Jasper, Ga — On Saturday, February 5th, the Pickens Dragonettes put their 17 game win streak on the line as they welcomed the Darlington Lady Tigers to the Dragons Den for a late season non-region game. Coming into the game, the Nettes were 19-2, (10-0), and coming off a big 39-31 road win over Northwest Whitfield. The Lady Tigers, came in at 18-4 overall (5-2), and winners of three straight. After trailing in the first half, the Nettes used a big second half run to pick up a 50-44 win.

Darlington got things going early on as they made a bucket, then stole the ensuing in-bounds pass and made another basket to make it 4-0. Caroline Mullins got Pickens on the board with a three pointer to make it 4-3. After a bucket by the Lady Tigers, Amanda Nelson and Carmyn Mullins hit back to back three pointers to give the Nettes a 9-6 lead. Darlinton countered with a 7-0 run to retake the lead, 13-9. Carmyn Mullins split a pair of free throws and the Lady Tigers hit a pair of free throws to make it 15-10. Carmyn Mullins and Emma Gleason then went on a 4-0 run to make it 15-14 Darlington. The Lady Tigers then split a pair of free throws to give them a 16-14 lead going to the second.

Nettes with the ball in the first quarter

Caroline Mullins got things going in the second quarter as she hit a bucket to tie it up at 16 a piece. Darlington answered with a 9-0 run to give the Lady Tigers a 25-16 lead. Nelson, cut the lead to 6 with a three pointer to make it 25-19. Madison Powell then went 3 out of 4 from the free throw line to cut the Darlington lead down to 25-22 at the half.

Nettes displaying tough defensive play.

Nelson, began the second half by tying the game at 25 after hitting a three pointer. Darlington regained the lead after a 4-0 run to go ahead, 29-25. Caroline Mullins made a bucket to cut it to 29-27. After a bucket by the Lady Tigers, the Mullins sisters went on a 5-0 run as Caroline hit a three pointer, and older sister Carmyn made a layup to give Pickens a 32-31 lead. After Darlington made a basket to retake the lead, Gleason gave the Nettes the lead back with a late bucket. Going to the fourth, the Nettes led the Lady Tigers, 34-33.

Caroline Mullins passes to Amanda Nelson

Darlington opened up the fourth quarter with a three pointer to give the Lady Tigers a 36-34 lead. Caroline Mullins gave the Nettes the lead back with a 4-0 run, making it 38-36. After the Lady Tigers made a bucket and a free throw, Pickens went on a big 7-0 run as Powell hit a layup and a three pointer and Caroline Mullins added a pair of free throws to make it 45-39. Darlington then cut the lead down to 45-41. Caroline Mullins and Nelson went 2-4 on free throw attempts to make it 47-41. A three pointer by the Lady Tigers cut the Pickens lead down to 47-44. Nelson closed the game out going 3-4 from the free throw line to give the Nettes a 50-44 win.

Leading Scorers For The Nettes:

Caroline Mullins: 17 points

Amanda Nelson: 13 points

Madison Powell: 8 points

Carmyn Mullins: 8 points

Emma Gleason: 4 points

The Nettes, will get back into 7-AAAA play on Tuesday as they will host the Southeast Whitfield Lady Raiders. The Nettes, have already clinched a regular season region championship and will be the #1 seed in the upcoming 7-AAAA Region Tournament. Tip off against the Lady Raiders is set for 6 pm.