The Cass boys’ soccer team opened its 2023 regular season Tuesday night with a 5-0 win over the Pickens Dragons. Camden Hillhouse scored a goal and had two assists to lead Cass. Christian Villela scored the Colonels’ opening goal at the 15-minute mark with a nice upper-90 finish of an assist from Hillhouse. Villela then gave Cass a 2-0 lead five minutes later off an assist from Alex Hernandez. At the 30-minute mark, Hillhouse found the back of the net unassisted to give the Colonels a 3-0 advantage at the intermission. Alex Hernandez scored the fourth Cass goal on a penalty kick in the 60th minute and freshman Mason Madrid added the Colonels’ final tally on another Hillhouse assist. Cass (1-0) hosts Villa Rica Friday night at 7:30 p.m.

The Adairsville girls maintained their fourth place position in Region 6-AAA Tuesday night with a 59-47 home win over LaFayette. The Lady Tigers led most of the way and improved to 12-10 on the season and 7-5 in region play. Analee Morris led Adairsville with 24 points. The loss dropped the Lady Ramblers to 6-12 overall and 3-9 in Region 6-AAA. The Lady Tigers travel north Friday for another region game at 6th-ranked Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe (20-1). Tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. DALTON 55, CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 43 The Dalton girls moved into a third place tie with Cartersville in the Region 7-5A standings Tuesday night with a 55-43 win over the visiting Lady Canes. Grace Ridley scored 24 points with 17 rebounds and five steals to lead the Lady Catamounts. Dalton improved to 13-6 overall and is now 4-3 in region action. Cartersville (16-6, 4-3) plays at Woodland Friday night at 6 p.m. Note: No individual stats were reported. CALHOUN 60, CASS GIRLS 55 The Lady Colonels stayed close with region-leading Calhoun Tuesday night, but the host Lady Jackets held off Cass down the stretch for a 60-55 win. Calhoun led 16-10 after one quarter; 29-27 at halftime; and 48-44 through three quarters. Saniah Dorsey led Calhoun with 18 points. Lauren Watson scored 16 and Britya Curtis finished with 13 points for the Lady Jackets (18-3, 7-0). Cass was led by Olivia Woods with 14 points. KK Evans contributed 12 and Kaitlyn Godwin scored 10 for the Lady Colonels. Cass (13-8, 1-6) travels to Dalton Friday night for a 6 p.m. start. HIRAM 68, WOODLAND GIRLS 11 The Hiram Lady Hornets built a big early lead and went on to defeat visiting Woodland Tuesday night, 68-11. Kalisha Phillips and Makiala Bullock led Hiram (17-4, 5-2) with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Kasidee Wall scored five points for Woodland The Lady Cats (2-19, 0-7) host Cartersville Friday night at 6 p.m.

The Cartersville boys' soccer team came up short in its season and home opener Monday night to Chapel Hill, 2-1. The Panthers took an early 2-0 lead midway through the first half before the Hurricanes were able to cut that lead in half. Dawson Gulasa scored for Cartersville at the near post off a corner kick from Edgar Abeja. The Canes' offense threatened heavily in the first twenty minutes of the second half but was unable to find a way past the Chapel Hill keeper. The final twenty minutes became more open for both teams but neither team scored enabling the Panthers (1-1) to hold on for the victory. Cartersville (0-1) returns to the pitch Wednesday night with a trip to Douglas County.

Elite Stone Supply, in conjunction with WBHF and Bartow Sports Zone, presents the ELITE ATHLETES OF THE MONTH. Each month, local high schools are provided the opportunity to name an Elite Athlete of the Month from their varsity programs and present the information on their honoree through Bartow Sports Zone and on 100.3FM and AM1450, WBHF in Cartersville. The January 2023 Elite Athlete of the Month representing Adairsville High School is Colt McCord. A sophomore, three-sport athlete, McCord is the son of Kurt and Brittney McCord. McCord, who also plays football and is on the Tigers’ track & field team, is a 175-pound wrestler for Adairsville. “Kolt is the prime example of what an Adairsville wrestler is supposed to be,” said Tigers’ head wrestling coach Spencer Jones. “He is the hardest worker we have in the practice room and challenges his teammates to match his work ethic. He never complains and always does what he is asked to do.” McCord has a 4.0 GPA in Honors and Advanced Placement classes. He is also a Magnet Program student. He is leaning towards pursuing a career in Engineering. Tyler McKnight represents Cass High School as a January 2023 Elite Athlete of the Month. A senior this year on the Colonels wrestling team, McKnight is attempting to place in the GHSA State Tournament for a fourth consecutive year. He was an individual state runner-up in 2022 and 2021 and was fifth in 2020. McKnight is 26-1 during the 2022-23 season and has over 100 wins in his high school career. His only loss came to a multiple-time Florida state champion. His season record includes a 3-0 run in the recent GHSA State Duals Championship. McKnight has committed to continue his academic and wrestling career at NCAA D-I Davidson College in North Carolina. “Tyler has been a quiet leader during his four years at Cass High School,” stated Colonels’ head wrestling coach D.L. Koontz. “He is self-motivated, respectful, and a wonderful individual to be around. He will be genuinely missed by our program.” McKnight, who has also been a member of the Cass track & field team all four years, is ranked tenth in his graduating class with a 3.9667 GPA. He is the son of Colby and Sharon McKnight. The Woodland High School Elite Athlete of the Month for January 2023 is Andrew Thayer. Thayer is a senior member of the Wildcats’ swim team. He is also on Woodland’s cross country and track & field teams. “Andrew arrives at every practice ready for any routine I throw at him,” said Woodland swim coach Rebecca Beard-Arndt. “He is a leader in the water and on the track. He is a strong student and maintains a part-time job.” Thayer and his 200-yard freestyle relay teammates have qualified for the GHSA State Meet January 31-February 4. An Advanced Placement Scholar, Thayer is on the Woodland Athletics Leadership Team, Cat Paws, Explore the World Food Club, Spanish Honor Society, Beta Club, National Honor Society, and is the school’s Journalism Editor. The son of Dennis and Karen Thayer, he plans to attend the Naval Academy. Sam Wiedetz is the January 2023 Elite Athlete of the Month for Cartersville High School. A senior guard on the Canes’ basketball team, he is the son of Clark and Alison Wiedetz. “Sam is a class act both on and off the floor,” said Cartersville boys’ head coach Mike Tobin. “He worked his way into valuable minutes on the varsity team after not playing last season. He is an outstanding role model who represents our school and basketball program very well. He works hard in the classroom and on the basketball coach. He has a very bright future.” Editors Note: Photos and bios are supplied to Bartow Sports Zone and WBHF by the respective schools and their athletic departments. Elite Stone Supply Co., LLC is the monthly sponsor. Athletes receive a plaque along with recognition during a radio feature on WBHF. #EliteAthletesoftheMonth #Cass #Cartersville #Woodland #Adairsville #highschool

The Adairsville girls' soccer team opened the 2023 regular season Monday night with a 5-0 win over visiting Gordon Central. Lizzie LeMay scored the first two goals for the Lady Tigers in the opening seven minutes. Maddie Gossett assisted on the first goal and Greer Cofield had the helper on the second goal. Adairsville built a 4-0 lead by halftime on goals by Gabi Becerra in the 24th minute and Elle Causby three minutes later. Causby was credited with the assist on the Becerra tally and Jordyn Hartline assisted the fourth goal. Jacksyn Elrod added the Tigers’ final goal in the 70th minute off an assist from Victoria Loudon. “We started strong and emphasized to keep the ball on the ground, communicate, utilize the whole field, and keep up the speed,” said Lady Tigers assistant coach Amanda Jones. “We still have some girls in new positions and new roles but were able to play 19 of our 23 on the roster. Our passing continues to improve and it was nice to get some balanced scoring.” The Adairsville girls (1-0) play at Cedartown on Wednesday.

This week’s Athletes Beyond Bartow edition features two dozen athletes from Cartersville and Bartow County contributing with their college or professional teams in basketball, wrestling, swimming, tennis, and track & field. On the collegiate wrestling mats, former Woodland standout Caleb Henson has now moved into the NCAA’s Top Ten rankings in his weight class representing the Virginia Tech Hokies. In NAIA action, former Cass Colonels’ grappler Jordan Mitchell went 4-1 at the Blue Raider Open to place third in the 141-pound division. Meanwhile, in women’s collegiate tennis action, former Cass standout Emily Surcey won three times this past weekend to stay undefeated this year for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. PRO BASKETBALL ASHTON HAGANS — Greensboro Swarm (NBA G-League; 3rd-year pro; Cartersville native; Kentucky; Newton HS) … totaled 17 points, nine assists, two rebounds, and two steals as the Swarm split games last Friday and Saturday at the Wisconsin Herd. Greensboro (3-9) are currently last in the NBA G League Eastern Conference. They host the Grand Rapids Gold Wednesday and Friday nights before entertaining the Windy City Bulls Sunday afternoon. A.J. MOSBY — Sudbury Five (6th year pro; NBL-Canada; Alcorn State; Cartersville HS) … scored 15 points with four assists and a pair of steals but Sudbury lost for the first time this season last Friday night at the Windsor Express, 122-111. The Five (4-1) have back-to-back road games at the Windsor Express this Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. WRESTLING ANGEL BANDA — Reinhardt University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … lost his bout in a narrow 3-2 decision during an Eagles’ team loss at Life University last Thursday in Marietta. Reinhardt competes next Sunday at the Newberry Open in South Carolina. KYLE GOLHOFER — University of Northern Iowa (R-So., Woodland HS) … the 125-pounder won a major 14-5 decision Saturday in his bout but the 15th-ranked Panthers were narrowly defeated by 10th-ranked Oklahoma State, 19-17. Sunday, Golhofer lost a 2-0 decision in his bout but UNI defeated Oklahoma 23-12. Northern Iowa hosts Cal Baptist Friday night and wrestles at West Virginia Sunday afternoon. CALEB HENSON — Virginia Tech (Fr., Woodland HS) … ranked No. 9 as an individual in the 149-pound weight class, Henson won a 14-2 major decision over 29th-ranked Tyler Baggett of Pitt Friday night but the 7th-ranked Hokies lost to the 24th-ranked Panthers, 26-12. Virginia Tech travels to Duke for a Friday night match. BRYCE KRESHO — Franklin & Marshall College (Fr., Cass HS) … the Diplomats’ 149-pounder pinned his Sacred Heart opponent Sunday in a 35-11 win. Franklin & Marshall has a week off before hosting Millersville University (Pennsylvania) Friday, February 10. JORDAN MITCHELL — Life University (R-Jr., Cass HS) … finished 4-1 this past Saturday and placed third in the Open 141-pound division of the Blue Raider Open in Columbia, Kentucky. Last Thursday, Mitchell won a 2-1 decision in his bout as the Runnin’ Eagles defeated visiting Reinhardt, 26-14. Life has home duals Tuesday night vs. St. Andrews University (NC) and Friday night vs. Southeastern University (FL). JAXON SMITH — University of Maryland (R-Fr., Woodland HS) … has missed four straight matches — all Terrapins’ losses to Ohio State, Illinois, Michigan State, and Michigan — due to injury. Each of those Big Ten opponents is ranked in the Top 25. Smith, the current NCAA 19th-ranked individual in the 197-pound division, has been absent from the Terps’ lineup since a January 14 bout against Virginia. Maryland hosts 23rd-ranked Rutgers Saturday. JABRIL WILLIAMS — Midway University (So., Cartersville HS) …. 165 lost an 8-6 decision last Wednesday to his opponent from Thomas More University (Kentucky). The Eagles also lost the team dual 29-16. Next for Midway is a home dual Thursday against Campbellsville University. SWIMMING HARPER POWELL — Florida Tech (So., Adairsville HS) … was on the Panthers’ fourth place 200-yard medley relay team (1:50.46) and finished seventh in the 100-yard freestyle (57.61) last Friday in a three-way home meet with Florida Southern College and the University of Miami. On Saturday, Powell was on Tech’s second place 200-yard freestyle relay team (1:39.30) and on the third place 400-yard medley relay team (4:08.88). She also finished third (25.27) in the 50-yard freestyle and eighth (1:00.80) in the 100-yard freestyle. Florida Tech returns to action February 15-19 at the Sunshine State Conference Championships in Clearwater. TENNIS EMILY SURCEY — Mississippi State University (So., Cass HS) … in a home doubleheader match Sunday against Tennessee State, Surcey and her doubles partner Sydney Hrehorj defeated their Line 3 doubles opponents in the opener, 6-0. Then on singles Line 5, Surcey won 6-1, and her opponent retired, as the Bulldogs earned a 7-0 team victory. In the second match of the day — also a 7-0 Mississippi State win — Surcey won at singles LIne 4, 6-2, 6-0. The Bulldogs (6-0) will host Iowa State Friday prior to entertaining Memphis and Jackson State on Sunday. TRACK AND FIELD BILL ARCHER — University of Montevallo (So., Cartersville HS) … at the 20-team KMS Invitational on January 22 in Birmingham, Archer placed fourth in the 800 meter run (1:59.27) and fourth in the one mile run (4:24.70). The Falcons will compete Sunday at the South Alabama Invitational hosted at the Birmingham Crossplex. STEPHEN SMITH — Kennesaw State University (Jr., Cass HS) … finished 13th in the pole vault Saturday clearing 15 feet, 1-1/2 inches (4.61m) at the Clemson University Bob Pollock Invitational. The Owls send split squads Friday and Saturday to the Scarlet & White Boston University Invitational and the Virginia Tech Elite Meet in Blacksburg, Virginia. ERIC TOVIAVE — Belmont University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … placed 17th in the 60 meter hurdles (8.59) and 31st in the 400 meter dash (51.80) January 20-21 at the Vanderbilt Invitational. The indoor meet included more than 25 teams. Belmont heads to the Bellarmine Classic in Louisville, Kentucky this Friday. BASKETBALL BRAXTON BENHAM — Berry College (So., Cass HS) … scored a game-high 17 points while grabbing seven rebounds and issuing four assists in the Vikings’ 74-51 home win Friday night over Hendrix College (Arkansas). Sunday afternoon, Benham scored 13 points, gathered five rebounds, and had two assists, one steal, and one blocked shot in a 55-54 home win over Rhodes College. Berry (18-2, 9-0 Southern Athletic Association) entertains Millsaps College Friday night and Birmingham Southern College Sunday afternoon. CLAIRE DAVIS — Palm Beach Atlantic University (Fr., Cass HS) … started both home games last week for the Sailfish. She scored six points with two steals, a pair of blocked shots, and one assist last Wednesday in a 66-63 win over Florida Southern. Davis then scored nine points with three steals, two rebounds, and one block in a 62-58 loss to Saint Leo University. PBAU (9-10, 5-8 Sunshine State Conference) travels to Nova Southeastern University Wednesday and hosts Tampa University Saturday. JUSTICE HAYES — Point University (So., Cass HS) … the Skyhawks’ starter finished with three points, one rebound, and one assist last Wednesday in a 79-74 home loss to Bryan College (Tennessee). Point (11-11, 11-8 Appalachian Athletic Conference) plays at Reinhardt Tuesday night and at Johnson University (Tennessee) Saturday afternoon. DiANTHONY HEATHCOCK — Columbia International University (Jr., Woodland HS) … scored 16 points, collected four rebounds, and added two assists last Wednesday in an 81-79 win at St. Andrews University (North Carolina). He followed that performance with 21 points and eight rebounds in a 79-73 home win Saturday over Tennessee Wesleyan. CIU (10-10, 9-8 Appalachian Athletic Conference) plays at Truett-McConnell University Tuesday before hosting Bryan College Thursday night and Milligan University Saturday afternoon. T.J. HORTON — Georgia Highlands College (So., Cartersville HS) … in an overtime 85-83 win last Wednesday at South Georgia State CC and a 67-62 home win over South Georgia Tech Saturday, Horton totaled 13 points, seven rebounds, six steals, and three assists. The two wins also extended the Chargers’ current win streak to six games. GHC (11-8, 5-0 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Conference) hosts Gordon State CC Wednesday night and plays at Albany Tech Saturday afternoon. HALEY JOHNSON — Central Georgia Tech CC (Fr., Cass HS) … saw limited minutes and missed her only shot taken in the Titans’ 61-54 home win Saturday over Spartanburg Methodist. Central Georgia Tech also had a loss last Wednesday to visiting Georgia Highlands. CGTCC (8-15, 2-8 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association) is off until a home game Wednesday, February 8 against Albany Tech. KEARA McDANIEL — Toccoa Falls College (Fr., Cass HS) … scored six points with two rebounds, one assist, and one steal in the Screaming Eagles’ 76-58 home win last Friday over Warren Wilson College. TFC (14-6) plays at Bob Jones University Tuesday night before hosting that same team Thursday night and Southeastern Baptist College (Mississippi) Saturday afternoon. JAYLON PUGH — Lander University (Grad student, Cartersville HS) … totaled nine points, six rebounds, and four assists off the Bearcats’ bench as Lander won 69-54 at Georgia College last Wednesday but lost Saturday at home to Flagler College in overtime. Lander (15-5, 7-3 Peach Belt Conference) plays at Young Harris College Wednesday night and at USC-Aiken Saturday afternoon. LONDAISHA SMITH — Alderson Broaddus University (So., Cass HS) … scored 12 points with four boards, three assists, one blocked shot, and one steal last Wednesday in a 104-74 home loss to Glenville State. She then added 10 points, six rebounds, and one assist Saturday in a 93-77 road loss at Concord College. The Battlers (4-15, 3-11 Mountain East Conference) will look to snap a five-game losing skid Wednesday night at Davis & Elkins before hosting West Virginia Wesleyan Saturday afternoon. NAKIYAH WASHINGTON — Piedmont University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … scored 17 points and had seven rebounds, three steals, two assists, and two blocked shots in a 76-63 home loss last Wednesday to LaGrange College. The Lions (10-8, 6-3 Collegiate Conference South) also won Saturday at Covenant College but stats for that game were unavailable. Piedmont plays Tuesday night at Wesleyan College and will host Agnes Scott College Saturday afternoon.

The Excel Christian Academy basketball teams split home games at The Church at Liberty Square while the Cartersville boys dropped a non-region home game to Class 7A North Paulding Saturday at the Storm Center. EXCEL CHRISTIAN BOYS 88, HEARTS ACADEMY 27 The Excel Eagles raced to a 33-5 lead in the first quarter Saturday and were never threatened in an 88-27 win over visiting Hearts Academy. Jacob Taylor led ECA with 21 points. Kyron McClendon and Kamarion Profit followed with 18 and 11 points, respectively. Jakaden Barkley added 10 for the Eagles. Hearts Academy falls to 2-16 on the season with the loss. Excel (14-8, 8-0) has clinched the regular season title of GAPPS I-AA Region 1 with two region games remaining on the regular season schedule this coming week. The Eagles travel to Woodstock Tuesday to play at Lyndon Academy. They will close out the regular season Thursday night at home against Unity Christian. The GAPPS I-AA Region 1 tournament is February 6-9 at Unity Christian School in Rome. CENTRAL CHRISTIAN SCHOOL 55, EXCEL CHRISTIAN GIRLS 22 Central Christian School of Sharpsburg led 44-14 by halftime and cruised to a 55-22 win Saturday afternoon at Excel. Chloe Earle and Riley Clark both scored 11 points while Bayleigh Seymour and Sarah Passow added 10 each for Central. Chae Vieira scored 20 points for the Lady Eagles. Central improved to 7-7 on the year. Excel (0-15, 0-7) wraps up the regular season Thursday night at home against Unity Christian of Rome. NORTH PAULDING 46, CARTERSVILLE BOYS 34 The visiting North Paulding Wolfpack won a low-scoring defensive struggle over Cartersville Saturday night, 46-34. The non-region matchup took place at the Hurricanes’ Storm Center. The Class 7A Wolfpack led at each quarter stop. North Paulding was up 11-9 at the end of the first quarter; 20-17 at halftime; and 32-23 heading into the final period. Ryan Williams led the Wolfpack (9-13) with 17 points. Jaylen Scott led Cartersville with 10 points. Kaden Baldwin and Jamauri Brice added five each. The Canes (8-12, 1-5) return to Region 7-5A action Tuesday night at Dalton.

All ten local high school basketball teams were in action Friday night and all ten were involved in region action. Local winners Friday included the Cartersville girls along with the boys’ teams from Cass, Adairsville, and Excel Christian Academy. CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 64, CASS 49 After playing even through the first half with a 20-20 halftime score, the Lady Canes took the lead in the third quarter and pulled away down the stretch Friday night for a 15-point region win at Cass. Cartersville held a 40-32 advantage by the end of the third quarter and outscored the Lady Colonels 24-17 over the final eight minutes. Ansley Griffin and Jakayah Draughn led the way for Cartersville scoring 19 points each. Kaytlin Arnold followed with 14 points. Taff Bradley finished with 11 and Nayel Camper added one point. Cass got 11 points from Olivia Woods. Nevaeh Woods scored 10. KK Evans contributed eight points. Kiana McDaniel chipped in six points. Darianna Sosa and Kaitlyn Godwin added three and two points, respectively. The Lady Canes improved to 13-5 on the season and 4-2 in Region 7-5A. Cartersville plays next at Dalton Tuesday at 6 p.m. Cass (13-7, 1-5) travels to Calhoun Tuesday for a 6 p.m. tipoff. CASS BOYS 59, CARTERSVILLE 45 The Cartersville boys led 16-8 at the end of the first quarter Friday night at Cass, but the Colonels won each of the next three periods on their way to an eventual 59-45 region win. Cass carried a 21-20 lead to the intermission and led 34-30 at the end of the third quarter. The Colonels closed out the win by outscoring the Hurricanes 25-15 in the fourth quarter. Jelani Hames and KJ Rogers led Cass with 16 points each. Jayden Foster scored 11. Kevin Henderson and Jakai Baldwin chipped in five points each. Devin Henderson and Sacovie White added four and two points, respectively. Romo Pace led Cartersville with 14 points. Jaylen Scott finished with eight points. Sam Wiedetz totaled seven. Kaden Baldwin, Monte Tolbert, and DJ Cain scored four apiece for the Purple Hurricanes while Parnel Gamble and Tyron Milner added two points each. The Canes (8-11, 1-5) have a non-region home game Saturday evening at 6 p.m. against North Paulding before returning to Region 7-5A action Tuesday night at Dalton. Cass (10-10, 4-2) travels to Calhoun Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. ADAIRSVILLE BOYS 60, COAHULLA CREEK 54 The Adairsville Tigers keep winning close games in Region 6-AAA and they did it again Friday night at Coahuila Creek. The host Colts led 13-11 after one quarter before Adairsville carried a 28-19 advantage to the halftime locker room. In the third period, Coahuila Creek outscored the Tigers 19-10 to knot the score at 38-all heading into the final eight minutes. The Tigers turned the tables again in the fourth quarter and pulled out a six-point victory, 60-54. Ben Abernathy and Tre Winters paced Adairsville with 14 points each. Xavious Nalls followed with 13. Tay Jackson finished with nine points while Zach Postell and Zach Weaver chipped in with five points apiece. Chase Ward led Coahuila Creek (4-16, 4-7) with 20 points. Adairsville (15-7, 10-1) hosts LaFayette Tuesday night at 7:30 in a showdown of two of the top three boys teams this season in Region 6-AAA. EXCEL CHRISTIAN BOYS 66, PRAISE ACADEMY 56 The Excel Eagles stayed unbeaten in GAPPS I-AA Region 1 Friday night with a 66-56 win at Praise Academy in Powder Springs. Excel led 9-0 early Friday but slipped to a 30-27 deficit by halftime. Praise led at the midway point of the third quarter before an intensified defensive effort got the Eagles back in the game. Excel tied the score at 44 by the end of the period and was able to pull away down the stretch for a 10-point victory. Jacob Taylor and Jakaden Barkley led ECA with 23 points each. Kyron McClendon scored 10 and David Jinks added six points for the Eagles. Robbie Lebon poured in 37 points for Praise Academy (8-11, 2-3). Excel Christian (13-8, 8-0) hosts Hearts Academy Saturday at 3:30 p.m. CALHOUN 86, WOODLAND BOYS 63 Calhoun built a 42-24 lead by halftime and went on to win at Woodland Friday night 86-63. Dylan Faulkner led the Yellow Jackets with 21 points. Daniel Streete scored 13 and Landon Chattam contributed 11 points for Calhoun. Woodland was led by Brelace Williams with 23 points. Zyon Heath followed with 13. Isaiah Livsey finished with 11 points and Bryson Van Tonder added nine for the Wildcats. Calhoun improved to 12-8 overall and 5-1 in Region 7-5A. Woodland (2-19, 0-6) travels to 3rd-ranked Hiram Tuesday night for a 7:30 p.m. start. CALHOUN 71, WOODLAND GIRLS 25 Britya Curtis and Saniah Dorsey scored 18 points each Friday night at Woodland as the Calhoun Lady Jackets stayed atop the Region 7-5A standings with a 71-25 win over the Lady Cats. Calhoun led 24-6 by the end of the first quarter and held a 42-12 halftime advantage. The Jackets improved to 17-3 overall and 6-0 in region play. Megan Schultz led the Woodland girls with nine points. Kasidee Wall scored six points and Reagan Weightman added five for the Lady Cats. Woodland (2-18, 0-6) travels to Hiram Tuesday. Tip is scheduled for 6 p.m. COAHULLA CREEK 54, ADAIRSVILLE GIRLS 50 The Lady Tigers dropped a narrow four-point decision Friday night in Whitfield County at Coahuila Creek, 54-50. The host Colts improved to 12-9 on the season and 8-3 in Region 6-AAA. Adairsville (11-10, 6-5) returns to action Tuesday night at home against LaFayette at 6 p.m. PRAISE ACADEMY 39, EXCEL CHRISTIAN GIRLS 26 The Excel Lady Eagles stayed close into the fourth quarter Friday night at Praise Academy before falling 39-26 in Powder Springs. Excel trailed 21-11 at halftime but had cut the Praise lead to 28-26 by the end of the third quarter. The hosts blanked the Lady Eagles in the fourth quarter to secure their 13-point win. Praise improved to 3-7 overall and 2-3 in GAPPS 1-AA, Region 1. The Excel girls (0-14, 0-7) host Central Christian School Saturday at 2 p.m.

In local high school boys’ basketball action Tuesday night, the Cass Colonels won at Woodland 58-49. Adairsville beat visiting Ridgeland 76-56. Excel Christian Academy won 67-60 at Shiloh Hills Christian while Cartersville dropped a 59-38 decision at Hiram. CASS BOYS 58, WOODLAND 49 After the host Wildcats led 14-13 through one quarter, Cass held leads of 30-24 at the intermission and 43-34 after three quarters on their way to a nine-point road, Region 7-5A win. Jayden Foster paced the Colonels with 16 points. KJ Rogers followed with 13. Devin Henderson scored 12 points and Jelani Hames added nine for Cass. Brelace Williams scored 21 points to lead Woodland. Zyon Heath and Evan Womack added eight points each for the Wildcats. Woodland falls to 2-18 overall and 0-5 in region play. The Wildcats host Calhoun Friday night. Cass (9-10, 3-2) entertains Cartersville Friday night in a 7:30 p.m. boys’ start. ADAIRSVILLE BOYS 76, RIDGELAND 56 The Tigers’ trio of Tre Winters, Tay Jackson, and Xavious Nalls scored 19, 16, and 15 points, respectively, to help lead Adairsville to a 76-56 Region 6-AAA win at home Tuesday night over Ridgeland. Adairsville led 35-30 at halftime but eased away in the second half. The Tigers extended their lead to 55-40 by the end of the third quarter. John Hill led the Panthers (6-14, 3-7) with 22 points. Adairsville (14-7, 9-1) heads to Whitfield County Friday night to take on the Coahuila Creek Colts in an 8:30 p.m. tip. HIRAM 59, CARTERSVILLE BOYS 35 The 3rd-ranked Hornets built a 35-19 first-half lead Tuesday night at home and defeated visiting Cartersville, 59-35. Chase Tyler led Hiram with a 31-point effort that included seven, three-pointers. Romo Pace led Cartersville with 10 points. Hiram improved to 17-2 overall and remained on top of the Region 7-5A standings at 5-0. Cartersville (8-10, 1-4) makes the short trip to Cass Friday night for a 7:30 p.m. tip. EXCEL CHRISTIAN BOYS 67, SHILOH HILLS CHRISTIAN 60 The Eagles let a sizable first-half lead slip away in the third quarter Tuesday night at Shiloh Hills Christian in Kennesaw, but bounced back over the final eight minutes to escape with a 67-60 region win. “We had a nice early lead,” noted ECA head boys coach David Archer, Jr. “but Shiloh Hills crept back in and actually led 48-44 at one point. We fought back and came up with some big plays in the closing moments to pull out the victory.” Kyron McClendon led Excel with 24 points. Jacob Taylor finished with 16 points. Jakaden Barkley and Comari Nettles added 11 points each. Aiden Nemat led the Challengers (5-8, 2-3) with 17 points. Excel Christian Academy (12-8, 7-0) plays at Praise Academy in Powder Springs Friday night at 7:30 p.m. and will host Hearts Academy Saturday afternoon at 3:30 p.m.

The Cartersville High swim team edged Cass High Tuesday night 176-173 in a head-to-head meet at the Adairsville High pool. The Cartersville girls outscored Cass 102-63 while the Cass boys outdistanced Cartersville 110-74. Cass recognized eleven seniors during the event and Cartersville honored 5 seniors swimming their last meet. Complete results by event:

The Cass and Adairsville girls’ basketball teams collected region wins Tuesday night in local high school basketball action. Cass won at Woodland 60-21 and Adairsville beat visiting Ridgeland, 57-43. Meanwhile, the Cartersville girls fell at Hiram 64-37 and the Excel Christian Academy girls lost at Shiloh Hills Christian, 40-35. CASS GIRLS 60, WOODLAND 21 The Lady Colonels built a 30-12 first half lead and went on to a 60-21 region win Tuesday night at Woodland. The win snapped a four-game losing skid for the Cass girls. KK Evans led the Lady Colonels with an 18-point, six-rebound performance. Olivia Woodland and Kiana McDaniel followed with 11 points each. Nevaeh Woods scored nine points for Cass. Megan Schultz paced the Lady Cats with 12 points. The loss drops Woodland to 2-17 overall and 0-5 in Region 7-5A. The Lady Cats host Calhoun Friday night in a 6 p.m. start. Cass (13-6, 1-4) entertains Cartersville Friday night in a 6 p.m. tip. ADAIRSVILLE GIRLS 57, RIDGELAND 43 The Lady Tigers led Ridgeland 16-5 after the opening eight minutes and basically maintained that advantage for most of the night in an eventual 57-43 Region 6-AAA victory. NaXyria Roberts led Adairsville with 15 points. Alysa McBryde scored 11 for the Tigers. Jamie Lewis and Emma Fowler led the Lady Panthers (8-12, 3-7) with 14 and 12 points, respectively. Adairsville (11-9, 6-4) travels to Coahulla Creek Friday night for a 7 p.m. start. HIRAM 64, CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 37 The host Lady Hornets improved to 16-3 overall and 4-1 in Region 7-5A with a 64-37 win Tuesday night over visiting Cartersville. Hiram led 24-8 by the end of the first quarter and was ahead 37-10 at halftime on the way to a 27-point region win. Hadiya Kennerly led Hiram with 18 points Taff Bradley scored 10 points for the Lady Canes. KK Arnold and Ansley Griffin added eight points each. Cartersville, now 12-5 overall and 3-2 in region action, plays at Cass Friday night at 6 p.m. SHILOH HILLS CHRISTIAN 40, EXCEL CHRISTIAN GIRLS 35 Still looking for their first win of the year, the Lady Eagles led 30-17 early in the third period Tuesday night but Shiloh Hills stormed back to pull out a five-point win, 40-35. The Challengers improved to 2-5 for the season and 2-2 in GAPPS I-AA, Region 1. Excel (0-13, 0-6) was led by Chae Vieira’s 29 points. The Lady Eagles return to action Friday night at 6 p.m. at Praise Academy in Powder Springs.

An exciting six-week run to the playoffs and into the AFC Divisional round came to an end Saturday for Cartersville’s Trevor Lawrence and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The second-year quarterback was an integral part of the Jaguars’ transition from a 3-18 team in his rookie season to one of the final four teams standing this past weekend in the AFC. Jacksonville lost at AFC top-seed Kansas City Saturday 27-20 as Lawrence finished 24-for-39 passing for 217 yards and one touchdown. In the National Basketball League of Canada, former Cartersville Hurricane A.J. Mosby has played a key role in a 4-0 start for the Sudbury Five while Cartersville native Ashton Hagans continues to come off the bench for the Greensboro Swarm of the NBA G League. At the collegiate level, sixteen more athletes from Bartow County contributed to their respective programs this past week in tennis, swimming, wrestling, and basketball action. NFL TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL, 2nd-yr. pro; Clemson; Cartersville HS … was 24-for-39 passing for 217 yards Saturday in Jacksonville’s divisional playoff round loss at Kansas City. He added 26 yards rushing on three attempts. Lawrence’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Christian Kirk in the first quarter tied the game 7-7 but the Chiefs regained the lead early in the second quarter and never trailed again. There were second half opportunities for Jacksonville and Lawrence. His lone interception came in the fourth quarter with the Jags trailing by 10 points and at midfield. That turnover followed a fumble by Jamal Agnew on the Chiefs’ 9-yard line as the Jags’ threatened on the previous drive. Those back-to-back turnovers diminished the Jaguars’ chances. The 23-year-old QB did engineer a final 37-yard drive in 39 seconds to set up a 48-yard field goal by Riley Patterson that narrowed the Kansas City lead to one score. The ensuing onside kick failed, however, and the Chiefs closed out a 27-20 win. "It's special what we were able to do," Lawrence told reporters following the 27-20 loss. "No one thought we should be here and we just kept believing. It's really cool. Really cool to be a part of. And it was special. Like I said, just the beginning. This year, obviously, was huge for this organization, for our city, just for our franchise moving forward. And it kind of sets the bar of who we're gonna be and what we're gonna do moving forward. That's the mindset. And we won't settle for less than that. We got a taste of it, being here, but there's more left.” PRO BASKETBALL ASHTON HAGANS — Greensboro Swarm (NBA G-League; 3rd-year pro; Cartersville native; Kentucky; Newton HS) … totaled five points and had a pair of rebounds in home losses last Wednesday and Saturday to the Cleveland Charge and Windy City Bulls. Greensboro (2-8) travels to Oshkosh, Wisconsin this weekend for games at the Wisconsin Herd Friday and Saturday nights. A.J. MOSBY — Sudbury Five (6th-year pro; NBL-Canada; Alcorn State; Cartersville HS) … scored 12 points and had six rebounds, six assists, and one steal in an 86-83 win last Thursday night at the London Lightning. Sudbury (4-0) plays at the Windsor Express this Friday night. TENNIS EMILY SURCEY — Mississippi State University (So., Cass HS) … playing against her former team, Surcey won her Line 5 singles match 6-2, 6-1 as the Bulldogs defeated Arkansas State, 7-0 last Friday. She was not in action in MSU’s 4-3 win over Jacksonville State — also last Friday. She did have a 6-0, 6-1 win on January 15 against Louisiana as the Bulldogs (4-0) won 5-2. Mississippi State hosts Tennessee State this coming Sunday. SWIMMING GRAYSON BREEDLOVE — Lenioir-Rhyne University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … was part of the Bears’ fifth place 200-yard medley relay team. She also placed eighth in the 500-yard freestyle and ninth in the 100-yard freestyle as LRU lost to UNC-Pembroke and Roanoke College last Saturday at UNC-Pembroke. Next for the Bears is the South Atlantic Conference Championship in Charlotte on February 8-11. HARPER POWELL — Florida Tech (So., Adairsville HS) … in a team loss at Saint Leo University this past Friday, Powell was second in the 50-yard freestyle (25.68) and was on two relay teams that finished second. Her 200-yard medley relay team (1:54.47) and 200-yard freestyle relay team (1:41.41) were meet runners-up. The Panthers are at home Friday against Florida Southern University and the University of Miami. WRESTLING CALEB HENSON — Virginia Tech (Fr., Woodland HS) … now ranked ninth nationally in the 149-pound weight class, Henson defeated his N.C. State opponent Friday night as the 8th-ranked Hokies edged the 5th-ranked Wolfpack, 16-14. Virginia Tech hosts Pittsburgh this Friday night. BRYCE KRESHO — Franklin & Marshall College (Fr., Cass HS) … won his 149-pound bout as the Diplomats defeated Gettysburg 36-6 at home last Wednesday. This past Saturday Kresho dropped a major decision to his opponent from Long Island University and won a major over his Hofstra opponent. Franklin & Marshall defeated LIU 29-11 but lost to Hofstra 21-12. The Diplomats return to the mat next Sunday afternoon when they host Sacred Heart University. JORDAN MITCHELL -- Life University (R-Jr., Cass HS) ... was 6-2 in his bouts at the Missouri Valley College Invitational in Marshall, Missouri last weekend in the 141-pound division and placed fifth as an individual while the Runnin' Eagles placed fourth of 30 participating teams. Next for Life is a home conference dual with Reinhardt Thursday night and a trip to Appalachian State on Saturday. JABRIL WILLIAMS — Midway University (So., Cartersville HS) … won one of three bouts last Friday and Saturday in the 165-pound division of the Missouri Valley College Invitational in Marshall, Missouri. Next for Midway is a home dual against Thomas More University, COLLEGE BASKETBALL BRAXTON BENHAM — Berry College (So., Cass HS) … scored 12 points with three rebounds, two steals, and one assist Sunday afternoon in a 94-74 Vikings’ win at Rhodes College in Memphis. Last Friday night, he scored five points, grabbed five boards, had four assists, and one steal in an 80-59 win at Hendrix College (Arkansas). This week Berry (16-2, 6-0 Southern Athletic Association) hosts Hendrix on Friday night and Rhodes on Sunday afternoon. CLAIRE DAVIS — Palm Beach Atlantic University (Fr., Cass HS) … collected six rebounds, scored four points, made two steals, and added one assist in an 84-45 loss Saturday at 11th-ranked Eckerd College. PBAU (8-9, 4-5 Sunshine State Conference) hosts Florida Southern Wednesday and Saint Leo University Saturday. JUSTICE HAYES — Point University (So., Cass HS) … totaled 22 points, seven rebounds, five steals, and one assist as the Skyhawks finished last week 1-2. Point won 59-53 last Tuesday at home over Truett-McConnell, lost last Thursday at Milligan (Tennessee) 69-59, and dropped a 71-58 decision at home Saturday to Union College (Kentucky). Point (11-10, 11-7 Appalachian Athletic Conference) entertains Bryan College Wednesday night in another AAC matchup. DiANTHONY HEATHCOCK — Columbia International University (Jr., Woodland HS) … scored 18 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, blocked two shots, and added one steal and one assist last Tuesday in an 89-84 loss at Johnson University (Tennessee). He also finished with six points, nine rebounds, one assist, and one blocked shot in an 80-70 overtime loss Saturday at Montreat College (North Carolina). The Rams (8-10, 7-8 Appalachian Athletic Conference) travel too St. Andrews University (North Carolina) Wednesday and will host Tennessee Wesleyan Saturday. T.J. HORTON — Georgia Highlands CC (So., Cartersville HS) … in three wins last week he totaled 21 points, 11 steals, nine rebounds, and seven assists as the Chargers won 111-74 at Southern Crescent Tech last Tuesday, beat visiting Andrew College 78-74 last Thursday, and topped East Georgia State 78-72 in Rome Saturday. Georgia Highlands (9-8, 3-0 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association) plays at South Georgia State CC Wednesday night and hosts South Georgia Tech Saturday. HALEY JOHNSON — Central Georgia Tech CC (Fr., Cass HS) … saw limited action and had no stat line in last Wednesday’s 65-49 home loss to Albany Tech CC. The Titans (7-14, 2-7 GCAA) host Georgia Highlands CC Wednesday night and Spartanburg Methodist Saturday. KEARA McDANIEL — Toccoa Falls College (Fr., Cass HS) … scored one point and had a pair of rebounds last Monday in an 80-67 home loss to Johnson & Wales University (North Carolina). She added one assist and one blocked shot last Thursday in an 82-49 loss at Welch College (Tennessee). TFC (11-6, 3-1 National Christian College Athletic Association South Region) hosts Trinity Baptist College Monday and Warren Wilson College (North Carolina) Thursday before traveling to Appalachian Bible College (West Virginia) Saturday. JAYLON PUGH — Lander University (Grad student, Cartersville HS) … in home wins over Clayton State, Columbus State, and Georgia Southwestern last week, Pugh totaled 22 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, and two steals off the Bearcats’ bench. Lander (14-4, 6-2 Peach Belt Conference) plays at Georgia College Wednesday night and hosts Flagler College Saturday. LONDAISHA SMITH — Alderson Broaddus University (So., Cass HS) … scored 10 points, grabbed five rebounds, made four steals, and had three assists in a 91-75 loss last Wednesday at West Liberty University (West Virginia). She then scored 11 points with five boards, one assist, one steal, and one blocked shot Saturday in a 73-67 loss at Notre Dame College (Ohio). ABU (4-13, 3-9 Mountain East Conference) plays Glenville State (West Virginia) at home Wednesday night before traveling to Concord College (West Virginia) Saturday afternoon. NAKIYAH WASHINGTON — Piedmont University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … scored eight points and collected eight rebounds with five assists and two steals last Friday night in an 87-63 home win over Belhaven University (Mississippi). Saturday she scored 18 points with nine rebounds, three assists, and one steal in a 98-91 home loss to Huntingdon College (Alabama). The Lions (9-7, 5-2 Collegiate Conference of the South) host LaGrange College Wednesday and travel to Covenant College Saturday afternoon.