Yesterday, the Pickens High School Dragons varsity basketball team made the journey up 515 to battle their longtime bitter rival, the Gilmer Bobcats. As important as the rivalry is, adding in the region standing implications that came with this game made it that much more crucial for both teams.

In the opening frame, both teams got off to a slow start trying to find success on offense. Gilmer got out to a 5-0 start until the Dragons were able to get things going. Pickens went on to outscore the Bobcats 14-3 the remainder of the period to take a 14-8 lead to the second. In the second, Gilmer got things going from beyond the arc. A 16-10 quarter run for the Bobcats helped them tie things up at 24 as we’d go to halftime.

Pickens, looking for a little early momentum, used the opening possession of the second half to do so. Holden Roop tossed a perfect lob pass to a leaping Tyler Garner who then threw down a monster two handed slam to the delight of the away side. The Dragons used that momentum to carry them to a 13-11 quarter run and take a 37-35 lead after three. In the fourth, Pickens sealed the win with a 15-8 run to take it, 52-43.

Leading the way for the Dragons were:

Holden Roop: 18 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals

Joseph Gossett: 10 points, two assists and four rebounds

Trent Rizoti: Nine points, two assists, eight rebounds and a block

Tyler Garner: Seven points and three rebounds

DJ Walden: Four points, one assist and six rebounds

Pickens currently sits in the fifth spot in the standings and will look for a good week next week to try and improve on that standing before the region tournament. The Dragons will honor their Seniors on Tuesday night as they host the Ridgeland Panthers. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.