October 6, 2023 Thursday’s Region 7-5A local reported volleyball results: Woodland defeated Cass in three sets, 25-19, 19-25, 19-17. Dalton 25-13, 25-6 over Woodland. Cartersville outlasted Calhoun 25-23 and 25-17. Woodland (12-25) faces Hiram (10-16) Saturday at 9 a.m. at Dalton, Cartersville (27-15) plays Dalton (33-6) Saturday at 10 a.m. at Dalton.

The Lady Canes dropped a non-region decision to visiting Sonoraville Wednesday night, 7-3. Cartersville led 3-2 when the Phoenix plated three runs in the top of the fourth to take the lead for good. Sonoraville added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh. Jordan Bishop hit a solo home run for the Hurricanes in the first inning. Erin McCrary (RBI), Reese Dumas (double), LaKiaya Banks, and Addi Burns also added one hit each in the loss. Kennedy Stevens (7 IP, 7R, 4ER, 9H, 4BB, 2K) was the pitcher of record for Cartersville. Lakelin Hall tripled and homered driving in three runs for Sonoraville. Erin Garland also had two hits. Lily Holton (4 IP, 3R, 2ER, 4H, 1BB, 3K) and Lila Mullinax (3 IP, 0R, 1H, 5K) split the pitching duties for the Phoenix (17-8). Cartersville (16-8, 11-2 Region 7-5A) plays at Cass Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

October 3, 2023 Cartersville volleyball dropped a pair of non-region matches Tuesday night in Cobb County falling to host Hillgrove and Allatoona in straight sets. The Lady Canes lost to Hillgrove 25-13, 25-17 and fell to Allatoona 25-16, 25-22. Ailee England had 12 kills, 11 digs, and two blocks in the two losses. Tennessee Abernathy had seven kills and four digs. Holly Dufrene finished with seven kills, five digs, three blocks, and one service ace. Addison Marisko supplied six kills and two blocks. Mckenzie Wilkie totaled 16 digs. Aubree Barrett tossed in 21 assists, six digs, and one ace while Riley Huff added three blocks. Cartersville (26-15) will play next in the Region 7-5A tournament that begins Thursday and will be the No. 2 seed. The tournament concludes on Saturday. Cass (4-27-1) and Woodland (11-24) will face off Thursday at Dalton High School in the opening round. ADAIRSVILLE DROPS FINAL TWO REGION MATCHES Adairsville volleyball closed out its Region 6-AAA regular season slate Tuesday night with a pair of losses at Bremen. The Lady Tigers lost to Bremen 25-17, 25-15 and LaFayette 25-10, 25-22. Addie Pearson had seven kills, five digs, and a pair of aces in the doubleheader. Jordyn Hartline finished with seven kills and three aces. Emma Ridley had three kills and two digs. Makenzie Harris contributed three kills. Jenna Claire Hendley pitched in with 12 digs, two kills, and one block while Sherry Wells added 22 digs. Adairsville (10-22, 2-5) will complete the regular season schedule Tuesday at Coahulla Creek in a non-region match.

Cartersville’s Zoie Shiflett homered twice and pitched a four-inning shutout Tuesday night to help lead the Lady Canes to a 12-0 shutout win at 7th-ranked Woodland. Shiflett homered in the second inning for a 2-0 lead and added a three-run blast in the fourth inning that gave the Hurricanes a 12-0 advantage. Jordan Bishop also homered for Cartersville — a two-run shot in the third inning. Shiflett, who scattered five hits from the pitching circle and did not issue a walk, finished the game with three hits (double, two homers, seven RBIs). Reese Dumas (double, RBI) and Erin McCrary followed with two hits each. Addi Burns (RBI), Kennedy Crenshaw, and Layne Callan had one hit each. Allana Williams added one RBI. Alana Carnes led Woodland with two hits. Elizabeth Hartsfield, Mackenzie Araya, and Ashlyn Baines added one hit apiece. Peyton Dorn (4 IP, 12R, 11ER, 11H, 1BB, 2K) was tagged with the pitching loss for the Lady Cats. Woodland (18-9, 9-5) has a non-region game at Chattooga on Monday at 5:30 p.m. Cartersville (16-7, 11-2) hosts a non-region game with Sonoraville Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Both teams have secured state playoff berths. CASS 17, HIRAM 1 The Lady Colonels peppered 13 hits and took advantage of ten errors Tuesday night as they coasted to a 17-1 win at Hiram. Emma Gibson (4 IP, 1R, 0ER, 3H, 2K, 0BB) picked up the pitching win for Cass. Darianna Sosa led the offense with three hits and one RBI. Braelyn Franklin, Bailey York (double, three RBIs), and Cayce Brown (triple, two RBIs) followed with two hits each. Reese Howard (double, two RBIs), Harlee Thomason (three RBIs), KK Evans (double, two RBIs), and Payton Mize (RBI) added one hit apiece. The loss dropped Hiram to 8-14 on the season and 1-12 in Region 7-5A. Cass (9-15, 3-10) hosts Cartersville Thursday at 5:30 p.m. LAKEVIEW-FORT OGLETHORPE 10, ADAIRSVILLE 0 The Adairsville Tigers were shut out by visiting Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe Tuesday night, 10-0. The Warriors led 8-0 through just three innings and added two more in the top of the fifth. Meanwhile, LFO pitchers Lakely Parish (4 IP, 0R, 1H, 2BB, 5K) and Britni Newbille (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 0BB, 1K) kept Adairsville off the scoreboard. Riley Mounger had the only Tigers’ base hit and she stole two bases. Jordan Clay (1.1 IP, 7ER, 5H, 2BB) suffered the pitching loss. Madison Baker (3.2 IP, 3R, 2ER, 3H, 3BB, 1K) also pitched for Adairsville. Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe improved to 6-13 on the season and 3-9 in Region 6-AAA. Adairsville (6-15, 3-9) hosts Gordon Lee Thursday at 5:30 p.m. WOODLAND 12, DALTON 4 On Monday, Woodland softball beat visiting Dalton 12-4. Alana Carnes had four hits and two RBIs to pace the Lady Cats’ offense. Elizabeth Hartsfield followed with three hits — all doubles — and three RBIs. Ashlyn Baines (4.2 IP, 4R, 2ER, 8H, 2BB, 6K) picked up the pitching victory. Peyton Dorn (1.1 IP, 0R, 1H, 0BB, 1K) also pitched for Woodland.

Cartersville volleyball closed out their region regular season slate Monday night with a straight-sets win at Hiram. The Lady Canes won 25-20 in the opening and took the second set 25-14. Ailee England had seven kills, nine digs, and a pair of service aces. Holly Dufrene had six kills and two blocks. Addison Marisko finished with five kills. Mckenzie Wilkie contributed six digs and two assists. Aubree Barrett totaled ten assists and two aces. Aly Dunn added two blocks and Raylynn Bowen distributed 12 assists. Cartersville (26-13, 4-1) finished second in the Region 7-5A regular season standings behind top-seeded Dalton. The Hurricanes will wrap up regular season play this week with matches against Allatoona and Hillgrove on Tuesday at Hillgrove followed by a home match on Thursday with Sprayberry.

October 2, 2023 The world’s top senior amateur golfers will be at Cartersville Country Club this week for the USA Today Sports / Golfweek Magazine Senior International Invitational. The 54-hole championship field will include 46 internationally ranked players including 31 in the top 100 of the World Amateur Golf Rankings at the 50-and-over senior level. The tournament, conducted at approximately 6,800 yards on the par-72 CCC course on October 4-7, will include players from all over the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Wales, and Germany. Seven of the top ten senior amateur players in the World Rankings will play in the tournament including #1 Bob Royak of Alpharetta, #2 Doug Hanzel of Savannah, #3 Rustry Strawn of McDonough, #6 Jon Lindstrom of Denver, #7 Rick Cloninger of Rock Hill, South Carolina, #9 Dennis Martin of Los Angeles, and #10 Mike Combs of Roswell. The field will also include local CCC members: Chad Branton, David Coleman, Scott Davenport, and Charles Wilson. The individual tournament also features a 3-man team competition format with players representing the previously mentioned foreign nations, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Arkansas, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Michigan, Iowa, California, Utah, Ohio, New York, and Minnesota. Golfweek ranks this senior event at Cartersville Country Club as the highest-ranked player field in 2023.

Former Cartersville High and Clemson University quarterback Trevor Lawrence helped lead the Jacksonville Jaguars to a 23-7 win over the Atlanta Falcons Sunday at Wembley Stadium in London. He had a first-quarter touchdown pass as the Jags evened their season record at 2-2. In other action, the local community had eleven contributors this past week in college football plus eight more athletes making marks in cross country, volleyball, soccer, golf, and tennis. NFL TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL; 3rd-yr. pro; QB; Clemson; Cartersville HS) … was 23-for-30 passing for 207 yards this past Sunday including a first-quarter 30-yard touchdown pass to Calvin Ridley as the Jags beat the Atlanta Falcons in London, England 23-7. Lawrence also rushed for 42 yards on eight attempts. Jacksonville (2-2) remains in London this week where they will play the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. COLLEGE FOOTBALL KOLBE BENHAM — Marist College (R-So., Cartersville HS) … made five tackles from his safety position this past Saturday as the Red Foxes beat visiting Stetson University 34-24. Marist (2-2, 2-1 Pioneer Football League) plays at Columbia on Saturday afternoon. HAYDEN CAGLE — Berry College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … started at center on the 23rd-ranked Vikings offensive line in a 46-37 home loss to 5th-ranked Trinity University. Berry matched the Tigers in total offense with 521 yards including 202 rushing but lost to Trinity (Texas) for the third straight year. Berry (3-1, 1-1 Southern Athletic Association) travels to Georgetown, Texas on Saturday to play conference-foe Southwestern University. CARLOS DEL RIO-WILSON — Syracuse University (R-So., Cartersville HS) … was inserted for the final offensive series during a 31-14 home loss to Clemson this past Saturday. He completed one pass for five yards and had one rushing attempt for 15 yards. The Orange (4-1, 0-1 ACC) visits 15th-ranked North Carolina on Saturday afternoon. JONAH GAMBILL — University of Memphis (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … a starter on the Tigers’ offensive line, Gambill was part of a unit that rolled up 448 yards of total offense including 179 yards rushing in a 35-32 win over visiting Boise State this past Saturday. Memphis (4-1, 1-0 American Athletic Conference) has a bye week before hosting Tulane on Friday, October 13. TYWUN GORDON — College of Sequoias (So., Adairsville HS) … a defensive lineman, Gordon was credited with one tackle this past Saturday in the second quarter of the Giants’ 28-14 win over visiting Diablo Valley CC. Sequoias (3-2) begins California Community College Athletic Association play on October 14 at home against Fresno CC. SHADRE HURST — Tulane University (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … was a starter this past Saturday on the Green Wave’s offensive line in a 35-23 home win over UAB. Tulane amassed 448 yards of total offense in the victory. The Green Wave (4-1) have a bye week before playing at Memphis on Friday, October 13. QUANTE JENNINGS — Presbyterian College (So., Cartersville HS) … saw action but had no stat line in the Blue Hose 27-17 loss in Indianapolis this past Saturday to Butler. Presbyterian (2-2, 0-1 Pioneer Football League) hosts Stetson University in another conference game on Saturday afternoon. JAKE PARKER — Hutchinson CC (So., Cartersville HS) … did not have a pass attempt but did have a fourth-quarter keeper for 15 yards as the NJCAA No. 1-ranked Blue Dragons won at Butler CC (Kansas) 43-16. Hutchinson (5-0, 2-0 Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference) hosts Dodge City CC on Saturday afternoon. SAM PHILLIPS — UT-Chattanooga (R-So., Cartersville HS) … had four receptions for 30 yards and added one punt return of seven yards as the 22nd-ranked Mocs won 23-13 this past Saturday at Wofford. Chattanooga (4-1, 3-0 Southern Conference) hosts Western Carolina this Saturday afternoon for Homecoming. DEVONTE ROSS — Troy University (So., Cartersville HS) … caught four passes for 28 yards and added a 23-yard kickoff return as the Trojans handed Georgia State its first loss of the season this past Saturday in Atlanta, 28-7. Troy (3-2, 1-1 Sun Belt Conference) plays conference foe Arkansas State on Saturday afternoon for Homecoming. COURTNEY SLOCUM — Mars Hill University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … the senior linebacker saw action this past Saturday but did not have a stat line in the Lions’ 27-23 conference loss at Limestone University. Mars Hill (3-1, 2-1 South Atlantic Conference) hosts Erskine College for Homecoming on Saturday afternoon. CROSS COUNTRY RYLEE EVANS — Western Kentucky University (So., Woodland HS) … finished 111th of 400 runners at the Louisville Cross Country Classic this past weekend at “Tom” Sawyer State Park. Evans completed the 5K course in 20:57.2. The Hilltoppers finished fifth of 32 teams. WKU runs next at the Angel Mounds Invitational in Evansville, Indiana on Friday, October 13. TYLER JONES — Carson-Newman University (Fr., Woodland HS) … ran to a 57th place finish of 116 competitors this past Saturday at the 8K Asics XC Invitational in Fairburn, Georgia. The Eagles finished runner-up to Columbus State in the team competition that included 13 schools. Jones’ time was 28:36.8. CNU runs this Friday afternoon in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Royals XC Challenge. EMMA SEGARS — Georgia College & State University (Fr., Woodland HS) … finished 36th of 75 runners at this past weekend’s NCAA Southeast Regional Preview in Oakwood, Georgia. Segars completed the 6K course in 25:34 as the Bobcats finished sixth of nine teams. Georgia College competes this Friday at the Royals XC Challenge in Charlotte, North Carolina. VOLLEYBALL MADELYN ORTON — LaGrange College (So., Rydal resident, Cornerstone Prep Academy) … in a trio of three-set losses at Coastal Georgia and at home with Covenant College and Piedmont University, Orton saw action in all nine sets and totaled four digs. LaGrange (2-10, 1-4 Collegiate Conference of the South) visits Huntingdon College Tuesday night and will play Maryville (Tennessee) College and Agnes Scott College on Saturday in Decatur. MEREDITH ORTON — LaGrange College (So., Rydal resident, Cornerstone Prep Academy) … while the Panthers lost three matches last week, Orton totaled 13 kills, seven blocks, eight digs, and one ace. LaGrange fell to Coastal Georgia, Covenant, and Piedmont. The Panthers (2-10, 1-4 Collegiate Conference of the South) visit Huntingdon College Tuesday night and will play Maryville (Tennessee) College and Agnes Scott College on Saturday in Decatur. SOCCER BRADY CRAIG — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS) … a starting defender, Craig played all 90 minutes and had one assist on a second-half goal as the Eagles won 2-1 last Wednesday night at Montreat College. He was then on the pitch for the first 34 minutes of RU’s 6-2 home win Saturday over Kentucky Christian University. The Eagles (6-2-3, 4-2 Appalachian Athletic Conference) host Milligan in a conference tilt on Saturday night. GOLF BUCK BRUMLOW — University of Georgia (Jr., Cartersville HS) … carded rounds of 70-70-71 (211, 2-under-par) in the medal play portion of the SEC Match Play Championship last week to finish tied for 28th of more than 70 players. The Bulldogs shot even par as a team and placed 11th in the medal play portion of the 14-team event. Georgia then defeated Missouri in the match play portion 3-2 with Brumlow winning the deciding match. Starting on hole number 10, Brumlow went 3-down through the first seven holes but then won six holes over the final 13 to take the point. He closed out the victory with a birdie on his 18th hole. Georgia competes on Monday and Tuesday (October 2-3) at the Ben Hogan Collegiate hosted by TCU at Shady Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth. COLLEGE TENNIS EMILY SURCEY — Samford University (Jr., Cass HS) … went 2-1 in singles action September 22-24 as the Bulldogs hosted the first of two Fall Round Robin events in Birmingham. Samford squared off with Central Arkansas, Troy, and Tulane in the event. Surcey also went 2-1 in doubles paired with freshman teammate Margaret Jaraczewski. The Bulldogs play in the ITA Southern Regionals Thursday through Sunday in Baton Rouge.

In a game that was a tale of two different halves Friday night, the 4th-ranked Cartersville Purple Hurricanes rallied from a 17-0 halftime deficit to win at 6th-ranked Calhoun 21-17. Calhoun led 3-0 after one period on a 29-yard field goal by Carlos Lopez with 1:37 remaining in the quarter. The Yellow Jackets added a pair of second-quarter touchdowns to go up 17-0 at halftime. Caden Williams scored on a 6-yard touchdown run with 5:16 left in the half and quarterback Trey Townsend connected with Kam Penny on a 55-yard scoring pass with 1:30 remaining in the second quarter. It took almost nine minutes into the second half before the Canes got on the scoreboard. Cartersville quarterback Nate Russell hooked up with Connor Brasfield, who also had a key second-half interception, for a 22-yard touchdown pass with 3:02 to go in the third. Ryan Johnson, who made all three PAT attempts, converted for a 17-7 score. Cartersville pulled to within three points with an early fourth-quarter drive. Khristian Lando punched in a one-yard run that made the score 17-14. Late in the final period, Cartersville drove 98 yards for the win. Lando again dove in from three yards out with only 0:14 left in the game to give the Canes the lead and the win. Calhoun slipped to 4-2 overall and 0-1 in Region 7-5A. Cartersville (6-0, 1-0) hosts Cass next Friday, October 6. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. CASS 42, WOODLAND 12 Devin Henderson ran for four touchdowns and caught one touchdown pass Friday night as the Colonels celebrated a 42-12 Homecoming and Region 7-5A victory over Woodland. The game was fiercely competitive into the third quarter before Cass put the visiting Wildcats away with 28 unanswered points. Cass fumbled on its opening possession giving Woodland good field position. The Colonels’ defense halted the Wildcats and forced a field goal attempt that was blocked. From there, the Colonels drove for a 7-0 lead on Henderson’s first touchdown run from 22 yards out. Kicker Austin McArthur, who made all six attempts on the night, added the PAT. Woodland responded by driving into scoring position again. This time their drive stalled inside the 10-yard line and a second field goal attempt was blocked by Cass. The Wildcats' defense came up big on the ensuing possession and forced a Cass punt. Woodland again drove into the red zone but was turned away and gave up the ball on downs with 5:44 left in the first half. When the following Cass possession was stopped, the Colonels’ punt was partially blocked giving the Wildcats a short field at the Cass 29-yard line. Woodland quarterback Brelace Williams immediately responded with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Heath Tatum to make the score 7-6. A penalty on Woodland backed up the PAT attempt and — for the third time on the night — the Woodland kick was blocked. Cass drove back down the field on their next possession. Brody McWhorter’s pass connection with Chase Tatum moved the ball deep into Woodland territory and a facemask penalty on the play gave the Colonels a first down at the Wildcats’ 23-yard line. Two plays later, McWhorter tossed a screen pass to Henderson that turned into an 18-yard touchdown with 0:15 left in the first half. The PAT had Cass leading 14-6 at halftime. Woodland scored on the opening possession of the second half and drew within two points. Williams tossed a 46-yard scoring strike to Jay Walker just 39 seconds into the third quarter but the Wildcats’ two-point conversion pass attempt failed leaving Cass ahead 14-12. That would be as close as it would get, however. The Colonels returned the ensuing kickoff to the Woodland 47-yard line and went to their power-rushing attack. Four consecutive runs by Henderson culminated with a 13-yard touchdown scamper. Cass led 21-12 with 10:10 left in the third quarter. After the Cass defense forced a Woodland punt, the Colonels came right back down the field. Key runs by Henderson set up a 32-yard touchdown pass from McWhorter to Sacovie White with 5:29 remaining in the period. That touchdown gave Cass a 28-12 advantage. Another Cass defensive stop set up a third straight scoring drive for the offense. A pair of long pass plays from McWhorter to White moved the Colonels into scoring position. Runs by McWhorter and Henderson moved Cass to the Woodland 3-yard line where Henderson punched it in with 0:59 left in the third quarter and a 35-12 lead. Cass added the only points scored in the fourth quarter. Henderson’s 65-yard jaunt with 6:00 left in the game made the score 42-12. Woodland (2-4, 0-1) hosts 12th-ranked Dalton next Friday, October 6 for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. Cass (4-2, 1-0) makes the short trip to 4th-ranked Cartersville. ADAIRSVILLE 44, LAFAYETTE 14 Four different Tigers had touchdown runs Friday night as host Adairsville derailed the LaFayette Ramblers 44-14. Jonathan Gough had touchdown runs of 67- and 3-yards. Tamarius Wilkey scored on touchdown runs of 12- and 10-yards. Ethan Blome had an 8-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and Jamarian Pullum added a 34-yard touchdown run in the second quarter as the Tigers built a big first-half lead. Cooper Souders, who made five of six PAT kicks, also made a 34-yard field goal with 0:04 remaining in the half. The kick gave the Tigers a 37-0 lead at the break. LaFayette scored touchdowns in each of the final two periods. Khalas Finley had a 27-yard scoring run in the third quarter and Brayden Jones finished off a late Ramblers’ drive with a 4-yard run. The Ramblers fell to 1-5 on the season and 0-3 in Region 6-AAA. Adairsville (4-2, 3-0) hosts Ridgeland on Friday, October 6 in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

The Lady Canes scored all of their runs in the fourth and fifth innings Thursday night as pitcher Zoie Shiflett blanked the visiting Dalton Catamounts, 7-0, for a Region 7-5A win. The Cartersville hurler went all seven innings in the circle. She scattered five hits with no walks and eight strikeouts. The Hurricanes broke open a scoreless game in the fourth inning with four runs then added three more in the fifth. Shiflett also led the offense with a pair of hits including one double and one RBI. Kennedy Crenshaw (double, sac fly, three RBIs), Jordan Bishop (double, RBI), Allana Williams (RBI), Reese Dumas, and Layne Callan added one hit each. The loss dropped Dalton to 6-11 on the year and 4-8 in region play. Cartersville (15-7, 10-2) returns to the diamond Tuesday at Woodland at 5 p.m. LAFAYETTE 9, ADAIRSVILLE 1 The host Ramblers used a big fourth inning and tacked on more in the fifth to beat the Adairsville Tigers Thursday night, 9-1. LaFayette broke open a 1-1 game in the fourth inning with their five-run outburst. Adairsville utilized three different pitchers. Madison Baker (3 IP, 3ER, 4H), Chelsea Bates (1 IP, 3R, 2ER, 3H), and Ashlyn Carlton (0.2 IP, 3R, 0ER, 4H) each worked in the circle for the Tigers. Brie Patterson (RBI), Gabi Becerra, and Taylor Evans had the only Adairsville base hits. LaFayette (14-4, 10-1) continues to lead the Region 6-AAA standings. Adairsville (6-14, 3-8) hosts Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. SOUTHEAST WHITFIELD 8, WOODLAND 6 Woodland led 4-0 in the early innings Wednesday night at home but Southeast Whitfield scored eight runs over their final three frames to pull out an 8-6 non-region win. The Raiders cut the Woodland lead to 4-2 in the fifth before posting a five-run sixth to take the lead. Southeast then added one more run in the top of the seventh. Ashlynn Baines (5 IP, 4R, 2ER, 6H, 3BB, 6K) suffered the pitching loss for the Lady Cats. Peyton Dorn (2 IP, 4R, 2ER, 3H, 2BB, 1K) also pitched for the locals. Dorn led the Wildcats’ offense with three hits including one double. Elizabeth Hartsfield followed with two hits and one RBI. Alana Carnes (RBI), Jordan Hammonds (RBI), Kamryn Smith (solo home run), and Bailey Ryan added one hit apiece. Southeast improved to 3-16 on the season with their victory. Woodland (17-8, 8-4 Region 7-5A) returns to region play Monday at 5:30 p.m. when the Lady Cats host Dalton.

~~ from the Auburn University Athletics website AUBURN, Ala. – Former Cartersville High School and Auburn University hurler Mason Barnett has been named the Kansas City Royals 2023 Minor League Player of the Year by Baseball America. In his first full season in professional ball, Barnett made 23 starts. He posted a 3.30 ERA with 137 strikeouts in 114.2 innings pitched, leading all qualified Royals minor leaguers in both ERA and strikeouts while ranking second in WHIP (1.19). Barnett started the season with High-A Quad Cities and turned in a 3.18 ERA with 94 strikeouts in 82.0 innings before earning a promotion to Double-A Northwest Arkansas, where he posted a 3.58 ERA with 43 strikeouts in 32.2 frames. The right-hander went 5.0 or more innings in 17 of his 23 starts and struck out at least six batters in 15 outings, including a season-best 10 strikeouts in his second-to-last High-A start on July 25. He didn't allow more than two earned runs in five of his seven Double-A starts and earned the win in two of his last three appearances. Selected by the Royals in the third round of the 2022 MLB Draft, Barnett was a three-year member of the Auburn baseball program from 2020-22. He made 41 career appearances, including 20 starts, and struck out 142 batters in 111.1 innings. The Cartersville, Georgia, native played a key role in Auburn's run to the 2022 College World Series as he ranked second on the team in strikeouts (83), tied for second in starts (14), and third in innings pitched (63.2).

Adairsville volleyball won a best-of-five match at Cass Wednesday night taking three straight sets 25-19, 25-19, and 28-26. Adysen Garvey had five service aces and six kills for Adairsville. Addie Pearson finished with nine kills. Jordan Hartline and Jayna Wilson added five kills each. Wilson also had four blocks. Cara Harp contributed 13 assists while Sherry Wells and Jenna Claire Hendley pitched in with 15 digs each. Adairsville (10-20, 2-3 Region 6-AAA) takes on LaFayette and Bremen on Tuesday at Bremen. Cass (4-26-1, 1-4 Region 7-AAAAA) returns to action next Thursday at the region tournament.

September 29, 2023 Cartersville volleyball defeated Villa Rica and Darlington Thursday night in straight sets at The Storm Center in non-region action. The Hurricanes topped Villa Rica 25-20 and 25-14 then beat Darlington 25-17 and 25-13. In the two matches, Ailee England totaled 17 kills. Tennessee Abernathy finished with 11 kills. Holly Dufrene had 10 kills and Addison Marisko added seven kills. Aly Dunn had five service aces while England and Dufrene added four and three, respectively. Marisko led the Canes with five blocks. Mckenzie Wilkie totaled 15 digs and Aubree Barrett contributed 25 assists. Cartersville (25-13, 3-1) closes out the region regular season slate at Hiram Monday at 5:30 p.m. and then plays Hillgrove and Allatoona at Hillgrove on Tuesday before starting the region playoffs later in the week.