The Cartersville gymnastics team began their 2023 season at home this past Saturday, February 18th. hosting a meet at Cartersville Twisters. Allatoona and Cambridge were the visiting teams at the three-way meet. Cartersville gymnasts placed in the top five All Around, along with holding a Top 10 in every event. Placing 2nd All Around, Junior Karley Garrison had a state qualifying score of 35.15. Garrison placed 2nd on vault (9.3) and beam (9.2). She placed second on bars with 8.0 and third on the floor with 8.650. She will need two more scores to earn her spot in the GHSA State Qualifiers Meet in April. Senior Jayla Byrd was 3rd All Around with a score of 32.60. She placed third on the beam with a State qualifying score of 9.1. She also placed fourth on vault and bars. Senior, Annaston Wilson placed 5th All Around with a score of 29.15. She placed 7th on floor with an 8.35. Cartersville will host their next meet at Cartersville Twisters, Saturday, March 11th at 9:30 AM.

The Adairsville Tigers rallied late to take the lead then held on for a 9-8 win Monday night over visiting Pepperell. The Dragons led 3-0 early but Adairsville scored a run in the third and four more in the fourth to take a 5-3 lead through five innings. Pepperell scored five times in the top of the sixth to regain the lead at 8-5 but the Tigers posted four runs in the bottom of the frame to go up 9-8. Adairsville reliever Jack Whitley allowed a one out walk and single but induced a pair of fly outs to secure the Tigers’ win. Dawson Craig (0.1 IP, 0R, 1H, 1K) picked up the pitching win by recording the final out of the sixth inning for Kaiden Coker (0.2 IP, 5ER, 3H, 2K). Grayson Belcher (5 IP, 3R, 1ER, 2H, 2BB, 5K) made the start for the Tigers. Jack Nelson had two hits including a double and three RBIs to lead the Adairsville offensive attack. Evan Sanders (2 RBIs), Jarrett Scott (2 RBIs), Peyton Bowen (RBI), Chris Roper, Dawson Craig, and Landon O’Neal contributed one hit each. The loss dropped Pepperell to 1-3 on the season. Adairsville (4-0) hosts Bowdon Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

The 2023 GHSA State Basketball Championship Tournaments begin Tuesday and Wednesday with five local teams in action. The complete list of first round pairings for Class 5A and Class 3A girls and boys are listed below: CLASS 5A GIRLS R5 #3 Banneker (16-12) at R6 #2 Cambridge (20-8) R8 #4 Heritage-Conyers (14-12) at R7 #1 Calhoun (22-4) R3 #3 McIntosh (10-17) at R4 #2 Arabia Mountain (24-2) R2 #4 Jones County (19-9) at R1 #1 Ware County (19-7) R6 #3 Centennial (16-9) at R5 #2 Midtown (20-8) R7 #4 Cartersville (16-10) at R8 #1 Jefferson (10-17), Tuesday 2/21, 7 p.m. R4 #3 Chamblee (13-9) at R3 #2 Harris County (18-9) R1 #4 Statesboro (19-9) at R2 #1 Warner Robins (24-3) R1 #3 Greenbrier (19-8) at R2 #2 Union Grove (21-7) R4 #4 Lithonia (7-19) at R3 #1 Northside-Columbus (20-6) R7 #3 Dalton (20-8) at R8 #2 Loganville (18-9) R6 #4 GAC (13-14) at R5 #1 Maynard Jackson (23-1) R2 #3 Eagle’s Landing (12-12) at R1 #2 Bradwell Institute (21-4) R3 #4 Northgate (14-14) at R4 #1 Decatur (18-8) R8 #3 Flowery Branch (16-12) at R7 #2 Hiram (21-5) R5 #4 Lithia Springs (13-12) at R6 #1 Kell (21-5) CLASS 3A GIRLS R5 #3 Douglass (4-14) at R6 #2 Coahulla Creek (15-11) R8 #4 Franklin County (9-19) at R7 #1 Wesleyan (24-3) R3 #3 Long County (18-9) at R4 #2 Morgan County (19-7) R2 #4 Upson-Lee (10-16) at R1 #1 Carver-Columbus (18-9) R6 #3 Bremen (19-8) at R5 #2 Carver-Atlanta (16-10) R7 #4 White County (19-9) at R8 #1 Hebron Christian (27-0) R4 #3 Hephzibah (18-7) at R3 #2 Liberty County (18-8) R1 #4 Thomasville (12-14) at R2 #1 Mary Persons (23-4) R1 #3 Dougherty (15-12) at R2 #2 Peach County (19-8) R4 #4 Salem (5-16) at R3 #1 Calvary Day (21-6) R7 #3 Dawson County (14-14) at R8 #2 Hart County (19-8) R6 #4 Adairsville (13-14) at R5 #1 Sandy Creek (16-11), Tuesday 2/21, 6 p.m. R2 #3 Jackson (13-12) at R1 #2 Monroe (20-7) R3 #4 Savannah Country Day (21-5) at R4 #1 Cross Creek (22-4) R8 #3 Oconee County (11-16) at R7 #2 Lumpkin County (22-4) R5 #4 Cedar Grove (3-14) at R6 #1 Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe (25-1) CLASS 5A BOYS R5 #3 Tri-Cities (18-10) at R6 #2 Cambridge (12-16) R8 #4 Heritage-Conyers (18-8) at R7 #1 Hiram (24-2) R3 #3 Northgate (10-17) at R4 #2 Tucker (19-7) R2 #4 Jones County (16-12) at R1 #1 Bradwell Institute (16-8) R6 #3 North Springs (16-10) at R5 #2 Mays (19-8) R7 #4 Cartersville (12-16) at R8 #1 Winder-Barrow (19-8), Wednesday, 2/22, 6:30 p.m. R4 #3 Lithonia (18-9) at R3 #2 Northside-Columbus (17-8) R1 #4 Greenbrier (16-11) at R2 #1 Eagle’s Landing (25-1) R1 #3 Statesboro (18-8) at R2 #2 Union Grove (17-11) R4 #4 Chamblee (8-17) at R3 #1 McIntosh (20-7) R7 #3 Cass (14-13) at R8 #2 Jefferson (10-17), Wednesday, 2/22, 6 p.m. R6 #4 Chattahoochee (16-12) at R5 #1 Chapel Hill (20-8) R2 #3 Dutchtown (20-8) at R1 #2 Coffee (14-13) R3 #4 Harris County (6-22) at R4 #1 Decatur (17-8) R8 #3 Eastside (22-6) at R7 #2 Calhoun (14-12) R5 #4 Maynard Jackson (17-9) at R6 #1 Kell (23-2) CLASS 3A BOYS R5 #3 Douglass (13-13) at R6 #2 Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe (16-11) R8 #4 Hebron Christian (12-16) at R7 #1 White County (17-11) R3 #3 Beach (22-5) at R4 #2 Harlem (11-9) R2 #4 Mary Persons (9-17) at R1 #1 Dougherty (15-11) R6 #3 LaFayette (15-8) at R5 #2 Cedar Grove (16-9) R7 #4 Pickens (13-14) at R8 #1 Monroe Area (23-4) R4 #3 Salem (11-15) at R3 #2 Long County (18-11) R1 #4 Carver-Columbus (6-19) at R2 #1 Upson-Lee (20-6) R1 #3 Crisp County (16-12) at R2 #2 Jackson (12-15) R4 #4 Hephzibah (10-14) at R3 #1 Johnson-Savannah (23-4) R7 #3 Wesleyan (20-7) at R8 #2 Stephens County (14-12) R6 #4 Ringgold (11-16) at R5 #1 Sandy Creek (21-6) R2 #3 Peach County (6-21) at R1 #2 Monroe (20-7) R3 #4 Groves (15-12) at R4 #1 Cross Creek (17-10) R8 #3 Hart County (15-12) at R7 #2 Gilmer (19-9) R5 #4 Carver-Atlanta (0-25) at R6 #1 Adairsville (19-8), Wednesday, 2/22, 6 p.m.

The 12th-ranked Georgia Highlands Chargers were swept in a three-game series this past weekend at the Rome Braves’ Advent Health Stadium in Rome by 8th-ranked Wabash Valley College from Mt. Carmel, Illinois. The visiting Warriors won both games Saturday 4-3 and 7-4 before taking Sunday’s game, 16-7. Austin Slate had three hits and one RBI in Saturday’s first loss. Davis Newman (RBI), Bryson Stripling, Barrett Eldridge, Mitchell Walker, and CJ Blackwell added one hit apiece. Chargers’ starting pitcher Trey Baker went six innings and allowed just one earned run on two hits but the Warriors’ three late runs lifted Wabash to a win. In Saturday’s second game, Wabash scored six runs in the top of the third to take control early. Georgia Highlands narrowed the margin to 6-4 after five innings but got no closer. Chargers’ catcher Conner Faulkner had two hits. Hudson Sapp, Jay Murdock, and Ryan Wideman (2 RBIs) added one hit each. Sunday, the Warriors never trailed after taking an early 3-0 lead on their way to a 16-7 victory. Georgia Highlands produced 13 hits in the loss but Wabash scored 12 runs across the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings. GHC’s Murdock was 3-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs. Parker Poteet also had three hits and one RBI. Bryson Stripling finished with two hits including a double and one RBI. Five other Chargers — Bryant Herring (RBI), Zayd Brannigan, Sapp, Slate, and Wideman (RBI) added one hit apiece in the loss. Georgia Highlands (8-4) will play four more games in Rome this Friday and Saturday. The Chargers will play Wallace State-Hanceville at 2 p.m. and Chattahoochee Valley CC at 5 p.m. Friday. Then square off with Chattahoochee Valley again Saturday in a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.

Georgia Highlands softball slipped to 1-11 on the season last Tuesday with a home doubleheader loss to Walters State CC, 8-0 and 11-1. Lady Senators pitcher Tori Coffman stole the show in Game 1 tossing a five-inning no-hitter to blank the Chargers. She fanned six and missed a perfect game by issuing one walk. The Senators also committed one error. In Game 2, Walters State scored two runs or more in four of their five offensive frames and hit a pair of home runs in their 10-run win. Audrey Johnson homered for the Chargers' only run. Madison Dennis and Abigail Lathrop added one hit apiece. Georgia Highlands plays a doubleheader at Cleveland State CC Tuesday and visits Motlow State CC Friday for two more games.

Former Adairsville High School star and Atlanta Falcons linebacker Vic Beasley hasn’t played in the NFL since 2020, but he made his XFL debut Saturday afternoon with the Vegas Vipers. The revitalized XFL made its 2023 debut over the weekend with all eight teams in action. This is the third attempt for a league that has been rebranded several times since 2001. The 30-year-old Beasley was the eighth overall pick by the Falcons in 2015 and was First Team All-Pro in the Falcons’ Super Bowl season in 2016 when he recorded 39 tackles and led the NFL in sacks. The following season his production fell off and his contract was allowed to expire following the 2019 season. He signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2020 and was waived after seven games. He was then picked up by the Las Vegas Raiders later that season. PRO FOOTBALL VIC BEASLEY — Vegas Vipers (XFL, DE/LB, Clemson, Adairsville HS) … had one assist and two tackles including one for a loss in the Vipers’ 22-20 loss Saturday at the Arlington Renegades. Vegas (0-1) hosts the D.C. Defenders Saturday night. PRO BASKETBALL ASHTON HAGANS — Greensboro Swarm (NBA G-League; 3rd-year pro; Cartersville native; Kentucky; Newton HS) … totaled 23 points, eight assists, five rebounds, and one assist in a pair of losses last Monday and Wednesday at the Motor City Cruise in Detroit. The Swarm (7-12) are in 13th place in the 15-team Eastern Conference. They host the Cleveland Charge Wednesday night and the Maine Celtics Friday and Saturday nights. A.J. MOSBY — Sudbury Five (6th year pro; NBL-Canada; Alcorn State; Cartersville HS) … in three straight wins at the Newfoundland Rogues last week, Mosby averaged 23 points, seven assists, and a pair of rebounds. Sudbury won 144-137, 131-120, and 131-129. The Five (8-3) will play home games Monday and Saturday against the KW Titans. BASKETBALL BRAXTON BENHAM — Berry College (So., Cass HS) … scored 10 points with four assists, three rebounds, one steal, and one blocked shot Sunday afternoon as the Vikings beat visiting Centre College (KY) in the quarterfinal round of the Southern Athletic Association conference tournament, 86-64. Last Wednesday, Benham scored 10 points and had five assists, two steals, and one rebound in a regular season finale at Oglethorpe University. No. 1-seeded Berry will host Birmingham-Southern College in the SAA semifinals Saturday at 3 p.m. JUSTICE HAYES — Point University (So., Cass HS) … scored five points with one rebound and one assist last Tuesday in a 67-63 home win over Tennessee Wesleyan. He then scored seven points and added one assist in an 87-71 loss Saturday at Columbia International. The Skyhawks (15-13) head to the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament in Kingsport, Tennessee Thursday where they will play Montreat in the first round. DiANTHONY HEATHCOCK — Columbia International University (Jr., Woodland HS) … scored 12 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and added one blocked shot in an 87-71 home win Saturday over Point University. The Rams (14-13) begin play in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament Wednesday against Bluefield University. T.J. HORTON — Georgia Highlands CC (So., Cartersville HS) … had four rebounds with one point and one steal last Monday in an 88-75 loss at Central Georgia Tech. Horton then scored 16 points with three rebounds and two steals last Wednesday in a 95-47 win at home over Southern Crescent Tech. Stats for the Chargers win at Andrew College on Saturday were not available at the time of this report. GHC (16-9, 10-1 GCAA) play at East Georgia State CC in Swainsboro Tuesday, hosts South Georgia State CC Thursday, and visits South Georgia Tech in Americus Saturday. HALEY JOHNSON — Central Georgia Tech CC (Fr., Cass HS) … had one steal, one assist, and one rebound last Monday in an 82-53 Titans’ loss at South Georgia Tech CC. She also saw playing time with no stat line in an 83-68 home loss last Wednesday to East Georgia State. The Titans (8-19, 2-11 GCAA) host Andrew College Wednesday and visit Georgia Highlands CC in Rome Saturday afternoon. JAYLON PUGH — Lander University (Grad student, Cartersville HS) … scored 17 points with six rebounds, two steals, and two assists Saturday at Georgia Southwestern State in a 115-105 overtime win. Last Wednesday, Pugh finished with 10 points, six boards, one assist and one steal in an 80-58 home win over Georgia College. Lander (19-7, 11-5 Peach Belt Conference) hosts Young Harris College Wednesday night before traveling to Flagler College Saturday. ABIGAIL TAYLOR — Centre College (Fr., Woodland HS) … scored three points and grabbed three rebounds last Wednesday in a Colonels’ 60-39 win at Sewanee-University of the South. She then saw playing time, but had no stat line in Centre’s Southern Athletic Association tournament quarterfinal win Sunday over visiting Sewanee. Centre (19-7) will host Berry College Saturday in the conference semifinals. LONDAISHA SMITH — Alderson Broaddus University (So., Cass HS) … totaled 29 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, one blocked shot, and one steal in a pair of losses last week to West Virginia State and University of Charleston (WV). The Battlers (5-20, 4-16) host Wheeling Wednesday night and Notre Dame College on Saturday. NAKIYAH WASHINGTON — Piedmont University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … as the Lions honored their seniors last week, Washington was recognized as the Piedmont University program’s all-time leading scorer, a three-time All-USA South Conference performer, and a two-time CoSIDA Academic All District. In a 56-45 home win Saturday over Maryville College (Tenn.), she scored just one point with six boards, two steals, one assist, and one blocked shot. Piedmont (15-10) opens Collegiate Conference of the South tournament play Wednesday night at home against Huntingdon. TENNIS EMILY BUSH — Young Harris College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … in a 5-2 team win at North Greenville University Saturday, Bush teamed with Catarina Marcko Ferreira to win 6-4 at Line 3 doubles then defeated her Crusaders opponent at Line 3 singles 6-0, 6-0. Sunday she was a 6-1, 6-1 winner at Line 3 singles as YHC topped visiting Carson-Newman, 5-2. The Mountain Lions (3-5) will play Texas A&M-Kingsville at home Thursday afternoon. CONNOR GUNNELL — Shorter University (Jr., Woodland HS) … in a 7-0 loss last Tuesday at Lee University, Gunnell dropped a 6-0, 6-0 decsion playing Line 5 singles. He and partner Caleb Harper also lost 6-2 in their Line 3 doubles match. Shorter plays at Mississippi College Friday and at University of West Alabama Saturday. TRACK & FIELD BILL ARCHER — University of Montevallo (So., Cartersville HS) … finished eighth (4:19.13) in the one mile run at the Gulf South Conference Indoor Track & Field Championship last Tuesday as the Falcons placed fourth behind Mississippi College, Lee University, and Alabama-Huntsville. The next meet for Montevallo will be at Berry College March 4. GOLF BUCK BRUMLOW — University of Georgia (So., Cartersville HS) … tied his career low with a 6-under-par 66 in the final round and moved up 22 spots in the individual standings last Tuesday as the Bulldogs finished third of 13 teams at the Puerto Rico Classic at Grand Reserve Golf Club. Brumlow finished tied for 10th of 77 players in the tournament with a 54-hole total of 7-under-par 209 (70-73-66). Georgia carded a 24-under-par team total which was six shots behind tournament winner Oklahoma. East Tennessee State was runner-up, one shot ahead of the Bulldogs. UGA travels to Las Vegas February 26-28 for the Southern Highlands Collegiate hosted by UNLV. SWIMMING HARPER POWELL — Florida Tech (So., Adairsville HS) … placed 11th (23.86) in the 50-yard freestyle last Friday at the Sunshine State Conference Championship in Clearwater. She also missed the finals of the 100-yard backstroke with a 17th place finish (59.60) in the preliminaries. WRESTLING KYLE GOLLHOFER — University of Northern Iowa (R-So., Woodland HS) … lost his bout at 125-pounds as the 13th-ranked Panthers lost at 19th-ranked Wisconsin 23-17. Next for Northern Iowa (7-5) is the Big 12 Championships March 4-5 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. CALEB HENSON — Virginia Tech (Fr., Woodland HS) … ranked No. 8 nationally in the 149-pound weight division, Henson fell behind early to his Virginia opponent but came from behind for an eventual 9-4 win. The 9th-ranked Hokies won a share of the ACC title with a 33-3 win over the Cavaliers. Virginia Tech returns to action on March 5 at the ACC Championships in Raleigh, North Carolina. JAXON SMITH — University of Maryland (R-Fr., Woodland HS) … ranked No. 13 nationally in the 197-pound weight division, Smith won his bout 8-2 while the Terps topped Binghamton last Friday 19-12. Sunday in New York City, Smith won a major decision (11-3) in his bout but the Terrapins came up short at Columbia, 18-16. Maryland heads to Ann Arbor, Michigan for the 2023 Big Ten Championships on March 4-5. SOFTBALL LAINEY BAKER — Samford University (Fr., Woodland HS) … made three pitching appearances over the weekend at the UAB Classic in Birmingham. Friday she worked 2-⅔ innings without a decision against Ball State. She allowed one earned run on three hits and struck out four Cardinals. Saturday, she tossed 6-⅔ innings and gave up just one unearned run on two hits but was tagged with a pitching loss as the Bulldogs fell 1-0 to Lindenwood. Sunday against UAB, Baker pitched 1-⅔ innings allowing one earned run. She struck out one. Samford (2-6) visits Alabama Wednesday night and will host five games facing Southern Indiana twice, IUPUI twice, and North Alabama in their own Bulldog Classic Friday through Sunday. COLBI BALLARD — Shorter University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … was 0-for-5 at the plate with three walks during a weekend Gulf South Conference series with visiting Union University (Tennessee). The Hawks salvaged one game in the series with a 5-4 win on Sunday. Shorter (4-8, 1-2) hosts Auburn-Montgomery Tuesday in a doubleheader before traveling to Mississippi College Saturday and Sunday for a three game series at Mississippi College. PRESLY EDWARDS — Wesleyan College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … went 1-for-4 in a 7-3 home loss to Sewanee Sunday afternoon. She was also 0-for-3 in a 1-0 home win in that doubleheader. Friday, the Wolves’ catcher was 0-for-2 in an 8-0 loss to 18th-ranked Coastal Georgia. Wesleyan (1-5) plays at Columbia College (SC) Friday and at Covenant College Saturday. ANSLEY EVANS — Reinhardt University (So., Woodland HS) … in a pair of starts Saturday playing third base, Evans was 3-for-7 at the plate against Thomas University. The visiting Night Hawks won the opener 3-1 but the host Eagles took Game 2, 11-9. Reinhardt (4-2) hosts two games with Midway University Friday and two with Union College (KY) Saturday. SADYE JOHNSON — University of North Georgia (So., Adairsville HS) … appeared in games against UNC-Pembroke and Lake Erie College Saturday and Sunday and was 1-for-4 at the plate with a double and two RBIs. The Nighthawks went 4-0 in games Saturday and Sunday. UNG (10-1) has a doubleheader Wednesday at home against West Georgia and a three-game series Saturday and Sunday at home against USC-Beaufort. ERYN LEE — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cass HS) … the Eagles’ centerfielder went 0-for-2 in a 3-1 loss in the first game of a doubleheader Saturday with visiting Thomas University. In the second game, however, she finished 2-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base, and one RBI in an 11-9 win over the Night Hawks. Reinhardt (4-2) hosts two games with Midway University Friday and two with Union College (KY) Saturday. RACHAEL LEE — Gulf Coast State CC (Fr., Cass HS) … the Commodores went 2-1 in games at Florida State Jacksonville CC and Seminole State CC this weekend. Lee was 0-for-7 at the plate. Gulf Coast State (9-3) hosts a doubleheader with Motlow State Monday and plays five games Friday and Saturday in Oxford, Alabama against five different opponents. LAUREN McELHANEY — University of West Georgia (Jr., Cartersville HS) … made a pair of starts last Tuesday and Saturday at catcher and was 0-for-2 at the plate with one at bat in each game — a 9-1 home loss to Georgia Southwestern and a 7-5 loss to West Alabama. The Wolves were 1-4 for the week picking up a win Sunday against UWA. West Georgia (2-8, 1-2 Gulf South Conference) visits North Georgia for a doubleheader Wednesday and travels to Lee University for a three-game conference series Saturday and Sunday. HOPE SHORT — Shorter University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … made a pinch hitting appearance Saturday in the Hawks’ 10-1 loss to visiting Union University (Tenn.). Shorter lost twice on Saturday but edged the Bulldogs 5-4 Sunday in the series finale. Shorter (4-8, 1-2) hosts Auburn-Montgomery Tuesday in a doubleheader before traveling to Mississippi College Saturday and Sunday for a three game series at Mississippi College. ALEXA VARNER — Shorter University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … in a three-game home series with Union University (Tenn.) Varner made a start at shortstop and a start in left field going 0-for-3 at the plate with one walk in losses Saturday. Sunday, she appeared as a pinch runner and stole a base in a 5-4 win. The Hawks (4-8, 1-2 Gulf South Conference) have a home doubleheader with UA-Montgomery Tuesday and a three-game conference series at Mississippi College this weekend. BASEBALL LOGAN MARTIN — University of Kentucky (Sr., Cartersville HS) … made a five inning start last Friday allowing a pair of earned runs on six hits and one walk. Martin struck out six but was the pitcher of record in a 2-0 loss at Elon. The Wildcats (2-1) host University of Evansville Tuesday and have a three-game home series with Wright State Friday through Sunday. COLT McKIBBEN — Lee University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … faced three batters and got three fly outs in the third inning last Tuesday in an eventual 9-5 home loss to Young Harris College. It was a no-decision appearance for McKibben. The Flames (5-6, 2-1 Gulf South Conference) also won two of three at Alabama-Huntsville over the weekend. Lee hosts Carson-Newman Tuesday and a three-game conference series with West Georgia Friday and Saturday. DREW ROTHSCHILD — Abraham Baldwin Agriculural College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … in a split doubleheader at USC-Salkehatchie and a loss at Santa Fe CC (Fla.), Rothschild was just 1-for-8 at the plate with two walks but drove in four runs and scored one. He also stole a base. The Stallions also had a loss Saturday at Wallace-Dothan. ABAC (3-9) hosts a doubleheader with USC-Salkehatchie Monday, travels to College of Central Florida Wednesday, and visits Tallahassee CC Saturday for a doubleheader. STEPHEN SPELL — Young Harris College (Sr., Cass HS) … in four starts this past week, Spell raised his season batting average to .351 by going 6-for-14 with two walks and one RBI. The Mountain Lions won last Tuesday at Lee University and swept a three-game series with Augusta University. YHC (9-2, 3-0 Peach Belt Conference) plays at Tusculum Tuesday and plays the Battle of Blood Mountain three-game series at North Georgia Friday through Sunday. DEVIN WARNER — Georgia Gwinnett College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … in a two-game split with Thomas University and a two game sweep of West Virginia Tech, Warner was 7-for-16 at the plate with one walk, one hit by pitch, one double, two home runs, and six RBIs. He also swiped a pair of bases. Two of his starts were at third base and two as designated hitter. The 7th-ranked Grizzlies (8-2) host a four-game series Friday and Saturday with Indiana University-South Bend. PRESTON WELCHEL — Tennessee Wesleyan College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … during a weekend three-game home series sweep of Truett McConnell, Welchel was 3-for-9 with three walks, scored three runs, and drove in a pair of runs. The right fielder was moved to the leadoff spot in the batting order for the final two games of the series. The NAIA 3rd-ranked Bulldogs (9-0, 3-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) host Cumberland University Wednesday afternoon and have a three-game home conference series with Columbia International Friday and Saturday. COHEN WILBANKS — Georgia Gwinnett College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … started twice and appeared in three games last week for the Grizzlies going 3-for-9 including a double at the plate with four RBIs. The catcher walked twice, scored five runs, and stole two bases in home games against Thomas University and West Virginia Tech. The 7th-ranked Grizzlies (8-2) host a four-game series Friday and Saturday with Indiana University-South Bend. DAVIS WILLIAMS — Birmingham-Southern College (So., Cartersville HS) … made a pitching start for the Panthers Sunday and received no decision after allowing six runs (four earned) on four hits, three walks, and one hit batsman in an eventual 15-11 win over 21st-ranked East Texas Baptist. NCAA D-III 4th-ranked BSC (6-1) went 4-0 Saturday and Sunday hosting 2nd-ranked LaGrange College, Millsaps College, East Texas Baptist, and Huntingdon College. This Friday through Sunday, the Panthers host the BSC Classic. JORDAN WILKIE — Augusta University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … in a three-game series at Young Harris College over the weekend, the Jags’ first baseman was 1-for-13 with a double and one RBI. Augusta dropped all three games. The Jaguars (1-7, 0-3 Peach Belt Conference) visit Georgia Southwestern State Friday and Saturday for a three-game conference series.

The Cartersville boys were sixth and the Lady Canes were eighth Saturday at the 10-team Allatoona High School All-Comers Meet. Etowah, Maynard Jackson, and Allatoona finished at the top of the girls' standings. East Paulding won the boys' meet ahead of North Paulding and Etowah. Cartersville results are listed below. Purple Hurricane Track and Field Girls: High Jump: Anna Grace Boone - 2nd place 4-10 Amirra Davis- 5th place 4-6 Triple Jump: Kaylee Wyatt- 6th place 30-1.5 Shot Put: Paris Moultrie- 8th place 26-0 Jade Nelson- 9th place 25-9.5 100 M Hurdles: Sydney Rhodes - 4th Place 18.91s Amira Davis -7th place 19.53s 300 M Hurdles: Leyla Booth - 3rd Place 52.18s 1600 M Run: Vivi Vest- 6th place 6:20.65 800 M Run: Anna Grace Boone - 3rd place and PR of 2:28.99 4x400 M Relay: 3rd Place 4:31.75s -Anna Grace Boone, Leyla Booth, Alex Hampton, & Elizabeth Nelson Purple Hurricane Track and Field Boys: Long Jump: Kace Adams - 2nd Place 20-9 Jackson Montgomery-10th place 18-3 Triple Jump: Stephen Rowser- 6th place 36-3 Jackson Montgomery- 9th place 34-8.5 High Jump: Jordyn Woods- 10th place 5-2 Barrett Stepp- 12th place 5-2 Shot Put: Myles Forristall- 6th place 40-8 Nick Kennedy - 10th place 39-0 100 Meter Dash: Kace Adams- 5th place 11.54s Kendrick Price-7th place 11:55s 1600 M Run: Malachi Vosburg:- 3rd Place 4:38:39 Barrett Stepp - 11th place 4:58:62 400 M Run: Will Feuerbach- 8th place 53.13s 800 M Run: Daniel Pina- 6th place 2:15.08 Cainen Crowder-7th place 2:16.05 3200 M Run: Malachi Vosburg - 1st Place 10:17 Hayden Mitchell - 4th Place 10:50 4x100 M Relay: 3rd Place 43.83s- Kace Adams, Stephen Rowser, , Khristian Lando, Kendrick Price 4x400M Relay: 4th place 3:41.50- Kemarie Mitchell, Kendrick Price, Bryson Everett, Will Feuerbach 4x800M Run: 5th place 9:48.26- Ethan Nix, Owen Taff, Hayden Empie, Benjamin Wilkerson

The Adairsville Tigers swept a non-region doubleheader in Rome Saturday defeating the Darlington Tigers 5-0 and 6-3. ADAIRSVILLE 5, DARLINGTON 0 Adairsville starting pitcher Jack Nelson struck out eight and shut out Darlington 5-0 on just two hits and two walks Saturday. Nelson needed just 89 pitches in his complete-game effort. Meanwhile, Adairsville’s offense produced nine hits and scored one run in the third, three in the fourth, and one more run in the fifth inning. Jarrett Scott (RBI), Tyler Driggers (RBI), and Nelson had two hits each. Jack Whitley (2 RBIs), Luke Altizer (RBI), and Evan Sanders (double) added one hit apiece. ADAIRSVILLE 6, DARLINGTON 3 In Game Two, Adairsville managed only four hits but rallied in the sixth inning to take a 6-3 come-from-behind win. Kaiden Coker (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 1BB, 3K) struck out the side in the fifth inning to pick up a pitching win in relief of starter Peyton Bowen (4 IP, 3ER, 4H, 1BB, 6K). Jack Whitley (2 IP, 0R, 3H, 1BB) earned a two-inning save for Adairsville. Evan Sanders (RBI), Tyler Driggers (RBI), Jack Nelson (RBI), and Whitley (RBI) had the four Adairsville base hits. Dawson Craig and Jarrett Scott drove in one run each. Logan Floyd had three hits for Darlington (1-3). Ashton Albers drove in a pair of runs with a triple. Adairsville (3-0) hosts Pepperell Monday at 5:30 p.m.

Strong pitching performances were the order of the day Saturday but Woodland managed a pair of runs late — including a walk-off, hit by pitch in the bottom of the seventh — to outlast visiting Chapel Hill, 2-1. With the score tied 1-1 heading into the Wildcats’ half of the seventh, Woodland took advantage of a walk, a hit batsman, a sacrifice bunt by Conner Stermer, and an intentional walk to load the bases when Mason Williams was hit by a pitch to drive in the game-winning run. Ayden Ray, who drove in the Wildcats' first run with a fifth inning single, picked up the pitching win for Woodland by retiring the final two outs in the top of the seventh. Austin Daves (4.1 IP, 1ER, 4H, 1BB, 7K) started on the bump for the Wildcats with Zach Lambert (1 IP, 0R, 1H, 1BB, 1K) and Logan Bentley (1 IP, 1BB, 1K) working in relief. The four Woodland pitchers combined for nine strikeouts and just one earned run. Chapel Hill starting pitcher, Caiden Stewart (6 IP, 1ER, 4H, 3BB, 10K) fanned ten in a non-decision outing. Bryant Monday was tagged with the loss allowing an earned run without recording an out. Ryan Wynn recorded two outs in the seventh, issued an intentional walk, and hit Williams with the game’s final pitch. Jabari Johnson had two of the Panthers’ five hits. Wynn and Khari Hartman both doubled with Phillip Ackerman adding one hit for the Chapel Hill offense. Jakiyon Porter had two hits for Woodland. Stermer and Ray (RBI) had one hit apiece. The loss dropped Chapel Hill to 3-3 on the season. Woodland (2-2) plays at North Springs Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

The Excel Christian Academy boys basketball team earned its spot in the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools (GAPPS) Final Four Saturday night with a 76-44 win over Horizon Christian Academy of Cumming at the JH Morgan Gym in Cartersville. The Eagles, who carried a 36-16 lead to the locker room at halftime, led by as many as 29 points in the third quarter and continued to pull away in the fourth for a 32-point quarterfinal win. Kyron McClendon scored 27 points to pace the Eagles. Jacob Taylor followed with 21 points and Jakaden Barkley contributed 19 in the victory. The Warriors (12-9) were led by Isaac Bealer with 20 points and Evan Holcombe with 13. Excel (19-8) will face Central Christian of Sharpsburg (16-7) in the state semifinals next Thursday, February 23 at 4:30 p.m. at Rock Springs Christian Academy in Milner. The ECA/Central winner will play the Trinity Prep/Unity Christian winner for the GAPPS state title Saturday, February 25 at Ace Academy in Macon.

The Cass wrestling team finished second at the 2023 Class 5A GHSA State Traditional Championships in Macon Thursday and Friday. The Colonels were edged by Jefferson for the title. The same team that beat them in the State Duals Championship finals match earlier in the season. Jefferson finished with 213.5 points. Cass scored 208. Ola (153.5), Woodland (96.5), and Harris County (82) completed the top five in the standings. Greenbrier, Flowery Branch, Locust Grove, Dalton, and Calhoun rounded out the top ten teams. Cartersville was 21st with 18 team points. Cass had eleven individuals to advance to the final weekend in Macon and all eleven placed fifth or better. The Colonels had five to reach the finals in their respective weight classes and four of those wrestlers won individual state championships. Lee Camp (106-pounds), Jake Crapps (126), Tyler McKnight (144), and Zach McKnight (165) were all crowned state champions. Camp was 4-0 in his state championship bracket. Crapps and the McKnight brothers were all 3-0. Rowdy Duck (132) of Cass was a state runner-up with a 2-1 record. Hunter Barrett (113) and Kriecg Roe (157) both finished third with 3-1 marks in their championship brackets. Tanner Toups (138) went 2-2 and earned fourth place. Caden Alford (120), Mason Tompkins (150), and Parker Dunn (190) each finished fifth for the Colonels. Leading Woodland to its fourth-place finish in Class 5A, Champ Higdon won an individual state championship in the 215-pound division going 3-0. Hayden Santora (138) went 3-1 to earn a third-place finish for the Wildcats. Paul Lanier (126, 4-2), Zachary Wallace (144, 3-2), and Kwadrus Wilson (Heavyweight, 4-2) finished fourth and Heath Tatum (165, 1-2) tied for fifth. Talan Nix (138, 3-2) of Cartersville tied for fifth to collect the Hurricanes’ top finish. Adairsville, competing on Friday and Saturday, finished 14th in Class AAA where Gilmer County captured another state title ahead of Pickens, Bremen, and Ringgold. Jett Johnson (Heavyweight, 3-1) led the Tigers by reaching the championship bout before losing to finish state runner-up. Jacob Pasley (144, 1-2) and Jamori Speights (138, 3-2) both tied for fifth place. In the Girls State Championship Tournament, Cartersville’s Anetra Witherspoon (190) finished in fourth place after going 3-2 in her bouts.

In a battle of No. 1-ranked teams Friday night, the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes never trailed in a 5-3 win over Etowah. Cartersville is top-ranked in Class 5A. Etowah is atop the Class 6A rankings. The Canes took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second, led 3-1 through three innings, and was ahead 4-2 when the Eagles scored in the sixth. Cartersville added an insurance run in the top of the seventh for their two-run victory. Isaac McNair-Seigler had two hits for the Purple Hurricanes. Luke Miller had a triple in the third inning to drive in a run. Caleb Daniel (RBI), Miles Owen (RBI), and Landon Cole added one hit apiece. Ryan Johnson (3 IP, 2R, 1ER, 2H, 3BB, 4K) started on the mound for Cartersville. Sawyer Wilson (1.2 IP, 0R, 0H, 3BB, 3K), Geoffrey Gore (0.1 IP, 1ER, 1H), and Phillip Schiltz (2 IP, 0R, 1H, 1BB, 3K) pitched in relief. Haiden Schultz finished with two hits for Etowah (2-1). The Hurricanes (2-0) visit Ringgold Tuesday in a 5:55 p.m. start.