The Fannin County Middle School Rebels faced off against Pickens County in a conference game Thursday, January 9.
For the Rebels, defense was key as Fannin’s seventh grade boys took down Pickens County 57-38. THe Dragons started the game with full control of both the offensive and defensive ends. The Rebels were cold offensively, missing several jump shots and layups.
The Dragons had all the momentum at the end of the first quarter, as they led the Rebels 19-6.
In the second quarter, Fannin heated up thanks to some defensive plays.
The Rebels switched to man defense and the Dragons did not have an answer. Matthew Ponton nailed two, three-point baskets, followed by Jordan Richerson netting a three-point bucket from way behind the arc. Baylor Twiggs and Colton Gray bruised their way through the paint and started dominating the boards. The Rebels were able to outscored Pickens 19-4 in the second to take a 25-23 lead at halftime.
The third quarter started for Fannin just as the second ended, with Fannin red hot on offense. Richerson blistered the net with back-to-back three-point buckets and Ponton hit one three -point basket in the quarter.
Gavin Davis and Jamie Russell cleaned up the glass to continue the rebound domination for Fannin. The Rebels finished the quarter out scoring the Dragons 18-5 and took a commanding 43-28 point lead heading into the fourth.
The Rebels put on more steam in the fourth, as the Dragons attempted a comeback. Fannin outscored the Dragons 14-10 in the quarter fourth to hold off the Dragons and cruise to a 57-38 victory.
Richerson led Fannin with 12 points, while Ponton scored 11.
Twiggs and Gray netted eight points each, while Russell scored five, Mason McDaniel netted four and Davis tallied three. Eli Newberry, Brody Henson, and Brody Angel had a two-point bucket each in the victory.