pickens a 43-37 lead. Cedartown came right back with a pair of three pointers to tie the game up at 43 a piece. Rogers then gave the Dragons the lead back with a pair of free throws to make it 45-43. After a technical foul was called on Pickens, the Bulldogs split the technical free throws and made a layup to give Cedartown a 46-45 lead. On the next trip down, Dunn hit a massive three pointer to give the Dragons a 48-46 lead. The Bulldogs, came right back down the floor and tied the ball game back up at 48. Rogers, came up clutch with another layup to give Pickens a 50-48 lead. Cedartown, then went to the line for a pair of free throws. The first one was no good. With little time left, the second one had to be missed intentionally. In a scramble for the ball, it went out of bounds last touched by the Bulldogs. Rogers would receive the in-bounds pass and was fouled. The Dragons big man went to the line and hit both free throws to give Pickens the 52-48 win.
Leading Scorers For The Dragons:
Jaden Stewart: 14 points
Luke Rogers: 13 points
Camden Dunn: 8 points
Marcus Pike: 8 points
Kadyn Hampton: 4 points
Caleb Bryant: 3 points
Caleb Keith: 2 points
7-AAAA Boys Region Standings:
Central-Carroll: 16-8 (10-2) #1 seed in region tournament
Northwest Whitfield: 21-3 (9-3) #2 seed in region tournament
Cedartown: 10-12 (7-5) #3 seed in region tournament
Pickens: 12-13 (6-6) #4 seed in region tournament
Heritage: 9-13 (5-7) #5 seed in region tournament
SE Whitfield: 11-14 (4-8) #6 seed in region tournament
Ridgeland: 8-16 (1-11) #7 seed in region tournament
With the win, the Dragons secured the #4 seed in next week’s 7-AAAA Region Tournament. They will take on the #5 seed Heritage Generals on Tuesday, February 15th in the first round. Heritage defeated the Dragons in both regular season match ups with the game in Jasper being very close. This game, and every other Region Tournament game next week will be played at Northwest Whitfield.
Dragons pick up big region win against Raiders
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports February 9, 2022
Jasper, Ga — After the girls game, the Senior Night festivities began as Seniors from both the Nettes and Dragons basketball teams, the dance team, and the cheerleading squad were recognized. As for the boys game, this was a must win for both the Dragons and the Raiders as both came in with identical 10-13 overall records, but Pickens came in with a better region record at 4-6 while Southeast Whitfield came in with a 4-7 region record. The Dragons, defeated the Raiders in Dalton on January 14th, 64-51 and were looking for the in season sweep. After a good, hard fought back and forth, Pickens came away with a 65-60 win.
Southeast Whitfield started the game off with a bucket to make it 2-0 early. Senior Collin Kellogg tied things up a 2 a piece, then fellow Senior Caleb Bryant gave the Dragons their first lead of the night with a layup to make it 4-2. Kellogg made a shot and hit the free throw to make it 7-2 Pickens. After a 5-0 run by the Raiders to tie things up at 7, Senior Luke Rogers gave the Dragons the lead back with a bucket to make it 9-7. Bryant extended the lead after splitting a pair of free throws to make it 10-7. A bucket by the Raiders cut the lead down to 10-9. Caleb Keith, then made two free throws to make it 12-9. After a bucket and a free throw make, Southeast Whitfield tied the game back up at 12. They would then retake the lead with a bucket to make it 14-12. Camden Dunn responded with a three pointer to give the Dragons a 15-14 lead. The Raiders then reclaimed the lead after a bucket to make it 16-15. Kellogg closed out the quarter with a bucket to give Pickens a 17-16 lead going to the second quarter.
Dragons looking for a stop defensively
Keith got things going in the second quarter as he hit a three pointer to make it 20-16 Dragons. The Raiders responded with an 8-0 run to take a 24-20 lead. Both teams then traded buckets until Southeast Whitfield went on a 5-0 run to make it 31-24. Pickens closed the first half on a 7-0 run as Marcus Pike got a tough layup to fall, Bryant got another bucket, and Jaden Stewart hit a three to tie things up at 31 going to the half.
Dragons looking for offense in the second
The third quarter started off much like the first quarter did with the Raiders getting the opening bucket to retake the lead, 33-31. A quick 4-0 run from Kellogg and Kadyn Hampton gave the Dragons a 35-33 lead. After Southeast Whitfield split a pair of free throw attempts, Rogers extended the Pickens lead to 37-34 after a bucket. After the Raiders made a three pointer to again tie the ball game up, the Dragons went on a 6-0 run as Rogers made a pair of free throws and made a shot, and Bryant also made a shot to make it 43-37. A three by Southeast Whitfield put an end to the run and cut the lead down to 43-40. The two teams then again traded buckets as Stewart got the last points of the quarter with a three to make it 48-42 Dragons going to the fourth.
Dragons with the ball in the second half
The fourth quarter began with the Raiders getting a bucket to make it 48-44. Hampton answered with a bucket to make it 50-44. After Southeast Whitfield connected on a bucket and the free throw attempt, Rogers made a bucket to make it 52-47. After both teams made shots, the Raiders went on a 4-0 run to cut the Dragons lead down to 54-53. Hampton then made another tough bucket to make it 56-53. A pair of free throws by the Raiders made it 56-55. After a Stewart layup, Southeast Whitfield responded with a bucket to make it 58-57. Pickens answered that with a 5-0 run as Stewart made a three pointer and Hampton made a bucket to make it 63-57. A three pointer by the Raiders then cut the lead to 63-60. After a turnover by the Dragons, Bryant came up big with a steal and a layup at the other end to give the Dragons a 65-60 win.
Leading Scorers For The Dragons:
Jaden Stewart: 13 points
Caleb Bryant: 11 points
Kadyn Hampton: 10 points
Luke Rogers: 10 points
Collin Kellogg: 9 points
Caleb Keith: 7 points
Camden Dunn: 3 points
Marcus Pike: 2 points
7-AAAA Boys Region Standings:
Central-Carroll: 16-8 (10-2) will be the #1 seed in the region tournament
Northwest Whitfield: 21-3 (9-3) will be the #2 seed in the region tournament
Cedartown: 10-11 (7-4) will be the #3 seed in the region tournament
Pickens: 11-13 (5-6) will be either the #4 or #5 seed in the region tournament
Heritage: 9-13 (5-7) will be either the #$ or #5 seed in the region tournament
Southeast Whitfield: 10-14 (4-8) will be the #6 seed in the region tournament
Ridgeland: 8-16 (1-11) will be the #7 seed in the region tournament
One more game to go in the regular season as the Dragons will host the Cedartown Bulldogs on Thursday, February 10th in a big time region game. This is the make up game from a few weeks back as the original game could not be played due to weather. A win for the Dragons will make them the #4 seed in the upcoming region tournament. Tip off set for 7:30.
Generals defeat Dragons in tough region contest
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports January 26, 2022
Jasper, Ga — After the game between the Nettes and Lady Generals was over, it was time for the Pickens Dragons and the Heritage Generals to take the floor. Coming into the game, the Dragons held a record of 9-11 (3-4) while the Generals came in at 8-9 (4-4). Both teams were looking for a win to stay in the thick of the 7-AAAA standings race with only a couple weeks left until the region tournament. The first meeting between these two in December went the way of the Generals as they defeated the Dragons 56-31 at Heritage. In what was a very physical game, a tough fourth quarter led to the Generals coming away with a 49-46 win.
The first quarter got off to a very rough start for both teams as turnovers and missed shots were the theme to begin the game. Heritage, finally broke the drought and went on a 4-0 run to give them the lead. A bucket by Collin Kellogg got the Dragons on the board and cut the Generals lead in half. Heritage would respond by going on a 6-0 run to make it 10-2. A free throw make by Luke Rogers made it 10-3 Generals going to the second.
Luke Rogers looking for a teammate
To start the second quarter, Rogers again split a pair of free throws to make it 10-4. After a three pointer by the Generals, the Dragons went on a 9-0 run powered by two three pointers from Jaden Stewart, and Rogers converting an and-1 to tie things up at 13. The tie didn’t last long as the Generals got an and-1 of their own to retake the lead, 16-13. The Dragons ended the first half on a 5-0 run as Stewart hit his third three pointer of the quarter and Caleb Keith made a layup just before the buzzer to give Pickens an 18-16 lead at the break.
Dragons defending the Generals
The third quarter began with Caleb Bryant hitting two free throws to make it 20-16. Caleb Keith kept the run going with a three pointer to make it 23-16. All together, the Dragons went on a 10-0 run to take the first lead of the game. Heritage answered with a 4-0 run to make it 23-20. After the two teams traded buckets, Pickens went on a 7-0 run as Kadyn Hampton contributed 4 points, and Camden Dunn hit a three to make it 37-25 Dragons. The Generals then got a bucket to cut the lead down to 37-27. Rogers got a bucket to drop as Pickens took a 39-27 lead over Heritage into the fourth.
Dragons with the ball in the third
The Generals started the fourth quarter on a 7-0 run to cut the Dragons lead down to 39-34. Rogers then countered with a 5-0 run on his own as he made two field goals and made a free throw to make it 44-34. A 13-0 run from Heritage would flip the game and give the Generals their first lead since the second quarter at 47-44. Rogers and Hampton both split a pair of free throws to make it 47-46. A pair of free throws from Heritage made it 49-46. The Dragons had a couple final chances for a game tying three pointer, but they would fall short and the Generals would come away with the win, 49-46.
7-AAAA Region Standings:
Central-Carroll: 13-6 (7-1)
Northwest Whitfield: 17-3 (6-3)
Cedartown: 7-9 (5-3)
Heritage: 9-9 (5-4)
Pickens: 9-12 (3-5)
Southeast Whitfield: 8-12 (2-6)
Ridgeland: 7-12 (1-7)
A two game road trip for the Dragons starts on Friday, January 28th as they will travel up to Rossville to take on the Ridgeland Panthers. Earlier this month, the Dragons came away with a 61-58 win over the Panthers in Jasper. Tip off for this one is set for 7:30.
Dragons pick up big region win over Northwest Whitfield
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports January 8, 2022
Jasper, Ga — After the Nettes thrilling win over the Lady Bruins, it was time for the Pickens Dragons and the Northwest Whitfield Bruins to take the floor. Coming into the game, the Dragons had won two straight, and came in with a record of 7-9 (1-3). The Bruins, came into the game with a record of 10-2 (2-2). During halftime of the girls game, Pickens High School recognized Dragons head boys basketball coach Mike Duffie on achieving 500 wins in his career. Duffie accomplished the feet on the road at North Murray during a Christmas Tournament in December. The ball was painted by PHS Art teacher Nikki Towery. The ball featured every school that Duffie has coached throughout the years as well as the trademark cowboy boots he wears during games.
500 win ball presented to coach Mike Duffie
As for the game, the Dragons got off to a fast start in the first quarter as Luke Rogers went on a 4-0 run to give Pickens the early lead. After a pair of free throws from the Bruins, Rogers made a third bucket of the first quarter to make it 6-2. Northwest Whitfield would cut the lead to 6-4, but Rogers and Collin Kellogg would respond with a 4-0 run to make it 10-4. A bucket and a free throw by the Bruins made it 10-7. Rogers, stayed hot as he went on a 3-0 run to make it 13-7. Northwest Whitfield chipped away at the Dragons lead again with a pair of free throws to make it 13-9. There went that man again as Rogers made a bucket and the free throw to make it 16-9. After a bucket by the Bruins, Jaden Stewart hit a three and Caleb Keith made a bucket to make it 21-11 Dragons going to the second.
Dragons on offense in the first quarter
In the second quarter, the Bruins started off on an 8-0 run to cut the Pickens lead down to 21-19. Kellogg and Isaiah Williams made back to back buckets to make it 25-19. A 5-0 run by Northwest Whitfield cut the lead to 25-24. The pair of Williams and Kellogg again stretched the lead out for the Dragons as the 4-0 run closed the first half, giving the Dragons a 29-24 lead going into the break.
Dragons defending the Bruins
The 4-0 run to close the first half by the Dragons turned into a 9-0 run overall as Stewart hit a three and Kellogg made a bucket to start the third quarter with a 5-0 run, and make it, 34-24. After a three pointer by the Bruins, Kadyn Hampton hit a pair of free throws to make it 36-27. A 5-0 run by Northwest Whitfield then cut the Dragons lead to 36-32. Pickens, answered with a 9-0 run with 6 of those 9 points coming off of three straight Hampton buckets. Caleb Bryant capped off the run with a three pointer to make it 45-32. After a bucket by the Bruins ended that run, the Dragons started a new one as they went on a 7-0 run with 6 of those 7 points coming from Bryant as he made two baskets and two free throws. Rogers also made a free throw during the run to make it 52-34. The Bruins made a free throw to close out the scoring in the third and we’d head to the fourth quarter with Pickens ahead, 52-35.
Dragons on offense in the second half
In the fourth quarter, the Bruins got the scoring started with a bucket to make it 52-37. A bucket by Stewart and a pair of free throws from Rogers made it 56-37. After a three by Northwest Whitfield, the Caleb’s (Keith and Bryant), combined for a 5-0 run as Caleb Keith hit a three and Caleb Bryant made a bucket to make it 61-40. Following a bucket by the Bruins, Hampton made a pair of free throws to make it 63-42. A 5-0 run from Northwest Whitfield made it 63-47. A pair of free throws by Stewart closed this one out as the Dragons came away with a 65-47 win.
Leading scorers for the Dragons:
Luke Rogers: 17 points, 12 rebounds
Kadyn Hampton: 12 points, 12 rebounds
Jaden Stewart: 10 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists
Caleb Bryant: 9 points
Collin Kellogg: 8 points, 7 rebounds
Caleb Keith: 5 points
Isaiah Williams: 4 points
7-AAAA Region Standings:
Central-Carroll: 9-5 (4-0)
Heritage: 7-5 (4-0)
Cedartown: 4-6 (2-2)
Pickens: 8-9 (2-3)
Northwest Whitfield: 10-3 (2-3)
Southeast Whitfield: 5-9 (1-3)
Ridgeland: 5-8 (0-4)
The Dragons, will carry a 2 game region winning streak and a 3 game overall winning streak into next Friday as they head to Southeast Whitfield to take on the Raiders. Tip off for that one is scheduled for 8:30.
Dragons pick up first region win of the season
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports January 5, 2022
Jasper, Ga — The Dragons came into their game against the Ridgeland Panthers with some momentum after defeating their rivals, the Gilmer Bobcats last Thursday and looked to carry that momentum over into 2022. These two teams had similar records coming into the game with the Dragons at 6-9 and the Panthers at 5-6. Both teams were looking for their first win in 7-AAAA play as well. Even after their fourth quarter lead fell apart, the Dragons were able to brush that aside and defeat the Panthers 61-57.
In the first quarter, both teams went back and forth as it looked to be one of those games that was going to be tightly contested. Pickens, got two late three pointers to end the first quarter and take a 15-12 lead over Ridgeland going to the second.
Dragons setting up offensively
The second quarter was much like the first quarter with both teams finding success offensively. Also like the first quarter, the Dragons went on a late run to close out the first half with a 31-24 lead over the Panthers.
Dragons on defense in the second
In the third quarter, the Dragons used a great mixture of offense and defense to push their lead out to 17 at one point in the frame. Ridgeland was able to cut it down to 51-37 as we headed to the fourth quarter.
Jaden Stewart with the three attempt
The fourth quarter, well the fourth quarter was just plain nutty. The Panthers, who started the quarter down 14, came all the way back to take a 1 point lead. That lead for Ridgeland wouldn’t last long as the Dragons were able to retake the lead with a bucket to make it a 1 point lead for them. With the lead, the Dragons went to the free throw line to try to extend their advantage. After a miss, players from both teams had a grasp on the ball. Ridgeland called a timeout. However, it was a timeout that they didn’t have. After going 1 for 2 on the technical free throw shots, the Dragons were again fouled to go to the line shooting the 1 and 1. After a miss on the front end of the free throw shots, Kadyn Hampton came away with the ball after a scramble, and was fouled. Hampton, made both free throws as the Dragons came away with a 61-57 win.
Leading Scorers For The Dragons:
Caleb Keith: 23 points
Luke Rogers: 14 points
Jaden Stewart: 9 points
Caleb Bryant: 5 points
Kadyn Hampton: 4 points
Collin Kellogg: 3 points
Isaiah Williams: 3 points
7-AAAA Region Standings:
Central-Carroll: 8-5 (3-0)
Heritage: 6-5 (3-0)
Northwest Whitfield: 10-2 (2-2)
Cedartown: 4-6 (2-2)
Southeast Whitfield: 5-8 (1-2)
Pickens: 7-9 (1-3)
Ridgeland: 5-7 (0-3)
The Dragons, will be back at it on Friday night as they welcome the Northwest Whitfield Bruins to the Dragons Den. A win for the Dragons could move them up from 6th place, to that 3rd-5th place spot depending on how other games go across the region. Tip off for this one is set for 8:30.
Dragons pour in 93 points, advance to State Tournament
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports February 16, 2021
Pickens, County Ga — The second season started tonight as the Pickens Dragons welcomed the Southeast Whitfield Raiders to the Dragons Den for the first round of the 7-AAAA Region Tournament. The winner, punched their ticket to the 4A State Tournament and clinched a spot in the Region Semi-finals on Thursday. The Dragons, came in as the #3 seed in the tournament, while the Raiders came in as the #6 seed. In what was a total team effort, the Dragons came away with a 93-44 win.
Early in the first quarter, the Dragons jumped out to a 4-0 lead after buckets from Luke Rogers and Owen Moss. The Raiders, were able to tie things up after a free throw and three pointer. Pickens then went on a 16-0 run to make it 20-4. The Dragons got buckets from Tucker Lowe, Jaden Stewart, and Moss during the run. The two teams traded buckets to end the first quarter as the Dragons took a 25-10 lead to the second quarter.
The Dragons played intense defense on Tuesday
Early in the second quarter, A three pointer by Stewart and a free throw from Noah Sutton got the scoring going for the Dragons as they led it, 29-10. After a bucket by the Raiders, Sutton hit another free throw, made a bucket, Moss made a bucket, and Ean Goodwin made two free throws to make it 36-12. A bucket by Southeast Whitfield stopped the 7-0 run and made it 36-14. Pickens then went on a 10-0 run to make it 46-14. Goodwin, Lowe, Caleb Bryant, and Collin Kellogg all contributed to the run. The Raiders, made a bucket just before the end of the first half to make it 46-16 Dragons going to the break.
Dragons with the ball on offense
It was the Noah Sutton Show in the third quarter of this one. Sutton, got the scoring started with a 4-0 run to make it 50-16. After a free throw by the Raiders, Sutton hit a pair of free throws to make it 52-17. Sutton would then go on to make another bucket and a free throw to make it 55-19. All in all, Sutton scored 15 of the Dragons 36 third quarter points as Pickens took an 82-34 lead into the fourth.
Noah Sutton with 15 points in the 3rd
The second unit for the Dragons took over in the fourth quarter as they helped close this one out by outscoring the Raiders 11-10 in the frame. Final in Jasper, Pickens 93, Southeast Whitfield 44.
Dragons Leading Scorers:
Noah Sutton: 19 points
Ean Goodwin: 18 points
Tucker Lowe: 17 points
Jaden Stewart: 14 points
Owen Moss: 8 points
The Dragons, have now secured a spot in the 4A State Tournament. They advance to the 7-AAAA Region Tournament Semi-Finals where they will face the #2 seed Heritage Generals on Thursday at 5:30 pm. The game will be played at Northwest Whitfield. The Pickens Dragonettes, will follow the Dragons on Thursday as they take on the #4 seed Heritage Lady Generals in the second girls semi-final game. That one is set to tip off at 7 pm.
Dragons pick up huge region win against Southeast Whitfield
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports January 29, 2021
Jasper, Ga — On Thursday, January 28th, the Pickens Dragons (9-11, 6-4) welcomed the Southeast Whitfield Raiders (4-17, 1-10) to the Dragons Den for a big time 7-AAAA region game. Coming into the game, the Dragons were tied in the region standings with Northwest Whitfield for third. the Raiders, won their first region game of the season on Tuesday against Ridgeland. With this being the only region game of the day, a win by the Dragons would put them in third place all by themselves. In what may have been their most complete game of the season, Pickens came away with a 78-31 win over the Raiders.
In the first quarter, Southeast Whitfield got the games first bucket. Pickens, followed that with a 7-0 run aided by 4 points from Noah Sutton and three points from Tucker Lowe. The Dragons built up a 10 point lead at one time in the opening quarter. Pickens took a 19-11 lead over the Raiders going to the second.
Dragons with the ball early on
In the second quarter, the Dragons defense helped lead to plenty of offense as they scored 25 points in the quarter while allowing 11 points. Pickens, got scoring from 7 different players in the second quarter as they took a 44-22 lead over Southeast Whitfield into the half.
The Dragon defense was everywhere on Thursday
In the third quarter, the Dragons started off the second half with an 8-0 run. Lowe, Owen Moss, Luke Rogers, and Will Roland all scored during the run. The Raiders got a bucket to end the run, but that would be the only points they would score in the quarter. Pickens, went on a 12-0 run to end the third quarter as they stretched out their lead to 64-24 going to the fourth.
Collin Kellogg goes in for the layup
In the fourth quarter, the Dragons doubled up the Raiders, 14-7 in the frame to seal a much needed win, 78-31. 11 Dragons got their names in the score book on Thursday.
Dragons leading scorers:
Tucker Lowe: 22 points
Caleb Bryant: 10 points
Ean Goodwin: 8 points
Jaden Stewart: 8 points
Noah Sutton: 6 points
7-AAAA Boys Basketball Standings:
Heritage: 13-5 (9-1)
Cedartown: 8-8 (7-2)
Pickens: 9-11 (6-4)
Northwest Whitfield: 11-6 (5-4)
Central-Carroll: 13-8 (4-4)
Ridgeland: 5-11 (1-8)
Southeast Whitfield: 4-17 (1-10)
The Dragons, will be back in action on Tuesday as they host the Cedartown Bulldogs in another critical 7-AAAA region game. The Nettes and Lady Bulldogs will get things going at 6 pm and the Dragons and Bulldogs will follow.
Lowe, Rogers lead Dragons past Southeast Whitfield
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports January 6, 2021
Dalton, Georgia — After seeing the Nettes get another big region win, the Pickens Dragons looked to do the same. The Dragons came into the game against the Southeast Whitfield Raiders having fallen in back to back tough games to North Paulding and Model to end 2020. The Raiders, ended 2020 with a 2 game win streak and playing their best ball of the season. This was a big game as far as the region standings were concerned. Pickens came into the game in 2nd place in 7-AAAA. After trailing by 2 at halftime, the Dragons used a big second half to get the win, 65-55.
The two teams traded buckets for the majority of the first quarter with the Dragons holding the biggest lead during the quarter at 13-8. The Raiders ended the opening quarter with a 7-0 run including a buzzer beating three to give Southeast Whitfield a 15-13 lead going to the second.
Luke Rogers was big for the Dragons on Tuesday
In the second quarter, Luke Rogers went on a personal 4-0 run to give the Dragons a 17-15 lead. The Raiders, were quick to tie things up with a bucket of their own. Pickens then went on an 8-0 run getting buckets from Ean Goodwin, Tucker, Lowe, Noah Sutton, and Owen Moss to make it 25-17 Dragons. All together, it was a 12-2 run for Pickens to start the quarter. Southeast Whitfield would close the first half on a 14-2 run to take the lead, 31-29.
Dragons double team on defense
The third quarter started with a three pointer from Tucker Lowe to give the Dragons a 32-31 lead. Both teams again took turns making baskets, with the Raiders holding a 4 point lead on several occasions. A three pointer from Jaden Stewart gave Pickens a 46-45 lead late in the quarter. Southeast Whitfield retook the lead with a bucket. With what seemed like less than a second left on the clock, Caleb Bryant floated a desperation three pointer and connected! Going to the fourth, the Dragons took a 49-47 lead over the Raiders.
Will Roland controls the ball for the Dragons
In the later stages of the fourth, Southeast Whitfield took a 55-54 lead. The Dragons closed the game on an 11-0 run including 7 points from Lowe. 4 of those points came from the free throw line to help seal the 65-55 win for Pickens.
Dragons leading scorers:
Tucker Lowe: 18 points
Luke Rogers: 15 points
Owen Moss: 10 points
Will Roland: 6 points
Caleb Bryant: 5 points
Jaden Stewart: 5 points
7-AAAA Boys Basketball Standings:
Heritage: 7-4 (5-0)
Pickens: 6-4 (3-1)
Northwest Whitfield: 8-3 (2-1)
Cedartown: 3-6 (2-1)
Central-Carroll: 6-4 (0-2)
Southeast Whitfield: 2-6 (0-3)
Ridgeland: 1-7 (0-4)
On Friday, the Dragons will take to the road again as they head to Cedartown to take on the Bulldogs. The Dragons find themselves in 2nd place, while the Bulldogs are tied for 3rd with Northwest Whitfield. Tip off is set for 8:30 pm.