Dragons win first State Tournament game since 2000
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports February 22, 2024
Jasper, Ga — It’s tournament time and the Pickens Dragons began their State Tournament journey on Wednesday, February 21st as they hosted the Coahulla Creek Colts for a first round match up in the AAA State Tournament. Coming into the game, the Dragons were the #2 seed out of region 7 and 20-8 overall. The Colts, came in as the #3 seed from region 6, and 19-8 overall. The Dragons, were able to pull away late in the game to pick up a 67-53 win.
Much like the girls game beforehand, the Colts won the opening tip and struck early as they found Andrew Russell cutting to the basket for the layup to make it 2-0. The Dragons, would tie things up with a basket by Parker Davis. A turnover by the Dragons led to Teagan Houser making a fast break layup to put the Colts back up, 4-2. After another near turnover, Dodge Davis was able to collect the ball and score to tie it up at 4.
The Colts, would then go on a 4-0 run as Russell and Cullen Marti would make back to back layups to give the Colts an 8-4 lead. After Parker Davis split a pair of free throws, Carter Quarles would make a tough turnaround fade away jumper to extend the lead to 10-5. The Dragons, would then go on an 8-0 run as Caleb Lanford hit a three, McCord Purdy would make a layup, and Dodge Davis would make a free throw and a layup to make it 13-10.
A pair of free throws from Greg Voyles would end the run and cut the Dragons lead to 1. Dodge Davis, would end the first quarter with a pair of free throws of his own to give the Dragons a 15-12 lead going to the second quarter.
The second quarter began with Waelyn Baliles getting inside for the bucket to make it 15-14. The Davis brothers would then go on a 4-0 run to stretch the Dragon lead out to 19-14. A 5-0 run by David Noll III would tie the game at 19. The Dragons, would respond with a 5-0 run of their own as Parker Davis would make a pair of free throws, and Lanford would hit a three to make it 24-19.
A three pointer by Quarles would cut the lead to 2. After both teams traded baskets, Parker Davis and Purdy would end the first half on a 4-0 run to give the Dragons a 30-24 lead going into the break.
The third quarter started with Lanford hitting a three to make it 33-24. After both teams went back and forth trading buckets, the Dragons would go on a 5-0 run as Purdy hit a three, and Lanford got a layup to go to make it 41-30. A three by Quarles would end the run and cut the lead to 8. After a basket by Dodge Davis, Quarles would hit another three to make it a 7-point game. Lanford would answer with a three to extend the lead to 46-36.
The Colts, would go on a 5-0 run to cut the lead in half. A big three from Freshman Jamin Martin, increased the lead back to 8. A 4-0 run by the Colts to end the third quarter cut the Dragons lead down to 49-47 going to the fourth.
The Dragons, began the fourth quarter by going on a 7-0 run to extend their lead to 56-47. Marti, would end the run with a turnaround hook shot to make it 56-49. A layup by Hayden Jones and a free throw and a big two-handed dunk from Dodge Davis made it 61-49 Dragons. Houser, would hit a three to cut the lead down to 9. He would then split a pair of free throws to make it 61-53.
After a steal on the in-bounds pass, Jones was left all alone for the jam to make it 63-53. With under a minute to go and the Colts now having to foul, Parker Davis would step to the line and sink two free throws to make it 65-53. The exclamation point came late in the game when Lanford stole the ball, passed it up to Purdy, who then bounced it off the back board for Parker Davis to finish the alley-oop slam. The Dragons would take this one, 67-53.
Scorers for the Dragons:
Dodge Davis: 19 points
Parker Davis: 17 points
Caleb Lanford: 17 points
Mccord Purdy: 7 points
Hayden Jones: 4 points
Jamin Martin: 3 points
The Dragons, will now take to the road on Saturday, February 24th as they head up to Hart County to take on the Bulldogs in the AAA Sweet 16. The Bulldogs, are the #1 seed out of region 8 and are 15-13 overall. Tip off is set for 6 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.
Dragons lock up #2 seed for next week’s Region Tournament
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports February 10, 2024
Jasper, Ga — On Friday, February 9th, the Pickens Dragons hosted the West Hall Spartans for the final regular season game of the 2023-24 season. The Dragons, were also celebrating their two Seniors, Caymen Morgan and Nathan Wallace. Coming into the game, the Dragons were 17-7, and 8-3 in region play. The Spartans, were 6-17, and 2-9 in region play. Four Dragons scored in double figures as Pickens defeated the Spartans, 80-24.
The Dragons, began the ball game on a 14-0 run as Dodge Davis, Caleb Ledford, Parker Davis, and Senior Nathan Wallace all contributed to the run. Troy Smith, would end the run and get the Spartans on the board with a jumper just inside the free throw line. After Ledford split a pair of free throws, Teryk Tilley hit a three to make it 15-5. Ethan Clippard then drove the baseline for a layup to make it 15-7.
The Dragons, would close the first quarter with an 8-0 run as Parker Davis made a layup, and Hayden Jones and Ledford hit back to back threes. Going to the second quarter, the Dragons led the Spartans, 23-7.
The run that ended the first quarter, would continue into the second quarter as Dodge Davis 7 straight points to put the Dragons up, 30-7. Smith, would go on a 4-0 run to make it 30-11. A three by Dodge Davis would make it 33-11. That would kick off a 15-0 run to end the first half as Dodge Davis would hit another three, then Jamin Martin would connect on a three, then Wallace would hit his second three, then Martin would hit another one. Going into halftime, the Dragons were leading the West Hall Spartans, 45-11.
The Dragons, kept the threes flying to start the second half as McCord Purdy got in the score book with his first three of the game to make it 48-11. The Dragons, would go on to score 21 points in the third while holding the Spartans to just 4 points to increase their lead to 66-15 going to the fourth.
The fourth quarter began with Parker Davis making a layup to stretch the lead to 68-15. A layup by Karter Shields would make it 68-17. After a pair of free throws by Dodge Davis, Glenn Matiba, would make a layup to make it 70-19. The teams then traded threes as Purdy hit his 2nd three, then Landon Bennett answered with a three to make it 73-22. A 5-0 run by Dodge Davis and Martin would make it 78-22.
Another layup by Matiba would end the run and make it 78-24. A layup from Aiden Mumaw would be the final bucket of the game as the Dragons defeated the Spartans, 80-24.
Scorers for the Dragons:
Dodge Davis: 22 points
Caleb Lanford: 14 points
Parker Davis: 13 points
Jamin Martin: 12 points
McCord Purdy: 6 points
Nathan Wallace: 6 points
Hayden Jones: 5 points
Aiden Mumaw: 2 points
Final 7-AAA Boys Basketball Standings:
Gilmer: 16-8 (10-2) #1 seed
Pickens: 18 -7 (9-3) #2 seed
Lumpkin: 13-12 (6-6) #3 seed
Wesleyan: 11-14 (6-6) #4 seed
Dawson: 14-11 (6-6) #5 seed
White County: 7-18 (3-9) #6 seed
West Hall: 6-18 (2-10) #7 seed
The Gilmer Bobcats, by virtue of being the #1 seed, will get a bye and automatically earn a spot in the AAA State Tournament. The first round of the 7-AAA Region Tournament will take place at Pickens High School on Monday, February 12th. Wesleyan will take on Dawson at 4:30, Lumpkin will take on White County at 6, and Pickens will take on West Hall at 7:30.
Dragons and Warriors split season series
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports February 3, 2024
Cleveland, Ga — The Pickens Dragons were once again on the road as they traveled to take on the White County Warriors in 7-AAA action on Friday, February 2nd. Coming into the game, the Dragons were 16-6, and 7-2 in 7-AAA. The Warriors, were 6-16, and 2-7 in 7-AAA. The Warriors, would outscore the Dragons 27-14 in the fourth quarter to come away with a 64-47 victory.
McCord Purdy, got the scoring started in the first quarter as he put the Dragons up, 3-0. After David Boman split a pair of free throws and Dawson Oliver made a layup to tie it up, the Dragons would go on a 7-0 run as Parker Davis made a layup, and Hayden Jones would make back to back baskets with a layup and a three to make it 10-3. An and-1 play by Noah Futch would cut the lead down to 4.
After both teams split free throw makes, Jamin Martin would hit a three to make it 14-7 Dragons. Blayne Gunter, would answer with a three to make it 14-10. After a layup by Parker Davis, Futch would split a pair of free throws and the Dragons would take a 16-11 lead into the second quarter.
The Warriors, began the second quarter on a 9-0 run as Boman would hit a three, then Cohen Michaud would hit back to back threes to give the Warriors a 20-16 lead. Purdy, would stop the run with a basket, but that would be the only field goal the Dragons would make in the quarter. After Oliver split a pair of free throws, Boman, would hit a bucket to make it 23-18.
It would be a free throw contest to end the first half as the Dragons would make 5 and the Warriors would make 1. Heading into the break, the Warriors led the Dragons, 24-23.
Oliver, would begin the second half by making a pair of free throws to stretch the lead out to 3. After Parker Davis and Gunter traded baskets, the Dragons would go on a 5-0 run as Caleb Lanford hit a jumper and Purdy would connect on a three to give the Dragons a 30-28 lead. The Warriors, would answer with a 7-0 run to retake the lead, 35-30. A three by Martin would cut the lead to 2. Boman, would make a layup just before the buzzer to make it 37-33 going to the fourth.
Gunter, began the fourth with a basket to make it 39-33. A three from Lanford would cut the lead to 3. Boman responded with a three to make it a 6 point game again. Purdy, answered with a three on the other end to make it 42-39. After Reid Tanner split a pair of free throws and Oliver made a layup, Parker Davis would make a layup to cut it to 45-41. The Warriors, would then go on a 13-0 run to break the game open, 58-41.
Parker Davis, ended the run with a basket to make it 58-43. After a jumper from Braxton Anderson, Jones would come back with a bucket to make it 60-45. Boman, would make a pair of free throws to bring it to 62-45. After a basket by Purdy, Anderson would make a pair of late free throws to give the Warriors a 64-47 win.
Scorers for the Dragons:
Parker Davis: 14 points
McCord Purdy: 13 points
Hayden Jones: 7 points
Jamin Martin: 6 points
Caleb Lanford: 5 points
Dodge Davis: 2 points
7-AAA Basketball Standings:
Gilmer: 15-8 (9-2)
Pickens: 16-7 (7-3)
Dawson: 13-10 (5-5)
Wesleyan: 10-13 (5-5)
Lumpkin: 12-12 (5-6)
White County: 7-16 (3-7)
West Hall: 6-16 (2-8)
The Dragons, will end their four game road trip on Tuesday, February 6th as they head to Wesleyan to take on the Wolves. The Dragons, were able to come away with a win over Wesleyan in Jasper a couple of weeks ago. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 pm.
Dragons hit 18 threes in road win at Lumpkin
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports January 31, 2024
Dahlonega, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, made the trek to Dahlonega on Tuesday, January 30th as they took on the Lumpkin County Indians in a battle of two of the hotter teams in 7-AAA. Coming into the game, the Dragons, were 15-6, 6-2 in 7-AAA, and winners of 7 out of their last 8. The Indians, were 11-11, 4-5 in 7-AAA, and winners of 8 out of their last 9. The Dragons, hit 17 threes during the game including 6 from freshman Jamin Martin en route to a 70-50 win.
The ball game started with Hayden Jones knocking down the first three of the night to make it 3-0. T.J. Gaddis, would cut the lead to 1 as he got his first shot to drop. A lay in by Parker Davis would put the Dragons back up by 3. Caleb Lanford, would follow with a pair of free throws and Dodge Davis would hit his first three of the game to make it 10-2. Gaddis, would cut the lead in half as he made the layup and the foul shot.
After a bucket by Parker Davis, Gaddis again answered with a basket to make it 12-7. The Davis brothers, would then hit back to back threes to make it 18-7. Cal Faulkner, would be the first Indian other than Gaddis to score as he made it 18-9 as they would go to the second quarter.
The Dragons, began the second quarter with a 5-0 run as Dodge Davis made a basket and Jones hit his 2nd three to make it 23-9. Gaddis, then completed his 2nd and-1 of the game as that made it 23-12. After a three by Jamin Martin, Faulkner would go on a 6-0 run to make it 26-18. The Dragons, would then go on a 10-0 run as Martin hit two more threes, Dodge Davis hit a three, and Montego Morgan split a pair of free throws to make it 36-18.
Jac Chambers, would end the run with a three to make it 36-21. Morgan, would connect on a three just before the end of the first half to put the Dragons up, 39-21 going to the break.
The second half began with the Indians going on a 7-0 run as Landon Pierce hit a three, then Preston Cox and Chambers made back to back buckets to cut the lead to 39-28. Martin, ended the run by sinking his 4th three of the game. Faulkner responded with a three of his own. Martin, came right back and nailed his 5th three. After another three by Pierce, Lanford and Martin made back to back threes to make it 51-34.
Faulkner and Pierce would end the third quarter by making back to back threes of their own to cut the Pickens lead down to 51-40 going to the fourth.
Gaddis, would start the fourth quarter by making a pair of free throws to cut the lead down to 51-42. Back to back threes by Lanford stretched the Dragons lead back out to 57-42. After a three by the Indians, the Dragons would go on a 9-0 run to make it 66-45. A bucket by Faulkner would end the run to make it 66-47. McCord Purdy, would then hit a three to make it 69-47.
After a three by Jackson Pulley, Lanford would split a pair of free throws to end the ball game as the Dragons came away with the 70-50 win.
Scorers for the Dragons:
Jamin Martin: 18 points (6 threes)
Caleb Lanford: 12 points (3 threes)
Dodge Davis: 11 points (3 threes)
Parker Davis: 11 points (1 three)
Hayden Jones: 8 points (2 threes)
McCord Purdy: 6 points (2 threes)
Montego Morgan: 4 points (1 three)
7-AAA Basketball Standings:
Gilmer: 15-7 (9-1)
Pickens: 16-6 (7-2)
Dawson: 13-9 (5-4)
Wesleyan: 9-13 (4-5)
Lumpkin: 11-12 (4-6)
White County: 6-16 (2-7)
West Hall: 5-16 (2-8)
The Dragons, will once again be on the road as they head to Cleveland, Ga on Friday, February 2nd to take on the White County Warriors. The Dragons, defeated the Warriors back on January 9th. Tip off set for 8:30.
Dragons begin 2024 with big region win
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports January 10, 2024
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, closed out 2023 on a high note winning their bracket in the Marlin Christmas Classic Tournament and looked to stay hot as they began 2024 by taking on the White County Warriors in 7-AAA action. The Dragons, came into the game 11-5 and 2-1 in 7-AAA play. The Warriors, came into the game 4-12 and 0-3 in 7-AAA play. Using a big first quarter, the Dragons were able to pick up a 73-55 win.
The Dragons, began the ball game by going on a 6-0 run as Parker Davis scored 4 points and Hayden Jones picked up 2 points. A three pointer by David Bowman ended the run and cut the Dragons lead in half. From there, the Dragons would go on a 10-0 run as Caleb Lanford, Jones, and Dodge Davis would all contribute points to make it 16-3. A basket by Noah Futch would end the run and make it 16-5.
Dodge Davis and Lanford, would then combine for a 5-0 run as Davis made a layup and Lanford hit a three to make it 21-5. After a basket by Bowman, Dodge Davis closed out the first quarter scoring by converting an and-1 to give the Dragons a 24-7 lead going to the second quarter.
The Warriors, started the second quarter by going on a 4-0 run to cut the lead to 24-11. A three pointer by Jamin Martin made it 30-11 Dragons. After Futch made a bucket and Braxton Anderson split a pair of free throws, the Dragons would go on a 7-0 as Lanford hit a three, and McCord Purdy and Nathan Wallace made back to back layups to make it 34-14. A layup by Anderson stopped the run and made it 34-16.
Both teams would then trade three pointers as Wallace ended the first half with a buzzer beater to make it 40-19 Pickens at the half.
The Davis brothers kicked off the second half scoring as Dodge split a pair of free throws and Parker made a layup to make it 43-19. After a 4-0 run by the Warriors, the Dragons countered with a 6-0 run as Purdy made a free throw, Parker Davis made a layup, and Jones hit a three to make it 49-23. Both teams then traded three pointers as the Dragons led it 52-26.
The warriors, would then go on a 9-0 run to cut the lead down to 52-35. A 6-0 run by the Dragons would close out the third quarter as Pickens would take a 58-35 lead into the fourth.
The Dragons and Warriors went back and forth to begin the fourth quarter. White County, would go on a 9-0 run to make it 62-47. Purdy and DJ Mitchell, hit back to back three pointers to stretch the lead to 68-47. The two teams traded buckets as the game came to a close with the Dragons getting the 73-55 victory.
Scorers for the Dragons:
Caleb Lanford: 16 points
Parker Davis: 13 points
McCord Purdy: 12 points
Dodge Davis: 11 points
Hayden Jones: 7 points
DJ Mitchell: 6 points
Nathan Wallace: 5 points
Jamin Martin: 3 points
Scorers for the Warriors:
David Bowman: 16 points
Noah Futch: 15 points
Dawson Oliver: 9 points
Braxton Anderson: 8 points
Zach McCoy: 3 points
Tripp Nix: 3 points
John Phillips: 1 point
The Dragons, are now 12-5 and currently sit in 3rd place in 7-AAA at 3-1. On Friday, January 12th, the Dragons will be back home as they take on the Wesleyan Wolves. Should the Dragons win that one, they will jump to 2nd place in the region standings. Tip off set for 8:30 pm.
Dragons advance to Marlin Christmas Classic Championship
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports December 30, 2023
Panama City, Florida — The Pickens Dragons are closing out 2023 and ringing in 2024 down in Panama City Beach, Florida participating in the Marlin Christmas Classic Tournament. Teams from Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, and even Kentucky are all competing in this three day tournament. On Thursday, December 28th, the Dragons took on St. Paul’s Episcopal High School (AL) and came away with a 79-38 win. On Friday, December 29th, the Dragons battled the host school, the Arnold Marlins (FL), and advanced to the finals with an 82-39 victory.
The first quarter started with the Dragons going on a 10-0 run as Parker and Dodge Davis made layups, and McCord Purdy and Hayden Jones made back to back three pointers. The Marlins, would cut the lead to 4 as Roman Howell would go on a personal 6-0 run to make it 10-6. The Dragons would counter with a 6-0 run of their own as Dodge Davis got the 3-point play the hard way, and Caleb Lanford hit a three to make it 16-6.
After a bucket by the Marlins and a free throw make by Parker Davis, Conner Chandler made a jump shot to cut the Dragons lead to 17-11. A 4-0 run by Jones and Jamin Martin made it 21-11 Dragons going to the second quarter.
Pickens, would really take over in the second quarter as they began the frame with a 5-0 run as Nathan Wallace made a three and Lanford made a layup to make it 26-11. After a pair of free throws by Howell ended the run, the Dragons would go on an 18-0 run to stretch the lead out to 44-13. Dodge and Parker Davis, Wallace, and Jones all contributed to the run. A pair of free throws by Chandler would end the run.
Parker Davis, ended the first half by making a layup and hitting the ensuing free throw to make it 47-15 Dragons going into the half.
Jones, started the second half with a layup to make it 49-15. Will Cotter, scored the first points of the second half for the Marlins with a layup to make it 49-17. After a three pointer by Purdy, the Marlins would go on a 5-0 run as Finn Lewis would hit a three, and Chandler would make a pair of free throws. The Dragons, would then go on a 9-0 run as Wallace made a three, and Dodge Davis and Purdy made baskets to make it 61-22.
After both teams traded buckets, Cam Jones made a layup just before the buzzer to make it 66-26 Dragons going to the fourth quarter.
Parker Davis, got the final quarter going with a layup to make it 68-26. After a three pointer by the Marlins Drew Moseley, the Dragons would go on a 5-0 run with Wallace hitting another three, and Parker Davis making a layup to give Pickens a 73-29 lead. Later on in the quarter, Chandler and Lewis would make back to back three pointers to make it 75-37. Montego Morgan and Wallace would also hit back to back threes to make it 81-37.
As the clock was running down, Howell would hit a pair of free throws and then Aiden Mumaw would split a pair of free throws to give the Dragons an 82-39 victory.
Scorers for the Dragons:
Parker Davis: 19 points
Nathan Wallace: 15 points (5 threes)
Dodge Davis: 13 points
McCord Purdy: 11 points
Hayden Jones: 9 points
Caleb Lanford: 7 points
Montego Morgan: 3 points
Cam Jones: 2 points
Jamin Martin: 2 points
Aiden Mumaw: 1 point
The Dragons, will take on the Jordan Christian Prep Seahawks in the RoMo Photo Bracket Championship game on Saturday, December 30th. The tip is set for 4:00 on Saturday afternoon, but that is subject to change.
Dragons win fourth straight to open Holiday Tournament
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports December 20, 2023
Blue Ridge, Ga — The Pickens Dragons came into Blue Ridge with a surge of momentum as they took on the Fannin Rebels on Tuesday, December 19th to begin the Fannin Holiday Tournament. The Dragons, looked to stretch their season high win streak to four games. The Rebels, looked to bounce back after an up and down week last week where they upset 2A #3 North Murray in overtime on Tuesday, but fell to Union County on Friday. The Dragons, would get the better of this match up defeating the Rebels, 60-39.
The Dragons scored the first four points of the game as Hayden Jones and Parker Davis hit back-to-back layups to make it 4-0. Ben Bloch, got the Rebels on the board with a bucket to cut the lead in half. The Dragons, would close the first quarter on an 11-0 run as Dodge and Parker Davis, Caleb Lanford, and McCord Purdy all scored during the run. Going to the second quarter, the Dragons led the Rebels, 15-2.
Cole Gribble, got the second quarter started with a layup to make it 15-4. After a basket by Dodge Davis, Matthew Ponton hit a three to make it 17-7. Jones and the Davis boys combined for a 6-0 run to make it 23-7. Isaiah Angel, ended the run with a layup to make it 23-9. Dodge Davis and Jamin Martin combined for a 5-0 run to make it 28-9. The Dragons, went into the half with a 30-14 lead over the Rebels.
Purdy, began the second half with a three pointer to make it 33-14. Jordan Richardson, Kolton Kaylor, and Bloch combined for a 6-0 run to cut the lead down to 33-20. Later on in the third, after both teams traded buckets, the Rebels went on a 6-0 run to close out the quarter as the Dragons led 41-28 going to the fourth.
The fourth quarter started with both teams going back and forth before Jones, Lanford, and Dodge Davis combined on a 12-0 run to make it 55-33. The Rebels would take the rest of the quarter, 6-5, as the Dragons got the win, 60-39.
The Dragons, will be back in action in Blue Ridge on Thursday, December 21st as they take on the Adairsville Tigers. Tip off is set for 5:30 pm.
Dragons get over .500 after defeating Rebels
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports November 29, 2023
Jasper, Ga — After a tough game against the Creekview Grizzlies last week, the Pickens Dragons came into their game against the Fannin Rebels on Tuesday, November 28th looking to get back over .500. The Rebels, were looking to get their season started off on the right foot with a road victory. The Dragons, were able to pull away in the second half to secure a 75-45 victory.
The first quarter started off as a turnover fest for both teams early on. Dodge Davis split a pair of free throws to give the Dragons a 1 point lead. The Rebels, took their first lead after a layup by Cole Gribble. After the two teams traded buckets, the Dragons would go on a small 4-0 run as McCord Purdy hit a three and Caleb Lanford made a basket to make it 15-11 Pickens. Ben Bloch, hit two free throws to cut the lead to two.
Just before the buzzer went off to end the first quarter, Purdy got off a corner jumper and got the kind home bounce to make it 17-13 Dragons going to the second.
Parker Davis, got the scoring started in the second quarter as his bucket made it 19-13. The Rebels would cut into the lead after Jordan Richardson split a pair of free throws and Gribble made a layup to make it 19-16. A 4-0 run by Parker Davis stretched the lead out to 23-16. Richardson, would hit a three to end the mini run and cut the lead to four. The Dragons, would then go on a 10-0 run as Dodge Davis, Hayden Jones, and Purdy all contributed to the run.
The Rebels, got another three from Richardson out of a time out and Bloch split a pair of free throws to make it 33-23. Jones would get the final bucket of the first half as the Dragons went into the break up 35-23.
To start the second half, Kolton Kaylor hit a three to cut the lead to nine. After both teams traded baskets, Purdy went on a 5-0 run to make it 42-28. Later on in the third, Lanford matched Purdy with a 5-0 run of his own. After Bloch ended the run with a three, Purdy again beat the buzzer as he nailed a three to make it 51-33 Dragons going to the fourth.
Dodge Davis got the scoring going for the Dragons in the fourth with a pair of free throws. After a bucket by Bloch, Nathan Wallace got his first points with a three to make it 56-35. Purdy and Lanford, hit back to back three pointers to make it 62-37. After Dodge and Parker Davis traded baskets, Jamin Martin got his name in the score book with a layup to make it 72-41. The Rebels, ended the Dragons run as Keaton Watkins and Matthew Ponton both made a pair of free throws to make it 72-45.
Montego Morgan closed out the scoring for the night as he hit a three to also get his name in the score book as the Dragons moved to 3-2 on the season winning 75-45.
Scoring for the Dragons:
McCord Purdy: 26 points
Caleb Lanford: 12 points
Dodge Davis: 12 points
Parker Davis: 10 points
Hayden Jones: 7 points
Montego Morgan: 3 points
Nathan Wallace: 3 points
Jamin Martin: 2 points
The Dragons, will be back in action on Tuesday, December 5th as they head up to Ellijay to take on the Gilmer Bobcats to begin 7-AAA play. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm.