Dragons open region play with win over Chestatee
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports December 6, 2025
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, were back home on Friday, December 5th as they opened up region 6-AAA play against the Chestatee War Eagles. The Dragons, were coming off a big 75-71 win over Banks County on Saturday, November 29th. After a close first half, the Dragons, outscored the War Eagles 45-25 in the second half to come away with a 73-48 win.
Brody Bryant, would give the Dragons an early lead with a bucket. Cody Couch, Nasir Dixon, and Lucas Feltner, would combine to go on a 6-0 run to give the War Eagles a 6-2 lead. A layup by Camden Jones, would cut the lead to two. After a layup by Isaac Brown, Bryant, would make a pair of free throws to make it 8-6. Another basket by Brown, would once again make it a 4 point game.
A three by DJ Mitchell, would cut the lead down to one. That would kick off a 13-0 run by the Dragons to end the first quarter as they would head to the second quarter leading the War Eagles, 19-10.
Feltner and Carson Hunt, would begin the second quarter by combining to go on a 5-0 run to cut the lead to 4. Mitchell and McCord Purdy, would counter with a 5-0 run of their own to make it a 9 point game again. Both teams, would trade baskets to end the first half as the Dragons would take a 28-23 lead into the break.
Mitchell, would get the second half started with a jumper to make it 30-23. After a three by Couch, Purdy, would get a layup to go to make it 32-26. Dixon, would cut the lead to 4 with a bucket. The Dragons, would then go on a massive 15-0 run to break the game open 47-28. A pair of free throws by Feltner, would end the big run by Pickens. Bryant and Mitchell, would end the third on a 5-0 run. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons led it, 52-30.
The two teams would go back and forth to start the fourth. Mitchell and Bryant, would hit back to back threes to make it 60-35 Dragons. After a basket by Brown, Jedidiah Lanford, would hit a three to make it 63-37. After a lay-in by the War Eagles, Purdy, would hit his 2nd three of the game to make it 66-39. A 4-0 run by Brown, would make it 66-43. A three by Logan Gramling, would make it 69-43.
A pair of free throws by Feltner, would make it 69-45. Back to back baskets by Zade Waller and Landon Rice, would make it 73-45. A late three by Brown, would give us the final score with the Dragons picking up the win, 73-48.
Scoring leaders for the Dragons:
DJ Mitchell: 25 points
Brody Bryant: 17 points
Jedidiah Lanford: 8 points
McCord Purdy: 8 points
Hayden Jones: 6 points
Logan Gramling: 3 points
Camden Jones: 2 points
Landon Rice: 2 points
Zade Waller: 2 points
The Dragons, will get the next week off as they get ready for their next region game against the Lumpkin Indians on Tuesday, December 16th. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm.
Carson Hollingsworth picks up first win as Dragons head coach
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports November 23, 2025
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, tipped off the PHS Thanksgiving Classic on Saturday, November 22nd against the Whitefield Academy Wolfpack. The other boys teams in the field, Darlington and Chattahoochee, played each other earlier in the day with Darlington coming out on top. For the Dragons, it was their first game with a full set of players. The Dragons, were able to pick up their first win of the season with a 73-41 victory over the Wolfpack.
McCord Purdy, making his season debut, got the scoring started in the first quarter putting the Dragons up 2-0 early. The Wolfpack. would take the lead as Wade Keller, and Connor Wynne would combine to go on a 7-0 run. DJ Mitchell, would end the run with a three to make it 7-5. After a three by Cash Peterson, Mitchell and Brody Bryant would combine to go on an 8-0 run to give the Dragons a 13-10 lead.
Miles Rowe-Mahmoud, would then split a pair of free throws to cut the lead to 2. Another three by Mitchell, would put the Dragons up 16-11 going to the second quarter.
McCord Purdy, would get things going in the second quarter with a basket to make it 18-11. A three by Lofton Brown, would cut the lead to four. Mitchell, Bryant, and Aiden Mumaw, would then combine to go on a 7-0 run to stretch the Dragons lead out to 25-14. Wynne, would end the run with a bucket to make it 25-16. Both teams would trade baskets to end the first half as the Dragons led the Wolfpack, 29-18 at the break.
The Wolfpack, would get the second half started with a three to cut the lead down to 8. After a bucket by Mitchell, Peterson and Brown would combine to go on a 5-0 run to cut the lead to 31-26. Mitchell and Purdy, would counter with a 5-0 run of their own to stretch the lead to 10. After Wynne completed an and-1 play, the Dragons, would go on a big 15-0 run to make it 51-29.
Keller, would end the run with a layup to make it 51-31. A three by Mitchell, would put the Dragons up 54-31 heading to the fourth quarter.
Purdy, Mitchell, and Jedidiah Lanford, would begin the fourth quarter by going on a 7-0 run to make it 61-31 Dragons. A bucket by Arthur T Jones III, would end the run and make it 61-33. Hayden Jones, also making his season debut, would then split a pair of free throws to make it 62-33. Jones III, would also split a pair of free throws as the Dragons led, 62-34.
Camden Jones and Landon Rice, would go on a 5-0 run to stretch the Dragons lead out to 67-34. Rowe-Mahmoud and Wynne, would counter with a 4-0 run to make it 67-38. Rice, would make some nice moves to the basket for the layup to make it 69-38. Sawyer Purdy, another football player making his season debut, would add a pair of free throws to give the Dragons a 71-38 lead.
After Daniel Samms split a pair of free throws, Rice, would find his way through the lane for another layup to make it 73-39. A late bucket by Samms, would end the scoring as the Dragons pick up the win, 73-41.
Scoring leaders for the Dragons:
DJ Mitchell: 26 points
McCord Purdy: 15 points
Brody Bryant: 8 points
Landon Rice: 7 points
Camden Jones: 4 points
Jedidiah Lanford: 4 points
Aiden Mumaw: 4 points
Jonah Jordan: 2 points
Sawyer Purdy: 2 points
Hayden Jones: 1 point
The win marks the first for new Dragons head coach Carson Hollingsworth. The Dragons, will be back on the court on Monday, November 24th as they take on the Chattahoochee Cougars in day two of the PHS Thanksgiving Classic. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm.
Dragons sweep Indians to move to 19-0
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports January 23, 2025
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, welcomed the Lumpkin County Indians to the Dragons Den for a battle of two of the top three teams in 6-AAA on Wednesday, January 22nd. This game, was originally scheduled for Tuesday, the 21st, but the latest round of winter weather forced it to be moved back a day. The rest of the region, is still looking to see when games that were scheduled for Tuesday, can be played. The Indians, came into the game 12-7 overall and 6-2 in 6-AAA. The Dragons, came into the game 18-0 overall and 8-0 in 6-AAA. While it wasn’t their cleanest of games, the Dragons, still came away with a 67-39 win.
The first quarter started with Caleb Lanford hitting a pair of free throws to put the Dragons up 2-0. Ga Tech WR signee Cal Faulkner, would get the scoring started for the Indians with a layup through contact. He would make the free throw to give the Indians a 3-2 lead. After a basket by Brock Barton, Jackson Pulley, would hit a three to make it 6-4. McCord Purdy would answer with a three on the other end to make it 7-6 Dragons.
A pair of free throws by Landon Pierce, would give the Indians an 8-7 lead. Parker Davis, would then also make a pair of free throws to give the Dragons a one point lead. A layup by Dodge Davis, would give Pickens an 11-8 lead. After a bucket by Faulkner, Barton, Parker Davis, and Jamin Martin would combine for a 7-0 run to make it 18-10 Dragons. Faulkner, would put an end to the run with a basket to cut the lead to 18-12.
Barton, would then get a shot to fall through contact and hit the free throw to make it 21-12. A late basket by Hagen Glenn just before the buzzer, made it 21-14 as they would head to the second quarter.
The second quarter would start with Pierce and Parker Davis each receiving a technical foul for trash talking after Pierce was called for a separate foul. Martin, would hit a three to make it 24-14 Dragons. A bucket by T.J. Gaddis, would cut the lead to 8. Parker Davis, would then go on a 6-0 run to stretch the lead out to 30-16. Faulkner and Purdy, would then exchange threes as the Dragons led, 33-19. A late basket by Faulkner, made it 33-21 Dragons at the half.
The second half began with Pierce making back to back threes to cut the lead down to 33-27. The Dragons, would then go on a 5-0 run as Barton would make a layup, and Lanford would hit a three to make it 38-27. After a bucket by Faulkner, Parker Davis, Barton, and Martin would combine to go on a 10-0 run to make it 48-29. The Indians, would close the third quarter on a 5-0 run as Faulkner would make a jump shot and Pulley would hit a three to make it 48-34 heading to the fourth.
The fourth quarter started with the Dragons going on an 11-0 run to make it 59-34. Barton, Lanford, and the Davis brothers all contributed to the run. After a basket by Faulkner, the Dragons would go on a 7-0 run to make it 66-36. A bucket by the Indians would make it 66-38. Both teams, would each make a free throw to end the game as the Dragons picked up the win, 67-39.
Leading scorers for the Dragons:
Brock Barton: 17 points
Parker Davis: 14 points
Caleb Lanford: 10 points
Jamin Martin: 10 points
McCord Purdy: 8 points
Dodge Davis: 6 points
Camden Jones: 1 point
Aiden Mumaw: 1 point
The Dragons, are set to travel to Hall County on Friday, January 24th to take on the North Hall Trojans. The Trojans, much like the rest of the region outside of Pickens and Lumpkin, haven’t been able to play this week due to weather related postponements. Game time for Friday is set for 7:30 pm.
Dragons sweep War Eagles to stay alone in first place
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports January 18, 2025
Gainesville, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, came into their game on Friday, January 17th against the Chestatee War Eagles, looking to extend their winning streak to 18 in a row and also stay alone atop the 6-AAA standings. The War Eagles, were coming off of a back and forth game against North Hall on Tuesday. Using a big scoring first half, the Dragons, came away with a 95-31 victory.
McCord Purdy, would get the hand off from Caleb Lanford, and connect on a three to give the Dragons the early lead. After a steal by Brock Barton, Purdy, would return the favor to Lanford as he would hit a corner three to make it 6-0. A three from Carter Edmondson, would cut the lead in half. Dodge Davis, would get a steal on the defensive end, then finish at the offensive end with a layup to make it 8-3.
Lanford, would get a steal of his own and then draw a foul. He would make both free throws to stretch the lead to 10-3. A block by Parker Davis would lead to a fast break for the Dragons and Dodge Davis would finish it off with a dunk after a nice pass from Purdy. Ethan Dunn and Isaac Brown would make back-to-back baskets to cut the lead to 12-7. A 10-0 run by the Davis Brothers would make it 22-7 Dragons.
A bucket by Sebastian Spinelli, would end the run and cut the lead to 22-9. A three by Barton, would make it 25-9. After a jumper by Brown, the Dragons, would end the first quarter on a 5-0 run as Dodge Davis would make a pair of free throws, and Purdy would nail a three just before the buzzer to make it 30-11 heading to the second quarter.
The second quarter began with the Dragons continuing their run from the end of the first quarter as Barton, Lanford, the Davis brothers, and Jamin Martin combined for a 13-0 run to give the Dragons a 43-11 lead. A step back three from Spinelli, would end the run and cut the lead to 43-14. Dodge Davis, would find an open Purdy for his third three pointer of the first half to make it 46-14.
Nice passing from the Dragons after an in-bounds play, led to an open layup for Dodge Davis to make it 48-14. Dodge Davis, would then poke the ball free and then would finish on the other end after the long pass from Lanford to make it 50-14. A three by Spinelli, would again end scoring run by the Dragons and cut the lead to 50-17. Barton, would leap up to steal the in-bounds pass, take it all the way for the hoop and the harm. He would make the free throw to make it 53-17.
Montego Morgan, would make a great bounce pass to a cutting Barton for the layup to make it 55-17. Spinelli, would get a tough shot to fall to cut the lead to 55-19. Morgan, would crash the offensive board for the rebound and then make the put back to stretch it to 57-19. Brown, would then go to the line and make both free throws to cut the lead to 57-21. Martin, would draw a foul of his own and hit both free throws to make it 59-21.
Dodge Davis, would work through contact to get the layup and the foul. He would make the free throw to stretch the lead to 62-21. A steal by Parker Davis, would lead to little jumper off glass by Martin just as the first half ended as the Dragons took a 64-21 lead into the break.
Parker Davis, would open up the second half with a dunk to make it 66-21. After a little bit of a drought by both teams, Purdy, would come away with a steal and find an open Dodge Davis for a one handed dunk to make it 68-21. After a defensive rebound by Lanford, he would launch a long outlet pass to Parker Davis for the lay-in. Parker Davis, would then nail a corner three to make it 73-21.
Lanford, would again find Parker Davis as he would hit another three to make it 76-21. Barton, would take the hand off from Parker Davis, and drive it into the lane for the layup to make it 78-21. Spinelli, would put an end to the scoring drought for the War Eagles as he split a pair of free throws to make it 78-22. Just before the end of the third, Parker Davis, found Barton for a corner three. The Dragons, led the War Eagles, 81-22 heading to the fourth.
Dunn, would begin the fourth quarter scoring with a layup through contact. He would make the free throw to cut the lead to 81-25. Camden Jones, would then split a pair of free throws to make it 82-25. Landon Johnson, would pull up for a short jumper to make it 82-27. A block by the Dragons would lead to a three by Morgan to make it 85-27. Martin, would then take the offensive rebound all the way and finish with a pull up jumper to make it 87-27.
Morgan, with the shot clock draining, threw up a three pointer and banked it in to make it 90-27. A three by Corbin Larned, would cut the lead to 90-30. DJ Mitchell, would use a nice spin move to get the lay-in to make it 92-30. A steal by Morgan, would lead to fast break points as Mitchell found Morgan, who nailed another three to make it 95-30. Larned, would split a pair of free throws as the Dragons would pick up the 95-31 win.
Leading scorers for the Dragons:
Dodge Davis: 23 points
Parker Davis: 16 points
Brock Barton: 15 points
Jamin Martin: 11 points
Montego Morgan: 11 points
McCord Purdy: 9 points
Caleb Lanford: 7 points
DJ Mitchell: 2 points
Camden Jones: 1 point
6-AAA Boys Basketball Standings:
Pickens: 18-0 (8-0)
GAC: 13-5 (6-2)
Lumpkin: 12-7 (6-2)
North Hall: 12-7 (5-3)
Dawson: 6-13 (3-5)
White County: 3-15 (2-6)
Chestatee: 2-16 (1-6)
Johnson-Gainesville: 1-13 (0-7)
The Dragons, will be back inside the Dragons Den on Tuesday, January 21st as they will play host to the Lumpkin Indians. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm.
Dragons end 2024 with a 12-0 record
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports December 31, 2024
St. Simons Island — The Pickens Dragons, were lucky enough to ring in the new year down near the beach as they were one of eight teams that took part in Basketball at the Beach. A scouting service/media outlet named Relentless Hoops, put on the event. Frederica Academy, hosted the event. On Monday, December 30th, the Dragons, defeated the Johnson-Savannah Atom Smashers by a score of 62-54. On Tuesday, a big third quarter helped the Dragons pick up a 63-41 win over the Groves Rebels.
Dodge Davis got the scoring going for the Dragons with a bucket. The Rebels, answered with a basket to tie it up at 2. The Dragons, would then go on a 7-0 run to lead it, 9-2. Back to back buckets from Tyrone Chisholm, would cut the lead down to 9-6. After both teams traded baskets, the Dragons would close out the first quarter on a 4-0 run as Montego Morgan would hit a three, and McCord Purdy would split a pair of free throws to make it 17-10 going to the second.
Avion Dillard, would get the scoring started in the second quarter as he would cut the lead to 5. A 5-0 run by Purdy, would stretch the lead out to 22-12. Davion Adams, would end the run with a basket to make it 22-14. The two teams would go back and forth the rest of the first half as the Dragons led the Rebels, 25-18 at the break.
The second half began with Cameron Jenkins getting the bucket for the Rebels to once again cut the lead to 5. A combined 5-0 run by Caleb Lanford and Parker Davis, stretched the lead out to 30-20. A basket by Chisholm, would again get the lead down to single digits. Dodge Davis, would then go on a 6-0 run to make it 36-22 Dragons. After a bucket by Kaleb Detty put an end to the run, the Dragons, would rattle off 13 straight points to make it 49-24. A free throw by Adams closed out the third as Pickens led Groves, 49-25.
Dillard, would split a pair of free throws to begin the fourth quarter. Parker Davis, would score the first field goal of the fourth to make it 51-26. After a bucket by Detty, Dodge Davis would make a pair of free throws as the Dragons led it, 53-28. After both teams made a basket, Chisholm, would go on a 5-0 run to make it 55-35. Camden Jones, would put an end to the run with a bucket to make it 57-35.
The Rebels, would then go on a 6-0 run to cut the lead to 57-41. The Dragons, would end the game on a 6-0 run as Brock Barton and Parker Davis combined for the run. The Dragons, took this one, 63-41.
Leading scorers for the Dragons:
Dodge Davis: 16 points
Parker Davis: 11 points
Caleb Lanford: 11 points
McCord Purdy: 10 points
Brock Barton: 6 points
Jamin Martin: 4 points
Montego Morgan: 3 points
Camden Jones: 2 points
The Dragons, will enter the 2025 with a 12-0 record. Pickens, will be on the road to begin the new year as they will head up to Cleveland to take on the White County Warriors in a 6-AAA match up. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm.
Dragons end November with Thanksgiving Classic Tournament win
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports November 27, 2024
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons came into their game against the King’s Academy Knights on Tuesday, November 26th looking for a perfect month of November and a Pickens Thanksgiving Classic Tournament win. The Dragons, would outscore the Knights, 53-17 in the second half to come away with a 94-49 win.
The Dragons, would win the tip, Brock Barton would find Dodge Davis, and much like the game on Monday, Davis would slam it home to make it 2-0. After a three pointer by Roger Willson, Dodge Davis would make a layup to give the Dragons a 4-3 lead. A bucket by Bryson McCleskey, would give the Knights a 5-4 lead. The Dragons, answered with a 5-0 run by Caleb Lanford and McCord Purdy to make it 9-5. After a basket by Cole Bennett cut the lead down to two, Parker Davis would make a layup to push the lead back to four.
After the Davis brothers split a pair of free throws, Ty Gangster would hit a three to make it 13-10. A pair of free throws from Parker Davis would stretch the lead to 15-10. The Knights, would go on a 4-0 run to cut the lead to just one. A 4-0 run from the Dragons to end the first quarter, Gave Pickens a 19-14 lead heading to the second.
Bennett, began the second quarter by splitting a pair of free throws to cut the lead down to four. A 6-0 run by the Dragons would extend the lead out to 25-15. A three by Brooks Thrasher would end the run and cut the lead to 25-18. After Barton split a pair of free throws, Gangster, would make both of his free throws to cut the lead to 26-20. A three by Charlie Wohlers, would cut the lead to three. Purdy, would make a pair of free throws to stretch the lead back to five.
Wohlers, would hit another three to once again make it a two point game. Purdy and Barton, would combine for a 4-0 run to make it 32-26. After Bennett split a pair of free throws, Barton would make a three to give the Dragons a 35-27 lead. Bennett, would again split a pair of free throws to make it 35-28. A 5-0 run by the Dragons would make it 40-28. Bennett, would make a layup to cut the lead to ten.
After Purdy would split a pair of free throws, McCleskey would make both of his to close out the first half. Heading into the break, Pickens led The King’s Academy, 41-32.
The Dragons, would begin the second half by going on a 5-0 run to stretch their lead out to 46-32. After Bennett would make a pair of free throws, the Dragons, would go on another 5-0 run to make it 51-34. Bennett, would hit a three to make it 51-37. Dodge Davis, would then make back-to-back baskets as the Dragons led it, 55-37. A three by Thrasher would make it 55-40. A third 5-0 run by the Dragons in the quarter would stretch the lead out to 60-40.
A bucket by Gangster would make it 60-42. The Dragons, would then go on an 8-0 run as they got baskets from Jamin Martin, Parker Davis, Lanford, and Camden Jones during the run. A three pointer by Asa Goings would put an end to the run and make it 68-45. Lanford, would close out the third with a three pointer to make it 71-45 going to the fourth.
The fourth quarter started with the Dragons going on a 16-0 run to extend their lead out to 87-45. Bennett, would put an end to the run and get the Knights on the board in the fourth with a bucket. The Dragons, would then go on a 7-0 run to make it 94-47. A basket by Wohlers would give us a final score of 94-49.
All Tournament Selections:
Caleb Lanford
McCord Purdy
Tournament MVP:
Dodge Davis
Scoring leaders for the Dragons:
McCord Purdy: 28 points
Dodge Davis: 22 points
Caleb Landford: 17 points
Brock Barton: 10 points
Parker Davis: 10 points
Montego Morgan: 3 points
Camden Jones: 2 points
Jamin Martin: 2 points
The Dragons, will now rest up and get ready for 6-AAA play as they will host the Chestatee War Eagles on Friday, December 6th. Tip off is set for 8:30 pm.
Dragons move to 2-0 after win in home opener
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports November 20, 2024
Jasper, Ga The Pickens Dragons were on their home court on Tuesday, November 19th as they welcomed the Wolfpack of Whitefield Academy to the Dragons Den. The season started off on the right foot for the Dragons as they defeated the Gilmer Bobcats, 75-41, in a game played at Cherokee High School on Saturday, November 16th. While things started off somewhat slowly for the Dragons in this one, they would eventually pull away and defeat the Wolfpack, 71-32.
The Dragons would get the scoring going in the first quarter as Senior Brock Barton, as he put Pickens up, 2-0. After Riley Hughes tied it up with a layup, Barton, who transferred from Baylor School in Tennessee, hit back to back threes to make it 8-2. The Wolfpack, would then go on a 6-0 run of their own powered by Will Holland and Cash Peterson to tie the game at 8. Senior Dodge Davis, would make a layup to give the Dragons a 10-8 lead. A three by Lofton Brown would give the Wolfpack an 11-10 advantage.
The Dragons, would then go on a 13-0 run as Dodge Davis would hit a three, Parker Davis would split a pair of free throws, and Jamin Martin would come off the bench and knock down 3 threes to make it 23-11. Before the quarter came to an end, Hughes would make a pair of free throws. Heading to the second quarter, Pickens led Whitefield Academy, 23-13.
A bucket by the Wolfpack would get things started in the second quarter as it cut the lead down to 23-15. Barton, would hit his third three of the game, and Parker Davis would make a layup to give the Dragons a 28-15 lead. A 5-0 run by Holland would trim the Dragons lead down to 28-20. The Dragons, would close out the first half on a 9-0 run. Montego Morgan would get the run started with a bucket.
McCord Purdy would get his first points of the game with a three, and Parker Davis would chip in 4 points to make it 37-20 Pickens at the half.
The Dragons, would start to take over in the second half as they began the third quarter on a 12-0 run. The Davis twins, Dodge and Parker, would combine to score 8 of the 12 points during the run. Purdy would make a layup and Caleb Lanford would get his first points of the contest as the Dragons extended their lead out to 49-20. A basket by Holland would put an end to run and make it 49-22.
After Parker Davis and Holland traded buckets, DJ Mitchell and Purdy would bring the third quarter to a close by hitting back to back threes. Heading to the fourth quarter, Pickens led Whitefield Academy, 57-24.
The scoring in the fourth began with Hughes as he would split a pair of free throws. Parker Davis, would then make a layup and Dodge Davis would connect on a pair of free throws to make it 61-25. Hughes, would make a layup to make it 61-27. A nice pull up jumper by Mitchell would make it 63-27. Holland, would go on a mini 3-0 run to make it 63-30.
The Dragons, would then go on an 8-0 run as Mitchell and Martin would hit a three each and Camden Jones would get into the score book with a put back layup to make it 71-30. A bucket by Connor Wynne would be the final points of the game as the Dragons took this one, 71-32.
Leading scorers for the Dragons:
Dodge Davis: 13 points
Parker Davis: 13 points
Jamin Martin: 12 points (4 threes)
Brock Barton: 11 points (3 threes)
McCord Purdy: 8 points
DJ Mitchell: 8 points
Caleb Lanford: 2 points
Montego Morgan: 2 points
Camden Jones: 2 points
The Dragons, will be back in action at home on Saturday, November 23rd as they’ll play host for a three day Thanksgiving tournament. First up, Mt. Bethel. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm.
Dragons punch ticket to AAA State Tournament
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports February 13, 2024
Jasper, Ga — It’s region tournament time as the 7-AAA region tournament started on Monday, February 12th. By virtue of being the #2 seed, Pickens hosted the first round of the tournament. Earlier games saw Dawson defeat Wesleyan, and Lumpkin defeat White County. The Dragons, with the home crowd watching, picked up a 66-36 win over the Spartans to advance to the State Tournament and the semifinals of the region tournament.
The first quarter began with the Dragons going on an 11-0 run. Nathan Wallace, Dodge Davis, Caleb Lanford, and McCord Purdy all contributed to the run. A basket just outside the free throw line by the Spartans ended the run and made it 11-2. The Dragons, would answer with a 5-0 run to make it 16-2. a bucket by the Spartans just as the shot clock was about to go off would make it 16-4 going to the second quarter.
The second quarter began with a three by Lanford. His third of the first half. After a basket by the Spartans to make it 19-6, West Hall followed it up with a three pointer to cut the lead to 19-9. The Spartans would add to their run with a free throw line jumper to make it 19-11. The Dragons, would put an end to the 7-0 run with a three by Purdy to stretch the lead to 22-11.
Jamin Martin, would then hit his first three of the ball game to make it 25-11. The run would continue for the Dragons as Parker Davis got the layup to go to make it 27-11. The 8-0 run would come to an end as the Spartans hit a jumper to make it 27-13. After a cold streak by both teams, Lanford would find Parker Davis underneath for the layup to make it 29-13. Hayden Jones, would somehow split a double team for the layup to make it 31-13.
A long three by the Spartans would make it 31-16. Parker Davis, would collect an offensive rebound and get the put back amidst the contact. He would make the free throw to give the Dragons a 34-16 lead. Just before the end of the first half, a foul on a three point attempt was called. The Spartans, would make two of the three free throws and going into the half, the Dragons led, 34-18.
The third quarter started with Lanford hitting his fourth three pointer of the game to stretch the lead to 37-18. After a defensive rebound by the Dragons, Purdy found Jones with an outlet pass who then found a cutting Dodge Davis, who threw down the two-handed dunk to make it 39-18. The Spartans, would end the 5-0 run with a tough layup to cut the lead to 39-20. The fifth three of the evening by Lanford gave the Dragons a 42-20 lead.
Parker Davis, would then use a nice head fake to drive in for the layup to make it 44-20. Dodge Davis, would then split a pair of free throws to make it 45-20. The Spartans, would get the hook shot to fall and make the free throw to cut the lead to 45-23. Dodge Davis, would get by his man for the layup to make it 47-23. After a turnover by the Spartans, Martin, would hit his second three of the night to make it 50-23.
Marin, would continue his hot shooting as he hit another three to make it 53-23. The Spartans, would end the run with a turnaround jumper to cut the lead to 53-25. A lay in by the Spartans would make it 53-27. Purdy, would then split a pair of free throws to make it 54-27. A steal by Montego Morgan would lead to Martin’s third three of the quarter and his fourth of the game. A running hook shot by the Spartans would make it 57-29.
A nice find from Parker Davis to Hayden Jones for the layup made it 59-29. After a defensive rebound by the Dragons, Martin hit Jones with a great lead pass from the other end of the court for the layup to make it 61-29. The Spartans, used a nice jump stop move for the layup to make it 61-31 going to the fourth.
The shortened fourth quarter would begin with the Spartans making a layup after a nice pass to cut the lead to 61-33. The Spartans, would then collect a defensive rebound and turn it into a three pointer to make it 61-36. The Dragons, would end the 5-0 run by the Spartans as Jones got into the lane for the layup and the foul. Jones, would make the free throw to put the Dragons up, 64-36. Camden Jones, would make the layup after a nice pass to make it 66-36.
That would be the final as the Dragons defeated the West Hall Spartans for the third time this season to advance to the AAA State Basketball Tournament and to the semifinals of the 7-AAA region tournament.
Scorers for the Dragons:
Caleb Lanford: 17 points (5 threes)
Jamin Martin: 12 points (4 threes)
Dodge Davis: 9 points
Parker Davis: 9 points
Hayden Jones: 9 points
McCord Purdy: 6 points
Camden Jones: 2 points
Nathan Wallace: 2 points
The Dragons, will now get ready for Thursday, February 15th as they head to Lumpkin to take on the Indians in one of the semifinal games of the 7-AAA region tournament. Tip off is set for 5:30 pm.