Blue Ridge, GA — On Tuesday, November 18th, the Pickens Dragonettes, made their way up to Blue Ridge to take on the Fannin Lady Rebels. The Nettes, were coming off a tough opening season loss to a ranked A D-I Lamar County team on Saturday, November 15th. The Lady Rebels, were tipping off their season and came in ranked #1 in A D-I as the defending state champions. In a back and forth contest, the Nettes, were able to hang on to a 58-56 win.

Ellison Steinhauer, the lone senior on this year’s Nettes team, got the scoring started with a jumper to give Pickens an early lead. The Lady Rebels, would then dump the ball down to Reese Lewis, who hit a quick turnaround layup to tie the game. After getting fouled, Lewis, would split a pair of free throws to give Fannin a 3-2 advantage. Bree Jewell, would give the Nettes a 5-3 lead after hitting a three.

The Lady Rebels, would counter with an 8-0 run to take an 11-5 lead. Freshman Darbi Stanley, who has made an early impact, would end the run with a three to cut the lead to 11-8. After Lewis split another pair of free throws, Toccoa Hampton, would hit a three to make it 15-8. Tania Rivera, would close the first quarter with a three to cut the Lady Rebels lead down to 15-11.

A bucket by the Lady Rebels, would make it 17-11 to begin the second quarter, a 5-0 run by Rivera, would close the gap to just one. After a basket by Fannin put an end to the run, Steinhauer would split a pair of free throws and make a jumper. Reagan Ludington, would follow that with a lay in to make it a 21-20 Nettes advantage. Lewis, would give the Lady Rebels the lead after she would make a layup and hit the free throw.

A bucket by Steinhauer, would tie things up at 23. A three by Caleigh Hofford, would put the Nettes up, 26-23. After Lewis split a pair of free throws, Steinhauer, would sink both of her free throws to end the first half. At halftime, the Nettes led the Lady Rebels, 28-24.

Avi Ethington and Izzie Jabaley, would combine to go on a 7-0 run to start the third quarter to give the Lady Rebels a 31-28 lead. Rivera, would put an end to the run with a three to tie the game at 31. After Jabaley split a pair of free throws, Steinhauer and Stanley would combine for an 8-0 run to make it 39-32. After a basket by the Lady Rebels ended the run, Hofford and Steinhauer, would go on a 5-0 run to make it 44-34.

A 4-0 run by Jabaley, would close out the third quarter and cut the Nettes lead down to 44-38 heading to the fourth quarter.

The run would continue into the fourth quarter as Ethington would hit a three, and Jabaley would make a layup to cut the lead to one. Another big three by Rivera, would stretch the lead to 47-43. After a pair of free throws by Albany Cole, Stanley, would hit a jumper to make it 49-45. A free throw make by Lewis, would cut the lead to three. Steinhauer and Maggie Ledford, would then trade layups as the Nettes led it 53-48.

A basket by Jabaley, would once again cut the lead to three. It then became a free throw game as Steinhauer would hit four straight to make it 57-50. A three by Jabaley, would cut the lead to four. After Steinhauer split a pair of free throws, Jabaley, would make a running three pointer in the last few seconds of the game to make 58-56 as the Nettes, come away with the win.

Leading scorers for the Nettes:

Ellison Steinhauer: 25 points

Tania Rivera: 14 points

Darbi Stanley: 8 points

Caleigh Hofford: 6 points

Bree Jewell: 3 points

Reagan Ludington: 2 points

The Nettes, will begin the PHS Thanksgiving Classic on Saturday, November 22nd. The round robin format will feature Pickens, Gilmer, North Cobb, and Woodstock on the girls side of things. The Nettes, will open up against North Cobb. Tip off is set for 6 pm.