Three local high school baseball teams dropped their season openers Wednesday with Adairsville falling to Trion at LakePoint, Cartersville dropping a game at Lassiter, and Cass losing to Kell at the East Cobb Baseball Complex. TRION 6, ADAIRSVILLE 4 The Tigers out hit Trion Wednesday at LakePoint, but a pair of runs by the Bulldogs in the bottom of the fifth were the difference in a 6-4 final. Adairsville led 2-0 after one inning and later tied the game with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning. Trion scored four times in the second inning. Kyler Smith and Logan Hunt had two hits including a triple each for the Tigers. Hunt also drove in a run. Tyler Driggers (triple), Elijah Padgett (RBI), and Evan Sanders had the other Adairsville base hits. The Tigers also stole six bases in the contest. Wade Dooley (2.1 IP, 2ER, 3H, 1BB, 3K) suffered the pitching loss for Adairsville in relief of starter Padgett (1.2 IP, 4R, 0ER, 1H, 3BB, 4K). Brenden Carroll (2 IP, 0R, 3BB, 3K) retired the final six outs for the Tigers. Adairsville (0-1) plays a doubleheader at Darlington Saturday at 12 noon. LASSITER 2, CARTERSVILLE 0 Lassiter scored twice in the bottom of the first inning Wednesday and a pair of Trojans pitchers made that lead stand up in a 2-0 blanking of Cartersville. Benjamin Norton (6 IP, 0R, 5H, 1BB, 9K) and Harris Bryson (1 IP, 0R, 1BB, 1K) combined to strike out ten Canes in the Lassiter win. Cameron Campbell, who finished with two hits, drove in the only two runs scored in the game with a first inning single. Max Beck-Berendsen also had two hits for the Trojans. Micah Earwood made a solid start for the Hurricanes on the mound. The Georgia State signee struck out nine and allowed only one earned run on two hits. Davis Williams (1 IP, 2H, 1K) allowed a pair of hits while working a scoreless sixth inning. Cartersville’s five hits were all singles. Hank Smith led the offense with a pair of hits. Parker McPherson, Drew Rothschild, and Jake Brasfield added one hit each. Lassiter improved to 2-0. Cartersville (0-1) plays at Forsyth Central Saturday at 1 p.m. KELL 19, CASS 5 The Colonels held a 3-0 lead after one inning Wednesday at the East Cobb Baseball Complex, but Kell rolled up 19 runs across the final six innings in a one-sided, 19-5 win for the Longhorns. Kell took a 4-3 lead in the second inning, led 9-3 after four innings, and added a seven-run seventh inning. Cass scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Jake Edwards had a walk and four hits for the Longhorns including a double, a triple, and five RBIs. Ethan Hames added three hits and one RBI. Evan Hendrick drove in three runs for Kell (1-0). Six Cass pitchers all allowed at least one earned run each. Trey Scott (2 IP, 4ER, 3H, 2BB, 3K) started for the Colonels and was tagged with the loss. Chase Botts (1.1 IP, 2ER, 0H, 1BB, 3K), Hayden Cole (0.2 IP, 3ER, 1H, 2BB, 1K), Nic Wallin (1 IP, 2ER, 2H, 1BB, 2K), Jayden Smith (1 IP, 1ER, 0H, 2BB, 2K), and Devin Hutchinson (1 IP, 7R, 1ER, 6H, 1BB, 1K) all toed the rubber for Cass. Matt Ballas had three hits including a pair of doubles and two RBIs for the Colonels’ offense. Matt Shook finished with two hits including a double and two RBIs. Aidan Larkin and Carson Hill (RBI) added one hit apiece. Cass (0-1) will look to bounce back Friday in a 5:55 p.m. start at Dawson County.

The 2021 Region 7-AAAAA Tournament and Region 6-AAA Tournament schedules. The Region 7-AAAAA Tournaments is being hosted at Cartersville High School. The Region 6-AAA Tournament is at Sonoraville High School. 7-AAAAA Girls At Cartersville Monday (2/15) #3 Calhoun 62, #6 Woodland-Cartersville 24 #5 Cartersville 41, #4 Blessed Trinity 28 Wednesday (2/17) #2 Hiram 40, #3 Calhoun 25 #1 Cass 56, #5 Cartersville 35 Friday (2/19) Consolation: #3 Calhoun vs. #5 Cartersville, 4:00 Championship: #1 Cass vs. #2 Hiram, 7:00 7-AAAAA Boys At Cartersville Monday (2/15) #3 Calhoun 68, #6 Woodland 35 #4 Blessed Trinity 61, #5 Cartersville 45 Wednesday (2/17) #3 Calhoun 60, #2 Hiram 58 #4 Blessed Trinity 50, #1 Cass 44 Friday (2/19) Consolation: Cass vs. Hiram, 5:30 Championship: #3 Calhoun vs. #4 Blessed Trinity, 8:30 6-AAA Girls At Sonoraville Saturday (2/13) #8 North Murray 52, #9 LFO 33 Monday (2/15) #7 Adairsville 59, #6 Murray County 56 #5 Lafayette 58, #8 North Murray 39 Wednesday (2/17) #3 Rockmart 68, #7 Adairsville 46 #4 Ringgold 52, #5 Lafayette 48 Friday (2/19) #2 Coahulla Creek vs. #3 Rockmart, 3:00 #1 Sonoraville vs. #4 Ringgold, 7:00 Saturday (2/20) Consolation, 2:00 Championship: 7:00 6-AAA Boys At Sonoraville Saturday (2/13) #9 Ringgold 66, #8 Adairsville 58 Tuesday (2/16) #6 North Murray 69, #7 Rockmart 57 #9 Ringgold 64, #5 Coahulla Creek 59 Thursday (2/18) #3 Murray County vs. #6 North Murray, 6:00 #4 LFO vs. #9 Ringgold, 7:30 Friday (2/19) #2 Sonoraville vs. #3/#6/#7, 4:30 #1 Lafayette vs. #4/#5/#8/#9, 8:30 Saturday (2/20) Consolation, 3:30 Championship, 8:30

The Cass girls took care of business Wednesday night in the Region 7-AAAAA semifinals, defeating tournament host Cartersville, 68-46. The win keeps the 2nd-ranked Lady Colonels unbeaten for the season and sends Cass to the region championship game Friday night at 7 p.m. against 8th-ranked Hiram. The Lady Hornets defeated Calhoun 40-25 in Wednesday’s other girls semifinal. Cass led Cartersville 15-6 after one quarter; 24-18 at halftime; and 40-21 through three quarters on their way to a 21-point victory. Londaisha Smith led Cass with 19 points. Gracie Elkins scored 16. Ariana Hames contributed nine points and Amaya Ford added five for the Lady Colonels. Lehla Thomas and Zoe Casey scored eight points each for the Lady Canes. Thomas added nine rebounds. Cartersville (6-14) will play in the region third place game Friday at 4 p.m. against Calhoun. Cass (24-0) secured a home state playoff game next week by reaching the region tournament finals. The Lady Colonels will tip at 7 p.m. Friday night with Hiram. BLESSED TRINITY 50, CASS BOYS 44 It is difficult to beat any team in basketball a third time in a season. Well that’s the old adage that showed its form Wednesday night for the Cass Colonels. Although both regular season games between Cass and Blessed Trinity went to the wire, the Colonels had a double-overtime 83-78 win over the Titans January 5 and a 53-48 win at Blessed Trinity on January 22. The Titans turned the tables Wednesday with a 50-44 win in the Region 7-AAAAA semifinals. Jax Bouknight led Blessed Trinity with 23 points. Zaylan Chaney had 19 points and 10 rebounds to pace Cass. C.J. Pipkin scored nine points and collected five rebounds for the Colonels. Blessed Trinity (18-7) advances to Friday night’s region championship game against Calhoun at 8:30 p.m. at Cartersville. Calhoun knocked off Hiram 60-58 in Wednesday’s early semifinal. The win also secured a first round state playoff game at home for the Titans. Cass (18-7) will play Hiram Friday at 5:30 p.m. for the region’s No. 3-seed in the Class AAAAA state tournament. ROCKMART 68, ADAIRSVILLE GIRLS 46 The Adairsville girls were eliminated at the Region 6-AAA Tournament at Sonoraville Wednesday night with a 68-46 loss to 3rd-seed Rockmart. Rockmart, coming off a two-point loss at Adairsville last Friday, led throughout in Wednesday’s tournament game. The Lady Jackets led 14-12 at the end of the first quarter; 32-16 at halftime; and 52-27 through three quarters. Keyarah Berry of Rockmart led all scorers in the game with 31 points. Analee Morris added 15. Lexie Childers scored 22 points to lead Adairsville. Makayla Wade added nine for the Lady Tigers. Rockmart (16-7) advances to play Coahulla Creek Friday in the semifinals. Adairsville’s season comes to a close with a 7-19 record.

The Woodland tennis teams lost non-region home matches to Rome Wednesday evening. The visiting Wolves won both matches by 5-0 scores. Rome 5, Woodland girls 0 Woodland Singles: Line 1 — Eryn Gentry lost 0-6, 2-6 Line 2 — Emma Savage lost 2-6, 0-6 Line 3 — Abby Cates lost 4-6, 4-6 Woodland Doubles: Line 1 — Monterya Morrow and Abi Spaulding lost 1-6, 3-6 Line 2 — Jaylea Kilgo and Jolie Fannin lost 5-7, 2-6 Rome 5, Woodland boys 0 Woodland Singles: Line 1 — Ian Vanorder lost 0-6, 0-6 Line 2 — Mason Tucker lost 0-6, 0-6 Line 3 — Cayden Wade lost 3-6, 0-6 Woodland Doubles: Line 1 — Javen Bowen and Domenic Ciavarro Line 2 — Jack Gore and Chandler Verhine

Nakiyah Washington played just 37 combined minutes in a pair of games for Piedmont's women's basketball team over the weekend. But the former Adairsville standout did enough in those 37 minutes to earn her conference's player of the week honor. In a pair of blowout wins over visiting Wesleyan, Washington managed to compile 42 points, 14 rebounds, 15 steals, four assists and a block. Friday saw the sophomore forward put together a historic performance. Washington set personal-highs in points (29) and steals (9), while producing a season-best 11 rebounds — with 10 of them remarkably coming on the offensive end. She even set a program record by hitting all 15 of her free throw attempts. At the pro level, the Minnesota Timberwolves waived Ashton Hagans not long after assigning him to the franchise's G League affiliate. According to Kentucky Sports Radio, the Cartersville native was let go after being suspended for violating COVID-19 heath and safety protocols at the G League bubble in Orlando, Florida. PRO BASEBALL Sam Howard (Pittsburgh Pirates; Cartersville) — MLB spring training sites re-open this week with pitchers and catchers reporting. The Pirates are scheduled to play 29 Grapefruit League games in 31 days, including 15 home games at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Florida. Pittsburgh starts the spring training schedule Feb. 28 with a road game against the Orioles in Sarasota. PRO BASKETBALL Ashton Hagans (Cartersville native) — The Minnesota Timberwolves waived Hagans Saturday. The rookie point guard made two appearances this season with the T-Wolves. COLLEGE BASEBALL Jake Gooch (Central Alabama CC So., Cartersville) — The Trojans only managed to play one game this week and suffered a home loss to Andrew College, 7-2. Gooch, a starter at first base, was 0-for-3 with one walk. Through six games, he is batting .267 with two RBIs. CACC (4-3) was set to play Tuesday at Chattahoochee Valley CC, Friday at Wallace State-Selma and Saturday against Wallace-Selma at home. Lane Griffith (West Georgia Sr., Adairsville) — The Wolves catcher was 0-for-2 in Friday’s 7-5 loss at Montevallo. UWG (3-3) also split a doubleheader with the Falcons Sunday. West Georgia hosts 23rd-ranked Alabama-Huntsville in a three-game Gulf South Conference series Saturday and Sunday. Logan Nelson (Truett McConnell Fr., Cass) — Nelson went 1-for-3 as the team’s designated hitter with a walk and one RBI Wednesday as the Bears dropped a 4-3 contest to visiting Cumberland University. TMU (5-2) travels to Lawrenceville Friday to play at Georgia Gwinnett College. Preston Welchel (Coastal Alabama-Bay Minette CC Fr., Cartersville) — Welchel went 2-for-3 with a double, two walks, one RBI, and two runs scored in a doubleheader last Tuesday at Nunez Community College. The Sun Chiefs (4-6) also lost a pair of games to Northwest Florida State CC played at Panama City Beach. Welchel was 0-for-1 in the opener. Coastal hosts John A. Logan CC Wednesday and hosts a four-game series with Wallace State Friday and Saturday. Cohen Wilbanks (Cleveland State CC Fr., Cartersville) — Wilbanks saw action off the bench and was 0-for-1 at the plate in a 6-2 win Wednesday over the Carson Newman JV. CSCC (7-5) also split a doubleheader Sunday with Vincennes. The Cougars host doubleheaders with Chattanooga State CC Wednesday and Motlow State CC Saturday. COLLEGE BASKETBALL Jacquez Fountain (Albany Tech So., Cass) — Albany Tech finished 3-0 last week, with Fountain leading the team in scoring twice. He scored nine points and added four rebounds in a 75-74 win over Gordon last Tuesday. In a Thursday rematch, Fountain racked up 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block to help Albany Tech pull off another one-point victory. He finished with a dozen points, while contributing four rebounds and two steals, in a 75-54 triumph against East Georgia Saturday at home. Justice Hayes (South Georgia Tech Fr., Cass) — Hayes saw time in two of the Jets’ three games (all wins) this past week, scoring two points in 5 minutes of action. T.J. Horton (Georgia Highlands Fr., Cartersville) — Horton posted seven points, two rebounds and an assist in each game of a home-and-home sweep of Southern Crescent Tech. In Thursday’s home leg, he also added four steals to his final line. DiAnthony Heathcock (Columbia International Fr., Woodland) — After recording just one rebound in eight scoreless minutes last Tuesday in a loss against Point, Heathcock bounced back to total 16 points, 10 boards, two steals and a block in victories over Milligan (Saturday) and St. Andrew’s (Monday). Jana Morning (Berry Sr., Cass) — Morning posted 40 combined points in a weekend split at Centre College. In a heartbreaking 55-53 loss Saturday, she recorded 15 points, six rebounds, five steals and two assists. The next day, the former Cass star racked up 25 points and pulled down six more boards in a 63-52 win. Morning played all 40 minutes in both games. Jaylon Pugh (Furman Jr., Cartersville) — Pugh finished with six points apiece in the Paladins’ two games last week. He also totaled three rebounds, three steals and two assists in 26 total minutes. Furman fell last Wednesday at UNC-Greensboro but bounced back to beat Western Carolina Saturday at home. Josie Summerville (North Park Jr., Adairsville) — Summerville totaled two points in a pair of losses for North Park. She had those two points, along with 11 rebounds and two blocks, in a 71-66 loss last Tuesday to Wheaton. Summerville then finished scoreless with three rebounds and a steal in a 55-48 setback Saturday against Illinois Wesleyan. Alexis Ware (Piedmont So., Cass) — Ware totaled four points, nine rebounds and three assists in Piedmont’s dominant sweep of Wesleyan in USA South action Friday (104-36) and Saturday (78-33) at home. Nakiyah Washington (Piedmont So., Adairsville) — In a career-best performance, Washington set a school record by going 15-for-15 from the foul line in Friday’s blowout win over Wesleyan. In just 23 minutes of action, she scored a career-high 29 points (7-for-11 from the field). Washington almost had a triple-double, finishing with a season-high 11 rebounds (11 of which were offensive) and a career-best nine steals. For good measure, she added four assists and a block. Playing the following day, Washington only saw 14 minutes. Even still, the standout forward managed to rack up 13 points on 6-of-11 shooting, six steals and three boards. Unsurprisingly, Washington earned the conference’s player of the week honor. FOOTBALL Terry Berdin (Reinhardt Jr., Cartersville) — Berdin totaled 6 total yards on two carries and in a 34-10 win against Faulkner in Reinhardt’s home opener Saturday in Waleska. Bryce Burgess (Reinhardt Jr., Adairsville) — Burgess scored a 7-yard touchdown on his lone touch in Saturday’s victory, which improved the Eagles to 2-0. Burgess’ score increased Reinhardt’s lead to 27-0 late in the first half. Matthew Surrett (Olivet Nazarene Fr., Cartersville) — Surrett earned the start at center in his first collegiate game, as Olivet Nazarene destroyed Missouri Baptist by a 62-3 final score Saturday in St. Louis. The Tigers racked up 521 offensive yards, with 337 coming on the ground. Bryce Wilkins (Reinhardt Jr., Cartersville) — Wilkins contributed along the offensive front for a Reinhardt offense that gained 211 of its 313 yards on the ground Saturday. SOCCER Russell Shealy (Syracuse R-So., Cartersville native) — Starting in goal for the Orange, Shealy helped lead his team to a 2-1 victory over Hofstra in the spring opener for Syracuse Friday in Albany, New York. TENNIS Houston Medlock (Piedmont Jr., Adairsville) — Medlock fell on Line 1 singles (6-1, 6-0) and Line 2 doubles (6-1) in a 6-1 loss to Southern Wesleyan last Tuesday in Central, South Carolina. Ashley Popham (Mercer Fr., Cartersville) — Popham suffered a 6-0, 6-1 loss on Line 6 singles and a 6-0 defeat on Line 3 doubles, as Mercer fell 5-2 last Wednesday at Alabama-Birmingham. Bryce VanOrder (Piedmont Fr., Woodland) — VanOrder dropped a 6-0, 6-1 decision on Line 2 singles in Piedmont’s road loss last week. TRACK AND FIELD Stephen Smith (Kennesaw State So., Cass) — Clearing 4.40 meters, Smith came in fourth in the pole vault Saturday at the Samford Bulldog Open. McKenna Trapheagen (Georgia Tech Fr., Woodland) — Trapheagen took part in the 1-mile run — placing 35th in 5 minutes, 13.51 seconds — at the Music City Challenge Friday in Nashville. WRESTLING Kyle Gollhofer (Northern Iowa R-Fr., Woodland) — Gollhofer dominated his extra match at 125 pounds against Iowa State, earning a 12-3 major decision Sunday in Ames, Iowa. Logan Sims (Life, Woodland) — Sims placed second in the 141-pound division, during the Life U Round Robin Saturday in Marietta. Following a first-round bye, Sims picked up an 11-5 win in the quarterfinals before pinning teammate Marcus Abreu in the semis. Sims, though, ultimately fell in the finals to another Life grappler, Tyree Johnson, by an 8-4 score. — Nicholas Sullivan of The Daily Tribune News contributed to this report.

The Cass girls and boys basketball teams begin play in the Region 7-AAAAA Tournament this Wednesday night at Cartersville as the top-seeds in their respective brackets. The Cass girls and boys have remained ranked in the top ten in Class 5A heading into the post-season. The Lady Colonels (23-0) have moved up the ladder in recent weeks to the No. 2 spot in the latest poll produced by SandysSpiel.com. They are ranked No. 3 by Score Atlanta. Meanwhile the Colonels (18-6) have maintained their spot in Class 5A at No. 10 in the SandysSpiel poll. They are unranked by ScoreAtlanta. The Cass girls will begin their post-season efforts Wednesday night at 7 p.m. against Cartersville in the Lady Canes' home gym. Cartersville knocked off Blessed Trinity Monday night to reach the region semifinals and punch their ticket into the Class 5A state tournament. The Cass boys will square off with Blessed Trinity Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m. at Cartersville. The Colonels won both games against the Titans during the regular season but Blessed Trinity is playing some of its best basketball of the year. The Titans (17-7, winners of four straight) beat Cartersville 61-45 Monday in the region quarterfinals. Blessed Trinity was ranked in the Class 5A top ten off and on during the year. SandysSpiel.com Rankings GIRLS https://sandysspiel.com/week-13-ghsa-girls-basketball-state-rankings/ BOYS https://sandysspiel.com/category/ghsa-basketball/rankings/

The Cartersville Lady Canes took the lead early Monday night in the Region 7-AAAAA quarterfinals and never trailed in a 41-28 defeat of Blessed Trinity at the Storm Center. The win advances the Cartersville girls to the region semifinals Wednesday night at 7 p.m. against 2nd-ranked Cass and it also earns the Lady Canes a berth in the Class 5A State Tournament that begins next week. Cartersville led 8-3 after one quarter; 21-10 at halftime; and 26-15 through three quarters on their way to the 13-point victory. Jamiya Moore led Cartersville with 12 points. Ansley Griffin followed with 10. Kiera Milline tossed in nine points with nine rebounds and Lehla Thomas added four points for the Hurricanes. Cartersville (6-13) made 11 of 12 free throw attempts down the stretch to secure the victory. Emma Jacobs and Christa Lair led Blessed Trinity (5-16) with six points each. BLESSED TRINITY 61, CARTERSVILLE BOYS 45 Cartersville scored the opening bucket Monday night before Blessed Trinity went on a 20-3 run to end the first quarter. That built a 20-5 lead for the Titans by the end of the first quarter and they never trailed in a 16-point win. With their Region 7-AAAAA quarterfinal win at The Storm Center, Blessed Trinity advances to Wednesday night’s tournament semifinals against top-seeded and 10th-ranked Cass at 8:30 p.m. Blessed Trinity led by 17 points at halftime as they improved to 17-7 on the season. Robert Novak hit a three-pointer with 3:11 remaining in the third quarter to narrow the Titans’ lead to 40-26. The Canes later cut the lead to 13 points twice in the fourth quarter, but Blessed Trinity had regained a 20-point advantage by the 2:45 mark of the final stanza. Cartersville’s season ends with an 8-12 record. Region tournament schedules for 7-AAAAA and 6-AAA are updated here: https://www.bartowsportszone.com/single-post/region-tournament-schedules-for-local-teams

Fresh off their regular season upset of third place Rockmart in the final game of the regular season, the Adairsville girls earned a rematch with those same Lady Jackets with a 59-56 win Monday night over Murray County in the Region 6-AAA Tournament at Sonoraville. The Lady Tigers trailed 16-13 after eight minutes; 31-28 at the intermission; and 47-41 after three quarters before rallying in the fourth quarter for a come-from-behind victory. Adairsville outscored the Lady Indians 18-9 in the final eight minutes. Haley Stiles led Adairsville with 18 points. Lexie Childers was right behind with 16 points. Hannah Hollingsworth contributed nine and Autumn Henderson finished with eight points for the Lady Tigers. Ella Dotson led Murray County (9-10) with 26 points. Natalie O’Neal scored 12. Adairsville (8-18) gets a rematch with 3rd-seeded Rockmart Wednesday night at 6 p.m. at Sonoraville High School in the region quarterfinals. The winner will clinch a berth in the Class AAA state tournament.

The Woodland girls and boys basketball teams both had their 2020-21 seasons come to an end Monday evening with Region 7-AAAAA Tournament losses to Calhoun at the Cartersville Storm Center. The Lady Cats fell to Calhoun 62-24 and the Woodland boys lost to the Yellow Jackets, 68-35. The Calhoun girls raced out to an 18-2 lead in the first quarter and extended their lead to 39-11 by halftime. The Lady Jackets continued to pull away in the third quarter, leading 60-18. Lauren Watson led Calhoun with 15 points. Emma Rogers and Britiya Curtis added 10 points each. Jordan Thompson paced Woodland with 13 points. Ansley Evans scored six for the Lady Cats. Calhoun (15-10) advances to play 8th-ranked Hiram Wednesday at 4 p.m. in the region semifinals. The Lady Jackets also secured a state tournament berth. The Woodland girls finished the season with a 2-20 mark. In the boys game, Dylan Faulkner scored 18 points, Blaze Hammett chipped in 11, and Peyton Law added nine to lead Calhoun to a 33-point win. The Yellow Jackets led 20-9 after one quarter; 43-19 at halftime; and 62-27 through three quarters. K.J. Rogers led Woodland with 10 points. Roman Niemzewski scored nine for the Wildcats. Calhoun (13-10) advances to the region semifinals Wednesday afternoon at 5:30 p.m. against Hiram. The Monday night win also secured a spot in the Class 5A state playoffs. Woodland finished the year with a 3-22 mark. NOTE: Region tournament schedules and scores are updated daily with this previous BSZ article: https://www.bartowsportszone.com/single-post/region-tournament-schedules-for-local-teams

The Woodland wrestling team won its sixth state championship in the last three years Saturday by capturing the 2021 GHSA Class 5A Traditional Championship in Macon. Woodland had four individual state champions and completed the rare double three-peat with the duals and traditional titles in each of the past three seasons. Caden McCrary (138), Caleb Henson (152), Cole Cochran (160), and Jaxon Smith (195) won individual state championships for Woodland. Henson, Cochran, and Smith were undefeated for the entire season. McCrary is a four-time state champion. Smith has three titles and Henson is a two-time state winner. The Wildcats, who qualified a wrestler in all 14 weight divisions, finished with 243 team points. Cass was second with 202. Woodward Academy (182), Harris County (166), and Ola (162.5) rounded out the top five teams. Cass, who also finished runner-up in the duals championship, had six individual finalists and finished second in Class 5A. Cole Hunt (120) and Noah Hoffmeier (220) both won individual state titles for the Colonels. Both Cass wrestlers completed undefeated seasons. The win for Hoffmeier marks his second state title. He also pinned every opponent he faced in a dominant 2020-21 season. Hunt won all of his state tournament bouts with first period pins. Tyler McKnight (138), Zach McKnight (160), Bryce Kresho (126), and Eli Doolittle (132) all finished as state runners-up for Cass. Jake Crapps (113) placed third. Cartersville placed tenth in Class 5A and had one individual finalist — Shadre Hurst.

The Adairsville boys basketball team had its season come to an end Saturday night with an opening round 66-58 loss to Ringgold in the Region 6-AAA Tournament at Sonoraville. Ringgold led 18-15 after one quarter and pushed their lead to 31-20 by halftime. Adairsville narrowed the margin to 47-41 by the end of the third quarter, but Ringgold held on for an eventual eight point win. O’Reilly Matthews led Ringgold with 18 points. Jayden Williams had 12 and Brevin Massengale 11 points. T.J. Printup, Jr. scored 26 points to lead Adairsville. Tucker Deams followed with 12 and Hayden Poarch added nine. Ringgold (3-20) advances to Tuesday’s second round where they will play 5th-seeded Coahulla Creek at 7:30 p.m. at Sonoraville. Adairsville has its season end with a 10-14 record.

The All-Region 6-AAA basketball teams were released by the region coaches this week as the post-season tournament begins Saturday for the league. T.J. Printup, Jr. of Adairsville was selected to the All-Region First Team with the Tigers’ Tucker Deams named Second Team All-Region 6-AAA. Adairsville’s Ya’Torrean Hale was named to the Girls All-Region Second Team and Lexie Childers was given Honorable Mention. Keyarah Berry of Rockmart was named Girls Player of the Year for the region and Aidan Hadaway of Lafayette was selected Boys Player of the Year.