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.

The Cass Colonels started strong Friday evening posting four runs in their first two offensive frames on their way to a 7-3 non-region win at Rome. The host Wolves tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the first but the Colonels' two-run second inning put Cass in front the rest of the way. Both teams added single runs in the fourth before Cass added additional runs in the fifth and seventh innings. Cayden Roberts (3 IP, 2R, 0ER, 2H, 0BB, 4K) made the pitching start for Cass and yielded a pair of unearned runs. Trenton Payne (2 IP, 1R, 0ER, 1H 2BB, 4K) worked the fourth and fifth innings. Hunter Lovett (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 0BB, 1K) and Devan Hutchinson (1 IP, 0R, 1BB, 1K) kept the Wolves scoreless in the sixth and seventh innings. The Colonels totaled six hits in their win and took advantage of three walks and three Rome errors. Nic Wright had two hits and one RBI. Roberts, Carson Hill (RBI), Connor Jenkins, and Payne had the Colonels’ hits. Chase Tatum drove in two runs with a pair of sacrifice flies and Jesiel Moctezuma also added a pair of RBIs. The loss dropped Rome to 2-2 on the season. Cass improved to 2-0 and will host Rome Thursday.

The Adairsville girls soccer team fell behind early but came from behind to defeat visiting Woodland Friday night, 2-1. Reagan Weightman scored in the 11th minute off an assist from Libby Morgan to give the Lady Wildcats an early 1-0 advantage. Adairsville tied the game before the half on Jacksyn Elrod’s goal in the 23rd minute. Jordyn Hartline was credited with an assist. In the second half the two teams traded scoring opportunities but it was Lizzie LeMay’s goal for Adairsville in the 70th minute that proved to be the game-winner. Elle Causby had the assist. Woodland keeper Abby Duncan was credited with four saves to keep the game tight. Woodland (0-1-1) hosts Paulding County on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. Adairsville (5-1) plays at Gilmer Tuesday in a 5 p.m. kickoff.

The third time was a charm for the Adairsville Tigers Friday night. After falling in a pair of close regular season games to the top-seeded and region host Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe Warriors, Adairsville came out on top when it counted Friday night in the Region 6-AAA championship game at LFO, 55-54. The game was in doubt throughout the night. Adairsville led 31-28 at the intermission but the Warriors made up the deficit in the third quarter to knot the score at 43-all. Zach Postell, who led the Tigers with 17 points, knocked down a pair of shots from behind the three-point arc in the final period while Tay Jackson and Xavious Nalls added the Tigers’ other six points in the period to escape with a one-point victory. Nalls finished with 14 points as did Tre Winters. The Warriors were limited to just 11 points on four field goals and no free throws in the fourth quarter. Three of their made shots were from behind the arc. Brent Bowman and Amari Burnett led LFO with 12 points each. Jayden Dover added nine for the Warriors. Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe (16-11) will now enter the Class 3A State Tournament as a 2-seed. The Warriors will host the Douglass Astros (13-13) in the opening round. Adairsville (19-8) begins next week’s state tournament with a home game against winless Carver-Atlanta. The Panthers are 0-25 this season from the four-team Region 5-3A. Game times and whether teams will play Tuesday or Wednesday in the first round will be determined later this weekend. BREMEN 39, ADAIRSVILLE GIRLS 38 The Adairsville girls dropped a nail-biter to the Bremen Lady Blue Devils Friday evening in the third place game of the Region 6-AAA tournament at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School. Adairsville led 12-8 after one quarter but trailed 21-19 at halftime. The Blue Devils moved to a 33-29 lead after three quarters and then held off a late charge by the Tigers to win by one point. Bremen freshman, Marley Derringer, led the Devils’ scoring with 14 points. Analee Morris scored 15 points for Adairsville. NaXyria Roberts finished with eight and Aliya McBryde tossed in seven for the Lady Tigers. Bremen (19-8) will be a 3-seed in next week’s state tournament first round and will visit Carver-Atlanta (16-10). Adairsville (13-14) will be a 4-seed and must play at Region 5-AAA champions, Sandy Creek (15-11), in the opening round.

The Cass Colonels held off the Cartersville boys for the third time this season Friday night in Calhoun to claim the Region 7-5A third place game, 67-66. Cass led 17-12 after one quarter and 29-26 at halftime but Purple Hurricanes stormed back in the third quarter to take a 46-45 lead into the final eight minutes. Cass emerged on top, however, with the trio of Jelani Hames, KJ Rogers, and Devin Henderson scoring all but one of the Colonels’ 22 fourth quarter points. Cartersville’s Romo Pace kept the Canes close, scoring 11 of his 17 points in the final stanza. Rogers led Cass with a game-high 32 points. Hames finished with 13. Jayden Foster followed with 11 points and Henderson scored all six of his points in the fourth quarter. “KJ Rogers came up big tonight,” said a relieved Kevin Cunningham following the game. “It is so difficult to beat a team three times in a season and we got it done tonight against a really good Cartersville team. We now wait to see if we draw Jefferson or Winder-Barrow in the first round of the state tournament.” In addition to Pace’s scoring for Cartersville, Jaylen Scott finished with 11 points. DJ Cain tossed in 10. Kaden Baldwin and Ced McClinich added eight and seven points, respectively. Cartersville (12-15, a 4-seed) will open the Class 5A state tournament next week at Region 8-5A regular season and tournament champion, Winder-Barrow. The Bulldoggs are 19-8 on the year. Winder-Barrow outlasted Jefferson Friday night for the Region 8-5A title, 63-61. Cass (14-13, a 3-seed) will also play on the road. The Colonels travel to Jefferson (10-17) who was a surprise finalist in Region 8-5A. The Dragons began that region tournament as a 5-seed and beat Flowery Branch and Heritage before falling in the region finals. Game times and whether teams will play on Tuesday or Wednesday will be announced later this weekend. DALTON 69, CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 38 The Lady Canes lost 69-38 to Dalton in the Region 7-5A third place game Friday afternoon in Calhoun. Dalton (20-8) will be a 3-seed in next week’s first round of the Class 5A State Tournament and will play at Loganville. Cartersville (16-10) will be a 4-seed and will visit Jefferson on either Tuesday or Wednesday.

The Cartersville tennis teams both swept Adairsville in matches Friday at Dellinger Park winning by identical 5-0 final scores. CARTERSVILLE BOYS 5, ADAIRSVILLE 0 Singles: Line 1 — Brock Wilson (Cv) def. Braden Potter (Adv), 6-0, 6-1 Line 2 — Walker Cooney (Cv) def. Camden Teems (Adv), 6-0, 6-2 Line 3 — Sam Ford (Cv) def. Michael Spinks (Adv), 6-3, 6-2 Doubles Line 1 — Bryce Summey / John Paul (Cv) def. Braden Mathis / Carter Collum (Adv), 6-1, 6-1 Line 2 — Henry Tierce / Tom Bowen (Cv) def. Bryson Gooden / Jack Baxter (Adv), 6-2, 6-0 CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 5, ADAIRSVILLE 0 Singles: Line 1 — Sofia Motuba (Cv) def. Madison Abernathy (Adv), 6-4, 6-2 Line 2 — Chloie Obanion (Cv) def. Emily Hatch (Adv), 6-1, 6-1 Line 3 — Katie Lewis (Cv) def. Adysen Garver (Adv), 6-0, 6-3 Doubles: Line 1 — Anna Ramey / Caroline McPherson (Cv) def. Ella Baker / Lily Kinsey (Adv), 6-4, 4-6 Line 2 — Lily Clark / Savannah Moore (Cv) def. Stella Rood / Kathleen Chapman (Adv), 6-4, 7-6 The Cartersville tennis teams are scheduled to host Rome next Thursday (2/23) at Dellinger Park.

The Woodland Wildcats lost at the Villa Rica Wildcats 3-2 Thursday evening on a walk-off, two-out single in the bottom of the seventh inning. Wesley Gaines singled with two outs to start the Villa Rica seventh and a walk moved him to second base. After Gaines stole third base, Mason Westmoreland followed with a single to center field for the dramatic finish. Villa Rica scored two runs in the bottom of the second on a pair of walks and two hits and the game remained 2-0 until Woodland knotted the score in the top of the seventh. Rowan Billings and Chase Carson singled to open the Woodland seventh and pinch runner Conner Lujan, running for Billings, scored on a passed ball. Mason Williams followed with a double into center field but Carson was cut down at the plate trying to score. After Williams moved over to third on a ground out, Luke Evans singled him home to tie the score. Coby Barrett (2.2 IP, 1ER, 2H, 1BB, 3K) suffered the pitching loss for Woodland in relief of starter Hunter Shirley (4 IP, 2ER, 2H, 4BB, 3K). Woodland totaled eight hits in the loss. Carson and Julian Wright had two hits each. Jakiyon Porter, Billings, Evans, and Williams had the other safeties. Woodland (1-2) hosts Chapel Hill Saturday at 1 p.m.

The Adairsville boys basketball advanced to the Region 6-AAA tournament championship game with a 57-46 win Thursday night over LaFayette. The Region 6-AAA tournament is being conducted at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School. The Tigers started quickly Thursday behind 13 first quarter points by Tre Winters. The scoring flurry helped Adairsville to a 20-8 lead over the Rambler at the end of the first quarter. LaFayette partially closed the gap by halftime with Adairsville leading 30-21 at the intermission. The Rambler then outscored the Tigers 15-9 in the third quarter to pull within three points. Adairsville then outdistanced LaFayette 18-10 over the final eight minutes to hold on for an 11-point win. Winters finished with 24 points to lead the Adairsville attack. Tay Jackson followed with 11 and Zach Postell scored 10. Xavious Nalls chipped in eight points while Ben Abernathy and Jamarian Pullum added two points apiece. Dawson Pendergrass led LaFayette with 20 points. LaFayette (15-8) will play Friday at 5:30 in the region’s third place game against Ringgold. Adairsville (18-8) advances to the region’s championship game Friday night against Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe. LFO edged Ringgold in a semifinal Thursday night in overtime, 84-83. Thursday's win for the Tigers also secures a home game in the first round of the state playoffs as either a No. 1 or a No. 2 seed next week pending Friday night's results. LAKEVIEW-FORT OGLETHORPE 66, ADAIRSVILLE GIRLS 47 7th-ranked Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe methodically pulled away from Adairsville Thursday night in a region semifinal game to win 66-47. LFO extended its lead in each period. The Lady Warriors led 12-7 after one quarter; 27-15 at the intermission; and 46-30 at the end of the third quarter on their way to a 19-point victory. Christen Collins led Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe with 16 points. Angel Simmons scored 15 for the Warriors. NaXyria Roberts led Adairsville with 13 points. Darby Adams and Analee Morris followed with seven points each. Alissa Winters added six points for the Tigers. LFO (23-1) will host Coahulla Creek in the region championship game Friday night at 7 p.m. The Adairsville girls (13-12) will play Bremen in the third place game at LFO at 4 p.m.

The Woodland tennis teams swept home matches with Gordon Central Thursday night with the Lady Cats winning 4-1 and the Wildcats blanking the Warriors, 5-0. WOODLAND GIRLS 4, GORDON CENTRAL 1 Woodland Singles: Line 1 — Jalyn Womack won 6-4, 6-2 Line 2 — Abby Cates won 6-1, 6-0 Line 3 — Ally Schmanski lost 4-6, 0-6 Woodland Doubles: Line 1 — Jolie Fannin / Kathryn Kovacic won 6-1, 6-3 Line 2 — Faith Owens / Diana Librado won 6-4, 3-6, 10-8 WOODLAND BOYS 5, GORDON CENTRAL 0 Woodland Singles: Line 1 — Peter Heins won 6-2, 2-6, 10-6 Line 2 — Domenic Ciavarro won 6-1, 6-1 Line 3 — Cadyn Wade won 6-0, 6-0 Woodland Doubles: Line 1 — Jathan Camp/Titus Bagley won 8-6, 2-6, 10-8 Line 2 — Jack Gore/Mason Williams won 7-5, 6-4 Woodland plays at Rockmart next Thursday (2/23) at 4:30 p.m.