The Fannin County High School men’s basketball team went head to head with the Pickens County Dragons on the first night of the ETC Tip-Off Tournament Saturday, November 21. The Rebels battled the dragons for four quarters, but it was Pickens that squeaked by with a 57-54 win.
Fannin started out strong on both sides of the ball, as Kaeden Twiggs knocked in a three ball and a two-point basket. Tucker Hanson rattled in a long-range three ball, followed by a two-point basket from Kaleb Green and Nick Arp to give the Rebels 12 points in the first quarter. Fannin’s defense was solid, holding the Dragons to four points in the first to lead 12-4.
Pickens got in the groove in the second quarter, outscoring the Rebels 21-10. Hanson heated up, notching five points on a long-range three ball and two-point basket, followed by a two-point bucket from Twiggs. Landon Norton and Arp converted one free throw each as the Rebels went into the locker room trailing 25-22 to Pickens.
Fannin found their rhythm in the third quarter as they outscored Pickens 23-21. Norton heated up, draining two, three-point baskets and two, two-point buckets for 10 points. Twiggs also provided a source of scoring, knocking in three, two-point buckets and two free throws for eight points.
Hanson dialed in a long-range three pointer and Green capped the third quarter scoring with a two-point basket as Fannin cut the Pickens lead 46-45 to start the fourth quarter.
Twiggs continued his offensive output in the fourth, scoring eight points on three, two-point baskets and two free throws. Green fought his way to the stripe as well, converting one free throw to give the Rebels nine points in the fourth quarter. Pickens County was able to score 11 points in the fourth as they clung to a 57-54 victory over the Fannin County Rebels.