The Excel Christian Academy boys stood toe-to-toe with visiting and 6th-ranked North Cobb Christian Thursday night in the first half but the visitors pulled away in the third quarter and held on for a 53-40 Region 7-A-Private win at The Church at Liberty Square. North Cobb Christian went the first 5:30 of the game without scoring but limited Excel as well to lead at the end of the opening period, 7-6. NCC led 18-16 at the intermission before outscoring ECA 21-10 in the third quarter. Albert Wilson led North Cobb Christian (13-5, 4-1) with 20 points. Josh Dixon followed with 17. Elijah Payne paced Excel with 16 points. Jakaden Barkley and Jacob Taylor chipped in 11 each. Excel (10-10, 1-5) steps out of region play Saturday night at The Weber School for a 7:30 p.m. tip. EXCEL CHRISTIAN MIDDLE SCHOOL WINS SECOND CONSECUTIVE NAML TITLE For the second year in a row, Excel Middle School won the North Atlanta Middle School League championship with a 44-35 win Thursday night over Dominion Christian at The Church at Liberty Square. JoJo Payne led Excel Christian with 14 points. Ant Moreno added 12 for the Eagles.

The Cartersville boys soccer team improved to 2-0 Thursday night with a 1-0 home win over Douglas County. The victory came on the heels of Wednesday’s one-goal win at Chapel Hill. The Canes scored their goal in the ninth minute and peppered 26 shots on goal in the game. Melvin Velasquez scored for Cartersville off a crossing pass from Daniel Abeja. Senior goalkeeper Daniel Millan made several key saves and the Canes’ defense held on for the shutout. CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 2, DOUGLAS COUNTY 2 The Lady Canes scored twice in the game’s first 20 minutes of their season opener, but the visiting Lady Tigers tied the score by the intermission in an eventual 2-2 draw. The two teams played a scoreless second half. Hattie Beth Williams scored in the 16th minute for the Lady Canes. The goal came off an assist from Macy Nicklas. Abbey Craig added Cartersville’s second goal on a penalty kick minutes later to build a 2-0 lead.

STATESBORO, Ga. – Georgia Southern Baseball will induct four new members to the Mason Clements Wall of Fame on February 4 as part of the Evening with the All-Stars Event. The four members being inducted in the Wall of Fame are James Payne, Griffin Benedict, Sam Howard, and Mike Tidick. Sam Howard (2012-2014) A native of Cartersville, GA, Sam Howard played for the Eagles from 2012-2014 as a pitcher for Coach Rodney Hennon. Howard's development within the program would allow him to be an integral part of the 2014 team's 40-win season, Southern Conference Tournament Championship, and appearance in the NCAA Tallahassee Regional. In that season, Howard was an integral part of a pitching staff that would finish the season with a 3.15 ERA, the 3rd best in Georgia Southern history and lowest staff ERA since 1978. He led all starters with a 2.35 ERA, a .230 Batting Average Against, and led the entire staff with 94 strikeouts. Howard turned in one of the most memorable starts in Eagle history in his final performance at the Tallahassee Regional against the number 5 national seed Florida State Seminoles. He would throw a complete game shutout, striking out 10 Seminoles and allowing only 2 hits. Following the 2014 season, Howard was selected in the third round by the Colorado Rockies. Sam would become the 16th player in program history to reach the big leagues as he made his Major League debut for the Rockies on June 10, 2018. In 2020, Howard became a member of the Pirates organization. Thus far, Howard has accumulated 7 wins, and 111 Strikeouts in 100 major league appearances as a relief pitcher.

The Cartersville High swim team defeated Cass in a head-to-head meet Tuesday night at the Adairsville pool as both squads wrapped up their 2021-22 campaigns. Cartersville won the combined team scores 119-103. The Lady Canes outdistanced the Lady Colonels 82-45 while the Cass boys outscored the Cartersville boys, 58-37. Complete meet results are shown below:

The Cass girls and boys teams along with the Adairsville boys picked up region victories Tuesday night in local high school basketball action. The Lady Colonels and Colonels won games at Woodland while the Tigers notched their region victory at Sonoraville. CASS GIRLS 70, WOODLAND 36 Playing without Claire Davis and Kiana McDaniel due to concussion protocols, the Lady Colonels still built a 29-15 lead by halftime and pulled away in the second half for a 34-point region win. Haley Johnson scored 21 points, collected 10 rebounds, made six steals, and had four assists to pave the way for Cass. Mikaela Jackson followed with nine points and the trio of Miya Winston, Amaya Ford, and Tamira Feanny added eight points apiece. Abigail Taylor led the Lady Cats with 23 points. Woodland (2-16, 0-5) travels to Blessed Trinity Friday night. Cass (17-3, 3-2) entertains Cartersville Friday in a 6:30 p.m. tip. CASS BOYS 85, WOODLAND 74 The Colonels picked up their first Region 7-5A win of the season Tuesday night with an 85-74 win at Woodland. Cass led 24-12 after one quarter; 42-24 at halftime; and held a 66-46 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. Cass had five players reach double figures led by Jayden Foster with 21 points. Ethan McIntyre and Kaden Baldwin contributed 13 each. Jakai Baldwin finished with 12 and Devin Henderson scored 10 points. Jelani Hames added eight for the Colonels. K.J. Rogers led the Wildcats with 33 points. Brelace Williams scored 18. Harlin Morris totaled nine points with Kyler Williams and Jonah Plott adding seven and six points, respectively. Woodland (5-13, 0-5) travels to Blessed Trinity Friday. Cass (7-12, 1-4) hosts Cartersville Friday in an 8 p.m. start. SONORAVILLE 52, ADAIRSVILLE GIRLS 49 The Adairsville girls narrowed their deficit margin in the fourth quarter Tuesday night at Sonoraville but fell to the Lady Phoenix, 52-49. Sonoraville led 31-21 at halftime and held a 41-32 lead heading into the final period. Although Adairsville outscored Sonoraville 17-11 in the final eight minutes the Lady Tigers finished three points short. Kayleigh Kelley and Diana Smith scored 13 points each to lead Sonoraville. Erin Garland added 11 for the Lady Phoenix. Autumn Henderson paced Adairsville with 19 points. Haley Stiles followed with 11. Ya’Torrean Hale scored 10 and Lexie Childers had eight points for the Lady Tigers. Adairsville (10-9, 3-8) travels to LaFayette for another Region 6-AAA contest Friday night. ADAIRSVILLE BOYS 73, SONORAVILLE 62 T.J. Printup scored 23 points and Kavi Harris scored 20 while Hayden Poarch and Tre Mitchell added 12 and 11 points, respectively, as the Tigers held on to win at Sonoraville Tuesday night, 73-62. Adairsville led just 31-29 at the intermission but built an 11-point lead heading into the fourth quarter at 58-47. Four Phoenix players scored in double digits led by Elijah Woods with 13 points. Donovan McDaniel and Jaxon Pate scored 12 and Ethan Hibberts added 11 points for Sonoraville. Adairsville (11-8, 7-4) remains in third place in the Region 6-AAA standings as they head to region-leading and No. 6-ranked LaFayette Friday night. CHRISTIAN HERITAGE 69, EXCEL CHRISTIAN BOYS 41 The Excel boys trailed by only two points at halftime and were only down six midway through the third quarter when foul trouble throttled the Eagles. The visiting Class A Private 2nd-ranked Lions took control at that point on their way to an eventual 28-point Region 7-A-Private victory. Jax Abernathy led Christian Heritage (15-4, 5-1) with 24 points. Zundra Jackson contributed 21 in the Lions’ win. Comari Nettles led the Eagles with 12 points. Elijah Payne and Jakaden Barkley followed with nine points apiece. Excel Christian (10-9, 1-5) hosts 6th-ranked North Cobb Christian Thursday night and travels to The Weber School Saturday night. HIRAM 75, CARTERSVILLE BOYS 44 Region 7-5A leader Hiram built a 36-22 lead by halftime Tuesday night and added to their lead in the second half to defeat visiting Cartersville, 75-44. Five Hornets scored in double figures led by Sekai Lockhart with 17 points. Jay Boyd was next with 14 points. Chase Tyler scored 12 while Walter Matthew and Jayden Clark contributed 11 points each for Hiram (11-8, 5-0). Kam Callahan led the Hurricanes with 22 points. Romo Pace scored 14. Cartersville (9-8, 2-3) plays at Cass Friday night in an 8 p.m. start. HIRAM 82, CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 19 The Hiram girls improved to 9-8 overall and 3-2 in Region 7-5A as they cruised to an 82-19 home win over Cartersville. The Lady Canes (3-9, 1-4) play at Cass Friday at 6:30 p.m.

This week’s edition of Athletes Beyond Bartow includes updates on college tennis, track and field, golf, swimming, basketball, and wrestling as well as an NBA G-League update on Ashton Hagans. Athletes Beyond Bartow provides weekly updates on the pro and college athletes from Cartersville and Bartow County. During Monday evening’s coverage of the University of Georgia Bulldogs’ golf team at the Southwestern Invitational, former Cartersville High golfer Buck Brumlow was highlighted as a possible doppelgänger for head football coach Kirby Smart. TENNIS EMILY SURCEY — Arkansas State University (Fr., Cass HS) … defeated Sake Oyama of North Texas in her Line 3 singles match but paired with Rebecca Brody in a Line 3 doubles loss in Arkansas State’s 6-1 loss Saturday in Fort Worth. Sunday, the same pair lost a 6-1 set at Line 3 doubles and Surcey’s Line 3 singles match was halted in the second set after a winning team had been determined as the Red Wolves lost at Texas Christian. Surcey had won the opening set 6-1 and was trailing in Set 2, 5-1. Arkansas State (0-2) hosts Central Arkansas Friday and travels to Missouri State Saturday. CHRISTY TURNER — Coppin State University (Jr., Woodland HS) … in a team loss at Maryland, Turner dropped her singles match 6-0, 6-0 at line five and paired with Kristina Georgieva at No. 3 doubles in a 6-0 loss. Coppin State (0-1) travels to Philadelphia Saturday to take on Saint Joseph’s. TRACK AND FIELD STEPHEN SMITH — Kennesaw State University (So., Cass HS) … placed tenth this past Saturday with a vault of 4.50 meters (14-09) at the Brant Tolsma Invitational Indoor Meet hosted by Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. KSU is back in action Friday and Saturday at the Bob Pollock Invitational hosted by Clemson University. GOLF BUCK BRUMLOW — University of Georgia (Fr., Cartersville HS) … fired an opening round 2-under-par 70 Monday at the Southwestern Invitational at North Ranch Country Club in Westlake Village, California to help the 13th-ranked Bulldogs to a team 9-under-par finish and a four shot, first round lead over 3rd-ranked Arizona State. Pepperdine and UCLA round out the top four with Texas and Washington tied for fifth through 18 holes. The tournament continues through Wednesday. Brumlow, who is tied for 7th individually, made six birdies on the day including four consecutive on holes 12 through 15. He suffered a double bogey on No. 10 and made two other bogeys on the day. Golf Channel is televising the tournament 4:30-7:30pm ET each day. SWIMMING GRAYSON BREEDLOVE — Lenoir-Rhyne University (So., Cartersville HS) … placed third in the 50-yard backstroke (32.44), fifth in the 100-yard backstroke (1:08.73), and seventh in the 50-yard freestyle (29.46) as the Lady Bears defeated King University 150-104 and Emory & Henry College 174-69 Saturday in Bristol, Tennessee. Lenoir-Rhyne hosts Lees-McRae and No. 1-ranked Queens this Friday and Saturday. MALLORY COOK — University of Montevallo (Fr., Adairsville HS) … in Birmingham Friday, Montevallo defeated Millsaps College 186-42 but lost to Birmingham-Southern College 169-88. Cook placed fourth in the 100-yard butterfly (1:05.72) and was the butterfly leg of the Falcons’ 200-yard medley relay team that placed fourth (1:59.34). She was also fifth in the 200-yard freestyle (2:10.23) and sixth in the 200-yard butterfly (2:32.12). Montevallo returns to action February 16-19 in Cleveland, Mississippi at the New South Intercollegiate Swim Conference Championships. HARPER POWELL — Florida Tech (Fr., Adairsville HS) … in the Panthers’ 176-84 loss Saturday to Rollins University, Powell was on the fourth place 200-yard medley relay team (1:55.96) and fifth place 400-yard freestyle relay team (3:56.84). She also placed seventh in the 50-yard freestyle (26.77) and 100-yard freestyle (59.59). Florida Tech travels to Lakeland, Florida this Saturday to challenge 8th-ranked Florida Southern College. WRESTLING KYLE GOLLHOFER — University Northern Iowa (R-Fr., Woodland HS) … in an extra bout Saturday in the 125-pound division, Gollfhofer won an 8-2 decision over his North Dakota State opponent. The Panthers defeated NDSU, 29-13. This weekend, UNI wrestles at Oklahoma State Saturday night and at Oklahoma Sunday afternoon. JABRIL WILLIAMS — Midway University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … lost a pair of bouts at 174-pounds at the Missouri Valley College Invitational. Midway placed 25th of 38 teams. Next on the schedule for Midway is a trip to Campbellsville University February 5. PRO BASKETBALL ASHTON HAGANS — Raptors 905 - NBA G-League (Cartersville native; Newton HS) … The former Kentucky 6-3 G/F came off the bench last Thursday to score 12 points with four assists a pair of rebounds, and two steals in a win over Cleveland. He then scored 11 points with four boards, three assists, and a steal in a start Saturday against the same team. The Raptors (7-2) are currently in second place in the NBA G-League’s Eastern Conference. The Mississauga, Ontario-based team hosts the Westchester Knicks Monday night and the Motor City Cruise Wednesday. COLLEGE BASKETBALL JUSTICE HAYES — South Georgia Tech CC (So., Cass HS) … scored 15 points with seven rebounds and a pair of assists in last Saturday’s 106-88 home win over Georgia Highlands. The Jets (11-9, 3-3 GCAA) play at Andrew College Wednesday and host East Georgia CC Saturday. DiANTHONY HEATHCOCK — Columbia International University (So., Woodland HS) … had a double-double Saturday with 15 points and 11 rebounds in a 92-73 loss at Milligan. He also scored four points and grabbed six rebounds with a block and a steal in a 76-71 home win last Tuesday over Point University. Columbia International (11-7, 7-6 Appalachian Athletic Conference) plays at St. Andrews University Wednesday night and Saturday afternoon at Union College (Kentucky). T.J. HORTON — Georgia Highlands College (So., Cartersville HS) … came off the bench Saturday to grab four rebounds with one assist and scored one point in a 106-88 home loss at South Georgia Tech. GHC (11-8, 4-1) hosts Central Georgia Tech Monday night, plays at Gordon College Wednesday, and entertains Albany Tech Saturday. JAYLON PUGH — Furman University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … made a pair of brief appearances last week totaling one rebound and one assist as the Paladins beat visiting Western Carolina 88-50 and won at Wofford Saturday, 75-50. Furman (14-7, 6-2 Southern Conference) hosts VMI Wednesday night at plays at Mercer Wednesday. JORDAN THOMPSON — Motlow State CC (Fr., Woodland HS) … scored eight points with two rebounds, three steals, and one assist last Wednesday in the Bucks’ 74-56 loss at Roane State CC. On Saturday, Thompson came off the bench to score 10 points with one rebound, one steal, and one assist in a 53-37 home win over Dyersburg State CC. Motlow State CC (3-16, 2-8 TCCAA) plays at Walters State CC Wednesday and hosts Volunteer State CC Saturday. NAKIYAH WASHINGTON — Piedmont College (Jr., Adairsville HS) … came off the bench Friday for a double-double scoring 14 points with 10 rebounds and one steal in a win over Covenant College. She then started in a win Saturday over LaGrange College scoring 15 points with four boards and two steals. The Lady Lions have now won six straight heading into a trip to Covenant College Tuesday night. Piedmont (12-3, 6-1 USA South) hosts Brevard College Wednesday night and travels to Maryville College Saturday afternoon.

With three weeks remaining in the GHSA’s basketball regular season, the region races are heating up and the Cass girls have dropped out of the state’s top ten for the first time this season. The final three weeks of the regular season calendar has key region games remaining for Adairsville, Cartersville, Cass, Excel Christian, and Woodland. GIRLS REGION STANDINGS In Region 7-5A, Calhoun (14-4, 4-0) has surged to the top of the standings and leads Blessed Trinity (9-10, 3-1) by one game heading into action Tuesday night. Cass (16-3, 2-2), who has dropped two straight region games following a previous 15-game win streak, is tied for third place in the region with Hiram (8-8, 2-2). Cartersville (3-8, 1-3) is currently in fifth place with Woodland (2-15, 0-4) still seeking a region win. Calhoun plays at Blessed Trinity Tuesday night. Cass is at Woodland and Cartersville travels to Hiram. Those games will complete the first rotation through the region for all six teams. A second rotation in the schedule begins Friday night. In Region 6-3A, Adairsville (10-8, 3-7) started well in December but has now dropped to seventh place in the nine team league. Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe (18-1, 10-0), ranked No. 4 in Class 3A, leads the region heading into Tuesday night’s games. The Lady Warriors are followed by Murray County (15-4, 9-2), Ringgold (14-5, 8-3), Sonoraville (8-10, 5-5), and Rockmart (9-10, 5-6) in the top five spots. Coahulla Creek (7-12, 4-7), Adairsville, LaFayette (7-10, 3-8), and North Murray (5-14, 1-10) round out the standings. Adairsville has region games remaining against Sonoraville (Tuesday night), LaFayette, Coahulla Creek, Murray County, LFO, and North Murray. BOYS REGION STANDINGS In Region 7-A-Private, Excel Christian Academy (10-8, 1-4) picked up its first region win this past week over Mount Paran Christian (4-12, 0-4). At the top of the league’s standings, Christian Heritage (14-3, 4-0), ranked No. 2 in the state, is ahead of 6th-ranked North Cobb Christian (10-5, 2-1), 7th-ranked Darlington (14-4, 3-2), and 9th-ranked The Walker School (14-5, 3-2) entering Tuesday night. In Region 6-3A, Adairsville (10-8, 6-4) is in third place prior to Tuesday night’s games. LaFayette (18-0, 11-0) is ranked No. 6 in Class AAA followed by 9th-ranked Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe (16-1, 9-1) in second place. Just behind Adairsville in the region standings are Rockmart (12-7, 6-5), Coahulla Creek (11-7, 6-5), and Murray County (11-8, 5-6). In Region 7-5A, the Hiram boys sit atop the region standings through the first four games. The Hornets (10-8, 4-0) have the only region unbeaten mark heading into Tuesday night’s action. Calhoun (11-5, 3-1) and Blessed Trinity (10-9, 3-1) are just one game back with six region games remaining. Cartersville (9-7, 2-2) is currently fourth with Cass (6-12, 0-4) and Woodland (5-12, 0-4) bringing up the rear. Those two teams square off Tuesday night at Woodland while Cartersville heads to Hiram. Tuesday night’s games complete the first rotation through region opponents for these teams. The second rotation through the league begins Friday night. None of the boys teams in Region 7-5A are in the top ten of the state rankings.

The Cartersville High School riflery team's two match win streak ended Thursday night with a 1071-1022 loss to LaFayette. Shelby Hudson and Elijah Webb led the Ramblers with match-high scores of 270 with six bullseyes. Cartersville team captain Angelina Christ led the Canes with a 263 score. Caleb Adams (256), Luis Rangel (253), Kaleb Wolfe (250), and Noah Goodwin (236) rounded out the top four. The Canes' rifle team remains in second place in Area 10 and will travel to Ridgeland Tuesday before hosting South Paulding in a non-area match Thursday.

The Woodland Wildcats placed fourth Saturday in the Class 5A Wrestling State Duals Championship at McDonough High School and the Adairsville Tigers finished fourth in Class AAA at Stephens County High School. Match results for Woodland and Adairsville are shown below: CLASS 5A STATE QUARTERFINALS Woodland defeated Locust Grove 45-26 145 - Zach Addison (Locust Grove) over Zachary Wallace (Woodland, Cartersville) Fall 3:06 152 - Caleb Henson (Woodland, Cartersville) over Austin Martin (Locust Grove) Fall 1:07 160 - Colby Cochran (Woodland, Cartersville) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 170 - Brandon Montes (Woodland, Cartersville) over Canton Hinson (Locust Grove) Dec 13-7 182 - Tyler Millwood (Locust Grove) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 195 - Charles Higdon (Woodland, Cartersville) over Jake Amerman (Locust Grove) Fall 3:13 220 - Kwadrus Wilson (Woodland, Cartersville) over Justice Smith (Locust Grove) Fall 1:08 285 - Beau Jernigan (Woodland, Cartersville) over Maurcio Moeolo (Locust Grove) Fall 1:09 106 - Mason Moody (Locust Grove) over Marvin Hernandez (Woodland, Cartersville) Dec 10-6 113 - Tristan Mallette (Locust Grove) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 120 - Cason Dempsey (Locust Grove) over Brody Shifflet (Woodland, Cartersville) TF 16-0 126 - William Bishop (Woodland, Cartersville) over Matthew Watts (Locust Grove) Fall 2:37 132 - Carson Bailey (Woodland, Cartersville) over Andon Hawkins (Locust Grove) Dec 8-5 138 - Randy Buchanan (Woodland, Cartersville) over David Miles (Locust Grove) Dec 7-2 CLASS 5A STATE SEMIFINALS Woodward Academy defeated Woodland 39-32 152 - Caleb Henson (Woodland, Cartersville) over Xavier Souder (Woodward Academy) Fall 0:00 160 - Colby Cochran (Woodland, Cartersville) over Michael Kilic (Woodward Academy) UTB 3-2 170 - Ayden Lightner (Woodward Academy) over Brandon Montes (Woodland, Cartersville) Fall 1:58 182 - Gunner Filipowicz (Woodward Academy) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 195 - Mathew Singleton (Woodward Academy) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 220 - Charles Higdon (Woodland, Cartersville) over Ben Valdes (Woodward Academy) Dec 8-7 285 - Beau Jernigan (Woodland, Cartersville) over Jayline Tate (Woodward Academy) Dec 4-1 106 - Hayden Fritts (Woodward Academy) over Marvin Hernandez (Woodland, Cartersville) Dec 5-0 113 - Colby Mcbride (Woodward Academy) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 120 - Heath Augustyn (Woodward Academy) over Brody Shifflet (Woodland, Cartersville) Fall 2:35 126 - Carson Bailey (Woodland, Cartersville) over Hunter Block (Woodward Academy) Fall 1:56 132 - William Bishop (Woodland, Cartersville) over Tristen Hill (Woodward Academy) Fall 2:44 138 - Randy Buchanan (Woodland, Cartersville) over Ryan Seeb (Woodward Academy) Fall 4:13 145 - Robby De Haven (Woodward Academy) over Zachary Wallace (Woodland, Cartersville) Fall 2:51 Woodland, Cartersville's team score was adjusted by -1.0 for 120 CLASS 5A CONSOLATION ROUND Woodland defeated Jackson County 42-33 160 - Colby Cochran (Woodland, Cartersville) over Xavier Johnson (Jackson County) Fall 0:30 170 - Brandon Montes (Woodland, Cartersville) over David Warr (Jackson County) Fall 3:36 182 - HOLDEN GILSTRAP (Jackson County) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 195 - Charles Higdon (Woodland, Cartersville) over Ethan Logan (Jackson County) Maj 12-4 220 - Kwadrus Wilson (Woodland, Cartersville) over ANGEL JIMENEZ (Jackson County) Fall 0:38 285 - Beau Jernigan (Woodland, Cartersville) over BRYCE BOYKIN (Jackson County) Fall 0:11 106 - DYLAN JUROVSCHI (Jackson County) over Marvin Hernandez (Woodland, Cartersville) Fall 3:50 113 - Jose Pacheco (Jackson County) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 120 - DOMYNIC THOMPSON (Jackson County) over Brody Shifflet (Woodland, Cartersville) Fall 3:18 126 - William Bishop (Woodland, Cartersville) over Cooper Hoffman (Jackson County) Maj 9-1 132 - Ramon Castillo (Jackson County) over Carson Bailey (Woodland, Cartersville) Dec 14-12 138 - Randy Buchanan (Woodland, Cartersville) over Cameron Weatherly (Jackson County) Maj 16-5 145 - Zack Scott (Jackson County) over Christian Cothran (Woodland, Cartersville) Fall 5:51 152 - Caleb Henson (Woodland, Cartersville) over Drew Scott (Jackson County) Fall 0:10 CLASS 5A THIRD PLACE MATCH Ola defeated Woodland 45-30 170 - Colby Cochran (Woodland, Cartersville) over Rhys Small (Ola) Fall 3:04 182 - Zion Smith (Ola) over Brandon Montes (Woodland, Cartersville) Fall 5:16 195 - Charles Higdon (Woodland, Cartersville) over Brayden Fordham (Ola) Fall 2:54 220 - Kwadrus Wilson (Woodland, Cartersville) over Chris Ramos (Ola) Dec 7-3 285 - Connor O`Neill (Ola) over Beau Jernigan (Woodland, Cartersville) Dec 3-2 106 - Braylen Holsenback (Ola) over Marvin Hernandez (Woodland, Cartersville) Fall 5:30 113 - Sal Cornacchia (Ola) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 120 - Mason Worsham (Ola) over Brody Shifflet (Woodland, Cartersville) Fall 4:00 126 - William Bishop (Woodland, Cartersville) over Conner Kimbrough (Ola) Dec 5-4 132 - Reese Jones (Ola) over Carson Bailey (Woodland, Cartersville) Fall 2:00 138 - Brian Papcun (Ola) over Randy Buchanan (Woodland, Cartersville) Fall 2:40 145 - Samuel Harris (Ola) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 152 - Heath Tatum (Woodland, Cartersville) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 160 - Caleb Henson (Woodland, Cartersville) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf CLASS 3A STATE QUARTERFINALS Adairsville defeated Oconee County 35-33 145 - Nathan Bowen (Oconee County) over Jamori Speights (Adairsville) Fall 1:39 152 - Pyren Queen (Oconee County) over Brett Lance (Adairsville) Dec 9-5 160 - Zane Fairbanks (Oconee County) over Gabriel Blome (Adairsville) Fall 3:12 170 - Eric Thompson (Oconee County) over Tommy Faulk (Adairsville) Fall 4:22 182 - Jaimon Long (Adairsville) over Simms Dresch (Oconee County) Dec 3-2 195 - James Lynch (Adairsville) over Elijah Canup (Oconee County) Dec 6-4 220 - Thomas Johnson (Adairsville) over Garrett Short (Oconee County) TB-1 3-2 285 - Luke Story (Adairsville) over JASON BERKO (Oconee County) Fall 2:11 106 - TRIP GARBIN (Oconee County) over Harmony Green (Adairsville) Fall 3:17 113 - Mac Bowen (Oconee County) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 120 - Jaxson Owens (Adairsville) over Mac Little (Oconee County) Fall 3:24 126 - Jacob Pasley (Adairsville) over Ezra Bauer (Oconee County) Maj 19-5 132 - Isaac Linley (Adairsville) over Kr`eme Smith (Oconee County) Fall 0:45 138 - Howard Bailey (Adairsville) over Daniel Jaeck (Oconee County) Maj 19-5 CLASS 3A STATE SEMIFINALS Gilmer County defeated Adairsville 51-15 152 - Miguel Jacinto (Gilmer County) over Brett Lance (Adairsville) Maj 13-3 160 - Diego Jacinto (Gilmer County) over Gabriel Blome (Adairsville) Fall 1:40 170 - Daniel Jacinto (Gilmer County) over Tommy Faulk (Adairsville) Maj 11-2 182 - Jaimon Long (Adairsville) over Hunter Brown (Gilmer County) Dec 6-3 195 - Owen Moss (Gilmer County) over James Lynch (Adairsville) Dec 4-2 220 - Dylan Galloway (Gilmer County) over Thomas Johnson (Adairsville) Fall 0:25 285 - Tony Olea (Gilmer County) over Luke Story (Adairsville) Dec 2-1 106 - Juan Rafael (Gilmer County) over Harmony Green (Adairsville) Fall 1:00 113 - Leonardo Domingo (Gilmer County) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 120 - Carson Farist (Gilmer County) over Jaxson Owens (Adairsville) Dec 7-0 126 - Arturo Gonzalez (Gilmer County) over Jacob Pasley (Adairsville) Maj 11-2 132 - Isaac Linley (Adairsville) over Bregan Berry (Gilmer County) Fall 0:38 138 - Carson Bentley (Gilmer County) over McKaiden Reece (Adairsville) Fall 5:16 145 - Howard Bailey (Adairsville) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf CLASS 3A CONSOLATION ROUND Adairsville defeated North Murray 58-21 160 - Gabriel Blome (Adairsville) over BRYSUN LANGHAM (North Murray) Fall 5:32 170 - Tommy Faulk (Adairsville) over BLAKE GRIFFIN (North Murray) Fall 0:44 182 - Jaimon Long (Adairsville) over RICKY MORENO (North Murray) Fall 5:29 195 - DEVIN HUNT (North Murray) over James Lynch (Adairsville) Dec 10-5 220 - Thomas Johnson (Adairsville) over HEATH HINES (North Murray) Fall 0:48 285 - Luke Story (Adairsville) over CASE GLOVER (North Murray) Fall 3:45 106 - ELIJAH HARDIN (North Murray) over Harmony Green (Adairsville) Fall 1:21 113 - ELIJAH CHASTAIN (North Murray) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 120 - Jaxson Owens (Adairsville) over BROCK BENNETT (North Murray) Fall 1:10 126 - Jacob Pasley (Adairsville) over CAMRYN SHAVER (North Murray) Fall 1:15 132 - HERNAN HERNANDEZ (North Murray) over Jay Chancey (Adairsville) Fall 2:39 138 - Isaac Linley (Adairsville) over EDWIN TREJO (North Murray) Maj 11-3 145 - Jamori Speights (Adairsville) over CODY WHEAT (North Murray) Fall 3:12 152 - Brett Lance (Adairsville) over JULIO GONZALEZ (North Murray) Fall 3:45 CLASS 3A STATE THIRD PLACE MATCH Sonoraville defeated Adairsville 48-28 170 - Colt Weaver (Sonoraville) over Tommy Faulk (Adairsville) Fall 3:26 182 - Gavin Harper (Sonoraville) over Jaimon Long (Adairsville) Fall 5:42 195 - Jebb Knight (Sonoraville) over James Lynch (Adairsville) Fall 3:10 220 - Draven Peppers (Sonoraville) over Thomas Johnson (Adairsville) Fall 0:57 285 - Jaxx Knight (Sonoraville) over Luke Story (Adairsville) Fall 0:48 106 - Noah Chastain (Sonoraville) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 113 - Thomas Young (Sonoraville) over Harmony Green (Adairsville) Fall 1:09 120 - Jaxson Owens (Adairsville) over Wade Parker (Sonoraville) Dec 7-2 126 - Jacob Pasley (Adairsville) over Jack Burke (Sonoraville) Maj 12-1 132 - Isaac Linley (Adairsville) over Hunter Young (Sonoraville) Fall 0:45 138 - Logan Moore (Sonoraville) over Howard Bailey (Adairsville) Fall 3:51 145 - Jamori Speights (Adairsville) over Caden Blevins (Sonoraville) TF 19-4 152 - Brett Lance (Adairsville) over Robert Mitchell (Sonoraville) Fall 0:21 160 - Gabriel Blome (Adairsville) over Dirk Junkins (Sonoraville) Maj 13-4

Cass freshman Kriecg Roe may have lost his bout 8-2 in the Colonels' Class 5A State Championship match against Woodward Academy Saturday afternoon at McDonough High School but he was celebrated as a hero immediately following the loss. Roe's bout at 160-pounds was the final bout of a tightly contested match and the freshman went into his bout knowing he only needed to avoid getting pinned for the Colonels to capture the state title. His task was made even more difficult because he was facing Woodward Academy's Michale Kilic -- a three-time national champion signed to continue his career at Arizona State. Roe held on through three, grueling two-minute periods and avoided the pin fall enabling Cass to secure a 36-34 win and the program's third state championship. Woodward Academy reached the state finals by knocking off three-time state champion Woodland in the semifinals. Cass reached the finals Saturday with wins over Coffee County and Ola. Bout results for the Colonels are listed below. "I knew what I needed to do," Roe told NIck Sullivan of The Daily Tribune News. "I've been in so many of those types of situations, where I had to win or I had to lose but not by pin. I had to fight for every inch and get every point I could to help my team win." An ecstatic Koontz praised the efforts of Roe in that final bout. "That's a 14-year-old freshman in a man's weight class. He has been through hell and back. He has not had good draws in tournaments. I'm sure, at this point in time, it was all worth it for him." With the championship match starting with the 170-pound weight class, Woodward Academy reeled off four bout wins in the first five. Only William Buttram (220) was able to win in that opening stretch for the Colonels. Cass followed that stretch at 106 pounds and took six of the next seven bouts. Lee Camp (106), AJ Piatt (120), Cole Hunt (126), Jake Crapps (132), Bryce Kresho (138), and Tyler McKnight (145) were each Cass winners in that stretch including four pins and a disqualification victory. Those points set up the dramatics in the final two bouts. "This one is definitely real special," Colonels head coach D.L. Koontz added. "When I say this group is special, there's probably not a better group of kids character-wise or based on the amount of work that they put in. ... They are a solid team. They care about each other, genuinely, and they are always right behind each other." "You just want the best for these kids, because they are just such great kids and they push so hard," Koontz concluded. CLASS 5A STATE QUARTERFINALS Cass defeated Coffee 59-24 145 - Tyler McKnight (Cass) over Arthur Reed (Coffee) Fall 0:00 152 - Elijah Doolittle (Cass) over Aaron Whitley (Coffee) Fall 0:49 160 - Kirecg Roe (Cass) over Keshawn McDuffie (Coffee) Fall 2:17 170 - Zach McKnight (Cass) over Myles Browne (Coffee) Fall 1:22 182 - Parker Dunn (Cass) over Travis Adams (Coffee) Fall 5:02 195 - Jatavius Williams (Coffee) over Tripp Adams (Cass) Fall 1:43 220 - Brandon High (Coffee) over William Buttrum (Cass) Fall 0:52 285 - Quinten Texidor (Coffee) over Anthony Alcazar (Cass) Fall 0:22 106 - Lee Camp (Cass) over Kawanzi Baker (Coffee) TF 20-5 113 - AJ Piatt (Cass) over Jose Lugo (Coffee) Fall 1:39 120 - Cole Hunt (Cass) over Pablo Nunez (Coffee) Fall 0:54 126 - Jake Crapps (Cass) over Bryan Cates (Coffee) Fall 1:50 132 - Trajhan Goodwin (Coffee) over Richard Martin (Cass) Fall 3:26 138 - Bryce Kresho (Cass) over Mark Alexander (Coffee) Fall 1:07 CLASS 5A STATE SEMIFINALS Cass defeated Ola 35-33 152 - Tyler McKnight (Cass) over Samuel Harris (Ola) Dec 3-0 160 - Kirecg Roe (Cass) over Ayden Hecht (Ola) Dec 10-4 170 - Zach McKnight (Cass) over Zion Smith (Ola) Fall 1:39 182 - Parker Dunn (Cass) over Caleb Fordham (Ola) Maj 14-2 195 - Brayden Fordham (Ola) over Tripp Adams (Cass) Fall 1:57 220 - Chris Ramos (Ola) over Anthony Alcazar (Cass) Fall 0:15 285 - Connor O`Neill (Ola) over William Buttrum (Cass) Dec 4-1 106 - Lee Camp (Cass) over Braylen Holsenback (Ola) Dec 10-3 113 - AJ Piatt (Cass) over Sal Cornacchia (Ola) Fall 1:48 120 - Cole Hunt (Cass) over Mason Worsham (Ola) Fall 2:54 126 - Jake Crapps (Cass) over Conner Kimbrough (Ola) Maj 21-7 132 - Jesse Riopel (Ola) over Richard Martin (Cass) Fall 0:36 138 - Reese Jones (Ola) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf 145 - Samuel Harris (Ola) over Unknown (Unattached) Forf CLASS 5A STATE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH Cass defeated Woodward Academy 36-34 170 - Gunner Filipowicz (Woodward Academy) over Zach McKnight (Cass) Maj 19-6 182 - Mathew Singleton (Woodward Academy) over Parker Dunn (Cass) Fall 1:06 195 - Ben Valdes (Woodward Academy) over Tripp Adams (Cass) Fall 4:21 220 - William Buttrum (Cass) over Cahron Houston (Woodward Academy) Dec 8-3 285 - Jayline Tate (Woodward Academy) over Anthony Alcazar (Cass) Fall 1:16 106 - Lee Camp (Cass) over Hayden Fritts (Woodward Academy) Dec 4-2 113 - Colby Mcbride (Woodward Academy) over Angel Castenado (Cass) Fall 0:32 120 - AJ Piatt (Cass) over Heath Augustyn (Woodward Academy) Fall 1:17 126 - Cole Hunt (Cass) over Hunter Block (Woodward Academy) Fall 3:09 132 - Jake Crapps (Cass) over Tristen Hill (Woodward Academy) DQ 138 - Bryce Kresho (Cass) over Ryan Seeb (Woodward Academy) Fall 1:12 145 - Tyler McKnight (Cass) over Ian Wallace (Woodward Academy) Fall 1:15 152 - Robby De Haven (Woodward Academy) over Elijah Doolittle (Cass) Dec 6-5 160 - Michael Kilic (Woodward Academy) over Kirecg Roe (Cass) Dec 8-2

The Excel Christian boys picked up a non-region, road win Saturday at Pepperell with a strong second half performance, 75-62. The Eagles and Dragons went to the intermission tied at 26-all, but ECA outdistanced Pepperell in the second half 49-36 to collect the victory. The loss dropped Pepperell to 5-13 on the season. Excel (10-8, 1-4 in Region 7-A Private) hosts Christian Heritage Tuesday and North Cobb Christian Thursday before traveling to The Weber School in Atlanta Saturday night.

In high school basketball action locally Friday night, the Adairsville girls and boys swept to non-region wins over visiting Dalton Academy but the other local teams all suffered region losses. The Cass girls and boys lost to Blessed Trinity, the Cartersville teams fell at Calhoun, and the Woodland girls and boys dropped home games to Hiram. ADAIRSVILLE GIRLS 47, DALTON ACADEMY 9 Alliya McBride scored 11 points and Makayla Wade added nine to lead ten Lady Tigers in the scoring column Friday night as Adairsville defeated Dalton Academy 47-9. The Lady Tigers had a 32-2 lead at halftime and led 42-6 after three quarters. The Lady Pumas fell to 0-14 on the season. Adairsville (10-8, 3-7 in Region 6-AAA) return to region action Tuesday night at Sonoraville in a 6 p.m. start. ADAIRSVILLE BOYS 76, DALTON ACADEMY 39 Kavi Harris and Tayshaun Jackson led a dozen Tigers in the scoring column as Adairsville won a non-region game at home Friday night over Dalton Academy 76-39. The Tigers led 42-11 at halftime and were ahead 61-23 after three quarters en route to a 37-point win. Dalton Academy (0-17) was led in scoring by E.J. Mahoney with 13 points. Malik Holland added 12 for the Pumas. Adairsville (10-8, 6-4 in Region 6-AAA) returns to region action Tuesday night at Sonoraville. BLESSED TRINITY 42, CASS GIRLS 38 The Lady Colonels have now lost two straight region games on the heels of a previous 15-game win streak following a 42-38 home loss to Blessed Trinity Friday night. Cass led 21-17 at halftime, but the Lady Titans overtook the Lady Colonels in the second half for a four-point Region 7-AAAAA win. Kiana McDaniel led Cass with nine points. Justice Bennett and Miya Winston scored seven each. Blessed Trinity improved to 9-10 on the season and 3-1 in region play. Cass (16-3, 2-2) plays at Woodland Tuesday night at 6 p.m. BLESSED TRINITY 63, CASS BOYS 58 The Colonels trailed 30-29 at the intermission and kept the game close, but the visiting Titans eased away in the second half for a Region 7-AAAAA victory. Jackson Lewis led Blessed Trinity (10-9, 3-1) with 18 points. James Connolly and Ty Harpring added 13 each for the Titans. Ethan McIntyre led Cass with 16 points. Jayden Foster followed with 14 and Jelani Hames scored 12 in the Colonels’ losing cause. Cass (6-12, 0-4) plays at Woodland Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. CALHOUN 74, CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 27 The Calhoun Lady Jackets stayed on top of the Region 7-AAAAA standings Friday night with a 74-27 win over visiting Cartersville. Calhoun improved to 14-4 overall and 4-0 in region play. Cartersville (3-8, 1-3) travels to Hiram Tuesday night for a 6 p.m. tip. CALHOUN 65, CARTERSVILLE BOYS 54 Cartersville’s Kam Callahan poured in a game-high 34 points, but the Hurricanes fell Friday night at Calhoun 65-54. Jaeden Scott also added 10 points for Cartersville. Peyton Law led Calhoun (11-5, 3-1) with 21 points. Dylan Faulkner scored 15 and Emaree Winston added 12 for the Yellow Jackets. Cartersville (9-7, 2-2) plays at Hiram Tuesday night. HIRAM 73, WOODLAND GIRLS 18 Visiting Hiram built a 42-8 lead by halftime and cruised to a 73-18 win at Woodland Friday night. Erial Owens and Domarison Windman led the Lady Hornets (8-8, 2-2) with 18 and 15 points, respectively. Reagan Weightman scored eight points for the Lady Cats. Woodland (2-15, 0-4) hosts Cass Tuesday night in a 6 p.m. Region 7-AAAAA start. HIRAM 75, WOODLAND BOYS 32 Walt Matthews led Hiram with 15 points as the Hornets won at Woodland Friday night 75-32. The Hornets (10-8, 4-0) led 41-15 by halftime and continued to pull away in a 43-point region win. The victory also keeps Hiram atop the Region 7-AAAAA standings. Zyon Heath led Woodland with 12 points. Woodland (5-12, 0-4) hosts Cass in another region game Tuesday night.