Dragons and Dragonettes surge into region play
Bree Jewell brings intense defense to North Hall.
The PHS basketball teams continue to build momentum leading to the region tournament. Last week included a Wednesday night trip to Lumpkin followed by a Friday night match up at home with North Hall. Winter weather held off long enough for both games to be played though times were adjusted.
The Nettes dispatched of the Lady Indians for the second time this season 55-45. Ellison Steinhauer reached the 2,000-point career milestone, becoming the 4th Dragonette to accomplish such a goal. She follows Angie Davis, Mykenzie Weaver, and Allison Thomason. The win by the Nettes set the stage for a big region match up for the Dragons.
The Lumpkin boys have put together an impressive 18-2 record leading into the game. They defeated the Dragons 70-49 in Jasper. The tables were turned for this one as the Dragons were dominant in an 72-53 win. Pickens shot a whopping 50.9% from the floor. They out rebounded Lumpkin, scored more points, in the paint, had less turnovers, more blocks, and more steals.
It was a complete game for the Dragons. Four players scored in double figures. Both McCord Purdy and Hayden Jones were one rebound short of double doubles.
Both teams kept the momentum going on Friday. The Nettes needed a win over North Hall to hold onto to second place in the region. The game was an up and down track meet, with big plays galore.
The Nettes have numerous players that can contribute points, rebounds, assists, and defense on any given night. However, lone senior Ellison Steinhauer is often the focus of tighter defense as she can score in bunches. North Hall stuck with their uptempo style this game giving Ellison and her teammates increased possessions. Steinhauer turned that opportunity into a whopping 32 points and 19 rebounds. She scored the go-ahead bucket with 15 seconds left on the way to an exciting 60-57 win.
Tania Rivera got hot, going 4/8 from the field while Bree Jewell brought some defensive intensity to the game and some timely scoring. The Nettes shot 46% from the field and held North Hall to 35%. North Hall’s pressure caused some Pickens turnovers and gave the Lady Trojans 18-7 points off turnovers margin.
It was also Alumni Night, and the women’s 1999-2000 team was honored at halftime. They remain the highest scoring team in program history, averaging 75 points per game.
The Dragons also made it 4 straight wins, taking care of the Trojans 73-59. Junior DJ Mitchell got in the zone, connecting on 7 threes on the way to a 28-point night. Brody Bryant added 2 more threes and so did McCord Purdy.
McCord secured the hard-to-get triple double with 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists. Weather permitting, the PHS basketball teams will host GAC for their last regular season home game on 2/3 and travel to White County on 2/6.
