February 22, 2024 The Cartersville Lady Canes advanced to the GHSA Class 5A Sweet Sixteen Wednesday night with a 64-48 win over Cambridge at The Storm Center. Five Lady Canes scored nine points each in the victory including KK Arnold (six assists, two rebounds), Ansley Griffin (two assists, two steals), Senai Camper (seven rebounds, five assists), Nayel Camper (four assists, three steals), and Zoie Shiflett (12 rebounds, one steal). The season ends for the Lady Bears with a 15-14 record. Cartersville (16-12) advances to play at Jefferson on Friday in the second round. The Dragons (25-3) beat Tri-Cities in the first round, 56-49. NORTH SPRINGS 78, CARTERSVILLE BOYS 48 The Canes dropped their opening round game in the Class 5A State Tournament to visiting North Springs Wednesday night, 78-48. The Spartans improved to 10-19 on the season and advanced to play at Winder-Barrow on Saturday. Cartersville’s season ends with a region title and a 14-14 record. DAWSON CO. 59, ADAIRSVILLE GIRLS 28 The Lady Tigers fell behind early and trailed 25-12 at halftime as visiting Dawson County pulled away for a Class 3A first-round win, 59-28. Abby Slaton led Dawson County with 22 points. The visiting Tigers improved to 19-11 on the season and will play at Hart County on Friday in the second round. Hart County beat Douglass-Atlanta in the first round, 64-44. Aliya McBryde scored 11 points to lead the host Tigers. Adairsville finished the year with a region title and a 19-10 record. DAWSON CO. 56, ADAIRSVILLE 48 Dawson County held narrow leads at the end of each period Wednesday night and held off the Adairsville Tigers down the stretch for a Class 3A first-round win, 56-48. The visiting Tigers led 14-6 after one quarter; 27-21 at halftime; and 37-31 through three quarters en route to an eight-point win. Trey Harvey led Dawson County with a game-high 26 points. Tayshaun Jackson led Adairsville with 12 points. Benjamin Abernathy finished with eight and Jamarion Pullam scored seven points for the home-standing Tigers. Dawson County improved to 16-13 on the season and will play at Douglass-Atlanta on Saturday in the second round. Douglass beat Monroe Area in the opening round, 67-44. Adairsville’s season comes to a close with an 18-10 record and a Region 6-AAA title.

February 22, 2024 The Woodland Wildcats scored runs in the first four innings Wednesday and pitchers Zach Lambert and Connor Stermer combined for 10 strikeouts and a shutout in a 6-0 win over Christian Heritage at the Pickens Mountain Classic in Jasper. Lambert scattered four hits with no walks through the first six shutout innings. He struck out eight while earning the pitching victory. Stermer allowed one hit in the final inning and fanned two. Meanwhile, the Woodland bats produced two runs in the first, one run in the second and third frames, and two more in the fourth inning. Mason Williams (two RBIs), Conner Lujan (RBI), and Ayden Ray had two hits each for the Wildcats. Joshua Hicks (RBI) and Cam Williams added one hit each. Jake Clowers drove in one run. Christian Heritage falls to 1-3 with the loss. Woodland (3-2) plays a third game at the Pickens Mountain Classic on Thursday at 3 p.m. against Franklin County.

February 20, 2024 The Purple Hurricanes picked up a road win Tuesday in Douglasville over the Alexander Cougars while the Cass Colonels moved over the .500 mark with a shutout victory at the Pickens High School Mountain Classic. In one other game involving a local team at the Mountain Classic, the Woodland Wildcats fell to North Atlanta 13-3. CARTERSVILLE 17, ALEXANDER 7 Cameron Cochran drove in six runs Tuesday as the 2nd-ranked Hurricanes built a big early lead and cruised to a 17-7 win at Alexander in five innings. Cartersville led 15-0 in the middle of the third inning. Cochran singled home a pair of runs in the Canes’ seven-run first inning and hit a grand slam to left field in the third inning to post his six RBIs. Caleb Daniel (solo HR) and Landon Cole (double, three RBIs) also had two hits. Luke Miller (RBI), Thomas Peters (RBI), Charlie Rothschild, and Cole Crawford (RBI) had one hit each. Andrew Purdy added one RBI for the Purple Hurricanes. Jackson Harwell (2.1 IP, 3R, 2ER, 2H, 2BB, 2K) was credited with the pitching win for the Canes. Maddox Frazier (1.1 IP, 4R, 0ER, 4H, 2BB, 2K) and Nolan Elrod (1.1 IP, 0R, 0H, 0BB, 1K) pitched in relief. The Cougars fell to 0-5 on the season with their loss. Cartersville (4-0) hosts Etowah on Thursday at 1 p.m. and Ringgold on Saturday at noon. CASS 8, ST. FRANCIS 0 The Colonels scored in four of six offensive frames Tuesday afternoon while Trenton Payne and Chase Tatum combined on the mound for a shutout as Cass blanked St. Francis, 8-0, at the Pickens Mountain Classic. Payne struck out seven and scattered four hits with no walks in the first five innings to collect the pitching win. Tatum closed out the final two innings allowing no runs or hits. He walked one and fanned four. Connor Jenkins (double, two RBIs) and Tatum (RBI) led the Colonels’ offense with two hits each. Hunter Lovett (sac fly, three RBIs), Caleb Freeman, and Justin Peace had one hit. Payne drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. The Knights slipped to 2-2 on the season with their loss. Cass (3-2) plays Hebron Christian on Wednesday at 8 p.m. at the Mountain Classic in Jasper. NORTH ATLANTA 13, WOODLAND 3 North Atlanta grabbed a 3-1 lead in the third inning Tuesday and piled on the runs late in a 13-3 six-inning win over Woodland at the Pickens Mountain Classic in Jasper. Woodland matched the Warriors with 10 hits in the contest but failed to match the run production. Four pitchers worked on the mound for Woodland in the loss. Ayden Ray (3 IP, 3ER, 2H, 2BB, 6K) started and was tagged with the loss. JD Trail (1 IP, 5ER, 4H, 2BB, 2K), Lucas Baker (1 IP, 3ER, 3H, 2BB), and Connor Stermer (1 IP, 2R, 0ER, 1H, 1BB, 1K) also pitched for the Wildcats. Logan Bentley and Cam Williams (RBI) had two hits each to lead the Woodland offense. Stermer, Baker, Ray (double, RBI), Conner Lujan (double), Joshua Hicks, and Jake Clowers added one hit each. Woodland (2-2) returns to action Wednesday at the Mountain Classic against Christian Heritage in a 5:30 p.m. first pitch and will face Franklin County on Thursday at 3 p.m.

February 19, 2024 UGA commit, Caleb Daniel, drove in two runs with a triple in the second inning and added a three-run homer in the sixth to help lift the Purple Hurricanes to a 9-7 win Monday afternoon over Forsyth Central. Cartersville led 6-4 after just two innings and the Bulldogs led 7-6 through five. The Canes regained the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth on Daniel’s homer. Tristan McKibben (RBI), Cameron Cochran (RBI), and Julez Pratt also had two hits for the Hurricanes. Landon Cole (RBI) and Andrew Purdy (double) added one hit each. Logan Shrewsbury (2 IP, 0R, 0H, 3K) picked up the pitching win in relief of Nate Russell (2 IP, 4R, 2ER, 3H, 5BB, 4K) and Dawson Bishop (2 IP, 3ER, 3H, 2BB, 2K). Purdy (1 IP, 0R, 0H) closed out the seventh inning for a save. The loss dropped Forsyth Central to 1-4 on the season. Cartersville (3-0) plays at Alexander on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. WOODLAND 18, GORDON CENTRAL 0 The Wildcats scored 18 runs in the first two innings and closed out the run-rule decision in the third on Monday to blank visiting Gordon Central, 18-0. Logan Bentley (2 IP, 0R, 1H, 4BB, 4K) and Lucas Baker (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 3K) combined on the mound for a three-inning, one-hitter. Bentley (double, three RBIs) and Jake Clowers (double, two RBIs) had two hits each for the Wildcats. Baker (RBI), Ayden Ray (double, RBI), Luke Evans (double), JD Trail (double, two RBIs), and Joshua Hicks (RBI) added one hit each. The loss leaves Gordon Central with a 0-2 mark. Woodland (2-1) plays North Atlanta on Tuesday at 3 p.m. at the Pickens Mountain Classic. NORCROSS 5, CASS 4 Norcross pushed across the winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning Monday then held off the Colonels in their final frame for a 5-4 win. Cass had two hits in their half of the seventh and had base runners at second and third base with no outs but failed to get the tying run home. Jesiel Moctezuma homered and doubled with two RBIs, but also suffered the pitching loss in relief of starter Hunter Lovett (4 IP, 3ER, 4H, 7K). Moctezuma (1.2 IP, 2R, 1ER, 3H, 3BB, 1K) worked into the sixth inning. JP Heater (0.1 IP, 1K) retired the final out in the sixth. Chase Tatum had two hits and one RBI for Cass. Nic Wright (RBI), Cayden Roberts, and Connor Jenkins added one hit each for the Colonels. Eric Wilburn and Drew Rockecharlie combined for four hits and three RBIs for the Blue Devils (3-0). Cass (2-2) plays St. Francis on Tuesday at 12:30 p.m. at the Pickens Mountain Classic. PEPPERELL 5, ADAIRSVILLE 2 The host Pepperell Dragons scored four runs in the fourth inning on Monday and held off a late rally by Adairsville to win 5-2. The Tigers scored twice in the sixth inning to narrow their deficit to 4-2, but the Dragons added an insurance run in the next frame. Jack Nelson (4 IP, 4R, 2ER, 4H, 2BB, 6K) took the pitching loss for Adairsville. Ryan Farr (0.1 IP, 3BB), McCayden Hufstetler (1.1 IP, 1R, 0ER, 0H, 3BB, 1K), and Dawson Craig (0.1 IP) also pitched for the Tigers. Harrison Cole, Jarrett Scott, and Nelson had one hit each for Adairsville. Pepperell improved to 5-0. Adairsville (0-1) hosts White County on Friday at 5:55 p.m. and has a Saturday doubleheader at home with Darlington starting at 11 a.m.

February 19, 2024 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Cartersville native, Connor Justus, has joined the Augusta GreenJackets as a coach for the 2024 season. He will join new manager Wynston Sawyer, hitting coach Elnar Diaz, strength coach Jake Wynn, and athletic trainer Tom Adams forming the staff for the Atlanta Braves’ single-A affiliate. Justus, a star at Cartersville High School and Georgia Tech, was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in 2016 and remained in the Angels’ system from 2016-2019. In 2021 Justus signed on with the Miami Marlins organization and joined the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (AA) and Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (AAA). The GreenJackets play in SRP Park, a 4,782-seat stadium overlooking the Savannah River in North Augusta. The August club has been part of the 12-team Carolina League since 2022. PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS JASON BOHN — PGA Tour Champions (Acworth resident; Cartersville Country Club member) … finished tied for 56th (78-68) at the weather-shortened Chubb Classic in Naples, Florida this past weekend. The final round was canceled due to inclement weather on Sunday. Bohn’s final round on the par-72, 6,909-yard Tiburon Golf Club course moved him up 12 spots on what became the final leaderboard The next Tour Champions event is the Trophy Hassan II this weekend at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Morocco. NBA and NBA G LEAGUE ASHTON HAGANS — Portland Trailblazers and Rip City Remix (4th yr. pro; Cartersville native; Kentucky; Newton HS) … saw just over three minutes of playing time off the Portland bench with no stat line last Tue in a 121-109 home loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Hagans then scored two points and had one rebound in just over five minutes off the bench last Thursday in a 128-91 loss to Minnesota. The Trailblazers’ schedule has reached the All-Star Break and Portland (15-39) does not return to action until February 25 against visiting Charlotte. BASKETBALL SUPER LEAGUE A.J. MOSBY, JR. — Sudbury Five (6th year pro; Alcorn State; Cartersville HS) … averaged 24 points, eight rebounds, and six assists in three games last week as The Five won at the London Lightning and beat the Windsor Express at home but lost a home game to the KW Titans this past Saturday night. Sudbury (8-6) hosts the Montreal Toundra on Monday night and the Jamestown Jackals on Saturday and Sunday. SWIMMING HARPER POWELL — Florida Tech (Jr., Adairsville HS) … was a member of the Panthers’ 11th place (1:37.16) 200-yard freestyle relay team at the 2024 Sunshine State Conference Championships this past weekend in Ocala, Florida. She was also on the 12th place (1:47.79) 200-yard medley relay team and placed 36th (58.31) in the 100-yard freestyle. Florida Tech finished sixth with Nova Southeastern winning the SSC title. BASKETBALL BRAXTON BENHAM — Berry College (Jr., Cass HS) … scored 13 points with eight rebounds, two steals, and six assists last Wednesday in an 89-63 win at Oglethorpe University. He followed with 19 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals Sunday in an SAA Tournament quarterfinal win over Hendrix College (Ark.), 96-46. Berry hosts Sewanee in the tournament semifinals on Saturday afternoon and would host the Oglethorpe/Rhodes College winner on Sunday. ZAYLAN CHANEY — Tallahassee CC (So., Cartersville resident; Legacy Academy) … scored five points with three rebounds and a pair of assists last Wednesday in a 76-75 win at Gulf Coast State College. The Eagles host Northwest Florida State CC on Wednesday and visit Pensacola State CC on Saturday. JA’KA’YAH DRAUGHN — Chattanooga State CC (Fr., Cartersville HS) … scored three points with a pair of steals and assists last Wednesday in a 97-76 home win over Roane State CC. She then saw action but had no stat line in a 59-54 win Saturday at Columbia State CC. The Tigers (23-1, 13-1 TCCAA) host Walters State CC on Wednesday and visit Southwest Tennessee CC on Saturday. JUSTICE HAYES — Point University (Jr., Cass HS) … in losses last week at Brewton-Parker and at home to Faulkner University, Hayes totaled 22 points, eight rebounds, two blocks, and two assists. The Skyhawks (6-20, 0-18) will play at Middle Georgia State on Wednesday and host Thomas University (Ga.) on Saturday. DiANTHONY HEATHCOCK — Columbia International University (Sr., Woodland HS) … scored 13 points and grabbed eight rebounds in the Rams’ 90-88 overtime loss last Wednesday at University of Pikeville. CIU (16-10, 15-7 Appalachian Athletic Conference) has home games Wednesday and Saturday this week against Reinhardt and Johnson (Tennessee). HALEY JOHNSON — Central Georgia Tech (So., Cass HS) … totaled five points with 14 rebounds, six steals, and three assists in wins last week at Andrew College and at home against Georgia Highlands. The Titans (13-12, 10-4 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association) play at East Georgia State on Saturday. KEARA McDANIEL — Toccoa Falls College (So., Cass HS) … scored three points and had one assist last Wednesday in the Screamin’ Eagles’ 62-45 win at Paine College. TFC (16-5, 5-1) hosts Bob Jones University on Saturday afternoon. T.J. PRINTUP, JR. — Tusculum University (R-Fr., Adairsville HS) … scored eight points with seven rebounds, three steals, one assist, and one blocked shot last Wednesday in the Pioneers’ 84-81 win at Carson-Newman University. Tusculum (11-11, 9-7 South Atlantic Conference) hosts Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday and Coker College on Saturday. WRESTLING ANGEL BANDA — Reinhardt University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … went 3-1 and finished second in the 125-pound division at the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships this past Saturday in Lakeland, Florida. Banda has qualified for the NAIA Nationals on February 29-March 2 at Park City, Kansas. CALEB HENSON — Virginia Tech (So., Woodland HS) … won 10-4 in controlling fashion in his 149-pound bout this past Friday night as the Hokies defeated Pittsburgh 26-12. The No. 2 ranked wrestler in his class allowed his first takedown since December 2 and compiled points with a pair of takedowns, a reversal, riding time, and an escape. He improved to 23-1 on the season. Virginia Tech wrestles at 7th-ranked NC State on Friday night. BRYCE KRESHO — Franklin & Marshall College (So., Cass HS) … dropped a 4-1 decision in his 149-pound bout as the Diplomats won this past Saturday at Drexel, 22-16. Franklin & Marshall will host the F&M Scramble on Saturday. TYLER McKNIGHT — Davidson College (Fr., Cass HS) … lost his 149-pound bout in a 9-2 decision last Thursday night as the Wildcats lost 44-0 at home to 26th-ranked Appalachian State. He also lost on Friday night to his VMI opponent but the Wildcats won the team dual, 24-19. The regular season ends Friday for Davidson when they host Queens and Presbyterian. JAXON SMITH — University of Maryland (R-So., Woodland HS) … the NCAA’s 4th-ranked wrestler in the 197-pound weight class, Smith beat his Rutgers opponent by technical fall this past Friday as the Terps lost at the 14th-ranked Scarlet Knights, 27-12. It was both teams’ final regular season Big Ten dual. Maryland hosts Drexel on Friday night. JABRIL WILLIAMS — Midway University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … went 2-2 at the Mid-South Conference Championships in Bowling Green, Kentucky this past weekend. He placed fourth in the 165-pound weight class with the Eagles placing fifth at the six-team conference tournament. SOFTBALL KILEY ARNOLD — University of West Alabama (Fr., Cartersville HS) … made a fourth inning pinch hitting appearance this past Sunday but did not reach in a 3-2 loss at Union University. The 13th-ranked Tigers lost two of three over the weekend to the Bulldogs in Jackson, Tennessee. UWA (9-4, 1-2 Gulf South Conference) hosts the University of West Florida in another GSC series this Friday and Saturday. LAINEY BAKER — Union University (So., Woodland HS) … the right handed pitcher went all eight innings in the circle and earned a 2-1 win over visiting West Alabama this past Saturday. The run allowed was unearned and she scattered three hits and three walks with a career high 15 strikeouts. Baker is now 2-1 in the circle with a 2.21 ERA in five appearances totaling 25-⅓ innings. The Bulldogs (7-4, 2-1 Gulf South Conference) host a doubleheader with Miles College on Wednesday and a three-game conference series with Delta State on Friday and Saturday. HAYLEE DISHMON — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., Cass HS) … went 6-for-12 at the plate including two walks, five RBIs, and five runs scored in the Chargers doubleheader losses at home last week to Bevil State and Cleveland State. Dishmon also added five stolen bases. GHC (2-11) hosts USC Union on Friday and plays at Cleveland State on Saturday. ANSLEY EVANS — Reinhardt University (Jr., Woodland HS) … went 4-for-8 with a double and three RBIs as the Eagles split a Friday doubleheader at home with Midway University (Kentucky). Reinhardt (3-3) hosts two games with Kentucky Christian on Tuesday and plays a doubleheader at Thomas University (Georgia) on Saturday. MEGAN GREGORY — Campbell University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … worked all six innings and did not allow an earned run Friday at NC State but suffered the pitching loss in a 4-3 loss to the Wolfpack. Gregory allowed six hits and two walks but all four runs against were unearned. She struck out two. Saturday against North Dakota State in Raleigh at the Marucci Classic, she worked 2-⅔ innings in the circle allowing four runs (one earned) on three hits. She issued no walks and fanned three but two of the allowed hits left the park and she was tagged with the pitching loss. Campbell (1-9) will host the Camel Stampede this weekend where they will face Incarnate Word, Saint Joseph’s, and Winthrop. ALYSSA JARRETT — Piedmont University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … made home starts this past Saturday and Sunday at catcher in wins over Cal Lutheran and Mt. St. Joseph. She was 1-for-4 at the plate and scored one run. The Lions (2-2) host Pfeiffer University for a doubleheader on Saturday. SADYE JOHNSON — University of North Georgia (Jr., Adairsville HS) … made a start at catcher this past Saturday in a 6-2 home win over Lake Erie. Johnson was 0-for-2 at the plate. UNG (11-2) hosts King University (Tenn.) on Wednesday and a three-game series with USC Beaufort on Saturday and Sunday. ERYN LEE — Reinhardt University (So., Cass HS) … went 1-for-7 at the plate last Friday as the Eagles split a doubleheader with Midway University (Ky.). Reinhardt (3-3) hosts Kentucky Christian on Tuesday and plays at Thomas University (Ga.) on Saturday. RACHAEL LEE — Gulf Coast State CC (So., Cass HS) … went 8-for-15 at the plate in four games this past weekend as the Commodors extended their current winning streak to eight games with wins over Iowa Western, Southern Union State, Mississippi Gulf Coast, and East Central (Miss.). Lee’s offensive production over the weekend included one double, two walks, nine RBIs, and two stolen bases. Gulf Coast State (13-3) plays at Enterprise State on Tuesday and will play four games at the CMI Invitational in Longwood, Florida on Saturday and Sunday. AVA PERKINS — Lee University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … started all three games at third base in a series this past weekend at Shorter University going 3-for-7 with four walks, a pair of home runs, three RBIs, and four runs scored. She added two stolen bases. The Flames (6-0, 3-0) visit Lincoln Memorial for a doubleheader on Wednesday and will host Valdosta State in a three-game Gulf South Conference series Saturday and Sunday. HOPE SHORT — Shorter University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … had one unsuccessful pinch-hitting appearance last Saturday in the Lady Hawks’ 14-3 loss to visiting Lee University. Shorter (1-7, 0-3 Gulf South Conference) plays at Georgia College on Wednesday and at the University of West Georgia for three games on Friday and Saturday. ALEXA VARNER — Shorter University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … a starter at shortstop for the Hawks, Varner was 0-for-8 with two walks in a home three-game weekend series against Lee University. Shorter (1-7, 0-3 GSC) visits Georgia College on Wednesday for a doubleheader and plays at West Georgia in a three-game conference series on Friday and Saturday. ALEXIS WOODS — Tennessee State University (Fr., Cass HS) … made her first two collegiate starts — both at DH — in wins Sunday over Western Michigan and Saint Louis. She also appeared in last Friday’s loss to Indiana State as the Tigers hosted the Roar City Invitational in Nashville. Across the three games, Woods was 2-for-5 with a sacrifice hit and one stolen base. TSU (3-5) will play Florida A&M, Tuskegee, Howard, and Alabama State Friday and Saturday in Montgomery at the HBCU Celebration Classic. BASEBALL DREW BILLINGS — Trinity Baptist College (So., Woodland HS) … collected his second pitching win of the season last Friday with a two inning performance in a 6-5 win over Atlantis University that allowed one earned run on two hits with one walk and one strikeout. Trinity Baptist (6-8, 4-2) hosts a three-game series with New College of Florida this weekend. CURT BONNER — LaGrange College (So. Cartersville HS) … made a pair of starts this past Saturday in Panthers’ home wins over Brevard College (NC). He was 1-for-6 with an RBI double. LaGrange started the year 3-0 with a series sweep of the Tornado. The Panthers host Oglethorpe University on Tuesday, visit Birmingham-Southern College on Friday, host Wheaton (Ill.) on Saturday, and Adrian College (Mich.) on Sunday. CADEN CARROLL — Kennesaw State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … struck out the final two batters in the eighth inning last Saturday in the Owls’ 12-4 loss at UAB. KSU (1-3) hosts Mercer on Tuesday, travels to Wofford on Wednesday, and plays a three-game series at Clemson on Friday through Sunday. EASTIN, ELLIOTT — Covenant College (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … made an unsuccessful pinch hitting appearance Feb. 9 in a 5-4 win over Alma College. Eastin transferred to the Scots following a redshirt year with South Georgia State CC. Covenant (2-3) hosts Messiah University (Pa.) for three games this Friday and Saturday. COLIN EATON — Gordon State College (So., Cartersville HS) … made a pitching start this past Saturday and went six innings with no decision in an eventual 6-5 loss at Chattanooga State CC. Eaton allowed four earned runs on 11 hits with no walks and had three strikeouts. The Highlanders (7-6) host the Point University JV for a doubleheader on Monday, play two games at Southern Union State on Tuesday, and visit Wallace State-Hanceville CC for a Saturday doubleheader. GEOFFREY GORE — Coastal Alabama - South CC (Fr., Cartersville HS) … made a six-out appearance for the Coyotes last Friday in a 5-4 loss at Mississippi Gulf Coast. He allowed no runs on three hits and two walks and one hit batsmen facing 10 batters across portions of the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. Coastal (2-6) plays at Pensacola State on Tuesday and hosts a doubleheader with the Pirates on Friday. SAM MELTON — Rockingham CC (So., Cartersville HS) … appeared in three games and made two starts at third base over the weekend in a four-game series at USC-Lancaster. Melton was 3-for-6 with a pair of home runs, five RBIs, three runs scored, and one stolen base. The Eagles (1-9) lost all four games in the series. They play at William Peace JV on Wednesday and host Camp CC for a three-game series on Saturday and Sunday. GUNNER MILLSAP — Southern Illinois University - Edwardsville (So., Cartersville HS) … pitched the sixth inning this past Saturday in a 24-13 loss at Troy University. Millsap allowed four earned runs on three hits and two walks facing eight batters. The Cougars (1-3) play three games at Oral Roberts University this Friday through Sunday. DREW ROTHSCHILD — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (So., Cartersville HS) … went 1-for-8 and scored one run in a pair of games last Friday at Pasco-Hernando State CC. The Stallions (3-7) visit Tallahassee CC for a single game on Wednesday and a Saturday doubleheader. SCOTTY SMITH — Covenant College (Jr., Woodland HS) … started on the mound but was lifted after just two outs this past Saturday in a 9-1 home loss to North Park (Ill.). Smith yielded four earned runs on three hits and two walks. Both outs recorded were strikeouts. Covenant (2-3) hosts Messiah University (Pa.) for three games this Friday and Saturday. STEPHEN SPELL — Young Harris College (Grad student, Cass HS) … went 4-for-14 in four games this past week — a win at Lee University and two wins in three games at Columbus State University. Spell’s hits included two doubles and one RBI. He also walked four times and was hit by a pitch three times, scoring six runs. He also stole two bases. YHC (9-1) hosts Tusculum University on Wednesday and has a three-game series with Erskine College on Friday and Saturday. KADEN STEPHENSON — Piedmont University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … made his first collegiate appearance last Friday as a pinch hitter and lined out to shortstop in a 5-2 loss to visiting Chapman University (Calif.). The Lions (0-3) will host Randolph-Macon College, Hanover College, and Wilmington College this Friday through Sunday as part of the Piedmont Invitational Tournament. PRESTON WELCHEL — Cumberland University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … in four games last week — a win at Reinhardt and one win in three home games against Johnson University (Tenn.) — Welchel was 4-for-10 with five walks, five RBIs, and two runs scored. The Phoenix (3-7) host Tennessee Southern on Tuesday and Indiana Tech for a three-game series on Saturday and Sunday. COHEN WILBANKS — Georgia Gwinnett College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … in two starts against visiting Point Park this past weekend, Wilbanks went 3-for-5 with one walk, one double, and one RBI in the two victories. The Grizzlies (10-1) host four games with Saint Xavier (Ill.) this Friday through Sunday. JORDAN WILKIE — Augusta University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … in four starts last week, Wilkie was 3-for-13 at the plate with a double, two RBIs, and one run scored. The Jags won one of three games at Florida Tech and lost at Emmanuel University. Augusta (4-7) hosts Fairmont State University (WV) on Friday and Saturday for three games. TENNIS EMILY BUSH — Young Harris College (So., Cartersville HS) … partnered with teammate Meghna Mallath for a 6-2 win at Line 1 doubles last Tuesday as the Mountain Lions won at Reinhardt, 6-1. The doubles duo then lost their Line 1 set, 4-6, at home against West Georgia this past Friday but Bush won her Line 2 singles match 6-2, 6-1 and YHC won the team match, 4-3. The Mountain Lions play at Piedmont University on Tuesday and at Shorter University on Saturday. EMILY SURCEY — Samford University (Jr., Cass HS) … won her Line 2 singles match, 6-2, 6-2,  as the Bulldogs beat visiting Southern Miss 4-0 last Monday. On Sunday in a 4-0 loss to visiting Memphis, Surcey and partner Grace Keller lost their Line 2 doubles set, 2-6, and she dropped her Line 2 singles match, 1-6, 0-6. BRYCE VAN ORDER — Piedmont University (Sr., Woodland HS) … playing at the North Carolina Challenge in Misenheimer, North Carolina this past Saturday, Van Order won a Line 3 doubles set with partner Rohan Kavali in a 4-3 team loss to Virginia Wesleyan University. He also dropped both of his Line 2 singles matches against Virginia Wesleyan and Pfeiffer University. The Lions defeated Pfeiffer, 5-2. Piedmont hosts Brevard College and Truett McConnell on Thursday and will entertain Methodist University on Sunday. TRACK AND FIELD BILL ARCHER — University of Montevallo (Jr., Cartersville HS) … ran to a 16th place finish (4:27.03) in the mile run at the Gulf South Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship this past week at the CrossPlex in Birmingham. The Falcons finished fourth as a team. The outdoor season begins Saturday, March 2 for Montevallo at Berry College. NOAH BAER — Baldwin Wallace University (Fr., Woodland HS) … won the pole vault competition by clearing 13-09.25 / 4.20 meters this past Friday at the Greater Cleveland Colleges meet at Case Western Reserve University. Baldwin Wallace will be at the Ohio Athletic Conference Indoor Championships on Friday and Saturday in New Concord, Ohio. DREW THAYER — University of Montevallo (Fr., Woodland HS) … finished 19th in the 800 meter run (2:02.03) this past weekend at the Gulf South Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship at the CrossPlex in Birmingham. Montevallo finished fourth as a team. The Falcons will run at the Victor Icebreaker in Rome on March 2. GOLF BUCK BRUMLOW — University of Georgia (Jr., Cartersville HS) … fired rounds of 69-69-70 (8-under par) on February 11-13 as the Bulldogs won the Puerto Rico Classic Championship by three shots over 13th-ranked Virginia. Tennessee, North Florida, and Oklahoma rounded out the top five teams in the 15-team event. Brumlow finished tied for 21st as an individual in the 80-player tournament on the par-72, 7,506-yard Grand Reserve Golf Club. Georgia’s next event  is the Southern Highlands Collegiate February 25-27 in Las Vegas.

February 18, 2024 The Georgia Highlands Chargers split a home doubleheader with Walters State (Tenn.) CC Sunday afternoon. GHC won the first game 7-0 and the Senators took Game 2, 4-1. Chargers’ starting pitcher, Trip Dovale, tossed a gem in Game 1. He went the full seven innings allowing just two hits and a pair of walks while shutting out Walters State. The sophomore right-hander, who prepped at Roswell High School, fanned ten while improving his season mark to 3-0. Luke Orfi (two doubles), Ryan Wideman (two doubles, three RBIs), and Grayson Godbee (RBI) had two hits each for the Chargers. Clay Wiesen (RBI), Barrett Eldridge (RBI), and Will Cawthon (sac fly, RBI) added one hit apiece. In the second game, a pair of Walters State pitchers — Manning West and Tyler Welch — limited the Chargers to just three hits. Wideman, Eldridge (double), and Trevor Lovett (RBI) had the only GHC safeties. Starter Michael Sharman (3.1 IP, 3ER, 4H, 1BB, 4K) was touched for a pair of early home runs and was tagged with the loss. Georgia Highlands (12-2) hosts Chattahoochee Valley CC (noon) and Wabash Valley College (6 p.m.) on Friday and will play the same two opponents on Saturday starting at 3 p.m.

February 18, 2024 Georgia Highlands softball had their current losing streak reach eleven games Saturday with a doubleheader loss to visiting Cleveland State (Tenn.) CC. The Cougars won the opening game of the doubleheader 9-1 in five innings and pulled out the second game, 10-9. Grace Kendrick (5 IP, 9R, 4ER, 11H, 2BB, 2K) was the Game 1 pitching loser for the Chargers. Ally Graden (double, RBI), Ansley Farmer (double), Raegan Ford, and Hayden Joyner had the only GHC hits. In Game 2, Cleveland State built an 8-1 lead but the Chargers cut the margin to 8-7 in the bottom of the fourth. The Cougars added two runs in the sixth and Georgia Highlands added single runs in the sixth and seventh but came up a run short. Joyner (4 IP, 8R, 5ER, 9H, 4BB, 3K) suffered the pitching loss for the Chargers. Hannah Moore (3 BF, 0R, 3H) and Grace Kendrick (3 IP, 2ER, 3H, 1K) also worked in the circle. Haylee Dishmon had three hits and two RBIs at the top of the Chargers’ order. Aliza Martinez had two hits including a home run and three RBIs. Farmer also had two hits. Graden (sac fly, RBI), Avrey Fisher, Cayden Warren (sac, RBI), Cailey Barnett, and Ford (sac fly, RBI) added one hit each. Georgia Highlands (2-11) hosts USC Union for a doubleheader on Friday at 1 p.m. and visits Cleveland State CC for two games on Saturday.

February 17, 2024 The 2024 GHSA Traditional format State Championships wrapped up on Saturday with plenty of local competitors coming away with outstanding finishes. Adairsville’s Jett Johnson won the 285-pound weight class state title in Class 3A and Kirecg Roe of Cass won the 175-pound division in Class 5A. Seven other local wrestlers made their respective state championship bout but lost in the finals to finish as a state runner-up. Anetra Witherspoon (Cartersville, 190); Jaimen Long (Adairsville, 190); Lee Camp (Cass, 120); Zachary Wallace (Woodland, 138); Hayden Santora (Woodland, 144); John Gill (Woodland, 215); and Kwadrus Wilson (Woodland, 285) all finished second in their respective brackets. In the Class 5A team race Woodland finished third, Cass was sixth, and Cartersville placed 18th. Ola won the team title with Jefferson finishing second. In Class 3A, Columbus won the team championship followed by Lumpkin County and Ringgold. Adairsville placed sixth. Local individual results: GIRLS STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS 100 — Jaylee Long (3-2) — Adairsville — 4th place 190 — Anetra Witherspoon (2-1) — Cartersville — 2nd place BOYS STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Class 3A Adairsville 138 — Victor Singer (2-2) 157 — Howard Bailey (2-2) — 5th place 165 — Jacob Pasley (3-3) — 6th place 175 — David Coon (1-2) 190 — Jaimen Long (2-1) — 2nd place 215 — Seth Sellers (2-2) — 5th place 285 — Jett Johnson (3-0) — State Champ Class 5A Cartersville 106 — Jair Flores (2-2) — 6th place 126 — Eaiden Neal (3-1) — 3rd place 138 — Talan Nix (1-2) — 6th place 285 — Delroy Hurst (0-2) Class 5A Cass 113 — Hunter Barrett (3-1) — 3rd place 120 — Lee Camp (2-1) — 2nd place 126 — Luka Jensen (1-2) — 6th place 132 — Rowdy Duck (1-1) — 6th place 138 — Ethan Harrington (0-2) 157 — Mason Tompkins (3-1) — 3rd place 175 — Kirecg Roe (3-0) — State Champ Class 5A Woodland 106 — Amari Kinnamore (3-1) — 3rd place 113 — Noah Cates (2-2) — 6th place 120 — Dylan Couey (2-2) — 4th place 132 — Nathan Cates (2-2) 138 — Zachary Wallace (2-1) — 2nd place 144 — Hayden Santora (2-1) — 2nd place 165 — Heath Tatum (3-1) — 3rd place 190 — Owen Jones (2-2) 215 — John Gill (2-1) — 2nd place 285 — Kwadrus Wilson (2-1) — 2nd place

February 17, 2024 Woodland baseball earned its first victory of the 2024 season Saturday with a five-inning, 16-6, final at Chapel Hill. The Wildcats bats started quickly putting six runs on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning. Woodland took advantage of five singles and three walks in their productive opening frame. After Chapel Hill narrowed the margin to 7-4 in the bottom of the third inning, the Wildcats exploded for an eight-run fourth inning to build a 15-4 lead. The fourth frame outburst included five singles, one double, two walks, a hit batsman, and a pair of sacrifice flies. Woodland added an insurance run in the top of the fifth and the Panthers scored twice in the bottom of the fifth but the game ended with a 10-run mercy rule. Austin Daves made the start for the Wildcats on the mound and collected the pitching win. Logan Bentley (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 0BB, 1K) and Zach Lambert (1 IP, 2ER, 3H, 1BB, 2K) also pitched for Woodland. Conner Lujan (two RBIs), Connor Stermer, Cam Williams (RBI), and Mason Williams (double, three RBIs) led the Woodland offensive attack with two hits each. Lucas Baker, Ayden Ray (RBI), Brett Good (RBI), and Joshua Hicks (RBI) had one hit each. Ben Turcotte and J Ryan added one RBI each. Woodland (1-1) hosts Gordon Central on Monday.

The Adairsville girls and boys basketball teams won the Region 6-AAA championships on Friday night with convincing victories. The Lady Tigers routed Ringgold 56-26 and the Tigers pulled away from Ridgeland in the second half of the boys’ title game for a 58-45 win and their second consecutive region crown. ADAIRSVILLE GIRLS 56, RINGGOLD 26 The Adairsville girls used a balanced scoring attack on Friday night to rout Ringgold in the Region 6-AAA tournament championship game, 56-26. Adairsville built a 14-7 lead in the first eight minutes and led 28-14 at halftime. The hosts extended their lead to 41-19 by the end of the third quarter on the way to a 30-point victory. Alissa Winters led Adairsville with 12 points. Samantha Gough and Darby Adams followed with 10 points each. Aliya McBryde contributed eight. NaXyria Roberts scored seven points and Ziyah Hicks added five. Jersey Rae Loy led Ringgold with nine points. Ringgold (16-12) will host a Class AAA state tournament first round game on Tuesday or Wednesday (TBD) against Saturday’s Dawson County / White County winner. Those two teams will play for the No. 3 seed from Region 7-AAA at Lumpkin County High School at 3 p.m. Adairsville (19-9) will host the Dawson County / White County loser in the Class AAA state tournament opening round. ADAIRSVILLE BOYS 58, RIDGELAND 45 The top-seeded Tigers trailed in the early going but rallied in the second half Friday night to beat the Ridgeland Panthers and win the Region 6-AAA tournament championship. Ridgeland led 13-7 after one quarter and 22-19 at halftime before the Tigers turned the tables. Adairsville outscored the Panthers 22-12 in the third period to take the lead. They then added to the lead in the fourth quarter for a 58-45 victory. Chase Hickman led Ridgeland with 16 points. John Hall and Eron Graham scored 10 each for the Panthers Benjamin Abernathy posted a game-high 20 points for Adairsville. Tayshaun Jackson followed with 13. Xavious Nalls contributed 12 points and Gabe Gomez added 11. Ridgeland (15-13) will host the No. 3 seed from Region 7-AAA in the first round of the Class AAA state tournament on Tuesday or Wednesday (TBD). The opponent will be the winner of the Region 7-AAA consolation game played Saturday at 4:30 p.m. between host Lumpkin County and Dawson County. Adairsville (18-9) will host the Lumpkin / Dawson loser in the state tournament’s opening round.

February 17, 2024 Georgia Highlands College split a doubleheader Friday with visiting Wallace State. The Chargers won the opener 3-0 to improve to 11-0 on the season before falling in the second game to the Lions, 8-7. Pitcher Chandler Anderson tossed a seven-inning, complete game for GHC in the opener. He did not allow a run on three hits and a pair of walks while striking out seven. Luke Orfi (two doubles, two RBIs), Ryan Wideman, and Clay Wiesen (double) had two hits each in the Chargers’ eight-hit attack. Will Cawthon drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Ali Banks and Barrett Eldridge had the other GHC hits. In the second game, the two teams battled evenly for six innings but the Lions pushed across the game-winning run in the seventh inning Hunter Ward (1 IP, 1ER, 2BB, 2K) was tagged with the pitching loss in relief of starter Oliver Wood (4 IP, 4ER, 5H, 1BB, 3K) and middle reliever Andrew Arnold (1.1 IP, 3ER, 2H, 1BB, 2K). Trevor Lovett had three hits for the Chargers. Will Cawthon (home run, three RBIs), and Clay Wisen (RBI) added a pair of hits each. Georgia Highlands (11-1) plays a doubleheader on Saturday at home against Wallace State.

February 17, 2024 The Cass and Cartersville baseball teams both collected non-region wins on Friday. CARTERSVILLE 6, WOODSTOCK 2 Another strong pitching performance by the Class 5A 2nd-ranked Canes’ staff and some timely hitting lifted Cartersville to a 6-2 win Friday at the Class 6A 6th-ranked Woodstock Wolverines. Sawyer Wilson (3 IP, 1R, 0ER, 2H, 1BB, 3K) was credited with the Cartersville pitching win. Nicholas Hruby (2 IP, 1ER, 1H, 3K), Dawson Bishop (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 2K), and Andrew Purdy (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 2BB, 2K) also pitched in the victory. Luke Miller had three hits including a triple and one RBI to pace the Canes’ offense. Aidan Larkin followed with two hits and one RBI. Landon Cole (double, two RBIs), Purdy (RBI), Cole Crawford (double), and Tristan McKibben (double) added one hit each. Cartersville (2-0) hosts Forsyth Central on Monday at 1 p.m. and plays at Alexander on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. CASS 14, PAULDING COUNTY 5 Cass baseball bounced back from Thursday’s loss by scoring early and often in a 14-5 home win over Paulding County. The win completed a home-and-home sweep of the Patriots in the first week of the regular season. The Colonels scored in each of the first four innings to build a 12-5 lead then added two more runs in the sixth to complete the victory. All five of the Patriots’ runs crossed in the top of the second when Paulding briefly grabbed a 5-4 lead. Cayden Roberts (4 IP, 5ER, 7H, 1BB, 4K) earned the pitching win. Justin Peace (3 IP, 0R, 2H, 2BB, 5K) worked the final three frames. Nic Wright (three RBIs), Chase Tatum (double, two RBIs), and Caleb Freeman (RBI) had two hits each to pace the Cass offense. Jesiel Moctezuma (RBI), Roberts (two RBIs), Landon Lamb (RBI), and Connor Jenkins added one hit each. Eli Powell drove in one run. Paulding County falls to 0-2 to start its season. Cass (2-1) plays at Norcross on Monday.