The Adairsville Tigers held on at the end Wednesday to defeat Greene County 56-54 and salvage one win in their three-game trip to the Spalding Drive Classic at Wesleyan. Adairsville led by as many as 16 points in the final period but Greene County (2-7) finished the game on a 15-4 run to make the contest a one-possession game at the end. Adairsville was led in the scoring column by Tre Winters with 17 points. Tay Jackson followed with 12. Ben Abernathy scored six points and Zach Postell added five. Adairsville (7-4) will host their own holiday tournament next Wednesday through Friday (Dec. 28-30). The Tigers will play Woodland at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in the opening round.

Close games often come down to free throws and that was the case Tuesday night for the Adairsville boys in a 69-62 loss to Oglethorpe County at the Spalding Drive Classic at Wesleyan High School. The Tigers converted five of seven second half free throw attempts but Oglethorpe County attempted 15 free throws in the second half and made 12 in a seven point win. The Patriots (7-4) led Adairsville 17-11 after one quarter and 28-26 at halftime before the Tigers tied the game at 46-all by the end of the third quarter. Oglethorpe County’s 23-16 advantage In the final eight minutes was the difference. Kirk Ross and Javaar Pittard led the Patriots with 24 and 16 points, respectively. Tre Winters had a game-high 27 points to lead Adairsville. Zach Postell followed with 14. Zach Weaver scored eight points. Ben Abernathy contributed five and Xavious Nalls added two points for the Tigers. Adairsville (6-4) will wrap up the tournament Wednesday against Greene County at 1 p.m.

The Cartersville Lady Canes won their second and final game at the Carrollton Christmas Tournament Tuesday afternoon defeating Harris County, 45-35. Harris County led 15-14 after the opening eight minutes and held a 20-18 advantage at halftime but the Lady Canes outscored the Lady Tigers 18-10 in the third quarter to take control. Cartersville’s defense then clamped down further to limit Harris County to only five points over the final eight minutes. Ansley Griffin led Cartersville with 13 points. Ja’Kayah Draughn followed with 10. Kaytlin Arnold scored nine points. Nayel Camper posted six points. Zoe Casey and Taff Bradley added four and three points, respectively. Brooke Boss paced the Tigers with 11 points. Princess Robinson scored 10 for Harris County (6-4). Cartersville (6-2) will take a holiday break before returning to action at the Storm Center on January 2 at 6 p.m. against Harrison.

The Woodland boys basketball team finished with one win in three games at the Rome Holiday Tournament following Monday night’s consolation round loss to Chattooga, 68-39, at Armuchee High School. The Wildcats opened the tournament Friday night with a win over Armuchee but lost to Darlington in the second round on Saturday. Monday, the Indians led 22-10 after one period and carried a 38-23 advantage to halftime. Chattooga extended the lead to 64-30 by the end of the third quarter. Trey Smith and Dan Meyer paced Chattooga with 16 and 13 points, respectively. Brelace Williams led Woodland with 22 points. Zion Heath scored nine. Isaiah Livsey and Kam Howard contributed three points each. Amir Heath added two for the Wildcats. Chattooga improved to 6-3 with the win. Woodland (2-9) will play host Adairsville Wednesday, December 28 at 8:30 p.m. in the first round of the Adairsville Holiday Tournament.

The Woodland wrestling team defeated visiting Cherokee last Friday night, 53-15. Winners for Woodland included: Amari Kinnamore (106), Ayden Buchanon (113), Paul Lanier (132), Zach Wallace (150), Christian Cothran (157), Jovante Luke (165), Johnathan Olvera (175), and Champ Higdon (215). Seven of the eight wins were by pin. Woodland heads to Kissimmee, Florida for the Knockout Classic Wednesday and Thursday.

The Cartersville Lady Canes rallied in the second half Monday to defeat Sandy Creek 49-48 at the Carrollton High School Christmas Tournament. Sandy Creek led 16-5 after one quarter and was up 26-20 at halftime before Cartersville made a comeback. The Lady Canes outscored the Patriots 13-6 in the third quarter to take a 33-32 lead and then held on in the final eight minutes for a one point win. "Our team is finally learning how to deal with adversity," said Cartersville head coach Karisma Boykin following the win. "Pushing through it, holding each other accountable! Sometimes it’s hard playing on the road, we just have to learn to play all four quarters. Our first quarter has been our weakest. We've got to turn that around and we will." Ansley Griffin scored 16 points and KK Arnold poured in 14 to lead the Cartersville scoring attack. Senai Camper finished with seven points. Jakayah Draughn scored four. Nayel Camper and Zoe Casey contributed three points each. Taff Bradley added two for the Lady Canes. Janae Walker scored a game-high 17 points to lead the Lady Patriots. Jaylyn Durham added 14 for Sandy Creek (8-4). The tournament continues Tuesday at Carrollton High School for Cartersville (5-2) when the Lady Canes play Harris County at 11:30 a.m.

The Adairsville boys basketball team lost its first round game to Stephenson 71-67 Monday at the Spalding Drive Classic at Wesleyan High School. The two teams battled evenly in the first half with the two teams going to the intermission tied at 37-all. Stephenson (8-3) separated in the third quarter by outscoring the Tigers 21-9 in the period for a 58-46 lead. The Jaguars then held off the Tigers over the final eight minutes for a four-point win. “It was a close one,” said Adairsville coach Alex Disbrow. “We had the game tied with 1:14 to play, but Stephenson dominated the rebounding margin. That was the difference in the game.” Eddie Hendricks led Stephenson in scoring with 26 points. Zach Postell led Adairsville with 18 points. Tay Jackson followed with 16. Tre Winters contributed 12 points. Zach Weaver finished with seven points. Austin White scored six. Xavious Nalls and Ben Abernathy added four points apiece. Adairsville continues tournament play at Wesleyan Tuesday. The Tigers will play Oglethorpe County at 2:30 p.m. The tournament continues through Wednesday.

Cartersville resident Russell Shealy was named Men's College Cup Defensive Most Outstanding Player as Syracuse beat Indiana on penalty kicks last Monday to win the 2022 NCAA National Championship. The Orange keeper had a key save during the shootout. In college wrestling, former Woodland star Caleb Henson has climbed the early season individual national rankings in the 149-pound weight class. He won an impressive bout against Stanford All-American Jaden Abas on Sunday. Also Sunday, former Canes' quarterback Trevor Lawrence tossed four touchdown passes in the Jacksonville Jaguars' 40-34 overtime win over the Dallas Cowboys. NFL TREVOR LAWRENCE — — Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL, 2nd-yr. pro; Clemson; Cartersville HS … completed 27 of 42 passing attempts for 318 yards and four touchdowns Sunday as the Jaguars upset the visiting Dallas Cowboys in overtime, 40-34. Lawrence had two turnovers including a fumble with 1:38 remaining in the game with his team trailing 34-31, but the Cowboys went three-and-out and punted back to Jacksonville with 1:01 remaining. Five short completions from Lawrence moved the Jaguars into position for a 48-yard field goal that sent the game into overtime tied 34-34. Jacksonville’s Rayshawn Jenkins intercepted a pass and returned it 52 yards for a Jags’ touchdown and a 40-34 victory. The touchdown passes by Lawrence included a 5-yarder to Zay Jones in the second quarter, a 59-yarder to Zay Jones in the third quarter, a 10-yarder to Marvin Jones near the end of the third period, and a 3-yarder to Zay Jones with 10 minutes remaining in the game. The 23-year-old signal-caller also rushed three times for 21 yards. Jacksonville (6-8) plays at the New York Jets Thursday night. COLLEGE FOOTBALL JONATHAN CRUZ — University of Mississippi (R-Sr., Cartersville HS) … the fifth-year senior declared for the 2023 NFL Draft last Monday making his announcement on social media. He spent the first four years of his collegiate career kicking for the Charlotte 49ers before transferring to Ole Miss for this season. Cruz accounted for 92 of Ole Miss’ points this season. He made 15-of-17 field goals and 100 percent of his extra points. His longest field goal this season was 53 yards and he has a career-long 56-yarder. Cruz will take the field with the Rebels in their Texas Bowl game on December 28 as Mississippi takes on Texas Tech in Houston. SOCCER RUSSELL SHEALY — Syracuse University (R-Sr., Cartersville resident, Darlington HS) … was named the 2022 Men’s College Cup Defensive Most Outstanding Player as the Orange defeated Indiana on penalty kicks to win the 2022 NCAA title. It is the first national championship for Syracuse in soccer as the Orange completed a 19-2-4 season. In the championship game last Monday night, the Hoosiers and Orange completed regulation and two overtime periods before going to penalty kicks. The shootout was tied 4-4 after the first round of five kicks sending the game to sudden victory. Both teams converted on their sixth attempts before Shealy made a save on Indiana’s seventh effort. Amferny Sinclair buried the next attempt for Syracuse to win the title. Shealy, who started his career at Maryland, was 18-2-4 in net this season recording 72 saves with a save percentage of .800. SWIMMING GRAYSON BREEDLOVE — Lenoir-Rhyne University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … on a 400-yard medley relay team that placed 17th in 4:12.93 and on a 200-yard freestyle relay team that placed 22nd in 1:52.45 this past Saturday and Sunday at the Tampa Spartan Invitational in Clearwater, Florida. Breedlove also finished 36th in the 100-yard backstroke preliminary in 1:04.75. The event continues through Monday night. LRU competes next at Emory & Henry on January 6 in Hickory, North Carolina WRESTLING ANGEL BANDA — Reinhardt University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … went 2-2 as an individual wrestling at 125-pounds as the Eagles also finished 2-2 at the Fire Duals in Lakeland, Florida. Reinhardt lost to Southeastern University and the University of Providence (Montana) but had wins over Cumberland (Kentucky) and Cumberland (Tennessee). Next on the Eagles’ schedule is the NWCA National Duals in Louisville, Kentucky January 5. CALEB HENSON — Virginia Tech (Fr., Woodland HS) … ranked 12th nationally in the 149-pound weight class, Henson won a major decision over Stanford All-American Jaden Abas Sunday as the No. 8 Hokies won in Palo Alto, 22-12. Henson also added a tech fall over Ben Nohr of Lindenwood as Virginia Tech blanked Lindenwood 52-0. Next up for the Hokies will be a home match against Cornell on January 6. QUESTAPHA LEWIS — Midway University (So., Woodland HS) … lost his bout at 133 pounds as the Eagles fell 25-16 at Kentucky Wesleyan last Wednesday. Next for Midway is matches against Siena Heights and the University of Rio Grande on January 2 at URG. BASKETBALL BRAXTON BENHAM — Berry College (So., Cass HS) … The Vikings, who are undefeated in D-III regular season action, suffered an exhibition loss at D-II West Alabama last Wednesday, 78-65. Benham scored eight points, grabbed four rebounds, and dished five assists with two blocks and three steals. The Vikings play Roanoke College and Hampden Sydney College Monday and Tuesday in the Nashville Shoot Out. CLAIRE DAVIS — Palm Beach Atlantic University (Fr., Cass HS) … in a pair of home wins last week she scored eight points with 12 rebounds, three assists, three blocked shots, and two steals as the Sailfish beat Johnson University (Florida) 107-34 last Tuesday. On Saturday, she scored seven points with six boards, three steals, and one blocked shot in a 74-43 win over Shaw University (North Carolina). The Sailfish (6-3, 2-2 Sunshine State Conference) host Texas A&M International Monday afternoon. DiANTHONY HEATHCOCK — Columbia International University (Jr., Woodland HS) … recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds last Tuesday but the Rams lost in double overtime at Point University, 80-75. CIU (5-7, 4-5 Appalachian Athletic Conference) hosts Truett McConnell University on January 3. T.J. HORTON — Georgia Highlands CC (So., Cartersville HS) … scored seven points and added five rebounds, two assists, and two steals in a 78-76 home win last Tuesday over Roane State CC. The Chargers (4-7) play next at Gulf Coast State CC on December 30. HALEY JOHNSON — Central Georgia Tech CC (Fr., Cass HS) … did not score but had one rebound and one assist last Wednesday in a 59-46 home loss to South Georgia Tech CC. The Titans also suffered losses to Gulf Coast State CC and Tallahassee CC in Panama City during the week but stat lines for those games were not available. CGTCC (5-9, 1-5 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association) plays December 30-31 at the South Georgia Tech Classic. JAYLON PUGH — Lander University (Grad Student, Cartersville HS) … scored six points and had a pair of rebounds in the Bearcats’ 74-59 Peach Belt Conference win at Columbus State. Lander (7-2, 1-0) plays at Southern Wesleyan (South Carolina) Monday. ABIGAIL TAYLOR — Centre College (Fr., Woodland HS) … scored six points with two rebounds and one steal in a 92-42 Colonels’ win last Wednesday at Warren Wilson College (North Carolina). Centre also had home wins last Monday over Greenville University (Illinois) and Friday over Mount St. Joseph University (Ohio). The Lady Colonels (7-3, 1-0 Southern Athletic Association) travel to Lexington December 29-30 to play in the Transy Classic. LONDAISHA SMITH — Alderson Broaddus University (So., Cass HS) … collected seven rebounds and scored five points with one steal in the Battlers’ 71-53 loss last Thursday at Salem (West Virginia) University. ABU (3-8, 2-4 Mountain East Conference) plays next at Bowie State (Maryland) on January 2. NAKIYAH WASHINGTON — Piedmont University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … scored 13 points and added four rebounds and one assist as the Lions won their Collegiate Conference of the South opener at Belhaven University (Mississippi) last Tuesday, 88-87. Piedmont (5-3, 1-0) will play in the Mary Hardin Baylor Classic December 29-30 in Belton, Texas.

Trailing by four points at the intermission Saturday night, the Cass Lady Colonels surged in the third quarter to take the lead and made just enough free throws down the stretch to defeat Class 6A New Manchester and win the championship game of the 2022 SMI Carrollton Christmas Classic, 59-56. New Manchester (9-2) held an 18-14 lead after one quarter and carried a 33-29 advantage to the halftime locker room, but Cass made adjustments and took control of the game in the second half. The Lady Jaguars’ leading scorer, Andrea Guilford, was limited to just four points in the second half after pouring in 14 in the first half. Meanwhile, Darianna Sosa and Mikaela Jackson of the Lady Colonels both knocked down a pair of three-pointers in the third quarter and Kiana McDaniel added six more points inside as Cass outscored New Manchester 20-12 in the period and gained a 49-45 lead. Both teams had their chances down the stretch. A tight fourth quarter came down to free throws with the Jags converting 6 of 10 opportunities while the Lady Colonels held on for a three-point victory by making 6 of 12 chances. Olivia Woods, who made the All-Tournament Team, scored a game-high 19 points to lead Cass in scoring. Tournament MVP, Kiana McDaniel, followed with 13 points. Mikaela Jackson and Adrianna Sosa finished with nine points each. Nevaeh Woods contributed seven and KK Evans added two points in the Lady Colonels' win. Cass (9-1) will take a holiday break and return to action Wednesday, December 28 to face Darlington at 10 a.m. in the Christian Heritage Holiday Tournament in Dalton.

The Woodland boys’ and girls’ basketball teams lost tournament games Saturday in the Rome Christmas Tournament at Armuchee High School. DARLINGTON 79, WOODLAND BOYS 33 At the Rome Christmas Tournament hosted by Armuchee High School Saturday afternoon, the defending boys’ champion Darlington Tigers defeated Woodland 79-33. Woodland stayed close through the first quarter with Tigers holding a 17-14 lead after the opening eight minutes. Darlington then outscored the Wildcats 23-4 in the second quarter to build a 40-18 lead at the intermission. The Tigers led 68-28 through three quarters. Szymon Paluch, who made six three-pointers, led Darlington with 24 points. Mackay Rush scored 10 for the Tigers. Brelace Williams led Woodland with 18 points. Darlington (6-1) advances to face Rome in the tournament semifinals Monday. Woodland (2-8) will play a consolation game Monday at 5:30 p.m. at Armuchee facing Saturday night’s Chattooga/Model loser. CHATTOOGA 50, WOODLAND GIRLS 27 The Woodland Lady Cats lost 50-27 to Chattooga in their consolation game at the Rome Christmas Tournament Saturday. Mikiyah Parrish scored 23 points to lead the Lady Indians. Morgan Echols scored 11 points for Woodland. Megan Schultz added seven. Woodland (2-8) returns to action Wednesday, December 28 in the Adairsville Holiday Tournament. The Lady Cats will rematch with Chattooga (2-7) at 4 p.m.

The Cartersville High wrestling team finished 15th of 18 teams Friday and Saturday at the Jefferson High School CFK Invitational. The host Dragons won the tournament with 213.5 points followed by Mill Creek (191), Mt. Pisgah Christian (172.5), Hewitt-Trussville, AL (149), and Columbus (144) rounding out the top five teams. Eaiden Neal (126-pounds) had Cartersville’s top performance going 4-1 on the day to place third. Grant Adams (120) was 3-2 and placed fifth. Julian Cline (106) went 2-3 and placed sixth. Montgomery Tompkins (144) was 2-2 in the tournament. The next event on the Canes’ schedule is the Guerrilla Warfare Duals hosted by Cass High School on December 30.

The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes completed play Saturday at the Carrollton SMI Christmas Tournament at Central-Carroll High School with a 57-43 loss to North Paulding. The Canes, who finished 1-2 in the tournament, led 10-9 at the end of the first quarter but fell behind 25-16 by halftime. Cartersville narrowed the deficit to 38-33 by the end of the third quarter but was outscored 19-10 in the final period. Ryan Williams scored a game-high 20 points to lead the Wolfpack. Nathan Rodrigues followed with 16 points for North Paulding. Chandler Mathison led Cartersville with 11 points. Romo Pace finished with nine. Jaylen Scott scored six points. Tyren Milner and DJ Cain tossed in five each. Collin Fletcher contributed three points. Kaden Baldwin scored two. Jamauri Brice and Sam Wiedetz added one point each for the Hurricanes. The Wolfpack improved to 5-6 on the season. Cartersville (2-4) will play at the Pickens Holiday Tournament December 28-30 in Jasper. The Canes will open that tournament against the host Dragons on the 28th at 7 p.m. PAULDING COUNTY 71, CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 59 The Cartersville Lady Canes lost a non-region decision Saturday afternoon at The Storm Center to visiting Paulding County, 71-59. The win by Paulding earned a season split with Cartersville. The Lady Canes won at Paulding by four points on December 8. Saturday, the Lady Patriots led at each quarter stop holding leads of 18-6, 35-25, and 57-45 at the end of the first three periods. Paulding County held on in the final eight minutes for a 12-point victory. Alexus Wilson scored a game-high 19 points to lead Paulding County. Addison Fuller scored 16 for the Patriots while Arizona Smart and Jenue Lane added 13 points each. Three Cartersville players reached double digits led by Ansley Griffin with 17. Senai Camper scored 13 and Zoe Casey finished with 11 points. KK Arnold contributed six. Jakayah Draughn scored five. Taff Bradley and Nayel Camper added four and three points, respectively. Paulding County improved to 6-5 on the season. Cartersville (4-2) will participate in the Carrollton High School Christmas Tournament Monday and Tuesday with games against Sandy Creek Monday at 2:30 p.m. and against Harris County Tuesday at 11:30 a.m.