Dragons season ends in Sweet 16
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports February 23, 2025
Albany, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, made the four hour trip down to Albany on Saturday, February 22nd to battle the Monroe Golden Tornadoes in a AAA Sweet 16 match up. Coming into the game, the Dragons, were the #10 seed, while the Golden Tornadoes, were a #7 seed. The Dragons, would take the lead in the fourth, but the Golden Tornadoes, would pull away late to pick up a 63-58 win.
Before the game even started, the Dragons, would be shooting free throws as the Golden Tornadoes were given a technical during warm ups. McCord Purdy, would split the free throws and the Dragons would start the game with the ball. The Golden Tornadoes, would start the game on a 9-0 run to make it 9-1. The Dragons, would counter with an 8-0 run as Parker and Dodge Davis, as well as Caleb Lanford, combined for the run to tie the game.
James Adams, would end the run with a layup to put the Golden Tornadoes up 11-9. A layup by Dodge Davis and a pair of free throws by Brock Barton, would put the Dragons up 13-11. After another layup by Adams tied it, Barton, would be fouled by Adams just as the buzzer sounded. Barton, would hit both free throws to put the Dragons ahead, 15-13 going to the second.
The second quarter, would not be kind to the team in green. The Golden Tornadoes, would retake the lead by starting off the quarter with a 7-0 run. Barton, would end the run with another pair of free throws to make it 20-17. After a basket by Chase Dixon and a free throw make by Lorenzo Still, Parker Davis, would cut the lead to 23-19 after a layup. The Golden Tornadoes, would end the first half on a 4-0 run as they led the Dragons, 27-19 at the break.
The Dragons, would begin the second half with a 4-0 run as Dodge Davis would make a pair of free throws, and Jamin Martin would connect on a little jumper in the lane to cut the lead to 27-23. After Still split a pair of free throws, Dodge Davis, would make both of his free throw shots to make it 28-25. Later on in the quarter, the Dragons, would go on a 5-0 run to make it 37-33.
The Golden Tornadoes, would counter with a 5-0 run of their own as they would stretch the lead to 42-33. Dodge Davis, would end the third quarter by getting the layup to go through contact. He would hit the free throw to cut the lead to 42-36 heading to the fourth.
Still, would start the fourth quarter with a layup to make it 44-36. After a pair of free throws by Dodge Davis, Still, would again score to make it 46-38. Dodge Davis, would again keep the Dragons within striking distance as he would make it 46-40. After a bucket by Irvin Ellis, Dodge Davis, Parker Davis and Brock Barton, would hit three straight three pointers to put the Dragons ahead, 49-48.
Ellis, would end the run and put the Golden Tornadoes back in front by one. Dodge Davis, would then put the Dragons back on top with a layup. After a basket by Brayden Burns, Dodge Davis and Lanford, would combine to go on a 5-0 run to put the Dragons on top, 56-52. Still, would cut the lead down to one after he completed an and-1 play. Barton, would put the Dragons up 58-55 after hitting a pair of free throws.
Burns, would tie the game at 58 after completing an and-1 play. The Golden Tornadoes, would then get a steal and Burns would be fouled attempting a dunk. The Dragons, had a couple of opportunities to tie the game, but they would not fall. Still, would put the game away as he would make 3 of 4 free throws to seal the 63-58 win for Monroe.
Leading scorers for the Dragons:
Dodge Davis: 27 points
Brock Barton: 11 points
Parker Davis: 7 points
Caleb Lanford: 6 points
Montego Morgan: 3 points
Jamin Martin: 2 points
McCord Purdy: 2 points
Dragons move on to Sweet 16 after defeating Fayette County
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports February 20, 2025
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, began their journey in the AAA State Tournament on Wednesday, February 19th as they hosted the Tigers of Fayette County. The Dragons, came into the tournament as the #10 seed. The Tigers, came in as the #23 seed. The Dragons, would lead throughout and advance to the Sweet 16 after picking up a 68-48 win.
The first quarter began with the Tigers committing a pair of fouls. Brock Barton, would give the Dragons an early lead after making a pair of free throws. That would kick start a 6-0 run as Dodge Davis and Caleb Lanford, would make back to back layups to make it 6-0. Ali Sheriff, would end the run and get the Tigers on the board with a jumper. After a bucket by Dodge Davis, Aden Saunders, would hit a three to cut the lead to 8-5.
Barton, Lanford, and Dodge Davis, would go on another 6-0 run to stretch the lead out to 14-5. A second three by Saunders, would cut the lead to 14-8. The Dragons, would close the first quarter with back to back baskets by Parker Davis and Lanford. The Dragons, would lead the Tigers 18-8 heading to the second.
Jackson Rutley, would start the second quarter off by going on a 5-0 run to cut the lead to 18-13. Dodge Davis, Lanford, and Jamin Martin, would then combine for an 8-0 run to stretch the lead out to 26-13. A three by Elijah Barksdale, would end the run and cut the lead to 10. Martin and Rutley, would then trade buckets as the Dragons led it, 28-18. Lanford and Rutley, would go back and forth to end the first half as the Dragons led it, 31-20.
The second half began with Barton driving in for a tough basket to make it 33-20. A three by Jaren Blankenship, would cut the lead back down to 10. Both teams, would then go back and forth a bit as the Dragons maintained an 11 point lead. Dodge Davis, would then go on a 5-0 run as he would hit a three, then make a pair of free throws to make it 45-29.
Both teams, would again trade baskets to end the third quarter as the Dragons led the Tigers, 49-34 heading to the fourth.
Saunders, would start the fourth quarter with a bucket to cut the lead to 49-36. A three by Dodge Davis and a layup by Barton, would make it 54-36. Blankenship and Rutley, would each make one out of two free throws to cut the lead to 54-38. A three by Martin, would make it 57-38. The two teams, would then trade baskets as the Dragons led the Tigers, 59-42.
A layup by Parker Davis and a pair of free throws from McCord Purdy, would make it 63-42. After a bucket by Blankenship, Parker Davis, would complete an and-1 play to make it 66-44. Anthony Perry and Saunders, would make a free throw a piece to cut the lead to 66-46. Purdy, would again make a pair of free throws to make it 68-46. A late basket by Sheriff, would close out the game as the Dragons defeat the Tigers, 68-48.
Leading scorers for the Dragons:
Dodge Davis: 22 points
Parker Davis: 11 points
Caleb Lanford: 11 points
Brock Barton: 8 points
Jamin Martin: 8 points
McCord Purdy: 8 points
The Dragons, will now get ready for their Sweet 16 match up as they travel to Albany on Saturday, February 22nd to take on the #7 seeded Monroe Golden Tornadoes. Monroe, defeated the Gilmer Bobcats to advance to the Sweet 16. Tip off is set for 7 pm.