Blue Ridge, GA — The Pickens Dragons, were on the road for their second game of the season as they took on the #8 ranked team in A D-I, the Fannin Rebels on Tuesday, November 18th. The Dragons, were coming off a tough season opener against South Paulding. The Rebels, were set to tip off their season in front of their home crowd. A big fourth quarter for the Rebels, led to an 81-64 win.

The beginning of the ball game, saw Kolton Kaylor and Matthew Ponton go on a 5-0 run. A little floater by Aiden Mumaw, would cut the lead to three. After a bucket by Tyler Blake and a free throw make by Ponton, the Rebels led it, 8-2. Mumaw, would again hit a little jumper inside the lane to make it 8-4. DJ Mitchell, would then hit a three to cut the lead down to one.

A bucket and an and-1 by Keaton Watkins, would make it 11-7. Avrey Angel, would follow that with an and-1 play of his own to make it 14-7. The Dragons, would have a strong close to the first quarter as they outscored the Rebels, 11-6 as Fannin took a 20-18 into the second quarter.

The Dragons, were able to force some turnovers in the second quarter, which led to scoring opportunities for Mitchell, Mumaw, Brody Bryant, Cam Jones, and Jonah Jordan. The Dragons, would outscore the Rebels, 20-13 in the second quarter to pull ahead heading into halftime, 38-33.

A 4-0 run by Blake to start the second half, would cut the lead down to one. The Dragons, would counter that as Mitchell and Bryant combined to go on an 8-0 run to give Pickens a 46-37 lead. After a pair of baskets by Kaylor, Bryant, would hit a big three to make it 49-41. The Rebels, would once again cut into the lead after back to back buckets from Blake and Watkins.

Mitchell, would answer with a three to make it 52-45. Brody Henson, Watkins, and Kaylor, would help the Rebels retake the lead with a 9-0 run. The Dragons, would get a bucket just before the end of the third to tie things up at 54 going to the fourth.

The fourth quarter, started out differently for both teams as several turnovers by the Dragons, helped lead to a 10-0 run by the Rebels as they led it, 64-54. A layup by Jedidiah Lanford, would end the run and make it 64-56. After a three by Kolby Kaylor, Lanford, would make another basket as the Rebels were in front, 67-58. After an 8-0 run by the Rebels, Bryant, would hit a three to make it 75-61.

A 6-0 run by the Rebels, would stretch the lead out to 81-61. A late three by Mitchell, would make it 81-64. The final in Blue Ridge, Fannin 81 Pickens 64.

The Dragons, will be home starting on Saturday, November 22nd as they participate in the PHS Thanksgiving Classic. Pickens, Darlington, Chattahoochee, and Whitfield Academy will all be involved in the round robin format. The Dragons, will battle Whitfield academy on Saturday. Tip off is set for 7:30 pm.