The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes defeated the Coffee Trojans 24-17 Friday night at Weinman Stadium to advance to the Class 5A state championship December 30 at Georgia State University. Cartersville scored first marching 75 yards in just over seven minutes on the game’s opening drive. Quarterback Carlos Del Rio-Wilson scored on the 2-yard power run behind the Canes’ heavy package to put the Canes up early, 7-0. On Coffee’s first possession, Trojans running back Brady Skipper fumbled the ball and Cartersville’s Tate Smith recovered for the Canes at the 42-yard line. The possession ended empty, however, when a Cartersville field goal attempt was blocked. The Trojans then put together an impressive drive of their own. Maurice Turner had multiple runs for Coffee and capped the drive with a 7-yard run to tie the score, 7-7. Following a Cartersville punt on the ensuing possession, Coffee drove deep enough to set up a Noah Saylor 36-yard field goal that gave the Trojans a 10-7 lead with 2:48 remaining in the opening half. The next two possessions resulted in fumbles, but the Coffee turnover finished in points for the Hurricanes. Amarai Orr grabbed the Trojan miscue and raced 75-yards with the scoop and score that gave Cartersville a 14-10 lead with 1:24 left in the half — a lead the Canes would take to the intermission. An exchange of punts to start the second half and a second stop by the Hurricanes’ defense started the next Cartersville scoring possession at their own 38 yard line. A catch by Evan Slocum near midfield and a high-reaching grab by Devonte Ross moved the Canes down to the Coffee 20-yard line. A bad snap backed the Canes up, but another pass by Del Rio-Wilson to Ross set up a successful 37-yard field goal by Oscar Hernandez and a 17-10 lead with 5:31 left in the third quarter. Coffee’s next drive moved the ball methodically down the field with an effective, heavy dose of Turner runs to the red zone. The drive culminated with a 9-yard touchdown pass from A.J. Wilkerson to Turner with 10:50 remaining for a 17-17 score. Cartersville answered quickly however with the go-ahead score. A screen pass from Del Rio-Wilson to Ross moved the Canes rapidly to the 44-yard line. A few plays later, the quarterback hit Evan Slocum with a 40-yard touchdown connection and a 24-17 lead with 8:32 remaining. The Trojans would have two more possessions including a final drive to the Cartersville red zone in the final 45 seconds, but — as it has done all season — the Canes' defense came up with another big stop on downs when Orr and Kolbe Benham combined to break up a fourth down pass play with only 9 seconds remaining. Cartersville (12-1) advances to the Class 5A state championship game Wednesday, December 30 at 3:30 p.m. at Georgia State University where the Canes will meet Warner Robins. The Demons (12-1) beat Jones County Friday night in the state's other Class 5A semifinal, 56-21. It will be Cartersville’s fourth trip to a state title game since 2015 and the Hurricanes will seek their fifth state title all-time.

The Excel Christian Academy boys bounced back from a Friday loss to win the consolation game of the Dominion Christian Holiday Tournament Saturday over Praise Academy, 93-47. Rashard Doyal scored 27 points to lead the Eagles. Kalil Holley and Blake Bailey had 20 each. Jakaden Barkley and Elijah Payne added 13 points apiece. Excel (4-4) returns to action December 29-31 at the Adairsville Ace Hardware Christmas Tournament. The Eagles will play Cartersville in the opening round Tuesday, Dec. 29 at 11:30 a.m.

The Adairsville wrestling team was missing a total of 16 wrestlers due to injury and illness, but the Tigers’ A team (varsity) captured second place Friday and Saturday at the Coahulla Creek Duals. The Adairsville B team also performed well, finishing seventh overall in a field of 12 teams. Northwest Whitfield won the tournament. Dalton placed third.

The Cass wrestling team finished as runner-up Saturday at the Berkmar High School Gorilla Warfare VII. The Colonels, once again competing with only ten wrestlers, finished 24.5 points behind tournament winner Social Circle and had all ten competitors place in the top five of their respective weight divisions. South Gwinnett placed third with Bremen and Jackson County rounding out the top five. Lumpkin County, Carrollton, LaFayette, Flowery Branch, and Walnut Grove completed the top ten teams. Cass had five tournament champions. Jake Crapps (120), Eli Doolittle (138), Zach McKnight (170), Parker Dunn (195), and Noah Hoffmeier (220) all took home tournament titles. Montgomery Tompkins (113) and Tyler McKnight (145) were tournament runners-up. Adam Urizar (152) and Sean Whatley (285) both placed third. Brock Gonyea (182) finished fifth.

The Excel Christian Academy boys lost their opening game at the Dominion Christian Holiday Tournament Friday, falling to Cherokee Christian 75-62. “We got down by double-digits early and had our chances to work back into it,” said ECA head coach David Archer. “We even had chances in the closing minutes, but fatigue and subsequent defensive lapses were major factors.” Cherokee Christian led 23-10 after one quarter, but Excel narrowed the margin to 36-27 at halftime. The Eagles trailed 57-46 heading into the fourth quarter. Andrew Peacock paced Cherokee Christian with 16 points. Demarcus Moses added 11 for the Warriors. Blake Bailey scored 18 points for Excel. Elijah Payne and Kalil Holley followed with 17 and 13 points, respectively. The Eagles (3-4) play Praise Academy Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in the tournament consolation game at Dominion Christian in Marietta. MURRAY COUNTY 50, ADAIRSVILLE GIRLS 36 The Adairsville girls displayed one of their better defensive efforts of the season Friday night, but couldn’t overcome host Murray County, 50-36. The Lady Indians led 14-11 after one quarter, 23-16 at halftime, and 33-27 entering the final period. Murray County then outscored Adairsville 17-9 in the fourth quarter to secure the Region 6-AAA game. Alissa Winters led Adairsville (2-7, 0-5) with eight points. Ya’Torrean Hale and Haley Stiles followed with seven points each. The Lady Tigers will return to action December 29 when they host the 3rd annual Ace Hardware Holiday Tournament. Adairsville’s opening round opponent will be Kennesaw Mountain at 7 p.m. Other participating girls teams include Armuchee, Woodland, Gordon Central, Cartersville, Rockmart, and Cass. MURRAY COUNTY 76, ADAIRSVILLE BOYS 57 The host Indians blew open an other close game Friday night by outscoring Adairsville 25-9 in the final eight minutes for a 19-point Region 6-AAA win. Adairsville led 15-14 after one quarter and only trailed 32-31 at halftime and 51-48 heading to the fateful fourth quarter. Brannan Nuckolls scored a game-high 29 points to lead Murray County (6-2, 4-1). Teammate Hayden Newport poured in 24 points. T.J. Printup, Jr. paced the Tigers with 21 points. Hayden Poarch scored 11 and Zac Postell added eight for Adairsville. Adairsville (4-3, 2-3) returns to action December 29-31 when the Tigers host the 3rd annual Ace Hardward Holiday Tournament. Adairsville will square off with Woodland December 29 at 8:30 p.m. in the first round. Other boys teams participating in the tournament include: Cartersville, Excel Christian Academy, Rockmart, Mt. Paran, Calhoun, and Temple.

The Cass girls and boys basketball teams collected holiday tournament wins Friday at separate locations. The Lady Colonels cruised by Mt. Zion-Carroll 74-38 in the opening round of the SMI Carrollton Christmas Tournament at Central-Carroll. Meanwhile in Hickory Flat, the Colonels defeated Hebron Christian Academy 76-55 at the Sequoyah Holiday Tournament. In the Cass girls win, Cass led 23-12 after one quarter and carried a 53-20 lead to halftime on their way to a 36-point win. Claire Davis scored all 21 of her points in the first half and Londaisha Smith followed with 19 points, including a dozen in the second quarter. Mikaela Jackson scored nine for the Lady Colonels. Amaya Ford and Keara McDaniel contributed six each. Ariana Hame scored five. Haley Johnson and Gracie Elkins added four points each. Zoey Holland led Mt. Zion (8-2) with 12 points. Jordan Kierbow added nine for the Lady Eagles. Cass (7-0) will play in the tournament semifinals Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at Temple against Friday’s Central-Carroll/LaGrange winner. The tournament finals are scheduled for Monday at Villa Rica. The Cass boys grabbed a 28-13 lead in the first quarter and expanded their lead to 53-26 by halftime before holding off Hebron Christian Academy by 21-points. Zaylan Chaney led the Colonels with 19 points and seven rebounds. Jackson Hale followed with 16 points. Braxton Benham contributed 13 points, seven boards, and five steals. C.J. Pipkin also finished with 13 points. Ethan McIntyre collected nine rebounds and added two points. Scott Gabel led the Lions (4-4) with 18 points. Cass (5-3) will challenge the host Sequoyah Chiefs Saturday at 4 p.m.

The Cartersville High School rifle team made history December 3, 2020 by competing in the school’s first GHSA Air Riflery match. The Canes competed against shooters from Sonoraville High School and won their initial match, 821-772. Team captain Mallory Marisko led Cartersville with 225 of a possible 300 points in the three positions — prone, standing, and kneeling — at a distance of 10 meters. Zaliyah Pryor followed with 204 points and Joseph McNally was next with 203 points. Other shooters for Cartersville included Emily Abbott, Joseph Herron, Angelina Christ, and Madison McElrath. For many of the students, the marksmanship instruction they have received in JROTC is the only time they have shot an air rifle or rifle of any sort. Marisko is the only experienced competitor on the Cartersville team having shot with 4-H in the past. Cartersville will host its first match at CHS on January 13.

Playing in a consolation game at the Rome News Tribune Christmas Tournament Thursday, the Woodland boys fell to Coosa, 82-60. A four-point game through the first eight minutes at Armuchee High School, Coosa broke open a close game by outscoring the Wildcats 35 to 21 in the second period to take a 51-33 lead to the intermission. The Eagles extended their lead to 71-50 in the third quarter. Keshawn Kindred scored a game-high 21 points for Coosa. Joseph Richardson followed with 15 and Jaquez Morgan added 10 for the Eagles. K.J. Rogers led Woodland with 14 points. Jordan Barker scored 12 while Diaz Garrett and Kyler Williams added 11 points each. Coosa improved to 3-3 with the win. Woodland (2-5) returns to action December 29 at 8:30 p.m. when the Wildcats face Adairsville in the Tigers’ Holiday Tournament.

The Woodland High basketball teams both lost opening round games Wednesday evening at the 2020 Rome News-Tribune Christmas Tournament played at Armuchee High School. The Lady Cats struggled to score and fell to Class AA 8th-ranked Chattooga 49-9. Chattooga improved to 3-0 on the season. Woodland falls to 1-6. In boys action, the Wildcats lost to Rome 83-53. Rome led 17-13 after the opening eight minutes and extended their lead to 45-27 by halftime. The Wolves were up 61-44 after three quarters. Justyn Smith led Rome with 20 points. JayQuan Nelson followed with 18 and Braxton Wade scored 12 for the Wolves. Woodland had four players in double figures led by K.J. Rogers with 16 points. Kyler Williams and Jordan Barker tallied 12 each while Diaz Garrett added 10 points. Rome improved to 3-2 and will play Chattooga in the tournament semifinals Thursday. Woodland (2-4) will play Coosa Thursday at 5:30 p.m. back at Armuchee High School.

With college basketball just getting started for most Bartow County athletes playing at that level, Cartersville High graduate Jaylon Pugh put together an impressive showing in his lone game this week. A junior at Furman, Pugh scored a career-high 15 points — including a 5-of-6 performance on 3-point shots — in a victory over Division-II Flagler. Elsewhere, former Canes standout Miller Forristall will be back in the Peach State this coming weekend for the SEC Championship Game. A tight end for top-ranked Alabama, Forristall had his best showing statistically of the season Saturday in a blowout win over Arkansas. He finished with six catches for 52 yards in the victory. In the professional ranks, Cartersville native Ashton Hagans made his debut for the Minnesota Timberwolves in a preseason game, while Vic Beasley recorded his first tackle for the Las Vegas Raiders. PRO BASKETBALL Ashton Hagans (Cartersville native; Minnesota Timberwolves) — Hagans made his debut for Minnesota in the Timberwolves’ preseason opener Saturday at home. The rookie point guard played 3 minutes, recording one steal and committing one turnover in his time on the floor. Hagans didn’t feature in Monday’s preseason game. Minnesota lost both games — each to Memphis — and will close out the preseason Thursday at Dallas. PRO FOOTBALL Vic Beasley (Adairsville; Las Vegas Raiders) — Beasley recorded his first tackle as a member of the Raiders in a 44-27 home defeat Sunday to Indianapolis. The Clemson product played 39% of the team’s defensive snaps. Las Vegas is back at home against the Los Angeles Chargers this coming Sunday. COLLEGE BASKETBALL DiAnthony Heathcock (Columbia International Fr., Woodland) — Heathcock contributed to a pair of home wins this past week for the Rams in Appalachian Athletic Conference play. In a 95-75 win over Tennessee Wesleyan last Wednesday, the true freshman scored four points and added seven rebounds, two blocks and an assist. Heathcock didn’t score but did pull down eight boards and block a shot in a 79-70 victory against Bryan (Tennessee) Friday. Jaylon Pugh (Furman Jr., Cartersville) — Pugh went off in Furman’s lone game of the week, draining 5 of 6 attempts from the 3-point line in an 86-61 win over Flagler. Pugh scored his career-high 15 points in 14 minutes, while adding two rebounds and an assist during that span. Alexis Ware (Piedmont So., Cass) — Ware saw 2 minutes of action in Piedmont’s opener in the Richard Dardenne Memorial Classic last week in Birmingham, Alabama. Piedmont went 1-2 in the event, dropping games to UT-Dallas and East Texas Baptist sandwiched around a win over Birmingham Southern. Nakiyah Washington (Piedmont So., Adairsville) — A starter in each game of the tournament, Washington scored 15 points (6-of-17 shooting) in a 70-66 loss last Wednesday to UT-Dallas. She racked up 25 points (10-of-18 shooting) in a 138-112 win Thursday over Birmingham Southern, but Washington struggled in a 4-point effort (0-for-6 shooting) in an 81-64 defeat Friday against East Texas Baptist. Across the three games, the sophomore forward totaled 16 rebounds, eight steals and two assists. COLLEGE FOOTBALL Isaiah Chaney (Wake Forest R-Fr., Cartersville) — Chaney stopped a Louisville ballcarrier behind the line of scrimmage on his lone tackle during a 45-21 loss Saturday at Louisville. Wake Forest (4-4, 3-4 ACC), which hadn’t played in nearly a month prior to the Louisville game, will look to end the regular season on a positive note when it hosts Florida State this weekend. Miller Forristall (Alabama R-Sr., Cartersville) — After a quiet past few weeks in the box score, Forristall broke out with six catches for 52 yards against Arkansas. He was even credited with an assisted tackle. The Crimson Tide, ranked No. 1 in the country, closed out the regular season with a 52-3 victory Saturday in Fayetteville. Alabama (10-0) will face Florida in the SEC Championship Game this week in Atlanta. JaCorey Johns (Wake Forest R-So., Cartersville) — Johns put together one of his best performances of the season in Saturday’s defeat. A starting defensive end, Johns finished with five tackles (three solo), a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit. --- contributed by Nicholas Sullivan, The Daily Tribune News

Excel Christian Academy took a three-point lead on a Blake Bailey three-pointer with just over two minutes remaining Tuesday night at Harrison, but the Eagles were unable to finish the upset bid in a 54-49 loss in Cobb County. Will Cepress and Zac Cepress led the host Hoyas with 14 and 11 points, respectively. Harrison led 12-8 after one quarter but the Eagles rallied in the second period to tie the score at 18-all by halftime. The Hoyas (3-3) held a 33-32 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Kalil Holley paced four Eagles in double figures with 13 points. Rashard Doyle and Elijah Payne scored 11 each. Bailey finished with 10 points and Tripp Anderson added four for ECA. Excel (3-3) plays at Atlanta Jewish Academy Thursday at 6:30 p.m. and at Cherokee Christian Friday at 4 p.m.

The Adairsville Tigers boys basketball team earned an important Region 6-AAA win Tuesday night at home, defeating Coahulla Creek 71-62. T.J. Printup, Jr. led all scorers in the game with 33 points. Tucker Deams also reached double figures for the Tigers with 13. In a back-and-forth contest, the two teams were knotted at 21 each after one quarter. The visiting Colts, fresh off a big region win over Rockmart last Friday, took a 40-38 lead to halftime but Adairsville rallied to lead 55-54 heading into the final quarter. The Tigers pulled away down the stretch and outscored Coahulla Creek 16-8 over the final eight minutes. Will Locke and Riley Mutter led the Colts attack with 23 and 12 points, respectively. Evan Smith came off the bench with a nice defensive effort and added eight points for the Tigers. Tre Mitchell contributed five. Hayden Poarch, Jacob Silvers, and Zac Weaver scored three each. Zac Postell finished with two points and Conner Crunkelton was credited with a top-notch defensive effort while competing on a sore ankle. Crunkelton scored one point. The loss drops Coahulla Creek to 6-3 on the season and 3-2 in Region 6-AAA. Adairsville (4-2, 2-2) travels to Murray County Friday for an 8:30 p.m. start. COAHULLA CREEK 71, ADAIRSVILLE GIRLS 26 The Coahulla Creek girls took a 24-4 lead in the first quarter and extended their lead each period. The Colts led 47-12 at halftime and 61-20 after three quarters. Coahulla Creek had five players reach double figure scoring led by Katelyn Richards with 15 points. Brinkley Reed scored 14. Kenley Woods and Ema Turner contributed 11 each and Jillian Poe added 10. Hannah Hollingsworth led Adairsville with 10 points. Ya’Torrean Hale added five for the Lady Tigers. The Lady Colts improved to 8-1 on the season and 4-1 in Region 6-AAA. Adairsville (2-6, 0-4) travels to Murray County Friday for a 7 p.m. start.