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.