Dragons come up short against Grizzlies

PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports

Jasper, Ga — After a nice 50-46 win over Sonoraville on Monday, the Pickens Dragons were back on the court to take on the Creekview Grizzlies on Tuesday, November 21st. The Dragons, came into the game at 2-1. The Grizzlies, came into the game 1-3. The game was close throughout, and it would be the away team coming away with the win, 63-58.

 

The first quarter started off fast as both teams came out ready to score points. Caleb Lanford, gave the Dragons their first lead of the game after a three pointer put them up 13-12. A 5-0 run by the Grizzlies gave them a 17-13 advantage. As the first quarter came to a close, McCord Purdy put up a three point attempt just before the buzzer sounded and got it to go to make it 17-16 going to the second quarter.

 

The Grizzlies started the second quarter on a 4-0 run to stretch their lead 21-16. After a three by Lanford, Creekview would go on a 6-0 run to make it 27-19. Dodge Davis, cut that lead down to 5 after a three to make it 27-22. The Grizzlies, would then hit a pair of free throws to make it a 7 point game. The Dragons, went on 8-0 run helped by three pointers from Purdy and Nathan Wallace. Wallace capped off the run with a steal and layup to give the Dragons a 30-29 lead.

The Grizzlies, used a 5-0 run to retake a 34-30 lead. Purdy, nailed another three to cut the lead down to one. Just as the half was about to end, the Grizzlies hit a three to make it 37-33 going to the break.

 

The Dragons started the third quarter out hot as Lanford, Purdy, and Wallace combined for a 7-0 run to give Pickens the 40-37 lead. The Grizzlies, would answer with a 5-0 run to retake the lead by 2. Montego Morgan split a pair of free throws to cut the lead to 1. Both teams traded three pointers to end the quarter and as they headed to the fourth, the Grizzlies led the Dragons, 45-44.

 

Creekview opened up the fourth with a three to stretch their lead to 4. Morgan, was at the right place at the right time as Purdy slipped on his way to the basket and Morgan was there to grab it and lay it in. a 5-0 run by the Grizzlies made it 53-46. Lanford would cut into the lead with a bucket to make it 53-48. Later on in the quarter, Lanford would hit a three to cut the Grizzlies lead down to 59-55.

Lanford would hit another three with about 9 seconds remaining, but the Grizzlies would hold on to get the win, 63-58.

 

All-Tournament Team:

Caleb Lanford

McCord Purdy

 

The Dragons, will get the rest of the week off as they will be back on the court on Tuesday, November 28th when they take on the Fannin Rebels. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm.

 

Dragons defeat Phoenix to move to 2-1

PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports

Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons came into the 2023-24 basketball with some familiar faces, some fresh faces, and under a new direction. Head coach Bob Martin is now the captain running the ship at PHS. The Dragons started off the season with a big 53-30 win over LFO on the road on Saturday, November 11th. The following Saturday saw the Dragons drop a tough one to Lassiter on the first day of the Pickens Thanksgiving Tournament 60-53 in overtime.

On Monday, November 20th, the Dragons were back on the court taking on the Sonoraville Phoenix for the second day of the Pickens Thanksgiving Tournament. In a tightly contested game, the Dragons were able to come out on top, 50-46.

 

In the first quarter, the Phoenix got on the board first for an early 2-0 lead. Dodge Davis tied things up for the Dragons with his first bucket of the night. The Dragons, took their first lead of the night as Dodge Davis and Caleb Landford hit back to back three pointers to make it 8-5. The Phoenix, then went on a 5-0 run to retake the lead, 10-8. Pickens, cut the lead to 1 after Dodge Davis split a pair of free throws to make it 10-9.

After both teams traded three point makes, Nathan Wallace picked the ball off and scored to make it 16-14 Phoenix going to the second quarter.

 

After four consecutive fouls were called to begin the second quarter, three of them on Sonoraville, Parker Davis got the scoring going with a free throw. Dodge Davis, continued his hot start and gave the Dragons the lead back with a bucket. Wallace, added to the lead with a three to make it 20-16 Pickens. Wallace, would extend the lead out to 7 as he was hit in the act of shooting a three and made all of them. Montego Morgan got into the scorebook as he hit a nice jumper after using a nifty move to get open.

After both teams traded a couple of baskets, the Phoenix went on a 4-0 run to close out the first half. Going into the break, the Dragons led, 29-24.

 

The third quarter began with Lanford going on a personal 5-0 run to make it 34-24. A 5-0 run by the Phoenix cut the lead down to 34-29. After a bucket by Lanford, the rest of the quarter turned into fouls and free throws. As the teams headed to the fourth, the Dragons led it, 37-33.

 

The Phoenix, started the fourth quarter scoring early as a 5-0 run gave them the lead for the first time since the first half. Hayden Jones would split a pair of free throws to tie the game up at 38. Jones would then give the Dragons the lead with a basket to make it 40-38. After a three was hit by Sonoraville to give them the 1 point lead, Parker Davis stepped to the line and made both to once again, put the Dragons ahead.

The lead kept changing hands every few seconds it seemed as a floater by the Phoenix gave them a 1 point advantage. Huge back to back three pointers from Parker Davis and McCord Purdy gave the Dragons a 48-43 lead. A three pointer by the Phoenix cut the lead down to just two with well under a minute to go. Purdy, headed to the line looking to seal for the Dragons and the Sophomore did just that. Dragons hold on and take this one, 50-46.

 

Scoring for the Dragons:

Caleb Lanford: 13 points

Dodge Davis: 9 points

Nathan Wallace: 8 points

McCord Purdy: 7 points

Parker Davis: 6 points

Hayden Jones: 5 points

Montego Morgan: 2 points

 

The Dragons, will be back in action on Tuesday, November 21st to close out the Pickens Thanksgiving Tournament as they play host to the Creekview Grizzlies. Tip off set for 7:30 pm.

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