The Cass High School boys basketball has dropped out of the 2021 Lemon Street Classic hosted by Marietta High School. Cass head coach Byron Taylor submitted the following statement to Bartow Sports Zone Sunday night: "In an abundance of caution, we will be dropping out of the Lemon Street Classic due to a person testing positive for Covid-19 within our program. We will shut down all team activities, which includes our JV basketball team as well for the week of 12/19 - 12/26. Please be safe and enjoy the holidays. I will be in communication with you guys to notify you on when we will proceed with team activities. Thank you." ~~ Coach Taylor

Excel Christian Academy overcame a slow start Saturday night and outscored visiting Atlanta Jewish Academy 46-18 in the second half for a 70-49 victory. The win marks a sixth consecutive victory for the Eagles after starting the season with a pair of losses. The visiting Jaguars led 10-0 to start the game Saturday night, but the Eagles methodically battled back and eventually took the lead in the third quarter. Elijah Payne scored a game-high 29 points to lead Excel. Jacob Taylor scored 13. Comari Nettles followed with 12. Jakaden Barkley contributed 10 and Trey Webb added six points for the Eagles. Noah Kahitz led Atlanta Jewish Academy (1-7) with 17 points. Excel (6-2) will play Calhoun Tuesday, December 28 in the first round of the Adairsville Christmas Clash.

The Cass Lady Colonels trailed at halftime Saturday night in the championship game of the SMI Carrollton Christmas Classic, but rallied in the second half to defeat Villa Rica 65-54. The Cass girls outscored the Wildcats 19-10 in the third quarter to take control and pulled away in the final eight minutes for the 11-point victory. Tournament MVP Claire Davis led Cass with 17 points. Keara McDaniel, also named to the All-Tournament team followed with 12 points. Haley Johnson scored 11. Miya Winston finished with nine. Mikaela Jackson contributed six while Amaya Ford and Justice Bennett added five points each for the Lady Colonels. Kaela Ward scored a game-high 20 points for Villa Rica (6-6). Gracie Byford added 15 for the Wildcats. Cass (10-1) travels to Cedartown for a 2 p.m. game Tuesday.

In games originally scheduled for this past Tuesday, the Adairsville High basketball teams split a pair of Region 6-AAA games Saturday afternoon with LaFayette. The Lady Tigers defeated the Lady Ramblers 51-35, but the Adairsville boys suffered their first loss of the season to the Class AAA 4th-ranked LaFayette 78-55. The games were delayed due to a flu outbreak at LaFayette that carried over into the early portion of the week. School officials were able to reschedule the region games for Saturday. ADAIRSVILLE GIRLS 51, LAFAYETTE 35 The Lady Tigers built a 26-12 lead in the first half and held off LaFayette in the second half for a 51-35 home, region win Saturday afternoon. Lexie Childers led Adairsville with 21 points. Autumn Henderson scored 10. Naxyria Roberts was next with seven points. Ya’Torrean Hale posted five. Haley Stiles contributed four points. Alissa Winters and Ziyah Hicks added two points each. Mykeria Johnson scored 16 for the Lady Ramblers (3-4, 2-4). Adairsville (7-2, 3-2) will now prepare to host the Adairsville Christmas Clash where the Lady Tigers will open the tournament Tuesday, Dec. 28 against Blessed Trinity at 7 p.m. LAFAYETTE 78, ADAIRSVILLE BOYS 55 The Class AAA 4th-ranked Ramblers used a 26-5 advantage in the second quarter Saturday evening to run away from the Tigers and hand them their first loss of the season, 78-55. The two teams were tied at 10-all at the end of the opening period, but the strong second quarter gave LaFayette a 36-15 lead at the intermission on their way to a 23-point win. LaFayette (8-0, 6-0) was led by Aidan Hadaway’s 23 points. Junior Barber and Jaylon Ramsey added 20 and 19 points, respectively. T.J. Printup led Adairsville with 17 points. Tre Mitchell scored 12 for the Tigers. Adairsville (5-1, 4-1) has non-region games Monday at home against Model and Wednesday at Calhoun before hosting the Adairsville Christmas Clash December 28-30.

The Cass boys basketball team won its opening game at the Marietta High School Lemon Street Classic Saturday, defeating St. Anne-Pacelli of Columbus 61-44. The Colonels led 17-10 after one period and clung to a 26-25 edge at halftime. Cass then used a 10-0 run to start the third quarter, led 41-34 heading into the final period and eventually pulled away from the Vikings down the stretch for a 17-point win. “We had a solid start to the second half,” said Cass head coach Byron Taylor. “Pacelli is a well-coached team but I’m pleased with our group. They are learning how to play hard every day.” Jelani Hames finished with a game-high 28 points for the Colonels. Jayden Foster followed with 11 and Ethan McIntyre scored nine. Sacovie White chipped in with seven. Jackson Hale, Devin Henderson, and Jashaun Whatley added two points each for Cass. Cam Ellis scored 12 points to lead the Vikings (2-4). Cass returns to Marietta High Monday for a 12:45 game against Salem. The Seminoles defeated Miller Grove Saturday in their opening round game.

After surviving with a narrow victory over Pebblebrook in the opening round Thursday night, the Cass girls buried Central-Carroll in the semifinals Friday night, 60 -15. The two wins send the Lady Colonels to Saturday night’s championship game of the SMI Carrollton Tournament. The game will be played at Villa Rica High School against the host Lady Wildcats. Villa Rica defeated Bowdon in Friday night’s other tournament semifinal. In the Lady Colonels’ win Friday, Cass led 13-1 after one quarter and 27-6 at halftime. They extended their lead to 45-14 by the end of the third quarter and eased away to a 45-point victory. Claire Davis led a balanced Cass scoring attack with 11 players cracking the scoresheet. Davis finished with 11 points. Miya Winston, Haley Johnson, and Kiana McDaniel each scored eight. Keara McDaniel and Mikaela Jackson contributed six points each. Amaya Ford finished with four. Darianna Sosa and Olivia Woods chipped in three each while Tamira Feanny and Justice Bennett added two and one point, respectively. With the victory the Class 5A 10th-ranked Lady Colonels improved to 9-1 on the season. CARTERSVILLE BOYS 56, DALTON 44 Kam Callahan scored 20 points and Luke Gambill followed with 16 as the Cartersville boys won at Dalton Friday night 56-44. Romo Pace contributed eight for the Canes. Jaeden Scott and Chaz Henderson chipped in five each and Kaden Scott added two points in the Cartersville win. Will Haley scored 11 to lead the Catamounts. Dalton remains winless on the season at 0-6. Cartersville (5-2) will face first-year program Dalton Academy Tuesday, December 28 at 5:30 p.m. in the first round of the Adairsville High School Christmas Clash. ADAIRSVILLE GIRLS 50, COAHULLA CREEK 34 The Adairsville girls evened their region record at 2-2 with a 50-34 home win Friday night over Coahulla Creek. After a close first quarter, the Lady Tigers outscored the Lady Colts 22-8 in the second quarter to take control of the contest. Coahulla Creek limited Adairsville to only two points in the third quarter to narrow the margin to 33-24, but the Tigers held on in the final eight minutes for a 16-point win. Haley Stiles and Ya’Torrean Hale led Adairsville with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Autumn Henderson scored nine. Naxyria Roberts scored seven. Lexie Childers and Alissa Winters chipped in with five points each while Makayla Wade added three for the Lady Tigers. Brinkley Reed scored 14 points to lead Coahulla Creek (3-4, 1-3). Adairsville (6-2, 2-2) returns to action December 28 when they host the Adairsville Christmas Clash. The Lady Tigers will face Blessed Trinity in a 7 p.m. first round game. ADAIRSVILLE BOYS 56, COAHULLA CREEK 41 The Adairsville Tigers put together another impressive defensive effort Friday night and remained undefeated on the season with a 56-41 home, Region 6-AAA win over Coahulla Creek. Adairsville led 17-12 after one quarter; 31-22 at halftime; and built a 44-30 lead through three quarters on the way to a 15-point victory. T.J. Printup, Jr. had a game-high 15 points to lead the Tigers. Tre Mitchell, Tre Winters, and Hayden Poarch followed with 10 points apiece. Jordan Carson contributed five while Zach Weaver, Chris Roper, and Zac Postell added two points each for Adairsville. Mario Edwards led the Colts with 13 points. Mason Turner added 11 for Coahulla Creek (4-2, 2-2) Adairsville (5-0, 4-0) hosts Model Monday night in a non-region game at 6 p.m. and will travel to Calhoun Wednesday. DALTON 73, CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 40 The Cartersville girls fell behind early and failed to recover Friday night at Dalton in a 73-40 non-region loss. Dalton built a 30-18 first half lead and extended the advantage in the second half. Gracie Ridley led the Lady Catamounts (4-2) with 19 points. Ansley Griffin scored 12 points to lead the Lady Canes. Kyjah Miller followed with 10. Taff Bradley and Zoe Casey contributed eight points each. Milena Bihm added two points for Cartersville. The Lady Canes (2-4) will return to action January 8 at home against Cedartown.

The Cass Lady Colonels survived a tight struggle Thursday night with the Pebblebrook Lady Falcons 66-63 in the opening round of the SMI Carrollton Christmas Tournament at Temple. The two teams traded leads multiple times throughout the game with Pebblebrook holding as much as a seven point lead in the third quarter before Cass rallied for the win. Pebblebrook led 27-26 at the intermission and 48-47 at the end of the third quarter, but Cass outscored the Falcons 19-15 in the final period to escape with a seventh straight win. Claire Davis paced Cass with 20 points. Mikaela Jackson followed with 14 including four three-pointers. Justice Bennett tossed in nine. Miya Winston finished with eight. Haley Johnson scored seven. Amaya Ford and Keara McDaniel contributed three each while Zion Hayes added two points for the Lady Colonels. Iryana Muckle and Kania Seymour led Pebblebrook (6-2) with 15 and 14 points, respectively. Cass (8-1) plays Central-Carroll in the tournament semifinals Friday night back at Temple High School at 7 p.m. The Lady Lions defeated Temple in the first round Thursday, 54-22. WOODLAND GIRLS 39, UNITY CHRISTIAN 29 The Woodland Lady Cats picked up their second win of the year Thursday night with a 39-29 victory over Unity Christian at the Rome Holiday Tournament. Woodland led 17-16 at halftime and 26-22 at the end of the third quarter on the way to a 10-point victory. Abigail Taylor led Woodland with 13 points. Morgan Echols followed with nine. Dylynn Motes scored seven. Reagan Weightman totaled six points with Paige Forman and Megan Schultz adding two points apiece. Bekah Wisener led Unity (3-4) with 11 points. Woodland (2-8) returns to action Tuesday, December 28 at the Adairsville Holiday Tournament against Chattooga at 4 p.m. WOODLAND BOYS 64, PEPPERELL 43 The Wildcats evened their season record Thursday night in a Rome Holiday Tournament consolation game with a 64-43 win over Pepperell. Woodland led 27-19 at halftime and built on the lead throughout the second half. Diaz Garrett scored a game-high 19 points to pace the Wildcats. Brelace Williams scored 12. Gavin Harris followed with eight and Kyler Williams added seven points. Alex Rhoades led the Dragons (0-7) with 14 points. Woodland (4-4) will play in the Christian Heritage Tournament in Dalton December 28-30.

The Woodland girls and boys basketball teams lost their opening round games Wednesday at the Rome News Tribune Holiday Tournament. The Lady Cats fell to Chattooga 44-28 and the Wildcats lost to Model 73-35. CHATTOOGA 44, WOODLAND GIRLS 28 The Lady Cats trailed by only six at halftime, 19-13, but were outscored 16-8 in the third quarter in a 16-point loss to Chattooga. Chattooga (6-5) got 17 points from Neveah Morgan. Abigail Taylor led Woodland with 16 points. The Lady Cats (1-8) play a consolation game Thursday at 4 p.m. against Unity Christian School. MODEL 73, WOODLAND BOYS 35 Model led 23-7 after just one quarter and extended their lead to 41-14 by halftime as they cruised past Woodland Wednesday, 73-35. Dane Fisher, who made seven three-pointers, scored a game-high 21 points for the Blue Devils (4-1). Jakenes Heard added 18. Diaz Garrett led Woodland with 12 points. Harlin Morris chipped in with eight. Woodland (3-4) plays a consolation game Thursday at 5:30 p.m. against Wednesday’s Pepperell/Rome loser.

Following the final appeals hearings for lateral moves on Wednesday, the Georgia High School Association has finalized its region assignments for 2022-23 and 2023-24. The only change involving local schools Wednesday impacted Adairsville High School once again. Bremen, which was originally assigned to Region 5-AAA requested a lateral move to Region 6-AAA. By a 15-3 vote, Bremen's request was approved making Bremen the seventh member of the region including Adairsville. The full GHSA Executive Committee is scheduled to ratify the final assignments on January 10, 2022. Here are the other region's including Bartow County schools: 7-AAAAA -- Calhoun, Cartersville, Cass, Dalton, Hiram, and Woodland 6-AAA -- Adairsville, Bremen, Coahulla Creek, LaFayette, Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe, Ridgeland, and Ringgold 7-A - Div 2 -- Atlanta Classical*, Ben Franklin Academy*, Bowdon, Christian Heritage, DeKalb School of the Arts*, Excel Christian*, Fulton Leadership Academy*, Georgia School for Deaf*, Greenforest Christian*, Mt. Zion-Carroll, Pinecrest Academy, Southwest Atlanta Christian*, W. D. Mohammed*, and Woody Gap* *indicates school not playing football

The Woodland Middle School wrestling team won the 2021-22 Bartow County Middle School Wrestling Duals Championship Tuesday by sweeping their county opponents. RESULTS: Woodland MS: 4-0: Beat: Adairsville, Cartersville, Cass, Red Top Adairsville MS: 2-2 Beat: Cartersville, Red Top. Lost to: Cass, Woodland Cass MS: 2-2: Beat: Adairsville, Cartersville. Lost to: Red Top, Woodland Red Top MS: 2-2: Beat: Cartersville, Cass. Lost to: Adairsville, Woodland Cartersville MS: 0-4 Lost to: Adairsville, Cass, Red Top, Woodland Round 1 Cass 66, Cartersville 18 Woodland 90, Red Top 6 Round 2 Woodland 69, Cass 21 Adairsville 51, Cartersville 38 Round 3 Adairsville 78, Red Top 15 Woodland 84, Cartersville 12 Round 4 Cass 55, Adairsville 36 Red Top 64, Cartersville 23 Round 5 Red Top 56, Cass 36 Woodland 80, Adairsville 15

The Cartersville High basketball teams split a pair of non-region games with visiting Chattooga Tuesday night at the Storm Center. The Lady Canes won 55-39 but the Cartersville boys fell to the Indians 55-43. CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 55, CHATTOOGA 39 The Lady Canes took a 10-point lead over visiting Chattooga in the opening eight minutes Tuesday night and maintained their advantage throughout to take a 55-39 non-region win at The Storm Center. Cartersville led 17-7 after one quarter; 29-17 at halftime; and 38-26 at the end of the third quarter. Ansley Griffin led the Lady Canes with 18 points. Taff Bradley followed with 13. Layne Callan scored 11. AJ Davenport contributed eight points and Zoe Casey added five points for Cartersville. Neveah Morgan scored a game-high 19 points to lead the Lady Indians (5-5). Cartersville (2-3) plays at Dalton Friday night at 6 p.m. CHATTOOGA 55, CARTERSVILLE BOYS 43 The Cartersville boys had a four-game win streak snapped Tuesday night at home in a 55-43 loss to the Chattooga Indians. Chattooga (3-3) led 25-19 at halftime and 42-29 at the end of the third quarter en route to a 12-point win. Trey Smith scored 17 points and Jaylon Johnson added 13 for the Indians. Kam Callahan scored 18 points to lead the Canes. Romo Pace followed with 10. Luke Gambill chipped in six points. Jaeden Scott contributed five while Kaden Scott and Kedrick Chatmon added two points each. Cartersville (4-2) travels to Dalton Friday night for a 7:30 p.m. start.

Being the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft brings with it a double-edged sword. While there's the obvious fame and fortune that accompany being the top selection, it also comes with the burden of trying to turnaround what is typically a wayward franchise. Cartersville High graduate Trevor Lawrence is experiencing that first hand, as the Urban Meyer-led Jacksonville Jaguars slog through the final few weeks of a frustrating rookie season for quarterback and coach. PRO FOOTBALL Trevor Lawrence (Jacksonville Jaguars; Rookie Season; Cartersville HS) — Lawrence and the rest of the Jacksonville offense struggled mightily in a 20-0 loss Sunday at Tennessee. The former national champion at Clemson completed 60% of his passes (24 for 40) totaling 221 yards. However, Lawrence finished with just a 35.5 passer rating and threw four interceptions, giving him 14 on the season against only nine touchdown passes. The Jaguars will hope to bounce back against the Houston Texans this week at home. PRO BASKETBALL Ashton Hagans (Raptors 905, NBA G League; Cartersville native) — Raptors 905 dropped a pair of home games to the Maine Celtics this week, falling 129-103 Thursday and 134-106 Saturday. Hagans posted nine points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal in 31 minutes during Thursday's contest. He earned the start — his first of the season — but only played 20 minutes in Saturday's game, finishing with four points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Hagans and Co. were slated to face the College Park Skyhawks Tuesday and Thursday at Gateway Center Arena. COLLEGE BASKETBALL Justice Hayes (South Georgia Tech So., Cass HS) — Hayes started both of the Jets' games last week. He totaled 12 points, two rebounds and two assists in an 82-76 home win Friday over Gulf Coast State and an 84-78 neutral-site loss Saturday to Florida SouthWestern State in Panama City, Florida. T.J. Horton (Georgia Highlands College Fr., Cartersville HS) — In an 86-72 home win Wednesday against Middle Georgia Prep, Horton posted nine points, six rebounds, one assist and one steal. Josie Summerville (North Park University Sr., Adairsville HS) — Summerville recorded six points, pulled down seven rebounds and posted one steal in 21 minutes during a 55-42 home loss Wednesday versus Carthage. Nakiyah Washington (Piedmont College Jr., Adairsville HS) — Washington started both of Piedmont's home games last week, playing 37 total minutes in a 74-62 victory against Maryville (Tennessee) and a 64-62 loss Saturday versus Berea. The junior forward registered 16 points, 10 rebounds, four steals, three assists and one block combined over the two games. TRACK AND FIELD Stephen Smith (Kennesaw State University So., Cass HS) — Smith finished in a tie for fourth place in the men's pole vault, clearing 4.55 meters, Dec. 3 at the Clemson Opener Invitational. WRESTLING Jahvar Lewis (Midway University Jr., Woodland HS) — During the inaugural River States Conference Duals, Midway eased to victories over West Virginia Tech (51-6), Ohio Valley (57-0) and Rio Grande (39-9) Dec. 4 at home. Wrestling at 133 pounds, Lewis benefited from a pair of forfeits but also pinned his West Virginia Tech opponent. Jabril Williams (Midway University Fr., Cartersville HS) — Williams won via sudden victory in overtime at 174 pounds against Rio Grande (Ohio) and picked up a forfeit win versus Ohio Valley (West Virginia) during the event. -- Nicholas Sullivan, The Daily Tribune News