Jasper, Ga — The AAA State Tournament for the Pickens Dragonettes, began on Wednesday, February 19th as they hosted the Howard Lady Huskies for a first round match up. The Nettes, came into the game as the #1 overall seed in the tournament. The Lady Huskies, came into the game as the #32 seed. After enduring a slow start shooting wise to begin the game, the Nettes, pulled away from the Lady Huskies to pick up a 68-22 win.

It took a little bit for the Nettes to get going in the first quarter, but when they did, they would go on an 8-0 run as Bella Martin and Brylee Deering would combine for the run. Kristen Hines, would get the Lady Huskies on the board just before the end of the first quarter as she would bank in a three. Heading to the second quarter, the Nettes led the Lady Huskies, 8-3.

Alaysia Sutton, would get the scoring started in the second quarter as she would cut the lead down to two after a three. After both teams traded baskets, the Nettes, would go on a 9-0 run as Ellison Steinhauer, and Reagan Ludington, would combine for the run to make it 23-10. A bucket by Sakaria Coleman, would put an end to the run and cut the lead down to 11.

The Nettes, would respond with a 10-0 run as Ellie Hollis, Martin, and Steinhauer all contributed to the run to make it 33-12. A late basket by Sutton, would close the first half with the Nettes leading the Lady Huskies, 33-14.

Hollis, would begin the second half with a three to make it 36-14. After a bucket by Hines, Martin and Ludington, would combine for a 5-0 run to make it 41-16. A layup by Coleman, would put an end to the run and make it 41-18. Bree Jewell, would then hit her first three of the night to stretch the lead out to 44-18. Steinhauer, would make a pair of free throws to make it 46-18.

After Amyah Moses split a pair of free throws, Steinhauer and Ludington, would close out the third quarter with a a 5-0 run to make it 51-19 heading to the fourth.

Steinhauer and Deering, would begin the fourth quarter by going on a 6-0 run to make it 57-19. A three by Coleman, would put an end to the run and cut the lead to 57-22. Jewell and Kylee Bozeman, would end the game on an 11-0 run as Jewell would hit back to back threes, and Bozeman, would make a jumper and a three to help seal a 68-22 win for the Nettes.

Leading scorers for the Nettes:

Ellison Steinhauer: 23 points

Bella Martin: 11 points

Bree Jewell: 9 points

Brylee Deering: 7 points

Reagan Ludington: 7 points

Ellie Hollis: 6 points

Kylee Bozeman: 5 points

The Nettes, will turn their attention to Friday, February 21st as they host the Calhoun Lady Yellow Jackets in the Sweet 16. Calhoun, the #17 seed, defeated the #16 seed Oconee County on Tuesday to advance. Tip off is set for 7 pm.