Cleveland, Ga — It was game 3 of a 4 game region road trip on Friday, February 2nd as the Pickens Dragonettes, traveled up to Cleveland, Georgia to take on the White County Lady Warriors in another massive game in 7-AAA. Coming into the game, the Nettes were 20-2. 7-2 in 7-AAA, and ranked #4 in AAA. The Lady Warriors, came into the game 16-6, 5-4 in 7-AAA, and ranked #5th in AAA. Sophomore Ellison Steinhauer, led the way with a game high 31 points to help the Nettes secure a 78-54 win.

To begin the first quarter, Kylie Watkins would hit a long two pointer to put the Lady Warriors up 2-0. A lay in by Caroline Mullins, would tie things up. Aaliyah Anderson and Steinhauer would trade baskets as the game would remain tied. After a pair of free throws by Mya Yeh, the Nettes, would go on an 8-0 run to take a 12-6 lead. A bucket by Aubrey Free would end the run and cut the lead down to 4.

The Nettes, would close out the first quarter with an 11-0 run. Included in that run was a three pointer by a debuting Bella Martin, who was returning from a knee injury. Going to the second quarter, the Nettes led the Lady Warriors, 23-8.

The second quarter started with Emma Lightsey hitting a three to cut the lead to 12. Both teams spent the majority of the second quarter trading baskets as both squads weren’t able to string any runs together. That was until the end of the first half as Watkins outscored the Nettes 6-2 to close out the second quarter. Going to halftime, the Nettes led the Lady Warriors, 38-24.

Much like the start of the second quarter, the third quarter began with a three pointer from Lightsey to cut the lead to 11. The Nettes, would counter with a 5-0 run as Steinhauer hit a three, and Mullins made a bucket to stretch the lead out to 16. Watkins, would end the run with a basket to cut it to 14. After Mullins split a pair of free throws, the Lady Warriors would go on a 7-0 run to cut the Nettes lead down to 8.

The Nettes, would close out the third quarter on a 5-0 run to stretch the lead back up to 13. Going to the fourth quarter, Pickens led White County, 49-36.

Steinhauer, started the fourth quarter by extending the run the Nettes were on to close out the third quarter as it ended up being a 9-0 run as that pushed the lead up to 53-36. Bree Burkett, would end the run with a bucket to make it 53-38. The Nettes, would then go on a 4-0 run to make it 57-38. After both teams traded three pointers, the Nettes would go on a 7-0 run to stretch the lead to 67-44. A three by Lightsey would make it a 20 point game.

Steinhauer and Watkins, would trade baskets, then Steinhauer would hit a pair of free throws to make it 71-49. After a bucket by Anderson, Steinhauer would split a pair of free throws and Martin would sink both to make it 74-51. Another three by Lightsey would make it a 20 point game. The Nettes, would close out the game with a 4-0 run as Brylee Deering turned a steal into points and Ashaela Buchanan would add a pair of late free throws as the Nettes won it, 78-54.

Scorers for the Nettes:

Ellison Steinhauer: 31 points

Caroline Mullins: 19 points

Bella Hopkins: 14 points

Bella Martin: 5 points

Brylee Deering: 4 points

Reagan Ludington: 3 points

Ashaela Buchanan: 2 points

7-AAA Region Standings:

#2 Wesleyan: 18-3 (10-0)

#4 Pickens: 21-2 (8-2)

#7 Dawson: 15-8 (7-3)

#5 White County: 17-6 (5-5)

Lumpkin County: 9-15 (4-7)

Gilmer: 7-15 (2-9)

West Hall: 1-19 (0-10)

The Nettes, will be back on the road on Tuesday, February 6th as they end their four game road trip with a stop at Wesleyan to take on the Lady Wolves. This was a close one the last time these two met in Jasper a couple of weeks ago. Tip off set for 6 pm.