Jasper, Ga — While the weather was less than ideal, the action inside the Dragons Den was more than exciting as the Pickens Dragonettes hosted the White County Lady Warriors on Tuesday, January 9th. The Nettes, came into the game 16-0, 3-0 in 7-AAA play, and ranked 3rd in 3A. The Lady Warriors, came into the game 14-2, 2-1 in 7-AAA play, and ranked 5th in 3A. As you can imagine, the game was tightly played the whole way with the Nettes coming away with a 58-52 win.

The Nettes, would win the tip and get on the board first with a Bella Hopkins bucket to make it 2-0. The Lady Warriors, would take their first lead of the game after back to back baskets from Kylie Watkins and Aaliyah Anderson. After both teams took turns scoring, the Lady Warriors went on a 7-0 run to make it 16-9. Ellison Steinhauer, would put an end to the run by hitting a pair of free throws to make it 16-11.

Anderson, would then convert the hoop and the harm to stretch the lead to 19-11. Steinhauer, ended the first quarter scoring by splitting a pair of free throws to make it 19-12 White County heading to the second quarter.

Emma Lightsey, got the second quarter started with a bucket to make it 21-12. Back to back three pointers from Steinhauer cut the Lady Warrior lead down to 21-18. After a basket by Watkins, Steinhauer and Caroline Mullins led a 10-0 run to give the Nettes a 28-23 lead. Mya Yeh and Mullins would trade buckets as the first half came to an end with the Nettes leading, 30-27.

Lightsey, just like she did in the second quarter, began the third quarter with a basket to cut the Pickens lead down to 1. Hopkins, got the layup to fall and converted the free throw to make it 33-29. The Lady Warriors, would go on a 6-0 run to retake the lead, 35-33. A three pointer by Steinhauer gave the Nettes a 36-35 lead. A free throw make by Anderson, and a layup by Zoe Burkett, put the Lady Warriors in front, 38-36.

After a pair of free throws from Steinhauer tied it at 38, Lightsey gave the Lady Warriors the lead right back with a bucket to make it 40-38. Mullins, closed out the third quarter with a 4-0 run to give the Nettes a 42-40 lead heading to the fourth.

Mullins, continued her run to begin the fourth quarter. In total, Mullins went on a personal 10-0 run to give the Nettes a 48-40 lead. A three pointer by Watkins ended the Mullins run and cut the Pickens lead down to 48-43. A layup by Steinhauer stretched the lead to 50-43. A 4-0 run by Anderson and Burkett cut the lead down to 50-47. Steinhauer, pushed it back up to a two possession lead with a layup to make it 52-47.

After Anderson made a layup, Mullins would make a layup of her own and Hopkins would connect on a pair of free throw attempts to make it 56-49. A three pointer by Lightsey would cut the lead to 56-52. A pair of free throws by Steinhauer would seal the win for the Nettes, 58-52.

Scorers for the Nettes:

Ellison Steinhauer: 27 points

Caroline Mullins: 22 points

Bella Hopkins: 9 points

Scorers for the Lady Warriors:

Emma Lightsey: 19 points

Kylie Watkins: 11 points

Aaliyah Anderson: 10 points

Zoe Burkett: 6 points

Mya Yeh: 6 points

The Nettes, will now turn their focus to a massive game on Friday, January 12th as they host the #2 ranked team in 3A, the Wesleyan Lady Wolves in another top 5 match up. Tip off is set for 7 pm.