Dragons end November with Thanksgiving Classic Tournament win
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports November 27, 2024
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons came into their game against the King’s Academy Knights on Tuesday, November 26th looking for a perfect month of November and a Pickens Thanksgiving Classic Tournament win. The Dragons, would outscore the Knights, 53-17 in the second half to come away with a 94-49 win.
The Dragons, would win the tip, Brock Barton would find Dodge Davis, and much like the game on Monday, Davis would slam it home to make it 2-0. After a three pointer by Roger Willson, Dodge Davis would make a layup to give the Dragons a 4-3 lead. A bucket by Bryson McCleskey, would give the Knights a 5-4 lead. The Dragons, answered with a 5-0 run by Caleb Lanford and McCord Purdy to make it 9-5. After a basket by Cole Bennett cut the lead down to two, Parker Davis would make a layup to push the lead back to four.
After the Davis brothers split a pair of free throws, Ty Gangster would hit a three to make it 13-10. A pair of free throws from Parker Davis would stretch the lead to 15-10. The Knights, would go on a 4-0 run to cut the lead to just one. A 4-0 run from the Dragons to end the first quarter, Gave Pickens a 19-14 lead heading to the second.
Bennett, began the second quarter by splitting a pair of free throws to cut the lead down to four. A 6-0 run by the Dragons would extend the lead out to 25-15. A three by Brooks Thrasher would end the run and cut the lead to 25-18. After Barton split a pair of free throws, Gangster, would make both of his free throws to cut the lead to 26-20. A three by Charlie Wohlers, would cut the lead to three. Purdy, would make a pair of free throws to stretch the lead back to five.
Wohlers, would hit another three to once again make it a two point game. Purdy and Barton, would combine for a 4-0 run to make it 32-26. After Bennett split a pair of free throws, Barton would make a three to give the Dragons a 35-27 lead. Bennett, would again split a pair of free throws to make it 35-28. A 5-0 run by the Dragons would make it 40-28. Bennett, would make a layup to cut the lead to ten.
After Purdy would split a pair of free throws, McCleskey would make both of his to close out the first half. Heading into the break, Pickens led The King’s Academy, 41-32.
The Dragons, would begin the second half by going on a 5-0 run to stretch their lead out to 46-32. After Bennett would make a pair of free throws, the Dragons, would go on another 5-0 run to make it 51-34. Bennett, would hit a three to make it 51-37. Dodge Davis, would then make back-to-back baskets as the Dragons led it, 55-37. A three by Thrasher would make it 55-40. A third 5-0 run by the Dragons in the quarter would stretch the lead out to 60-40.
A bucket by Gangster would make it 60-42. The Dragons, would then go on an 8-0 run as they got baskets from Jamin Martin, Parker Davis, Lanford, and Camden Jones during the run. A three pointer by Asa Goings would put an end to the run and make it 68-45. Lanford, would close out the third with a three pointer to make it 71-45 going to the fourth.
The fourth quarter started with the Dragons going on a 16-0 run to extend their lead out to 87-45. Bennett, would put an end to the run and get the Knights on the board in the fourth with a bucket. The Dragons, would then go on a 7-0 run to make it 94-47. A basket by Wohlers would give us a final score of 94-49.
All Tournament Selections:
Caleb Lanford
McCord Purdy
Tournament MVP:
Dodge Davis
Scoring leaders for the Dragons:
McCord Purdy: 28 points
Dodge Davis: 22 points
Caleb Landford: 17 points
Brock Barton: 10 points
Parker Davis: 10 points
Montego Morgan: 3 points
Camden Jones: 2 points
Jamin Martin: 2 points
The Dragons, will now rest up and get ready for 6-AAA play as they will host the Chestatee War Eagles on Friday, December 6th. Tip off is set for 8:30 pm.
Nettes win Pickens Thanksgiving Classic
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports November 27, 2024
Jasper, Ga — It was the final day of the Pickens Thanksgiving Classic on Monday, November 26th as the Pickens Dragonettes, took on the West Forsyth Lady Wolverines. Earlier games saw Sprayberry defeat Gilmer, and Mt. Bethel defeat Alpharetta. The Nettes, would get a big game from Senior Bella Martin, and continue their stellar defensive play to begin the season as they would defeat the Lady Wolverines, 66-42.
The first quarter began with Olivia Ham getting into the lane for a tough bucket to make it 2-0 Lady Wolverines. From then on it was all Nettes the rest of the quarter as a basket by Martin would start a 19-0 quarter run. Martin, Reagan Ludington, and Ellison Steinhauer would all contribute points to the run. Heading to the second quarter, Pickens led West Forsyth, 19-2.
The Lady Wolverines, would start the second quarter off on a 4-0 run as Ham and Maren Moskau would make back to back layups to cut the lead to 19-6. After a pair of free throws from Steinhauer, Averey Glaze would split a pair from the line. Glaze, would then connect on a make after a timeout, to cut the lead to 21-9. Ellie Hollis, would get a layup to go through contact to head to the line. Hollis, would complete the 3-point play to make it 24-9. That and-1 play would start a 9-0 run for the Nettes to close out the first half as Pickens would take a 30-9 lead into the break.
The third quarter, was jam packed with offense from both teams as Martin would get it started with a three to make it 33-9. After a bit of a back and forth between both squads, the Nettes would go on a 7-0 run as Skyler Lathem would dart through the lane for a layup, Martin would make a pair of free throws, and Bree Jewel would make a three to extend the Nettes lead to 47-17.
The Lady Wolverines, would respond with a 5-0 run as Ham would connect on a three, and Yasmeen Gaiter would make a bucket to cut it to 47-22. Martin, would then head to the line after sinking a tough layup. She would complete the and-1 to make it 50-22. The Lady Wolverines, would end the third quarter on a 6-0 run as they would make four straight free throws and a layup to close out the frame. Heading to the fourth, Pickens led it, 50-28.
Martin, would again begin the quarter scoring with a three to make it 53-28. The Lady Wolverines, would then go on an 8-0 run to cut the lead to 53-36. Tania Rivera, would put an end to the run with a nice layup to make it 55-36. Later on in the quarter, the Nettes would go on a 5-0 run as Kylee Bozeman would hit a three and Ludington would make a basket to stretch the lead to 66-40. A bucket by Ella Cowan would give us a final score of 66-42.
All Tournament Selections:
Bella Martin
Reagan Ludington
Tournament MVP:
Ellison Steinhauer
Scoring leader for the Nettes:
Bella Martin: 30 points
Ellison Steinhauer: 18 points
Reagan Ludington: 5 points
Ellie Hollis: 3 points
Kylie Bozeman: 3 points
Bree Jewel: 3 points
Skyler Lathem: 2 points
Tania Rivera: 2 points
The Nettes, will now rest and get prepared for 6-AAA play as they will host the Chestatee Lady War Eagles on Friday, December 6th. Tip off is set for 7 pm.
Dragons sink Raiders to move to 4-0
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports November 26, 2024
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, took on the Raiders of Alpharetta on Monday, November 25th for Day two of the Pickens Thanksgiving Classic. The Dragons, would use a fast start to the game to propel them to a big win over the Raiders, 83-43.
The Dragons, got things going right at the beginning as a tip drill led to a wide open dunk for Dodge Davis. This would start a 12-0 run by the Dragons as Dodge Davis, Brock Barton, and Caleb Lanford would all score during the run. CJ Terry, would get the Raiders on the board after splitting a pair of free throws. After a pair of free throws from McCord Purdy, and a bucket by the Raiders, Lanford and Dodge Davis would combine for a 5-0 run to make it 19-3.
After a basket by Terry, Barton would hit a three to make it 22-5. A pair of free throws by Andrew Trembo would make it 22-7. Montego Morgan, would answer with a pair of free throws of his own. The Raiders, would then go on an 8-0 run to cut the Dragons lead down to 24-15. A three by DJ Mitchell, would make it 27-15 Dragons heading to the second quarter.
The Raiders, would start the second quarter on a 6-0 run after hitting back to back threes to make it 27-21. After both teams traded three point buckets, Lanford would go on a personal 5-0 run to make it 35-24. After a basket by the Raiders, the Dragons would go on an 11-0 run to stretch the lead out to 46-26. After Adam Bahhur, split a pair of free throws, Mitchell and Lanford would make back to back threes to give Pickens a 52-27 lead at the break.
Lanford, would stay hot to begin the second half as he hit a three. Dodge Davis, would follow that with a layup to make it 57-27. After George Bixby split a pair of free throws, Dodge Davis and Lanford would make back to back buckets to expand the lead out to 61-28. The two teams would then trade baskets as the Dragons led it, 63-31. Bahhur and Josh Johnson, would make back to back threes for the Raiders to cut the lead to 63-37.
The Dragons, would respond with a 10-0 run as they got four points each from Purdy and Jamin Martin. Dodge Davis would also contribute to the run to make it 73-37. After a basket by the Raiders, Martin would close out the third with a three to make it 76-39 Dragons heading to the fourth.
A shortened fourth quarter started with Morgan driving into the lane and finishing with a tough layup to make it 78-39. That would start a 7-0 run as Martin would make a jumper and Aiden Mumaw would connect on a three to make it 83-39. The Raiders, would end the game on a 4-0 run as the Dragons would come away with an 83-43 victory.
Leading scorers for the Dragons:
Caleb Lanford: 25 points
Dodge Davis: 17 points
Jamin Martin: 12 points
Brock Barton: 8 points
DJ Mitchell: 6 points
McCord Purdy: 6 points
Montego Morgan: 4 points
Aiden Muumaw: 3 points
Parker Davis: 2 points
The Dragons, will wrap up the Pickens Thanksgiving Classic on Tuesday, November 26th as they take on The King’s Academy Knights. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm.
Nettes move to 3-0 with win over rival Lady Cats
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports November 26, 2024
Jasper, Ga — Monday, November 25th saw day two action in the Pickens Thanksgiving Classic. Earlier games saw Sprayberry defeat West Forsyth, and Mt. Bethel defeat The King’s Academy. The first game of the nightcap, saw the Pickens Dragonettes, take on their rivals from just up the road, the Gilmer Lady Cats. The Nettes, would pick up a 38-18 win over the Lady Cats after a very solid defensive effort.
The Nettes, started the game off by going on an 8-0 run as Ellison Steinhauer would make a pair of free throws, while Reagan Ludington and Bella Martin would hit back to back threes. Paula Robertson, would get the Lady Cats on the board with a bucket to make it 8-2. Both teams would then find offense hard to come by for the remainder of the first quarter as the Nettes would take n 8-2 lead into the second quarter.
The offensive woes for both teams would continue into the second quarter as no shots were seeming falling for either side. Steinhauer and Martin, would break the scoring drought as they combined to go on a 6-0 run to make it 14-2. The Lady Cats, would close out the first half on a 4-0 run as Bree Burnette and Chelsey Griggs would make back to back layups. Heading into the break, Pickens led Gilmer, 14-6.
Ludington, would begin the second half with her second three pointer of the game to make it 17-6. After a bucket by Burnette, Steinhauer would connect on her first three of the contest to make it 20-8. That three would spark a 14-0 run by the Nettes highlighted by Steinhauer scoring her 1,000th career point. A timeout would be called to recognize the Junior for reaching the milestone as her teammates cheered on. Going to the fourth, Pickens led Gilmer, 31-8.
Steinhauer, would score the opening basket of the fourth quarter to make it 33-8. After Robertson would split a pair of free throws, Burnette would hit a three to make it 33-12. The two teams would trade buckets to close out the game as the Nettes pick up the win over their rivals, 38-18.
Leading scorers for the Nettes:
Ellison Steinhauer: 18 points
Bella Martin: 13 points
Reagan Ludington: 6 points
Caleigh Hoffard: 1 point
The Nettes, will be back on Roy Cowart Court on Tuesday, November 26th as they take on the West Forsyth Lady Wolverines in the final day of the Pickens Thanksgiving Classic. Tip off is set for 6 pm.
Dragons win physical game against Mt. Bethel
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports November 24, 2024
Jasper, Ga — The Pickens Dragons, took on the Mt Bethel Christian Academy Eagles on Saturday, November 23rd on day one of the Pickens Thanksgiving Classic. Earlier boys action saw The Kings Academy defeat Alpharetta, 80-73. The game between the Dragons and the Eagles was a physical one and it got chippy at times. Pickens, got a pair of free throws from McCord Purdy late in the game to seal a hard fought win, 47-43.
The Eagles, began the game by scoring the first seven points of the quarter. Mt. Bethel, would get baskets from Peter Julius, Tej Efemini, and a three pointer from Bony Shingani. The Dragons, would get on the board as Dodge Davis split a pair of free throws. After Efemini made a layup, Dodge Davis would score the first field goal of the game for the Dragons to make it 9-3. Dodge Davis, would then again split a pair of free throws to make it 9-4.
After a timeout by the Eagles, Trumane Watkins would hit a three to make it 12-4. Parker Davis, would get in on the action to close out the first quarter as he made back to back tough buckets to cut the Eagle lead down to 12-8 heading to the second quarter.
Much like he did in the first quarter, Julius would get the second quarter going with a layup to make it 14-8. Parker Davis, would get his third basket to make it a four point game. After a pair of fouls by the Eagles, McCord Purdy would score his first points of the contest with a bucket to cut the lead down to 14-12. Julius, would make another layup to stretch the lead back to four. The Dragons, answered with a 5-0 run as Caleb Lanford made a basket, and Purdy would hit a three to make it 17-16 Dragons.
Julius, would split a pair of free throws to tie the game at 17. Lanford, would make a tough shot to give the Dragons a 19-17 lead over the Eagles heading into the break.
The Dragons, would carry that momentum into the second half as they began the third quarter with back to back buckets from Lanford and Purdy to make it 23-17. Julius, would end the mini run with a layup to cut the lead down to four. Dodge Davis, would then make a pair of free throws to give the Dragons a 25-19 lead. After a series of fouls, Roman Avery and Dodge Davis would trade three point baskets as Pickens led it, 28-22.
Watkins, would make a pair of free throws to cut the lead to 28-24. Dodge Davis, would then drive then lane and dunk over the attempted block of Julius to make it 30-24. Lanford, would add to the lead with a three to make it 33-24. After free throws from Efemini and Nate Robinson, the Pickens lead was cut to 33-28. Purdy, would get two of those free throws back as he made both of his. The Eagles, would close the third quarter by going on a 6-0 run to cut the Dragons lead down to 35-34 heading to the fourth.
The Eagles, would continue their run that closed the third quarter to begin the fourth as Julius and Efemini made back to back buckets to give Mt. Bethel a 38-35 lead. The Dragons, would counter with a 5-0 run to retake the lead as Dodge Davis hit a three that tied it at 38. Brock Barton, would get into the score book with a very tough layup to make it 40-38. A three by Watkins would give the Eagles a 41-40 lead.
The Dragons, would again answer with a 5-0 run as Dodge Davis would make a bucket, and then Jamin Martin would nail a clutch three to make it 45-41 Pickens. A basket by Robinson would cut the Dragons lead down to 45-43. With the ball game under 30 seconds remaining, and the Eagles at only two fouls, they had to foul the Dragons three straight times to send them to the free throw line.
With 12 seconds left in the game, Purdy would head to the line with a chance to potentially seal the win for the Dragons. Purdy, cool, calm, and collected, nailed both free throws to make it 47-43. The Eagles, wouldn’t be able to get a last second shot up and the Dragons would hang on to win it, 47-43.
Dragons leading scorers:
Dodge Davis: 16 points
McCord Purdy: 11 points
Caleb Lanford: 9 points
Parker Davis: 6 points
Jamin Martin: 3 points
Brock Barton: 2 points
The Dragons, will be back on the court on Monday, November 25th as they take on the Alpharetta Raiders for day two of the Pickens Thanksgiving Classic. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm.
Steinhauer scores 31 in win over Sparyberry
PHS Basketball, Team FYN Sports November 24, 2024
Jasper, Ga — It was day one of the Pickens Thanksgiving Classic as the host team, the Pickens Dragonettes, took on the Sprayberry Lady Yellow Jackets on Saturday, November 23rd. Earlier girls action saw the Gilmer Lady Cats defeat the West Forsyth Lady Wolverines, 74-29. The Nettes, got their season started on Saturday, November 16th as they defeated the Rome Lady Wolves, 50-44. Against Sprayberry, the Nettes got a big game from Ellison Steinhauer as they defeated the Lady Yellow Jackets, 50-32.
The Lady Yellow Jackets, got the scoring started as Mikyla Wilson made a layup. The Nettes, would tie it up with a nice layup from Senior Ellie Hollis. Steinhauer, would follow that up with back to back baskets to give the Nettes a 6-2 lead. Patience Marks, would then bank in a three to cut the lead down to one. Senior Bella Martin, would answer that with a three of her own to push the lead back to four.
After a layup by Steinhauer, Kaitlyn Williams, would go on a personal 4-0 run with a pair of free throws and a bucket to make it 11-9. Steinhauer, would close out the first quarter with a pair of baskets to make it 15-9 heading to the second.
Steinhauer, kept her hot start going as she began the second quarter with a layup to make it 17-9. The Lady Yellow Jackets, would cut into the lead with a 4-0 run by Brooklyn Mceachin and Williams to make it 17-13. After a timeout by the Nettes, Steinhauer, would follow that 4-0 run with a 4-0 run of her own to close out the second quarter. Heading into the break, Pickens led Sprayberry, 21-13.
The third quarter started with the Nettes going on an 11-0 run. Pickens, got 5 points from Martin, and a bucket from Brylee Deering, Hollis, and Steinhauer to make it 32-13. After a basket by Daphne White to end the run, Steinhauer would nail a three to make it 35-15. White, would then split a pair of free throws to make it 35-16. The Nettes, would go on another run as Steinhauer would make a pair of free throws, hit a three, and Martin would make a layup to give the Nettes a 42-16 lead.
To end the third, Williams and Steinhauer would trade buckets as Pickens would lead Sprayberry, 44-20 heading to the fourth quarter.
The Lady Yellow Jackets, opened the fourth quarter scoring as Wilson would make a layup, get fouled, and convert the and-1 to make it 44-23. After Marin hit a three to stretch the lead to 47-23, Sprayberry would go on a 5-0 run as Wilson would hit a three and Williams would make a jumper. Steinhauer, would end the run with a three to make it 50-28. The Lady Yellow Jackets, would close the game on a 4-0 run as Mceachin and Williams made back to back layups. The final from Jasper, Pickens 50 Sprayberry 32.
Leading scorers for the Nettes:
Ellison Steinhauer: 31 points
Bella Martin: 13 points
Ellie Hollis: 4 points
Brylee Deering: 2 points
The Nettes, will be back at it on Monday, November 25th for day two of the Pickens Thanksgiving Classic as they take on their rivals, the Gilmer Lady Cats. Tip off is set for 6 pm.