The Cass tennis teams split matches at Cedartown Thursday evening with the Lady Colonels winning 4-1 and the Cass boys falling 5-0. CASS GIRLS 4, CEDARTOWN 1 Cass results: Singles Line 1 — Emily Surcey won 6-0, 6-1 Line 2 — Christina Surcey won 6-2, 6-2 Line 3 — McKenley King won 6-0, 6-4 Doubles Line 1 — Payton Tatusko / Sydney Coppola lost 1-6, 2-6 Line 2 — Carli Rediger / Allison White won 6-2, 6-0 CEDARTOWN 5, CASS BOYS 0 Cass results: Singles Line 1 — Seth Herring lost 0-6, 0-6 Line 2 — Damien West lost 0-6, 0-6 Line 3 — Drew Turley lost 2-6, 0-6 Doubles Line 1 — Dawson Hedden / Chris Pittard lost 4-6, 6-4, 4-10 (tiebreaker) Line 2 — Brian Wickenheiser / Tyler Martin lost 2-6, 4-6

Cat Wheeler scored the game’s only goal Thursday night as the Adairsville Lady Tigers defeated Lafayette 1-0 in Tiger Valley. Wheeler scored in the 46th minute of the game with the assist credited to Lillie McBride. Adairsville keeper Annie McCormick earned the shutout to the delight of coach David Sexauer. “McCormick had a mistake free performance. She is showing more confidence in her position and continues to show improvement,” said Sexauer. “Her improved punts were featured in tonight’s game.” Adairsville coaches also noted the performance of Ellie McBride for her high energy and work rate. She won most of her one-on-ones and was the fastest player on the field as both teams tired. Adairsville (4-1, 1-0 Region 6-AAA) will host Woodland Tuesday.

Cass baseball fell behind visiting Pepperell in the early innings Wednesday and despite out hitting the Dragons, could not complete a comeback in a 7-6 Colonels’ loss. Pepperell scored six runs in their first three frames for an early 6-0 advantage. Cass answered with six runs of their own in the third through fifth innings to knot the score at 6-6. The Dragons scored the game-deciding run in the top of the sixth and held on for a one-run, non-region win. Cass out hit Pepperell 12 to 5 but left several scoring opportunities on the diamond. Chase Gresham and Landon Loyd (two doubles) combined for four of the five Dragons’ hits and each drove in a run. Gresham (3 IP, 2R, 1ER, 6H, 1BB, 4K) also picked up the pitching win in relief of starter Griffin Kanelos. Loyd earned a save with two strikeouts in the seventh inning. Hayden Cole (3 IP, 1ER, 1H, 2BB, 2K) suffered the pitching loss for the Colonels in relief of starter Jordan Gani (4 IP, 6R, 1ER, 4H, 5BB, 9K). Gani paced the Cass offense with three hits including a double and one RBI. Matt Shook finished with a pair of doubles and two RBIs. Jayden Smith contributed two hits including a double. Nic Wallin also had two hits. Bentley Markley (RBI), Aidan Larkin, and Carson Hill added one hit apiece for the Colonels. The win was Pepperell’s first after dropping their first three games. Cass (1-3) plays at Model Thursday at 5 p.m. and Saturday at 4 p.m.

The Cass soccer teams split a pair of games with Model Wednesday evening at Doug Cochran Stadium. The Cass girls lost the opener 5-1 with the Cass boys winning the nightcap, 4-1. Alex Cabanas, Pablo Vargo, Alfred Chege, and Andrew Nguyen each scored a goal for the Colonels in their victory. Lady Colonels’ senior Leidi Toribio scored the lone Cass goal in the girls’ loss off a feed from Dayanara Pineda. The Cass boys (2-3) travel to North Murray Friday for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The Cass girls (2-3) host Villa Rica Friday.

Woodland tennis lost a pair of matches with the visiting North Paulding Wolfpack Wednesday evening on the campus of Woodland High School. The Lady Cats were edged 3-2 and the Wildcats were swept by North Paulding, 5-0. Woodland girls results: Singles Line 1 — Eryn Gentry lost 1-6, 1-6 Line 2 — Emma Savage won 7-5, 6-2 Line 3 — Abi Spaulding won 7-5, 6-2 Doubles Line 1 — Monterya Morrow / Abby Cates lost 0-6, 1-6 Line 2 — Jolie Fannin / Jayln Womack lost 1-6, 2-6 Woodland boys results: Singles Line 1 — Ian Vanorder lost 0-6, 1-6 Line 2 — Mason Tucker lost 1-6, 0-6 Line 3 — Cayden Wade lost 0-6, 1-6 Doubles Line 1 — Javen Bowen / Domeni Ciavarro lost 0-6, 0-6 Line 2 — Jack Gore / Chandler Verhine lost 0-6, 0-6 Next on the schedule for Woodland is a match at South Paulding March 15.

The Cass boys couldn’t quite complete a big comeback Wednesday night in the opening round of the Class 5A state tournament and fell at second-seeded Villa Rica, 72-67. One of the biggest differences in Wednesday’s result was Villa Rica’s ability to convert beyond the three-point arc. The host Wildcats made ten three-pointers while the Colonels only coverted four. Villa Rica led 16-14 after one quarter and 35-31 at halftime. The Wildcats then used a 10-0 run across the middle four minutes of the third quarter to lead 52-40 entering the final quarter. Cass chipped away in the final stanza and pulled to within one possession in the final minute, but the Colonels couldn’t finish the comeback. Kannon Roberts led Villa Rica with 19 points. Zaylan Chaney led Cass with a game-high 22 points. C.J. Pipkin contributed 19 for the Colonels. Braxton Benham finished with 15 points. The loss ends the Colonels’ season with a 19-8 record. It is also the second straight year Cass lost in the opening round of the state tournament. Villa Rica (14-10) will travel to Clarke Central for the second round on either Friday or Saturday. -- Photos courtesy Randy Parker / The Daily Tribune News

The Cass girls soccer team won at Murray County 3-0, the Cartersville boys tied Bremen 3-3, and the Cartersville girls lost at Bremen 3-0 Tuesday night in non-region action. Madison Shook scored two goals and assisted on the Lady Colonels other goal in the Cass victory over Murray County. Michelle Escobar assisted on the first Shook goal and Rachel Ziemer assisted on the other. Meli Reyes scored the middle goal for Cass off a corner kick by Shook. Cass improved to 2-4. Murray County slipped to 0-3 for the season. Cass hosts Model Wednesday at 5 p.m. and Villa Rica Friday at 6 p.m. BREMEN 3, CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 0 The Lady Canes were shutout at Bremen Tuesday night, 3-0. The host Lady Blue Devils improved to 5-1 on the season. The Cartersville girls (3-2-1) host Darlington Friday at 5:30 p.m. at Weinman Stadium CARTERSVILLE BOYS 3, BREMEN 3 Bremen held three different one-goal leads in the game Tuesday night but Cartersville answered each time in a 3-3 draw. Joel Zazueta scored on a header off a free kick that sent the game to the halftime locker room tied 1-1. Early in the second half, Bremen grabbed a 2-1 lead on a penalty kick but Zazueta evened the score again on a penalty kick of his own. Cartersville failed to clear a corner kick later in the second half leading to the Blue Devils taking a 3-2 lead. Caden Anderson leveled the score again about 10 minutes later, however, when he scored on a cross from Giovanni Jacobo. Bremen moves to 3-1-1 on the season. Cartersville (4-1-1) hosts Darlington Friday at Weinman Stadium at 7:30 p.m. NORTHWEST WHITFIELD 6, WOODLAND GIRLS 0 The Lady Cats trailed 2-0 at halftime and fell 6-0 to the Lady Bruins Tuesday night. Keeper Chloe Rasvish had multiple quality saves for Woodland but the fast paced Northwest Whitfield offense applied pressure throughout. "We played hard and continue to improve," said Woodland coach Nicole Heiser. "We really haven't experienced their (Northwest Whitfield's) amount of speed before tonight. We look forward to getting ready for region play." Woodland (2-3-1) plays Tuesday at Adairsville at 5 p.m. before starting Region 7-AAAAA action Friday at home against Blessed Trinity.

The second-seeded Cass girls made easy work of visiting Grady Tuesday night in the opening round of the Class AAAAA state tournament, 83-57. Cass led 37-24 at halftime and extended the lead to 62-40 by the end of the third quarter. Londaisha Smith led Cass with a triple double performance that included 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 steals. Claire Davis followed with 15 points. Gracie Elkins and Mikaela Jackson scored 10 each as the Lady Colonels improved to 25-1. Ariana Hames scored nine for Cass. Justice Bennett posted seven points. Haley Johnson contributed six. Tatianna Christian finished with four points. Makyera Baldwin and Raziyah Ware added two points each to round out the Lady Colonels' attack. Sixth-ranked Cass will travel to Region 5-AAAAA champion and fourth-ranked Southwest DeKalb (18-6) Friday for a matchup in the Sweet Sixteen. The Panthers (19-6) routed Walnut Grove by a 78-30 final score Tuesday in their first round game. NEW MANCHESTER 63, CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 31 The Lady Canes fell behind early Tuesday night at Region 6-AAAAA champion New Manchester and never recovered in a 63-31 loss in the opening round of the Class 5A state tournament. The hosting Lady Jaguars led 20-5 after one quarter and built a 30-15 advantage by halftime. New Manchester extended the lead to 49-23 by the end of the third quarter. Azaria Robertson, Kharyssa Richardson, and Hannah Wright led a balanced New Manchester offense with 12 points each. Kamryn Bates added 11. Jamiya Moore led Cartersville with nine points. Ansley Griffin scored six. Zoe Casey posted four points. Lehla Thomas and Ari Olotu finished with three points each. A.J. Davenport, Taff Bradley, and Kiera Milline added two points apiece for the Lady Canes. New Manchester (23-3) advances to play the M.L. King / Greenbrier winner Friday in the second round. Cartersville has its season end with a 7-16 record.

Cartersville baseball scored six runs across the final two innings for a comeback 9-4 win Tuesday evening at Etowah. Cal Goss (1.2 IP, 0R, 0H) picked up the pitching win for the Hurricanes in relief of starter Micah Earwood (4.1 IP, 4R, 0ER, 6H, 2BB, 8K). Davis Williams (1 IP, 1BB, 3K) walked a batter but struck out the side to close down the final frame. Etowah led 3-2 after one inning but Cartersville knotted the score with a run in the fourth. The Eagles regained a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning before the Canes’ comeback. Hank Smith (3 RBIs), Drew Rothschild (RBI), and Elliott Eastin (double) led the Cartersville offense with two hits each. Curt Bonner (double, RBI), Jake Brasfield (double, RBI), Colt McKibben (2 RBIs), and Williams had the other Canes’ base hits. Cartersville (2-1) is scheduled to play Fellowship Christian and River Ridge Thursday at Richard Bell Field with the opener set for 5 p.m. CASS 8, SONORAVILLE 5 The Colonels picked up their first win of the 2021 season Tuesday night over visiting Sonoraville, 8-5. Sonoraville took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first but Cass answered with five runs in the bottom of the inning and never trailed again. Two more runs for the Colonels in the third made the score 7-3 and an insurance run in the sixth rounded at the Cass scoring. Bentley Markley (two doubles, 2 RBIs) and Matt Shook (double, RBI) had two hits each for Cass. Carson Hill added a double and three RBIs. Aidan Larkin (RBI) and Jayden Smith had the other Colonels’ hits. Smith (4 IP, 5R, 2ER, 6H, 4BB, 7K) started on the mound and earned the pitching victory. Trey Scott (3 IP, 0R, 0H, 2BB, 5K) closed out the final nine outs. Cass (1-2) hosts Pepperell Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., travels to Model Thursday for a 5 p.m. start and returns to Model Saturday for a 4 p.m. start.

The Cass girls tennis team defeated Adairsville Tuesday evening, 4-1. Cass results: Singles: Line 1 — Emily Surcey won 6-0, 6-0 Line 2 — Christina Surcey won 6-4, 6-2 Line 3 — McKenley King won 6-0, 6-0 Doubles: Line 1 — Peyton Tatusko and Sydney Coppola lost 6-1, 6-4 Line 2 — Carli Rediger and Allison White won 7-5, 6-4

The Adairsville girls soccer team blanked visiting Central-Carroll Tuesday night in Tiger Valley, 2-0. Taylor Rhoades scored for Adairsville in the ninth minute from 15 yards out. Cat Wheeler added the Tigers second goal unassisted in the 66th minute when Adairsville was down a player. Lillie McBride had a strong game in midfield according to the Adairsville coaching staff. Sadye Johnson was also strong with good distribution of the ball up the field and Ellie McBride played well on the defensive end for the Lady Tigers. Annie McCormick earned the shutout in net. Adairsville (3-1) will host its first Region 6-AAA game Thursday against LaFayette.

As the 2020-21 basketball season moves closer to conference championship play many other collegiate sports are just beginning to hit full stride. Several non-DI football conferences and soccer programs are playing games in a delayed start to their seasons at the same time softball, baseball, tennis, and track and field are beginning 2021 campaigns. BASKETBALL Jacquez Fountain (Albany Tech, So., Cass HS) — Fountain scored 15 points and pulled down seven rebounds in an 75-73 overtime loss Saturday at Central Georgia Tech. Justice Hayes (South Georgia Tech, Fr., Cass HS) — Hayes buried a 3-pointer on his only shot attempt and secured a rebound in an 87-85 win Saturday at Georgia Highlands. T.J. Horton (Georgia Highlands CC, Fr., Cartersville HS) — In an 87-72 win Thursday at South Georgia Tech, Horton racked up 14 points (6-of-9 shooting), four rebounds and two steals. He added three points, four boards and two steals in a loss in Saturday’s rematch. DiAnthony Heathcock (Columbia International University, Fr., Woodland HS) — During an 83-74 win over Truett McConnell last Wednesday at home, Heathcock scored eight points on 4-of-5 shooting, with three rebounds and a block in 18 minutes. Jana Morning (Berry College, Sr., Cass) HS — Morning dished out 17 total assists during a two-game home set with Birmingham Southern Friday and Saturday in Rome. In an 87-63 win Friday, Morning contributed five points, five rebounds and nine assists. In an 87-70 defeat Saturday, she finished with six points, four rebounds, eight assists and four steals. Jaylon Pugh (Furman University, Jr., Cartersville HS) — In a pair of wins last week, Pugh saw 15 combined minutes but didn’t record any stats. Josie Summerville (North Park University, Jr., Adairsville HS) — Summerville compiled 12 points and 19 rebounds across a trio fo wins last week. She posted two points and six rebounds in a 58-47 win Tuesday at Elmhurst; contributed five points and eight rebounds in a 66-52 victory Thursday at Augustana (Illinois); and chipped in five points and five rebounds in an 82-55 triumph against Augustana Saturday at home. Alexis Ware (Piedmont College, So., Cass HS) — Ware started both games of a home-and-home series with Agnes Scott, helping Piedmont to a pair of resounding wins — 87-22 Friday at home and 84-33 Saturday in Decatur. She recorded 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block in Friday’s victory. The next day, she posted eight points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks. Nakiyah Washington (Piedmont College, So., Adairsville HS) — Coming off being named the conference’s player of the week, Washington went 9 for 15 from the field en route to 23 points in an 85-60 victory last Tuesday at Brevard. The former Adairsville star added nine rebounds, five steals, four assists and a block. FOOTBALL Hunter Hardin (Point University, Sr., Woodland HS) — Point’s starting left guard helped his team compile 378 total offensive yards in a 21-15 loss Saturday to Faulkner (Alabama). Sean Holton (Davidson College, Sr., Cartersville HS) — In the Wildcats’ season opener, Holton recorded one solo tackle, as Davidson fell to Elon by a 26-23 final score Saturday on the road. Matthew Surrett (Olivet Nazarene, Fr., Cartersville HS) — Surrett helped pave the way for a robust 519 yards of offense (313 passing, 206 rushing) in a 44-20 victory over Indiana Wesleyan Saturday at home. Jake Walker (Furman Univeristy, Sr., Darlington HS / Cartersville resident) — Walker saw action but didn’t record any stats in Furman’s 35-7 rout of Western Carolina Saturday at home. SOFTBALL COLBI BALLARD — Shorter University (So., Cartersville HS)… made a start Sunday in right field and was 0-for-2. Her batting average dropped to .375 in three starts this season. The Hawks (2-5, 0-3) have a home doubleheader Wednesday with Young Harris College and travel to Columbus State Saturday for another Peach Belt Conference doubleheader. PRESLY EDWARDS — Wesleyan College (So., Cartersville HS)… popped out to third base in her first plate appearance of the year last Tuesday. The game was a 6-0 loss to Mercer University. The Wolves finished the week 1-4 following a doubleheader split with Gordon State Sunday. Wesleyan (1-5) plays at Berry College Tuesday, hosts Middle Georgia State and Bluefield College Tuesday and Thursday, and travels to Fort Valley State Sunday. BRIANNA HILL — Covenant College (Fr., Woodland HS)… made four plate appearances across three games at a Berry College doubleheader and at home against Centre College, but is still looking for her first collegiate hit. The Lady Scots (2-8) host Brenau in a doubleheader Thursday and Johnson University Saturday in a double dip. BASEBALL MASON BARNETT — Auburn University (So., Cartersville HS)… made his first collegiate weekend start Sunday and earned a 2-1 win by scattering three hits across four innings. On the mound against visiting Presbyterian College, he walked two, hit one batter, and fanned four without allowing a run. Auburn (3-0) will host games with Alabama A&M Tuesday and Wednesday before traveling to Round Rock, Texas for Round Rock Classic games against Oklahoma Friday, Baylor Saturday, and Texas A&M Sunday. BAILEY CAMPBELL — Young Harris College (Jr., Cass HS)… the starting designated hitter for the Mountain Lions went 4-for-10 in the three-game series as YHC took two of three from Georgia Southwestern. Campbell was also hit by a pitch twice and scored a run in the series. Young Harris (2-1, 2-1) plays host to Tusculum College Tuesday afternoon and plays a three-game Peach Belt Conference series with visiting Francis Marion University Friday and Saturday. JAKE GOOCH — Central Alabama CC (So., Cartersville HS)… had seven hits in five games this past week going 7-for-15 with a double, a walk, and five RBIs. He also scored four times as the Trojans won four games. CACC (8-4) swept a four-game series with Wallace State-Selma over the weekend but lost last Wednesday at Chatthoochee Valley. This week the Trojans have home-and-home doubleheaders Friday and Saturday with Gordon State. LANE GRIFFITH — University of West Georgia (Sr., Adairsville HS)… was the starting backstop in two of three games over the weekend at home against 23rd-ranked University of Alabama-Huntsville. Griffith was 1-for-3 with a second inning RBI double in Saturday’s 5-2 win. He also finished 2-for-4 with a walk and one RBI in Sunday’s 20-16 loss to the Chargers. The Wolves (4-5, 4-5) travel to Delta State for a three-game, Gulf South Conference series Saturday and Sunday. HUNTER HICE — Georgia College (R-So., Adairsville HS)… smacked a third inning, three-run home run in his first start with the 8th-ranked Bobcats Sunday. Hice also saw action in a pinch hitting role in Saturday’s win at Claflin University. Georgia College (3-0) hosts a three-game Peach Belt Conference series Friday and Saturday with University of North Georgia. BRYCEN JONES — Central Alabama CC (Fr., Cartersville HS)… pitched the fourth inning and faced four batters without allowing a hit, walk, or run in last Wednesday’s 5-2 loss at Chattahoochee Valley CC. The Trojans (8-4) play a home-and-home doubleheader series with Gordon State Friday and Saturday. LOGAN NELSON — Truett McConnell University (Fr., Cass HS)… in games last week against Columbia International, Georgia Gwinnett, and Lourdes University (OH), Nelson was 1-for-7 with a walk and a sacrifice. The Bears (7-4) host Montreat College (NC) Tuesday afternoon and will entertain Milligan University Friday and Saturday in a three-game Appalachian Athletic Conference series. PRESTON WELCHEL — Coastal Alabama-Bay Minette CC (Fr., Cartersville HS)… saw action last Wednesday and Friday in the Sun Chiefs’ home losses to John A. Logan CC and Wallace State CC. Welchel was 1-for-4 at the plate in the two games with three walks and one RBI. Coastal (4-9) is in the midst of a seven game losing streak but will look to rebound in a home doubleheader with Gulf Coast State Tuesday. The Sun Chiefs also have games Friday and Saturday against Shelton State at Niceville, Florida, at Northwest Florida State, vs. Calhoun CC in Pensacola, Florida, and at Pensacola State CC. SOCCER Courtney Rhea (Berry College, Jr., Cartersville) — Rhea played the final 1 minute, 45 seconds of Berry’s season-opening 3-0 win against Piedmont Sunday away from home. Russell Shealy (Syracuse University, R-So., Cartersville native) — Syracuse’s starting goalkeeper made three saves and played all 110 minutes of a 1-1 draw with Albany Friday on the road. TENNIS Houston Medlock (Piedmont College, Jr., Adairsville HS) — Piedmont lost matches by identical 7-2 scores Saturday and Sunday at Birmingham Southern. Medlock’s two days were also similar. He and his Line 2 doubles partner fell 8-3 both times, while Medlock also came up short on Line 1 singles Saturday (6-1, 6-3) and Sunday (6-1, 6-4). Ashley Popham (Mercer University, Fr., Cartersville HS) — Without dropping a single game, Popham secured victories on Line 6 singles and Line 3 doubles in a 7-0 win over Georgia College Saturday at home. The next day, Mercer defeated Troy 5-2. Popham and her doubles partner Lauren Rich fell 6-1, while Popham, by herself, dropped a 6-3, 6-0 decision in singles play. Bryce VanOrder (Piedmont College, Fr., Woodland HS) — In singles action, VanOrder dropped his Line 2 matches Saturday (6-4, 6-2) and Sunday (6-3, 6-0) at Birmingham Southern. TRACK AND FIELD Parker Breedlove (Reinhardt University, So., Cartersville HS) — Breedlove placed sixth in the 5000-meter run (16:16.95) and 11th in the 3000-meter run (9:14.35) during the Appalachian Athletic Conference Indoor Championships last week in Louisville, Kentucky. -- Nicholas Sullivan, The Daily Tribune News, contributed to this report.