Dragons sweep season series against War Eagles
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports January 22, 2026
Gainesville, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, made the trip down to Chestatee to take on the War Eagles on Thursday, January 22nd. This game, was originally scheduled for Friday, but with the impending weather set to come in, it was bumped up a day. The Dragons, were able to build off of their win over Dawson on Tuesday, and pick up a 71-41 win over the War Eagles.
Aiden Mumaw, would start off the game by getting to the free throw line. He would split the free throw attempts. Mumaw, would then get a layup to go to make it 3-0. A three by Brody Bryant, would stretch the lead to 6. A layup by Cody Couch, and a pair of free throws by Nazir Dixon, would cut the lead to 2. The Dragons, would then go on an 11-0 run to make it 17-4. After a second basket by Couch, McCord Purdy, would hit a three to make it 20-6.
Dixon, would get a late bucket to go to make it 20-8 Dragons heading to the second quarter.
Carson Hunt, would begin the second quarter with a three to cut the lead to 9. After a lay-in by Hayden Jones, the War Eagles, would hit another three to make it 22-14. Jedidiah Lanford, would get in the score book with a put back layup to make it a 10 point game. Lucas Feltner, would make it an 8 point game with a bucket. DJ Mitchell, would make back to back tough layups to give the Dragons a 28-16 lead.
After another three by Couch, the Dragons, would end the first half on a 6-0 run capped off by a buzzer beating three by Purdy to make it 34-19 Pickens heading into the break.
Mumaw, would start the second half by making a pair of free throws. The War Eagles, would go on a 7-0 run to trim the Dragon lead down to 10. Mitchell and Purdy, would then combine to go on a 5-0 run to stretch the lead back to 15. After a bucket by Feltner, Purdy and Lanford, would make back to back baskets to make it a 17 point advantage. A bucket by Dixon, would make it 45-30.
The Dragons, would end the third quarter on an 8-0 run to stretch the lead out to 53-30 heading to the fourth quarter.
Couch, would make back to back layups to begin the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 53-34. A 9-0 run by the Dragons, would make it 62-34. Carson Hunt and Lanford, would trade three point baskets as the Dragons led it, 65-37. After a bucket by Hunt, Landon Rice, would hit a three. Rice, would then head to the line where he would split a pair of free throws. Sawyer Purdy, would make a nice move for a layup to give the Dragons a 71 -39 lead.
A late basket by Feltner, would give us a final score of 71-41 as the Dragons come away with the win and the series sweep.
Leading scorers for the Dragons:
McCord Purdy: 20 points
DJ Mitchell: 17 points
Aiden Mumaw: 8 points
Jedidiah Lanford: 7 points
Hayden Jones: 6 points
Landon Rice: 4 points
Brody Bryant: 3 points
Cam Jones: 2 points
Jonah Jordan: 2 points
Sawyer Purdy: 2 points
The Dragons, are now 10-9 on the season and 6-2 in 6-AAA play. The Dragons, are set to be at Lumpkin to take on the Indians on Tuesday, January 27th at 7:30. We’ll see if that is still the case depending on what the weather does this weekend.
Tough shooting night for Dragons against Lumpkin
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports December 17, 2025
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, took the court for the first time in over a week on Tuesday, December 16th as they took on the Lumpkin Indians in 6-AAA action. Coming into the game, the Dragons, were 4-3 and 1-0 in region play. The Indians, came into the game with an unblemished 8-0 record and 1-0 in region play. The Indians, were able to stay undefeated after picking up a 70-49 win.
Landon Pierce, would make a pair of free throws to begin the ball game and give the Indians an early lead. A jumper by Jonah Jordan, would tie the game up at 2. Pierce and Jordan Richerson, would go on a 4-0 run to make it 6-2 Indians. After Brody Bryant split a pair of free throws, Martin Hulsey, would get a lay-in to go to make it 8-3. A three pointer by McCord Purdy as the shot clock ran down, would cut the lead to 8-6.
An 8-0 combined run by Richerson, Pierce, and Cortes, would give the Indians a 16-6 advantage. A second three by Purdy, would cut the lead to 16-9 heading to the second quarter.
After both teams traded baskets to start the second quarter, Pierce and Richerson would combine for a 5-0 run to make it 23-11. Purdy, would get another shot to go to cut it to 10. After back to back buckets by the Indians, DJ Mitchell would hit his first three of the game to make it 27-16. Keiwhan Gallagher and Richerson, would combine to go on an 8-0 run to close out the first half as the Indians led it, 35-16 at the break.
Gallagher, would get the second half going with a layup to make it 37-16. After a three by Purdy, Richerson, would get a bucket to go, followed by a pair of free throws by Hulsey as the Indians took a 41-19 lead. Both teams would then trade three point shots. The Indians, would then go on a 9-0 run as they extended their lead to 53-25. A three by Mitchell, would end the run and cut the lead to 53-28.
Cortes, would make a pair of free throws to stretch it to 55-28. Hayden Jones, would get in the score book with a layup to make it 55-30. Pierce, would end the third quarter with a three pointer as the Indians would take a 58-30 lead into the fourth.
Purdy, Jones, and Jordan, would open the fourth quarter by combining to go on a 10-0 to cut the lead to 58-40. A three by Pierce, would end the run and make it 61-40. Mitchell, would respond with a three to make it 61-43. After a basket by Gallagher, Jordan, would hit a three to make it 63-46. Pierce and Kolson Howell, would make back to back shots to stretch the lead to 67-46.
After a three by Brody Bryant, Colton Burnett, would end the scoring with a three as the Indians would move to 9-0 with a 70-49 win.
Scoring leaders for the Dragons:
McCord Purdy: 19 points
Brody Bryant: 10 points
DJ Mitchell: 9 points
Jonah Jordan: 7 points
Hayden Jones: 4 points
6-AAA Standings:
Lumpkin: 9-0 (2-0)
North Hall: 5-2 (2-0)
Pickens: 4-4 (1-1)
GAC: 1-9 (1-1)
Dawson: 3-6 (1-1)
White County: 1-9 (1-1)
Chestatee: 2-6 (0-2)
Johnson-Gainesville: 0-10 (0-2)
The Dragons, will be on the road on Friday, December 19th as they head over to Adairsville to take on the Sequoyah Chiefs. Tip off is set for 3 pm.
Dragons open region play with win over Chestatee
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports December 6, 2025
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, were back home on Friday, December 5th as they opened up region 6-AAA play against the Chestatee War Eagles. The Dragons, were coming off a big 75-71 win over Banks County on Saturday, November 29th. After a close first half, the Dragons, outscored the War Eagles 45-25 in the second half to come away with a 73-48 win.
Brody Bryant, would give the Dragons an early lead with a bucket. Cody Couch, Nasir Dixon, and Lucas Feltner, would combine to go on a 6-0 run to give the War Eagles a 6-2 lead. A layup by Camden Jones, would cut the lead to two. After a layup by Isaac Brown, Bryant, would make a pair of free throws to make it 8-6. Another basket by Brown, would once again make it a 4 point game.
A three by DJ Mitchell, would cut the lead down to one. That would kick off a 13-0 run by the Dragons to end the first quarter as they would head to the second quarter leading the War Eagles, 19-10.
Feltner and Carson Hunt, would begin the second quarter by combining to go on a 5-0 run to cut the lead to 4. Mitchell and McCord Purdy, would counter with a 5-0 run of their own to make it a 9 point game again. Both teams, would trade baskets to end the first half as the Dragons would take a 28-23 lead into the break.
Mitchell, would get the second half started with a jumper to make it 30-23. After a three by Couch, Purdy, would get a layup to go to make it 32-26. Dixon, would cut the lead to 4 with a bucket. The Dragons, would then go on a massive 15-0 run to break the game open 47-28. A pair of free throws by Feltner, would end the big run by Pickens. Bryant and Mitchell, would end the third on a 5-0 run. Heading to the fourth, the Dragons led it, 52-30.
The two teams would go back and forth to start the fourth. Mitchell and Bryant, would hit back to back threes to make it 60-35 Dragons. After a basket by Brown, Jedidiah Lanford, would hit a three to make it 63-37. After a lay-in by the War Eagles, Purdy, would hit his 2nd three of the game to make it 66-39. A 4-0 run by Brown, would make it 66-43. A three by Logan Gramling, would make it 69-43.
A pair of free throws by Feltner, would make it 69-45. Back to back baskets by Zade Waller and Landon Rice, would make it 73-45. A late three by Brown, would give us the final score with the Dragons picking up the win, 73-48.
Scoring leaders for the Dragons:
DJ Mitchell: 25 points
Brody Bryant: 17 points
Jedidiah Lanford: 8 points
McCord Purdy: 8 points
Hayden Jones: 6 points
Logan Gramling: 3 points
Camden Jones: 2 points
Landon Rice: 2 points
Zade Waller: 2 points
The Dragons, will get the next week off as they get ready for their next region game against the Lumpkin Indians on Tuesday, December 16th. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm.
Dragons drop high scoring affair against GAC
PHS Football, Team FYN Sports October 26, 2025
Jasper, Ga — It was a cool, brisk evening on Friday, October 24th as the Pickens Dragons took on the Greater Atlanta Christian School Spartans in what was a key game for both teams in 6-AAA. Both Pickens and GAC came into the game tied for 2nd in the standings and were looking to get one step closer to potentially hosting a playoff game. The two teams would combine to score 84 points on the night as the Spartans would come away with a 49-35 win.
The Dragons, would win the toss and elect to differ to the second half. After converting several third downs on their opening drive, the Spartans, would strike first after an 11-yd touchdown pass. The PAT was good and with 7:59 left in the first quarter, GAC led Pickens, 7-0. The Dragons, would lean on their run game in their first possession of the ball game as they mixed in runs from Ike Wyngaard and Cal Morrison.
Morrison, would cap off the drive with a 1-yd touchdown run. The PAT was good and with 3:44 left in the first quarter, the Dragons and Spartans were tied at 7. The defense for the Dragons, would come up big during the next possession for the Spartans as Hunter Atkins would pick off the pass attempt and give the offense great starting field position on the run back.
The Dragons, would cash in on that turnover as Wyngaard would run it in from 33-yds out. The PAT was good, and as they headed to the second quarter, the Dragons led the Spartans, 14-7.
The Spartans, would tie things up with 8:26 to go in the first half after a 1-yd touchdown run. The Freshman, Cal Morrison, would once again find the end zone after a 2-yd run to put the Dragons back on top 21-14 with 4:04 left in the first half. The Spartans, would use up most of the time left on the clock during their next possession as they cashed in with a 26-yd touchdown pass. At the half, the Dragons and Spartans were tied at 21.
The Dragons, would go three and out on their first possession to start the second half. The Spartans, would retake the lead after a 57-yd touchdown pass to make it 28-21 with 9:05 left in the third. The Dragons, would answer back with a 5-yd touchdown run by Wyngaard. His 2nd of the game. With 5:06 left in the third quarter, the ball game was all tied up at 28.
The Spartans, would only use 2 minutes of game time as they would retake the lead after a 15-yd touchdown run. With 3:06 left in the third, GAC led Pickens, 35-28. After being backed up to start their next possession, the Dragons, pick up a huge play as Tanner Bail would connect with Hayden Jones, who snatched the ball over a GAC defender, for a 92-yd touchdown pass. The game was tied at 35 with 2:10 left to go in the third.
The Spartans, would reclaim the lead after a 60-yd touchdown pass. The PAT was good and they would head into the fourth quarter with GAC in front, 42-35.
GAC, would add to their lead after a rushing touchdown by the quarterback, would extend the Spartan lead out to 49-35 with 7:03 left in the game. Later on in the fourth, the Dragons, would look to cut the lead in half, but the Dragons were unable to convert on fourth down and the Spartans would run out the rest of the clock as they picked up a 49-35 win.
6-AAA Standings:
North Hall: 9-0 (6-0)
GAC: 7-2 (5-1)
Pickens: 7-2 (4-2)
Dawson: 4-5 (3-3)
Lumpkin: 5-4 (3-3)
White County: 2-7 (2-4)
Chestatee: 3-6 (1-5)
Johnson-Gainesville: 0-9 (0-6)
The Dragons, will be on the road next week for the regular season finale as they travel to take on the Lumpkin Indians on Friday, October 31st. It will be a critical game for both teams. There will also be eyes from Pickens and Lumpkin on the Dawson/North Hall game next Friday night as there is a possibility Pickens/Dawson/Lumpkin all end up 4-3 in region play. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.
Dragons pick up win in series opener against Lumpkin
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 19, 2025
Jasper, Ga — It was time for week three of 6-AAA play as the Pickens Dragons took on the Lumpkin Indians in game one of their three game set on Tuesday, March 18th. The Dragons, were coming off a tough series against North Hall where they were only able to win one game. The Indians, were looking to rebound after being swept by Greater Atlanta Christian. A.J. Rice, would throw a complete game as the Dragons would pick up the win, 5-1.
Rice, the Junior Auburn commit, would work around a 2-out walk drawn by Mason Hester as he would strike out the side in the top of the first. In the bottom half of the first, Christian Starks, would look to get something started with a 1-out single. Starks, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position with 2-outs. Starks, would then move to 3rd on a wild pitch.
Kam Jenkins, would drive in Starks with an RBI single to make it 1-0 Dragons. An RBI double by Dawson Lowitt, would bring in courtesy runner Zach Williams to make it 2-0. Dawson Holland, would keep the line moving with a single to put runners at the corners with 2-out. Holland, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd. Matthew Davis, would draw a walk to load the bases.
Indians starter Adian Rogers, would get out of the inning with a ground out. Heading to the second, the Dragons, led the Indians, 2-0.
Matthew Mitchell, would lead off the top of the second with a single. Jayzen Johnson, would then reach on a fielder’s choice as Mitchell would be forced out at 2nd. Rice, would get out of the second after another ground out, and his 4th strikeout as the Indians left Johnson stranded. Jennings Allen, would lead off the bottom of the second with a single. Allen, would then swipe 2nd to get into scoring position with 1-out.
Starks, would bring in Allen with an RBI triple to make it 3-0 Dragons. Cade Sutton, would follow that up with an RBI single as Starks would come in to score to make it 4-0. After Sutton was caught trying to steal 2nd, Jenkins would keep the inning going by drawing a walk. Rogers and the Indians, would get out of the second with a ground out to send it to the third with the Dragons leading, 4-0.
After Rice began the third inning with a pair of quick outs, A. Flanagan, would look to get something going for the Indians as he reached with a 2-out single. Hester, would follow that up with a single of his own to put runners at 1st and 3rd with 2-outs. Hester, would then get caught in a rundown long enough for Flanagan to come in to score to make it 4-1. Rice, would get out of the third with a fly out to send it to the bottom of the frame.
In the bottom of the third, Holland, would lead off with his 2nd hit of the game. Holland, would then pick up his 2nd steal of the game as he would take 2nd to advance into scoring position. Rogers, would get out of the jam with a fly out, a strikeout, and a pop out to send it to the fourth with the Dragons leading, 4-1.
Rice, would toss a scoreless top of the fourth as he picked up a fly out, and his 5th and 6th strikeout. In the bottom of the fourth, Rice, would reach with a lead off single. Rice, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Rice, would advance to 3rd after a ground out by Sutton. Jenkins, would drive in Rice with an RBI single to make it 5-1 Dragons going to the fifth.
In the top of the fifth, Rice, would only need six pitches to pick up a pair of ground outs and a fly out in a scoreless frame. In the bottom of the fifth, Holland, Davis, and Sam Hammontree, would load the bases with back-to-back-to-back singles. Kendal Lee, would come in from right field to relive Rogers. Holland, would be forced out at home as Allen reached on a fielder’s choice. Lee, would then pick up a strikeout for the second out.
Lee and the Indians, would get out of the jam as Allen would be forced out at 2nd to send it to the sixth with the Dragons still leading, 5-1.
Rice, continued his great start in the top of the sixth as he picked up a ground out and a pair of fly outs to send it to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, Sutton and Jenkins, would each get hit by a pitch to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. Lowitt, would then follow that with a single to load the bases. Lee, would get out of the inning with a strikeout and a double play to send it to the seventh with the Dragons still leading, 5-1.
Rice, would cap off another fantastic start by striking out the side in the top of the seventh to seal the win in game one for the Dragons, 5-1.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 1-4 with 1 single, 1 steal, and 1 run scored & 7 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 H, 9 K, 1 BB on 103 pitches
Christian Starks: 2-4 with 1 single, 1 triple, 1 steal, 1 RBI, and 2 runs scored
Cade Sutton: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 HBP, and 1 RBI
Kam Jenkins: 2-2 with 2 singles, 1 walk, 1 HBP, and 2 RBI
Dawson Lowitt: 2-4 with 1 single, 1 double, and 1 RBI
Dawson Holland: 3-4 with 3 singles, and 2 steals
Matthew Davis: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk
Sam Hammontree: 1-3 with 1 single
Jennings Allen: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 steal, and 1 run scored
Zach Williams: 1 run scored
The series will shift over to Dahlonega for game two on Thursday, March 20th. The Dragons, will look for the series win while the Indians, will look to tie the series. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:55 pm.
Dragons win series finale against Trojans
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports March 15, 2025
Gainesville, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, came into game three against the North Hall Trojans on Friday, March 13th just looking for a little momentum after a pair of tough losses. After going up 5-0 early, the Dragons, would get an insurance run in the top of the seventh as they would hang on to pick up the win, 6-3.
A.J. Rice, would lead off the game with a single. Rice, would then steal 2nd to move into scoring position with 1-out. Rice, with 2-outs, would swipe 3rd. Kam Jenkins, would reach on an error as Rice would come in to score to make it 1-0. Dawson Lowitt, would keep the inning going with a double. The Trojans, would get out of the first with a ground out.
In the bottom of the first, Dragons starter Christian Starks, would pick up a strikeout for the first out. Ty Kemp, would then draw a 1-out walk. After Starks collected his second strikeout of the inning, Kemp, would steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Kenny Foudy, would then draw a 2-out walk. Kemp, would advance to 3rd on the wild pitch. Starks, would get out of the first with a fly out. Heading to the second, Pickens led North Hall, 1-0.
Matthew Davis and Ezra Faber, would lead off the top of the second with back to back singles. Davis, would be forced out at 3rd as Jennings Allen would reach on a fielder’s choice. Faber and Allen, would move up a base after a passed ball. Rice, would drive in Faber with an RBI single. Starks, would help himself out by bringing in Allen with a sacrifice fly. Rice, would advance to 2nd on the play.
Cade Sutton, would bring in Rice with an RBI single to make it 4-0. Sutton, would advance to 2nd on the play. Jenkins, would keep the inning alive by drawing a walk. Lowitt, would drive in Sutton with an RBI single to make it 5-0 Dragons heading to the bottom of the frame. The Trojans, would look to get back into the game as Thomas Davis would be hit with a pitch, and Custis Honeycutt, would reach with a single to lead off the bottom of the second.
After a fly out, Cole Cable, would be hit with a pitch to load the bases with 1-out. Mills Lothridge, would drive in both Davis and Honeycutt with a 2-RBI single. Starks, would come back with a strikeout for the second out. Cable, would then come in to score after a wild pitch. Smith Mcgarvey, would keep the inning going with a 2-out walk. Starks and the Dragons, would get out of the second as Sutton would step on 3rd to force out Lothridge.
Dawson Holland, would lead off the top of the third by reaching on an error. Trojans starter Jake Beard, would pick up a fly out, a line out, and his 2nd strikeout as Holland would be left stranded at 1st. Heading to the bottom of the third, Pickens led North Hall, 5-3. Starks, had a nice bounce back in the bottom of the third as he would sit the Trojans down in order with a pair of fly outs and a ground out to send it to the fourth, with the Dragons ahead, 5-3.
Beard, would toss his first 1-2-3 inning in the top of the fourth as he picked up a ground out and a pair of fly outs to send it to the bottom of the inning. Beard, would lead off the bottom of the fourth by reaching base on an error. Starks, would work around it with a strikeout and a pair of line outs. Heading to the fifth, the Dragons led the Trojans, 5-3.
Jenkins, would lead off the fifth by drawing his 2nd walk of the game. The Trojans, would then turn a double play and pick up a ground out to get out of the inning. Starks, who really settled down since the second inning, picked up a fly out and a pair of strikeouts in a scoreless bottom of the fifth. Heading to the sixth, Pickens still led North Hall, 5-3.
Davis, would pick up his 2nd hit of the game to lead off the top of the sixth. After a strikeout, Davis, would advance all the way to 3rd as Allen would be out at 1st on a ground out. Davis, would attempt to come home on a ball that got by the catcher, but he would be tagged out to send it to the bottom of the sixth, Dragons leading, 5-3. Starks, would pick up two quick fly outs in the bottom of the sixth.
Beard, would keep the inning alive for the Trojans with a 2-out single. His courtesy runner, Brayden Allen, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Starks, now over 100 pitches for the game, would get out of the sixth with a strikeout to send it to the seventh with the Dragons leading the Trojans, 5-3.
Rice, would lead off the top of the seventh with a double. His third hit of the game. After a line out and a strikeout, Rice, would advance to 3rd on a wild pitch. Jenkins, on a 3-2 count, would drive in Rice with a 2-out RBI double to make it 6-3 Dragons heading to the bottom of the inning. In the bottom of the seventh, Jenkins, would come on in relief of Starks to try and close this one out.
After a strikeout for the first out, Kemp, would draw a walk. Jenkins, would shake that off to strikeout the next to batters to seal the 6-3 win for the Dragons in game three.
Stats for the Dragons:
A.J. Rice: 3-4 with 2 singles, 1 double, 2 steals, and 3 runs scored
Christian Starks: 1 sacrifice fly RBI & 6 IP, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 2 HBP, 7 K on 107 pitches
Cade Sutton: 1-4 with 1 single, 1 RBI, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-2 with 1 double, 2 walks, and 1 RBI & 1 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 3 K on 21 pitches
Dawson Lowitt: 2-4 with 1 single, 1 double, and 1 RBI
Matthew Davis: 2-3 with 2 singles
Ezra Faber: 1-3 with 1 run scored
Jennings Allen: 1 run scored
6-AAA Baseball Standings:
North Hall: 9-4 (5-1)
Dawson: 10-5 (5-1)
Pickens: 12-3 (4-2)
Lumpkin: 9-5 (3-3)
GAC: 6-6 (3-3)
Chestatee: 4-11 (3-3)
White County: 6-8 (1-5)
Johnson-Gainesville: 2-13 (0-6)
The Dragons, will be back in 6-AAA action next week as they begin a three game series with the Lumpkin Indians on Tuesday, March 18th at Dunn Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 5:55 pm.
Dragons sweep Indians to move to 19-0
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports January 23, 2025
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, welcomed the Lumpkin County Indians to the Dragons Den for a battle of two of the top three teams in 6-AAA on Wednesday, January 22nd. This game, was originally scheduled for Tuesday, the 21st, but the latest round of winter weather forced it to be moved back a day. The rest of the region, is still looking to see when games that were scheduled for Tuesday, can be played. The Indians, came into the game 12-7 overall and 6-2 in 6-AAA. The Dragons, came into the game 18-0 overall and 8-0 in 6-AAA. While it wasn’t their cleanest of games, the Dragons, still came away with a 67-39 win.
The first quarter started with Caleb Lanford hitting a pair of free throws to put the Dragons up 2-0. Ga Tech WR signee Cal Faulkner, would get the scoring started for the Indians with a layup through contact. He would make the free throw to give the Indians a 3-2 lead. After a basket by Brock Barton, Jackson Pulley, would hit a three to make it 6-4. McCord Purdy would answer with a three on the other end to make it 7-6 Dragons.
A pair of free throws by Landon Pierce, would give the Indians an 8-7 lead. Parker Davis, would then also make a pair of free throws to give the Dragons a one point lead. A layup by Dodge Davis, would give Pickens an 11-8 lead. After a bucket by Faulkner, Barton, Parker Davis, and Jamin Martin would combine for a 7-0 run to make it 18-10 Dragons. Faulkner, would put an end to the run with a basket to cut the lead to 18-12.
Barton, would then get a shot to fall through contact and hit the free throw to make it 21-12. A late basket by Hagen Glenn just before the buzzer, made it 21-14 as they would head to the second quarter.
The second quarter would start with Pierce and Parker Davis each receiving a technical foul for trash talking after Pierce was called for a separate foul. Martin, would hit a three to make it 24-14 Dragons. A bucket by T.J. Gaddis, would cut the lead to 8. Parker Davis, would then go on a 6-0 run to stretch the lead out to 30-16. Faulkner and Purdy, would then exchange threes as the Dragons led, 33-19. A late basket by Faulkner, made it 33-21 Dragons at the half.
The second half began with Pierce making back to back threes to cut the lead down to 33-27. The Dragons, would then go on a 5-0 run as Barton would make a layup, and Lanford would hit a three to make it 38-27. After a bucket by Faulkner, Parker Davis, Barton, and Martin would combine to go on a 10-0 run to make it 48-29. The Indians, would close the third quarter on a 5-0 run as Faulkner would make a jump shot and Pulley would hit a three to make it 48-34 heading to the fourth.
The fourth quarter started with the Dragons going on an 11-0 run to make it 59-34. Barton, Lanford, and the Davis brothers all contributed to the run. After a basket by Faulkner, the Dragons would go on a 7-0 run to make it 66-36. A bucket by the Indians would make it 66-38. Both teams, would each make a free throw to end the game as the Dragons picked up the win, 67-39.
Leading scorers for the Dragons:
Brock Barton: 17 points
Parker Davis: 14 points
Caleb Lanford: 10 points
Jamin Martin: 10 points
McCord Purdy: 8 points
Dodge Davis: 6 points
Camden Jones: 1 point
Aiden Mumaw: 1 point
The Dragons, are set to travel to Hall County on Friday, January 24th to take on the North Hall Trojans. The Trojans, much like the rest of the region outside of Pickens and Lumpkin, haven’t been able to play this week due to weather related postponements. Game time for Friday is set for 7:30 pm.
Dragons sweep War Eagles to stay alone in first place
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports January 18, 2025
Gainesville, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, came into their game on Friday, January 17th against the Chestatee War Eagles, looking to extend their winning streak to 18 in a row and also stay alone atop the 6-AAA standings. The War Eagles, were coming off of a back and forth game against North Hall on Tuesday. Using a big scoring first half, the Dragons, came away with a 95-31 victory.
McCord Purdy, would get the hand off from Caleb Lanford, and connect on a three to give the Dragons the early lead. After a steal by Brock Barton, Purdy, would return the favor to Lanford as he would hit a corner three to make it 6-0. A three from Carter Edmondson, would cut the lead in half. Dodge Davis, would get a steal on the defensive end, then finish at the offensive end with a layup to make it 8-3.
Lanford, would get a steal of his own and then draw a foul. He would make both free throws to stretch the lead to 10-3. A block by Parker Davis would lead to a fast break for the Dragons and Dodge Davis would finish it off with a dunk after a nice pass from Purdy. Ethan Dunn and Isaac Brown would make back-to-back baskets to cut the lead to 12-7. A 10-0 run by the Davis Brothers would make it 22-7 Dragons.
A bucket by Sebastian Spinelli, would end the run and cut the lead to 22-9. A three by Barton, would make it 25-9. After a jumper by Brown, the Dragons, would end the first quarter on a 5-0 run as Dodge Davis would make a pair of free throws, and Purdy would nail a three just before the buzzer to make it 30-11 heading to the second quarter.
The second quarter began with the Dragons continuing their run from the end of the first quarter as Barton, Lanford, the Davis brothers, and Jamin Martin combined for a 13-0 run to give the Dragons a 43-11 lead. A step back three from Spinelli, would end the run and cut the lead to 43-14. Dodge Davis, would find an open Purdy for his third three pointer of the first half to make it 46-14.
Nice passing from the Dragons after an in-bounds play, led to an open layup for Dodge Davis to make it 48-14. Dodge Davis, would then poke the ball free and then would finish on the other end after the long pass from Lanford to make it 50-14. A three by Spinelli, would again end scoring run by the Dragons and cut the lead to 50-17. Barton, would leap up to steal the in-bounds pass, take it all the way for the hoop and the harm. He would make the free throw to make it 53-17.
Montego Morgan, would make a great bounce pass to a cutting Barton for the layup to make it 55-17. Spinelli, would get a tough shot to fall to cut the lead to 55-19. Morgan, would crash the offensive board for the rebound and then make the put back to stretch it to 57-19. Brown, would then go to the line and make both free throws to cut the lead to 57-21. Martin, would draw a foul of his own and hit both free throws to make it 59-21.
Dodge Davis, would work through contact to get the layup and the foul. He would make the free throw to stretch the lead to 62-21. A steal by Parker Davis, would lead to little jumper off glass by Martin just as the first half ended as the Dragons took a 64-21 lead into the break.
Parker Davis, would open up the second half with a dunk to make it 66-21. After a little bit of a drought by both teams, Purdy, would come away with a steal and find an open Dodge Davis for a one handed dunk to make it 68-21. After a defensive rebound by Lanford, he would launch a long outlet pass to Parker Davis for the lay-in. Parker Davis, would then nail a corner three to make it 73-21.
Lanford, would again find Parker Davis as he would hit another three to make it 76-21. Barton, would take the hand off from Parker Davis, and drive it into the lane for the layup to make it 78-21. Spinelli, would put an end to the scoring drought for the War Eagles as he split a pair of free throws to make it 78-22. Just before the end of the third, Parker Davis, found Barton for a corner three. The Dragons, led the War Eagles, 81-22 heading to the fourth.
Dunn, would begin the fourth quarter scoring with a layup through contact. He would make the free throw to cut the lead to 81-25. Camden Jones, would then split a pair of free throws to make it 82-25. Landon Johnson, would pull up for a short jumper to make it 82-27. A block by the Dragons would lead to a three by Morgan to make it 85-27. Martin, would then take the offensive rebound all the way and finish with a pull up jumper to make it 87-27.
Morgan, with the shot clock draining, threw up a three pointer and banked it in to make it 90-27. A three by Corbin Larned, would cut the lead to 90-30. DJ Mitchell, would use a nice spin move to get the lay-in to make it 92-30. A steal by Morgan, would lead to fast break points as Mitchell found Morgan, who nailed another three to make it 95-30. Larned, would split a pair of free throws as the Dragons would pick up the 95-31 win.
Leading scorers for the Dragons:
Dodge Davis: 23 points
Parker Davis: 16 points
Brock Barton: 15 points
Jamin Martin: 11 points
Montego Morgan: 11 points
McCord Purdy: 9 points
Caleb Lanford: 7 points
DJ Mitchell: 2 points
Camden Jones: 1 point
6-AAA Boys Basketball Standings:
Pickens: 18-0 (8-0)
GAC: 13-5 (6-2)
Lumpkin: 12-7 (6-2)
North Hall: 12-7 (5-3)
Dawson: 6-13 (3-5)
White County: 3-15 (2-6)
Chestatee: 2-16 (1-6)
Johnson-Gainesville: 1-13 (0-7)
The Dragons, will be back inside the Dragons Den on Tuesday, January 21st as they will play host to the Lumpkin Indians. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm.
Dragons stay hot with win in region opener
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports December 7, 2024
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, welcomed the Chestatee War Eagles to the Dragons Den to begin 6-AAA play on Friday, December 6th. The Dragons, came into the game 5-0 after an undefeated November and ranked 5th in 3A by Kyle Sandy. The War Eagles, may have come into the game 1-4, but they have several players that can get hot at any moment. The Dragons, exploded offensively in the second half as they pulled away for an 84-47 victory.
The War Eagles, began the game with Cody Couch and Sebastian Spinelli hitting back to back threes to take a 6-0 lead. After a slow start by the Dragons offense, Senior Brock Barton, would then go on a 7-0 run to give the Dragons a 7-6 lead. Ethan Dunn, would put an end to the run with a basket to make it 8-7 War Eagles. Caleb Lanford, would then give the Dragons a one point lead with a bucket.
Spinelli, would hit his second three of the quarter to give the War Eagles an 11-9 lead. The Dragons, would then go on a 9-0 run led by the Davis brothers, and Barton to give the Dragons an 18-11 lead. Dunn, would cut the lead to 5 to make it 18-13 Dragons heading to the second quarter.
Jamin Martin and Parker Davis, would start the second quarter with a 5-0 run to make it 23-13 Dragons. A three by Elian Salcido, would trim the lead to 7. After a 5-0 run by Barton and Martin, the Dragons lead expanded to 28-16. Spinelli, would convert the rare four point play as he hit the three and the free throw to make it 28-20. After McCord Purdy split a pair of free throws, Spinelli would hit another three to make it 29-23.
A 5-0 run by Lanford would make it 34-23 Dragons. A three by Nazir Dixon would end the run and make it 34-26. Purdy, would end the first half with a three to make it 37-26 heading to the break.
The Dragons, would start the second half with a 9-0 run as Barton would hit a three, then Lanford would hit back to back threes to make it 46-26. Spinelli, would make a pair of free throws to end the run. A 10-0 run by the Dragons would stretch the lead out to 56-28. Dixon, would end the run with a bucket to make it 56-30. After the two teams traded baskets, the War Eagles would make several free throws in a row to make it 62-37.
As the clock drained down at the end of the third quarter, Montego Morgan sliced through the defense for the layup to make it 64-37 Dragons heading to the fourth.
Barton, opened up the scoring in the fourth with a basket to make it 66-37. The two teams, would again trade buckets until the Dragons would go on a 9-0 run to make it 81-43. A basket by Dixon, would end the run and make it 81-45. Parker Davis, would hit a three to make it 84-45. Dunn, would end the scoring with a bucket as the Dragons would come away with a 84-47 win.
Leading scorers for the Dragons:
Caleb Lanford: 22 points
Brock Barton: 19 points
Dodge Davis: 15 points
Jamin Martin: 9 points
Parker Davis: 7 points
McCord Purdy: 7 points
Montego Morgan: 5 points
6-AAA Region Standings:
Pickens: 6-0 (1-0)
North Hall: 4-2 (1-0)
Lumpkin: 4-3 (1-0)
Dawson: 1-8 (1-0)
GAC: 4-3 (0-1)
Chestatee: 1-5 (0-1)
White County: 1-6 (0-1)
Johnson, Gainesville: 0-6 (0-1)
The Dragons, will head to Lumpkin on Tuesday, December 10th to take on the Indians in another 6-AAA battle. The Indians, led by Georgia Tech football signee Cal Faulkner, picked up a big win at GAC to open their region schedule. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm.
Dragons drop heart breaker in season finale
PHS Football, Team FYN Sports November 2, 2024
Jasper, Ga – It was a foggy night in Jasper on Friday, November 1st as the Pickens Dragons took on the Lumpkin County Indians. The Dragons, needed at least a win and some help from GAC to get into the playoffs. A win for the Indians, coupled with a GAC loss, would move them up to the #2 seed in 6-AAA. In a game that was back and forth throughout, it came down to the final possession. The Indians, would hold on for a 29-26 win.
The Indians, got the ball first to begin the ball game. The Dragons, were able to get a stop to get the ball to the offense. As the Dragons were approaching mid-field on their opening possession, the Indians were able to force a fumble and recover it. The Indians, would take advantage of the turnover as Nolan Matthews would run it in from 42-yards out. The PAT was good and with 6:45 left in the first quarter, Lumpkin led Pickens, 7-0.
The Dragons, responded with a scoring drive of their own as Hayden Jones scored a 4-yd TD run. The PAT was good and as they headed to the second quarter, Pickens and Lumpkin were tied at 7.
The Indians, were able to retake the lead at the 7:47 mark of the second quarter as Ga Tech WR commit Cal Faulkner, would jump into the end zone after a 4-yd TD run. The PAT was good and Lumpkin led Pickens, 14-7. The Indians, would add to their lead as Matthews would break through for a 47-yd TD. The PAT was good and with 4:24 left in the first half, Lumpkin led Pickens, 21-7.
The Dragons, knew they needed an answer prior to halftime and they got it as Jones found Ike Wyngaard streaking down the middle of the field and connected for a 35-yd TD. The PAT attempt would be blocked. Heading into the half, Lumpkin led Pickens, 21-13.
Like the Indians earlier, the Dragons were able to force and recover a fumble. They would be able to convert that turnover into points as Jones found Sam Hammontree for a 14-yd TD. The PAT was good and the Indians lead was cut down to 21-20. The Dragons defense, would force and recover another fumble on the Indians next possession. Heading to the fourth, the Indians were clinging to a 21-20 lead.
The Dragons, again cashed in on the turnover as Jones reached the ball over the goal line for a 1-yd TD. The Indians, would claim that he lost the ball before scoring, but the side judge signaled touchdown and that call would stand. Pickens, would go for two, but would not convert. With 8:24 left in the game, the Dragons now led the Indians, 26-21. Later on in the fourth, the Indians were looking to retake the lead.
Faulkner, would find Mason Hester down the sideline for a 59-yd TD. The Indians, would then go for two as a reverse pass to Faulkner connected. With 4:56 left in the game, Lumpkin led Pickens, 29-26. The Dragons were looking to drive down the field for a potential game winning score. The Indians, were able to pick off a pass attempt and give the ball back to their offense.
Faulkner, would be able to convert on 3rd and short to seal the win for the Indians as they took this one, 29-26.
Final 6-AAA Standings:
North Hall: 8-2 (7-0)
Lumpkin: 7-3 (5-2)
Chestatee: 5-5 (4-3)
GAC: 4-6 (4-3)
Pickens: 5-5 (3-4)
Dawson: 4-6 (3-4)
White County: 3-7 (2-5)
Johnson, Gainesville: 0-10 (0-7)
Dragons defeat Spartans in first time meeting
PHS Football, Team FYN Sports October 26, 2024
Norcross, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, were in win and stay alive mode on Friday, October 25th as they made the long trip down to Norcross to take on the Spartans of Greater Atlanta Christian in a first time ever match up between region 6-AAA foes. It was Senior Night for GAC as they honored Senior players, managers, trainers, cheerleaders, and band members. As for the game, the Dragons were able to withstand a major blow in the fourth to comeback and pick up a massive win, 28-25.
The Dragons, won the toss, but elected to differ to the second half. The Spartans, would drive the ball down the field, taking up nearly half of the first quarter with them. The Dragons, would hold the Spartans to a 24-yd field goal. GAC, would take a 3-0 lead with 6:44 left in the opening quarter. The Dragons, would use their run game during their first possession of the game as Carson Mitton would cap off the drive with a 16-yd touchdown run.
The PAT from McCordy Purdy was good and with 3:23 left in the first quarter, Pickens led GAC, 7-3. The Spartans, were looking to retake the lead as the first quarter came to a close with the Dragons ahead, 7-3.
At the 10:40 mark of the second quarter, the Spartans would retake the lead after a 4-yd touchdown run by QB Denzell Watkins. The PAT was good and the Spartans led the Dragons, 10-7. Later on in the quarter, the Dragons, had a chance of their own to retake the lead before the half as they had the ball near the goal line of GAC. With around 20 seconds left in the half, a pass attempt was tipped and picked off in the end zone by the Spartans. GAC led it, 10-7 at the half.
The Dragons, got the ball in first in the third quarter and would retake the lead as Hayden Jones connected with Purdy and Purdy would take it 49 yards to the house for the touchdown. The PAT by Purdy was good and with 11:17 left in the third, Pickens led GAC, 14-10. A perfectly placed pooch kick by Purdy on the ensuing kick off would be recovered by the Dragons on the GAC 18-yd line. The Dragons, would turn that into points as Mitton would power his way in with a 3-yd touchdown run. The PAT was good and Pickens led GAC, 21-10.
Later on in the third quarter, the Dragons were looking to again add to their lead as they were down near the 1-yd line of GAC as the quarter came to a close.
The Spartans, were able to stop the Dragons on 4th and goal from the 1-yd line to begin the fourth quarter. The Spartans would then need only one play to score as Pierce Wilson would scamper 99 yards for the touchdown. GAC, would then connect on a two point conversion attempt to make it 21-18 with 11:40 left in the game. After the Dragons were forced to punt, the Spartans again scored on a long play as Watkins found Jaden Henry for a 92-yd touchdown. The PAT was good and with 9:09 left in the game, the Spartans had their first lead since the second quarter, 25-21.
After the Dragons were forced to punt on their next possession, the Spartans took over looking to drain the clock and add to their lead. With under 5 minutes to go in the game, the Dragons caught the break they were looking for as they would recover a fumble by the Spartans. The Dragons, would drain a little bit of the clock as Jones would run to the left and reach the ball across the goal line for a 3-yd touchdown. The PAT from Purdy was good, and with 1:03 left in the game, Pickens led GAC, 28-25.
The Spartans, would get just past midfield with 10 seconds left and had the ball on 4th down. Watkins, would scramble to his left looking to throw, but the pass would come up short and the Dragons would hold on to defeat GAC, 28-25.
6-AAA Football Standings:
North Hall: 7-2 (6-0) Region Champions
GAC: 4-5 (4-2)
Lumpkin: 6-3 (4-2) clinched playoff berth
Pickens: 5-4 (3-3) (defeated Dawson, Johnson, and GAC lost to White County, North Hall, and Chestatee)
Dawson: 4-5 (3-3) (lost to Pickens, GAC, and Lumpkin defeated Johnson, White County, and Chestatee)
Chestatee: 4-5 (3-3) (defeated Johnson, Pickens, and White County lost to North Hall, Lumpkin, and Dawson)
White County: 2-7 (1-5) eliminated
Johnson, Gainesville: 0-9 (0-6) eliminated
As you can see, the standings are a little bunched up heading into the final week of the regular season next week. The Dragons, will welcome the Lumpkin County Indians to Jasper on Friday, November 1st in what has turned into a very important game for both teams. For the Dragons, they’ll need a win against Lumpkin, and a GAC win over Chestatee to get into one of the top 4 slots. For Lumpkin, a win over Pickens and a Chestatee win over GAC, would vault them into the 2 seed. A lot to play for for both teams next Friday night. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.
Dragons sweep double header in come back fashion
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 13, 2024
Jasper, Ga — It was a beautiful but windy day for high school baseball on Friday, April 12th as the Pickens Dragons took on the Lumpkin Indians in a double header. Game two, was originally scheduled for Wednesday, April 10th, but weather forced a postponement. A decision was made that both game two and three would be played at Dunn Field in a double header. The Dragons, grabbed game two, 3-2 in 8 innings, and walked off game three, 5-4 to sweep the series.
Game One:
In the top of the first, Connor Shouse, would lead off by getting hit with a pitch. After a strike out of Trey Payne, the Indians, would catch Shouse in a run down in between 1st and 2nd for the 2nd out. Cade Sutton, would keep the inning alive by being hit with a pitch. Indians starter Aiden Rogers, would get Kam Jenkins to fly out to send it to the bottom of the first.
In the bottom of the first, Dragons starter James Tilley, worked around a bases loaded jam as picked up 2 fly outs and a strike out. Going to the top of the second, Pickens and Lumpkin were tied at 0.
In the top of the second, the Dragons would go down in order with a fly out and a pair of pop ups. In the bottom half of the second, Tilley, worked around a lead off single as Jenkins threw out the runner attempting to steal 2nd, and Tilley punched out the next two batters to send it to the third with the game still tied at 0.
In the top of the third, the Dragons, again would go down quietly with a ground out, a pop up, and a strike out. In the bottom of the frame, Tilley would get the Indians in order with two ground outs and a pop up. Going to the fourth, the game was still deadlocked at 0.
In the top of the fourth, the Dragons, drew three straight walks with 1-out to load the bases. Dawson Holland, would break the tie as he brought in Sutton after reaching on a fielder’s choice. Holland, would then steal 2nd to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 2-outs. Rogers and the Indians, would get out of the fourth with a strike out. In the bottom of the fourth, The Indians, would look to get something going as Rogers would reach with a 1-out double.
Hayden Gilbert, would then reach on a sacrifice bunt fielder’s choice to put runners at the corners. Mason Hester, would give the Indians the lead with a 2-RBI double. A single by Matthew Mitchell, would again put runners at the corners with 1-out. After a stolen base, Tilley would get the next two batters to get out of the bottom of the fourth. Going to the fifth, Lumpkin led Pickens, 2-1.
In the top of the fifth, A.J. Rice, would reach by drawing a walk with 1-out. Shouse, would follow that with a single to right field to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Indians, would get out of the inning with back to back pop ups to send it to the bottom of the fifth. In the bottom of the fifth, Tilley, worked around a lead off walk as Jenkins threw out the runner trying to steal 2nd. Tilley would then pick up a strikeout, and a ground out to send it to the sixth, still 2-1.
In the top of the sixth, the Dragons, would go down in order with two ground outs and a strikeout. Cason Cannon, would come on in relief of Tilley in the bottom of the sixth. He would work around a 1-out double as he forced a fly out, a ground out, and a strikeout to send it to the seventh with Lumpkin leading Pickens, 2-1.
In the top of the seventh, Christian Starks reached by drawing a walk on a full count. Rice, would follow that by drawing his own full count walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Shouse, was able to beat out a potential game ending double play to put runners at 1st and 3rd with 2-out. Shouse, then got caught in a rundown on purpose as Starks would sprint home to tie the game at 2 going to the bottom of the frame.
In the bottom of the seventh, Cannon, in his second inning of relief, forced a pop up, and two fly outs to send it to the eighth with the score tied at 2.
In the top of the eighth, Trey Payne, would lead off with a double. Payne, would come in to score after Jenkins reached on an error to give the Dragons a 3-2 lead. The Indians, would get out of the eighth without any other damage done as they forced two fly outs. In the bottom of the eighth, JP Nunn, came on to try and close it out for the Dragons. He started the bottom half of the eighth with a strikeout for the first out.
Rogers, would draw a 1-out walk to put the game tying run on base. Nunn, would then force a line out to left for the 2nd out. Jenkins, would end the game by throwing out his 3rd runner of the night to seal the win in game two, 3-2.
Stats for the Dragons:
Connor Shouse: 1-3 with a single and 1 hit by pitch
Trey Payne: 1-4 with 1 double, and 1 run scored
Cade Sutton: 1 walk, 1 hit by pitch, and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1 walk, 3 caught stealing
Trace Ledbetter: 1 walk
Dawson Holland: 1 RBI and 1 steal
Christian Starks: 1 walk and 1 run scored
A.J. Rice: 2 walks
James Tilley: 5 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K on 86 pitches
Cason Cannon: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K on 27 pitches
JP Nunn: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K on 18 pitches
Game two:
A.J. Rice, started game three for the Dragons. In the top of the first, he worked around a 2-out single to pick up 2 strikeouts and a ground out to send it to the bottom of the frame. In the bottom of the inning, Trey Payne looked to get things going with a 1-out single. Payne, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Indians starter Mason Hester, would force two fly outs to send it to the second with the score tied at 0.
In the top of the second, the Indians had the first two batters reach on back to back errors. After a strikeout by Rice for the 1st out, the Indians would load the bases after drawing a walk. The Dragons defense, would come up big for Tilley fielded a grounder at 2nd, tagged the runner heading to 2nd, and then threw to 1st to complete to 4-3 double play to send it to the bottom of the second.
In the bottom of the second, the Dragons would go down in order after a fly out, a strikeout, and a ground out. Going to the third, this game was still tied at 0.
In the top of the third, Rice, got the first two outs of the inning via ground out, and a pop up. Tyler Boggs, would keep the inning alive for the Indians with a 2-out single. Peyton Wood, would follow that up with another single. Courtesy runner Colton Lee would advance to 3rd on the hit. Wood, would then steal 2nd. Lee, would come into score as the ball got passed the infield on the throw attempt to make it 1-0 Indians.
Wood, would then advance to 3rd on a wild pitch. Rice, would be able to settle down and strikeout the next batter to send it to the bottom of the third with Lumpkin leading, 1-0. In the bottom of the third, Rice, reached with a 1-out single. His courtesy runner, Ezra Faber, would steal 2nd to put a runner in scoring position with 2-outs. Trey Payne, would then draw a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 2-outs.
Hester and the Indians, would get out of the third after forcing a fly out. Going to the fourth, Lumpkin still led Pickens, 1-0.
In the top of the fourth, Hayden Gilbert led off by drawing a walk. After a strikeout, Kam Jenkins would catch Gilbert trying to steal 2nd. Rice, would pick up another strikeout to send it to the bottom of the fourth. In the bottom of the fourth, the Dragons, would go down in order after two pop ups and a fly out. Heading to the fifth, Lumpkin led Pickens 1-0.
In the top of the fifth, Aidyn Flanagan, led off by drawing a walk. He would then take 2nd on a wild pitch. Harper Davenport, would move Flanagan over to 3rd after a sacrifice bunt. Flanagan, would then come in to score on a wild pitch to make it 2-0. After getting a strikeout for the 2nd out, Tate Hales would come on in relief of Rice to try to get out of the inning.
Boggs, would keep the inning going with a 2-out single. Hales, would pick up a strikeout to leave Boggs stranded. Going to the bottom of the fifth, Lumpkin led Pickens, 2-0. In the bottom of the fifth, Sam Hammontree, led off with a double. Rice, would bring in pitch runner Jennings Allen with an RBI double to cut the lead to 2-1. A grounder to 1st by Shouse would move Rice over to 3rd.
Hester and the Indians, would keep the lead intact as they forced a line out to right for the 3rd out. Going to the sixth, Lumpkin led Pickens, 2-1.
In the top of the sixth, Christian Starks came on in relief of Hales. Gilbert, would reach with a 1-out single. Hester, would follow by drawing a walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Matthew Mitchell, would then bring in pitch runner Kendal Lee with an RBI single to make it 3-1 Indians. Hester, would advance to 3rd on the throw. Mitchell, would steal 2nd to put himself in scoring position. Hester, would be tagged out at home trying to score on a wild pitch.
Mitchell, would move over to 3rd on the same play. Flanagan, would then draw a walk to put runners at the corners with 2-outs. Davenport, would drive in Mitchell with an RBI single to make it 4-1 Indians. Flanagan would advance to 3rd and Davenport would advance to 2nd on the throw. Starks, would get out of the inning with a strikeout to send it to the bottom of the sixth with Lumpkin leading Pickens, 4-1.
In the bottom of the sixth, Cade Sutton, would lead off with a single. Trace Ledbetter, would then reach with a single to put runners at 1st and 2nd with 1-out. Dawson Holland, would reach with a single to load the bases. Starks, would bring in Sutton after getting hit with a pitch to make it 4-2 Indians going to the top of the seventh.
Brodie Keener, would come on in relief of Starks in the top of the seventh. Boggs, would lead off with his fourth hit of the day. Colton Lee, would then come in to run for Boggs. Kam Jenkins, would catch Lee trying to steal 2nd for the first out. Keener, would then force a fly out for the 2nd out. Aiden Rogers, would keep the inning going for the Indians with a single. Keener, would force a fly out to center to send it to the bottom of the seventh with Lumpkin leading, 4-2.
Shouse, would lead off the bottom of the seventh by drawing a walk on a full count. Trey Payne, would follow that by drawing another full count walk to put runners at 1st and 2nd with nobody out. After a fly out to right for the first out, Shouse and Payne would pull off the double steal to advance to 2nd and 3rd. Jenkins, would drive in Shouse with an RBI double to make it 4-3.
The Indians, would then intentionally walk Ledbetter to load the bases with 1-out. Trey Payne would come into score to tie the game at 4 as Holland would reach on a fielder’s choice. Hammontree, would be intentionally walked to again load the bases. Starks, would send a deep fly ball to center that would be dropped by the center fielder which would allow courtesy runner JP Nunn to come in to score as the Dragons walk it off, 5-4.
Stats for Game two:
Connor Shouse: 1 walk, 1 steal, and 1 run scored
Trey Payne: 1-2 with 1 single, 2 walks, 2 steals, and 1 run scored
Cade Sutton: 1-4 with 1 single and 1 run scored
Kam Jenkins: 1-4 with 1 double and 1 RBI
Trace Ledbetter: 1-3 with 1 single and 1 walk
Dawson Holland: 1-4 with 1 single and 1 RBI
Sam Hammontree: 1-3 with 1 double and 1 walk
Christian Starks: 1 hit by pitch and 1 RBI
A.J. Rice: 2-3 with 1 single and 1 double (4.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 7 K on 104 pitches)
Tate Hales: .1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K on 9 pitches
Brodie Keener: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K on 14 pitches
Jennings Allen: 1 run scored
JP Nunn: 1 run scored
7-AAA Region Standings:
Pickens: 24-3 (17-1) *Region Champions
Wesleyan: 13-11 (9-6)
Dawson: 14-9 (8-7)
Gilmer: 12-13 (6-9)
Lumpkin: 12-14 (6-9)
White County: 13-14 (5-10)
West Hall: 7-19 (3-12)
With the region schedule now complete, the Dragons will now turn their attention to the remaining three games they have left on their schedule. First up, a road trip to take on the #7 team in 7A, the Carrollton Trojans on Monday, April 15th. This game came about after the Dragons had a game dropped earlier in the week. First pitch is set for 5:55 pm.
6-run second inning helps Dragons defeat Indians
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 10, 2024
Jasper, Ga — Despite the rain, the Pickens Dragons and the Lumpkin Indians began their three game region series on Tuesday, April 9th. Coming into the game, the Dragons, were 21-3 overall, 14-1 in 7-AAA, ranked #2 in AAA, and riding a 12-game win streak. The Indians, came into the game 12-10 overall, and 6-6 in 7-AAA. Prior to the game, the Dragons held a ceremony to honor those who were battling breast cancer. They wore special pink jerseys for the game that read “family”. A big second inning helped the Dragons pick up a 7-2 win over the Indians.
In the top of the first, the Indians looked to strike early as Harper Davenport reached by drawing a full count walk. Davenport would advance to 2nd after stealing the bag. Alejandro Narvaez, would follow by also drawing a walk on a full count to put runners at 1st and 2nd. The Indians, would then pull off a double steal as Davenport stole 3rd, and Narvaez stole 2nd.
Dragons starter Connor Shouse, would settle himself down and get out of the jam by striking out the next three batters to leave the runners stranded. In the bottom half of the first, Shouse, would lead off by drawing his own walk. Trey Payne, would reach on a fielder’s choice as Shouse would be forced out at 2nd. After an 11 pitch at bat between Cade Sutton and Narvaez, Narvaez got Sutton to pop out.
The Indians, would get out of the inning as Payne would be picked off trying to take 2nd. Going to the top of the second, Pickens and Lumpkin were tied at 0.
In the top of the second, Hayden Gilbert would lead off with a single. After Shouse picked up his 4th strikeout of the game, Gilbert, would get into scoring position after stealing 2nd. Shouse, would focus in and strikeout the next two batters to send it to the bottom of the second. Kam Jenkins, led off the bottom of the second by getting hit with a pitch. Trace Ledbetter, would follow with a single.
Dawson Holland, would reach with a single to load the bases with no one out. Tyler Payne, would bring in courtesy runner JP Nunn with an RBI ground out to make it 1-0. Christian Starks, would then smack a double that would score pitch runner Sam Dart to make it 2-0. A.J. Rice, would keep the line moving as he drove in Holland and Starks with a 2-RBI single to make it 4-0 Dragons.
Shouse, would lace a double down the left field line that would score Rice all the way from 1st to make it 5-0. After stealing 3rd, Shouse would come in to score after an RBI single from Trey Payne to make it 6-0 Dragons. Jenkins, would again be hit with a pitch to keep the inning alive. The Indians, would get out of the frame with a fly out. Going to the third, Pickens led Lumpkin, 6-0.
In the top of the third, Shouse got Davenport to fly out to Starks in left for the first out. Narvaez, would then draw his 2nd walk of the game to reach. Narvaez, would advance into scoring position by stealing 2nd. Tyler Boggs, would bring in Narvaez with an RBI single to make it 6-1. Courtesy runner Kendal Lee, would advance to 2nd as Peyton Wood grounded out to 3rd. Jenkins, would throw out Lee trying to steal 3rd to send it to the bottom of the inning.
In the bottom of the third, After Narvaez got the first two outs of the inning via pop out and strikeout, Starks, kept the inning going by getting hit with a pitch. Narvaez, would get out of the third with a ground out. Going to the fourth, Pickens led Lumpkin, 6-1.
Shouse, started off the top of the fourth with a fly out and his 7th strikeout. Mason Hester, kept the inning alive for the Indians with a single. Hester, would then steal 2nd to advance into scoring position. Shouse, would pick up his 8th strikeout to send it to the bottom of the fourth with the Dragons leading, 6-1. Shouse, led off the bottom of the fourth with a single. He would then steal 2nd to move into scoring position for Trey Payne.
Narvaez, would catch Shouse in between steps as Shouse would be tagged out after a bit of a rundown. Narvaez, would then pick up two strikeouts to send it to the fifth with Pickens leading Lumpkin, 6-1.
JP Nunn, would come on in relief of Shouse in the top of the fifth. He would pick up the first two outs of the inning via strikeout. Narvaez, would be hit by a pitch on a 2-2 count to keep the inning alive for the Indians. Narvaez, would then swiped 2nd for his 3rd steal of the game. Narvaez, would add a 4th steal for the game as he took 3rd. Nunn, would leave Narvaez stranded at 3rd as he picked up his 3rd strikeout to send it to the bottom of the fifth.
In the bottom of the fifth, Ledbetter would look to get things going as he reached base with a 1-out single. Holland, followed with his 2nd hit of the game to put runners at 1st and 2nd. Tyler Payne, would pick up his 2nd RBI of the game as he drove in Ledbetter with an RBI single to make it 7-1 Dragons. Narvaez, would use his quick pick off move to get pitch runner Coleman Keener at 1st for the second out.
Narvaez, would get out of the fifth having just given up the one run. Going to the sixth, Pickens now led Lumpkin, 7-1.
In the top of the sixth, Nunn, would work his second inning of relief as he forced a pop out, picked up his 4th strikeout, and ended the inning forcing a ground out as Shouse made a great play to snag it on the short hop. In the bottom of the sixth, Dawson Lowit, would hit a deep drive to left field that would one hop the wall for a ground rule double. He would advance to 3rd on a wild pitch.
Grant Hallman, who came on in relief of Narvaez, would pick up his 2nd strikeout of the inning and a fly out as Lowit would be left stranded. Going to the seventh, Pickens led Lumpkin, 7-1.
Brodie Keener, came on in relief of Nunn in the top of the seventh to try and finish the game off. He would get the first batter he faced as he would be thrown out at 1st after a dropped 3rd strike. Dakota Bennett, would draw a full count walk with 1-out to reach. Bennett, would swipe 2nd to get into scoring position with 2-out. Davenport, would drive in Bennett with an RBI double to make it 7-2.
Keener, would end the game by striking out Narvaez as the Dragons came away with the 7-2 win for their 13th straight victory.
Stats for the Dragons:
Connor Shouse: 2-2 with 1 walk, 1 double, 1 single, 2 steals, 1 run scored, and 1 RBI (4 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 8 K on 80 pitches)
Trey Payne: 1-3 with 1 single, and 1 RBI
Kam Jenkins: 2 hit by pitch
Trace Ledbetter: 2-3 with 2 singles, and 1 run scored
Dawson Holland: 2-3 with 2 singles, and 1 run scored
Tyler Payne: 1-3 with 1 single, and 2 RBI
Christian Starks: 1-2 with 1 double, 1 hit by pitch, 1 run scored, and 1 RBI
A.J. Rice: 1-2 with 1 single, 1 run scored, and 2 RBI
Dawson Lowit: 1-1 with 1 ground rule double
Sam Dart: 1 run scored
JP Nunn: 1 run scored (2 IP, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 BB, 1 HBP, 4 K on 32 pitches
Brodie Keener: 1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K on 30 pitches
Weather, again is playing a factor with scheduling as the game that was originally set for Thursday, April 11th, has been pushed up to Wednesday, April 10th. The series moves to Dahlonega with a first pitch time of 4:30 pm.
Dragons sweep Tigers for 12th straight win
PHS Baseball, Team FYN Sports April 6, 2024
Dawsonville, Ga — One day after clinching their second straight 7-AAA Region Championship, the Pickens Dragons traveled to Dawsonville on Friday, April 5th to take on the Dawson Tigers in game three of their 3-game series. The Dragons, came into the game looking to complete the sweep. The Tigers, came into the game hoping to get at least one game in the series. The Dragons, scored 17 runs in four innings to come away with a 17-4 win in 5 innings.
In the top of the first, Trey Payne would look to get things going with a 1-out single. The Tigers, would get out of the first as Carson Sosebee threw out Payne trying to steal 2nd. In the bottom of the first, Dragons starter A.J. Rice, got the first two outs via strikeout and ground out. Julian Horner, put the Tigers ahead with a solo home run. Elijah Odom, followed that up with a 2-out double.
Davis Glass, would keep the inning going as he drove in Odom with an RBI single to make it 2-0 Tigers. Rice, got out of the first with his 2nd strikeout of the game. Going to the second, Dawson led Pickens, 2-0.
In the top of the second, Kam Jenkins, led off by reaching on an error. Dawson Holland, would then reach on an infield single. Courtesy runner JP Nunn, would advance all the way to 3rd after an error on the play. Holland, would then steal 2nd to get into scoring position. Tyler Payne, would draw a walk to load the bases with 1-out. After Tigers starter Joshua Priest, picked up a strikeout for the 2nd out, Rice would come up to bat.
Rice, would drive in both Nunn and Holland with a 2-run single to tie the game at 2. Rice, would be tagged out at 2nd trying to advance on the play. Going to the bottom of the frame, Pickens and Dawson were tied at 2. In the bottom half of the second, Rice, tossed a scoreless inning with a strikeout and two ground outs. Going to the third, the game was tied at 2.
In the top of the third, Connor Shouse, would lead off with a double. Trey Payne, would move Shouse over to 3rd after a sacrifice bunt. Cade Sutton, would drive in Shouse with an RBI double to make it 3-2 Dragons. Sutton, would advance to 3rd after a ground out by Jenkins. An RBI single by Trace Ledbetter, would bring in Sutton to make it 4-2 Dragons. Holland, would then reach on an infield single.
Both Ledbetter and Holland would advance after a wild pitch. Tyler Payne, would bring in Ledbetter after reaching on an error to make it 5-2 Dragons. Holland, who advanced to 3rd on the play, would come in to score after a wild pitch to make it 6-2 Dragons going to the bottom of the third. In the bottom of the third, Sawyer Bearden, would lead off with a solo home run to make it 6-3.
Horner, would then draw a walk to reach with 1-out. Rice and the Dragons, would get out of the third after turning an inning ending double play. Going to the fourth, Pickens led Dawson, 6-3.
In the top of the fourth, Rice, would lead off with a single for his 2nd hit of the day. Shouse, would add to the lead by hitting a 2-run home run to make it 8-3 Dragons. Trey Payne, would then draw a walk to reach base. Sutton, would follow that with his 2nd double of the game to put runners at 2nd and 3rd with nobody out. Ledbetter, would draw a 1-out walk to load the bases.
The Tigers, would be able to get out of the jam with a strikeout and a fly out to send it to the bottom of the fourth. In the bottom of the fourth, in what would be his final inning of work, Rice, picked up two more strikeouts and a ground out in a scoreless frame to send it to the fifth with Pickens leading Dawson, 8-3.
In the top of the fifth, Christian Starks, led off with a single. Rice, followed that with his 3rd hit of the day. Shouse, would load the bases after being awarded 1st base due to catchers interference. Trey Payne, would bring in Starks as he drew a walk to make it 9-3. Sutton, would drive in Rice with an RBI single to make it 10-3. Jenkins, would keep the line moving as he brought in Shouse with a single to make it 11-3.
Holland, would bring in Trey Payne and Sutton with a 2-RBI double to make it 13-3. Nunn, who was running for Jenkins, would score on a passed ball to make it 14-3. Starks, would drive in Holland with an RBI single to make it 15-3. After advancing to 2nd on a wild pitch, Starks would come in to score on an RBI single by Rice to make it 16-3. An RBI double from Shouse would bring in Rice to make it 17-3 Dragons going to the bottom of the fifth.
Brodie Keener, came on in relief of Rice in the bottom of the fifth. Dylan Edwards, would lead off the bottom of the frame with a double. Edwards, would then advance to 3rd on a passed ball. Preston Bannister, would then draw a walk to put runners at the corners with nobody out. Edwards, would come in to score as Bearden would reach on a fielder’s choice. Bannister, would be forced out at 2nd for the first out.
Keener, would get Jacson Rickett to line out to right and Horner to ground out to 1st to end the inning as the Dragons picked up the 17-4 win in 5 innings.
Stats for the Dragons:
Connor Shouse: 3-4 with 2 doubles, 1 home run, 3 runs scored, and 3 RBI
Trey Payne: 1-2 with 1 single, 2 walks, 1 run scored, and 1 RBI
Cade Sutton: 3-4 with 2 doubles, 1 single, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI
Kam Jenkins: 1-4 with 1 single, and 1 RBI
Trace Ledbetter: 1-3 with 1 single, 1 walk, 1 run scored, and 1 RBI
Dawson Holloand: 3-4 with 1 single, 1 double, 2 runs scored, and 2 RBI
Tyler Payne: 1 walk
Christian Starks: 2-4 with 2 singles, 2 runs scored, and 1 RBI
A.J. Rice: 4-4 with 4 singles, 3 runs scored, and 1 RBI (4 IP, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 H, 1 BB, 5 K on 64 pitches)
JP Nunn: 2 runs scored
Cason Cannon: 1 IP, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 H, 1 BB on 14 pitches
With the win, the Dragons now have swept their 4th straight region series. They have now won 12 games in a row. Next week, the Dragons will begin their final series in 7-AAA play as they take on the Lumpkin County Indians. Game one of the three game series will be in Jasper on Tuesday, April 9th. First pitch time set for 5:55 pm.
Dragons set to battle Bobcats for 7-AAA Championship
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports February 16, 2024
Dahlonega, Ga — A trip to the 7-AAA Region Championship was up for grabs as the Pickens Dragons took on the Lumpkin Indians on Thursday, February 15th. The Dragons, defeated Lumpkin in both match ups in the regular season. Defeating a team three times in one season is a tough feat, but the Dragons were able to get by the Indians, 51-35.
The Indians, started off hot offensively to begin the ball game as Cal Faulkner would hit back to back threes to put them up 6-0 early on. The Dragons, would answer with an 8-0 run as both Dodge and Parker Davis, as well as Caleb Lanford helped give Pickens its first lead of the night. Stephen Sherrill, ended the Dragons run with a three to put the Indians ahead, 9-8.
Lanford and McCord Purdy would hit back to back threes to put the Dragons on top, 14-9. A layup by Faulkner would end the first quarter as the Dragons would take a 14-11 lead into the second quarter.
The Dragons, began the second quarter by going on a 9-0 run as Dodge Davis, Lanford, and Purdy all contributed to the run to put Pickens up, 23-11. The Indians, responded with a 7-0 run as Landon Pierce hit a three, and Faulkner and Preston Cox made back to back baskets to cut the lead to 23-18. Parker Davis, would then go on a 4-0 run to stretch the lead back out to 27-18.
Faulkner and Purdy would trade buckets to end the first half as the Dragons would go into the locker room with a 29-20 lead.
The second half scoring started with a 5-0 run by Dodge Davis to make it 34-20 Dragons. A three by T.J. Gaddis would end the run and cut the lead to 34-23. Both teams would then trade baskets to end the third quarter as Hayden Jones would get into the score book with a layup, Faulkner would add to his total, and Nathan Wallace would score on a layup to make it 38-26 Dragons going to the fourth.
Parker Davis and Purdy would split free throws to make it 40-26 to begin the fourth quarter. A bucket by Sherrill would cut the lead back to 12. A three by Lanford and a pair of split free throws by the Davis Brothers would make it 45-28. A three by Faulkner would cut the lead down to 15. After Purdy split a pair of free throws, Cox was able to make the layup and the free throw to cut the lead to 46-33.
A 5-0 run by Purdy and Lanford would extend the lead to 51-33. A late basket by Gaddis, would make it 51-35 as the Pickens Dragons would advance to the 7-AAA Region Championship game.
Scorers for the Dragons:
Dodge Davis: 14 points
Caleb Lanford: 14 points (4 threes)
McCord Purdy: 11 points
Parker Davis: 8 points
Hayden Jones: 2 points
Nathan Wallace: 2 points
The Dragons, will now turn their attention to the 7-AAA Region Championship game on Saturday, February 17th as they take on their 515 rivals, the Gilmer Bobcats. The Bobcats, defeated the Dawson Tigers 74-60 in the other region semifinal game to advance to Saturday. The Dragons and Bobcats split their regular season meetings with each team winning on their home floor. Tip off is set for 7:30 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.