February 11, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com On the final night of region regular-season games in 7-AAAA, five of the six local teams in action collected wins. WOODLAND GIRLS 34, SOUTHEAST WHITFIELD 30 The Woodland Lady Cats won for the first time since November on Tuesday night, defeating visiting Southeast Whitfield 34-30 in a nail-biter. Freshman Destiny Jackson produced a double-double, with 14 points and 14 rebounds, but it was senior Reign West’s two free throws in the final 30 seconds that secured the win. The Lady Cats led 11-10 after one quarter and 17-16 at halftime. Woodland extended its lead to 31-24 by the end of the third quarter, and held on in the fourth for their first region win. “It was an outstanding Senior Night for us,” said Woodland girls’ coach Whitney Wissing. “I have great things to say about all our players and their contributions tonight. Special defensive credits go to Angel Palmore, Bailey Gerstner, Cathryn Sneed, and Karissa Williamson for stepping up.” Palmore, West, and Cyler Williams each added five points for Woodland. Betzai Hipolito led the Lady Raiders (2-22, 1-13) with 13 points. Woodland (4-21, 1-13) lost a coin toss with Southeast Whitfield on Wednesday morning and will be the No. 8-seed in the first round of the Region 7-AAAA tournament, facing 5th-seeded Hiram on Monday at Cartersville High School at 7 p.m. WOODLAND BOYS 88, SOUTHEAST WHITFIELD 50 The Wildcats closed out their 2026 regular season with a one-sided Region 7-AAAA victory over the Southeast Whitfield Raiders on Tuesday night. Woodland surged ahead in the second quarter, outscoring Southeast 34-11 in the period and cruised in the second half to their 38-point win and a season sweep of the Raiders (0-25, 0-14). “It was a good team win on Senior Night,” said Wildcats’ coach Kip Dyer. “Our seniors got a lot of playing time, which was great for this group.” Caiden Moore led Woodland with 16 points. Jonathan Hart finished with 15. Canden Davis totaled 12, and Landon Dougherty added 10 points. Luke Amspaugh and Brayden Johnson scored 18 and 17 points, respectively, for Southeast Whitfield. The Wildcats (9-16, 2-12) will be the No. 7 seed in the Region 7-AAAA tournament, which begins Monday at Cartersville High School. Woodland will play Cedartown at 5:30 p.m. CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 62, CEDARTOWN 23 The Lady Canes wrapped up regular-season and region play on Tuesday night with their 20th win of the season at Cedartown. Cartersville built a 32-16 advantage in the first half and eased to a 39-point road victory. Reese Gibson led Cartersville with a double-double that included 15 points and 10 rebounds. Kaytlin Arnold followed with 12 points and six boards. Trinity Montgomery and Akira Leonard each added 10 points for the Lady Canes. Hadlee Robinson led the Lady Bulldogs (8-15, 5-9) with 10 points. Cartersville (20-4, 13-1) tied with Dalton for first place in the region, but lost a Wednesday morning coin toss for the tournament’s top seed. Cartersville will be the No. 2 seed and receive a bye to the region semifinals on Thursday at the Storm Center. The Lady Canes will play the Southeast Whitfield/Cedartown/Cass survivor from Monday's and Tuesday's games.  CARTERSVILLE BOYS 67, CEDARTOWN 52 Kyron McClendon scored a game-high 31 points on Tuesday at Cedartown. Kyron McClendon poured in a season-high 31 points, including five from behind the arc, on Tuesday night to help lead the Purple Hurricanes to a Region 7-AAAA win at Cedartown. The host Bulldogs stayed in contention into the fourth quarter, but Cartersville was able to pull away down the stretch. The Canes led 16-15 after one quarter, but Cedartown tied the score at 34 as the teams headed into the locker room. Cartersville grabbed a 52-43 lead in the third quarter and added six more points to its margin of victory in the final eight minutes. Nas Bennett scored 14 points with eight rebounds and four assists for Cartersville. Wyatt Thomason grabbed 10 rebounds and added nine points. Devion Smith led Cedartown (9-15, 5-9) with 19 points. Coleton Prater contributed 13 points in the Bulldogs’ loss. Cartersville tied with Hiram for first place in the regular season region standings. A coin toss will determine the No. 1 seed for the region tournament, but it had not yet been conducted at the time of this report. Both Hiram and Cartersville will receive byes to the Thursday semifinals of the tournament, which will be hosted by Cartersville. The Canes (20-4, 13-1) are scheduled for a final regular-season game on Saturday at Darlington at 2 p.m. CASS GIRLS 43, HIRAM 17 The Lady Colonels built a big lead early and easily handled visiting Hiram on Tuesday night, 43-17. The Cass girls led 13-2 at the end of the first quarter and built a 26-5 advantage by halftime en route to a 26-point Region 7-AAAA victory. Nakayla Evans paced Cass with 10 points. Cadie Paez and Anizah Taylor each contributed eight points. Kylie Miles added seven for the Lady Colonels. Brittain Payne led the Lady Hornets (8-14, 6-8) with nine points. Cass (11-12, 10-4) will be the No. 3-seed in the Region 7-AAAA tournament and will receive a first-round bye. The Lady Colonels will face Monday’s Cedartown/Southeast Whitfield winner on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Cartersville High School. HIRAM 67, CASS BOYS 47 The Hiram Hornets started fast and held off the host Colonels on Tuesday night, 67-47. Hiram (17-8, 13-1) sprinted to a 22-10 lead in the first eight minutes and added to their advantage in the next two periods. Aiden Stutson led the Hornets with 15 points. AJ Williams added 14. Lucas Pealor and Derris Reece scored nine and eight points, respectively, for the Colonels. Cass (7-16, 6-8) is the No. 5 seed in the Region 7-AAAA tournament and will play a first-round game on Monday night at 8:30 p.m. against Southeast Whitfield at Cartersville High School. Monday’s winner advances to play Dalton on Tuesday at 8:30 p.m.

February 11, 2026 The Cartersville Hurricanes rallied from a 2-0 deficit and scored three times in the second half Tuesday night for a 3-2 victory at Calhoun. Brayden Alonso scored the Canes’ first goal after a Yellow Jackets turnover and found the net from the top of the 18-yard line in the 42nd minute, cutting Cartersville’s deficit in half. In the 56th minute, Daniel Milan scored in a similar fashion to Alonso's goal, leveling the score at 2-2. With three minutes remaining in the game, Jayden Nevarez gave Cartersville the lead on a counterattack. Alonso assisted on the game-winning goal. Keeper Cash Priest was credited with a great game in goal and kept the score within reach throughout the night with some nice saves. The loss started Calhoun’s season at 0-1. Cartersville (1-1) evened its season mark following a Monday 2-0 loss at Woodstock. The Canes host Ringgold on Thursday in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.

February 11, 2026 File photo: Alexa Damer The Adairsville Lady Tigers opened the 2026 soccer season on Tuesday night with a convincing 5-1 win at Ringgold. Alexa Damer played a role in all five of Adairsville’s goals. She scored a hat trick of goals, assisted on Ella Edwards’ game-opening goal, and later assisted on a goal by Braylynn Martin. Martin was also credited with assists on two of Damer’s goals. Adairsville controlled the ball about 70 percent of the game and led 4-0 at the intermission. Keeper Bethany Kilgore was credited with a key early save that kept Ringgold off the scoreboard in the first half, and Jacksyn Elrod was credited for her creative defensive plays and ball possession. “Jacksyn has picked up where we left off last season,” said Adairsville coach David Sexauer. “We are very pleased with how she played tonight, and of course, Alexa Damer had a great night as well.” The Adairsville girls (1-0) visit Armuchee on Thursday. RINGGOLD 4, ADAIRSVILLE BOYS 1 The Adairsville boys dropped their season opener on Tuesday night at Ringgold, 4-1. The Tigers are scheduled to play at Hiram on Thursday at 8 p.m. CALHOUN 1, CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 0 The host Lady Jackets improved to 2-0 on the young season with a 1-0 win over the Lady Canes. Cartersville (0-2) hosts Ringgold on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.

February 9, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com It is one of the busiest times of the year for collegiate sports, as winter sports conclude regular-season play in preparation for postseason play and spring sports begin with early-season games, matches, and tournaments. This week’s 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' update includes contributions from 39 local athletes across eight sports nationwide. WRESTLING LEE CAMP — Reinhardt University (So., Cass HS) … won a 17-2 technical fall at 133 pounds as the Eagles beat visiting University of Montevallo 26-15 last Saturday in Waleska. Next for Reinhardt is the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships on Friday, February 20, site to be determined. CADEN McCRARY — Reinhardt University (Sr., Woodland HS) … won a 4-1 sudden victory overtime decision in his 141-pound bout last Saturday in the Eagles’ 26-15 home win over the University of Montevallo. Next for Reinhardt is the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships on Friday, February 20, site to be determined. HAYDEN SANTORA — Reinhardt University (So., Woodland HS) … lost his bout at 165 pounds, but the Eagles beat visiting University of Montevallo last Saturday 26-15. Next for Reinhardt is the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships on Friday, February 20, site to be determined. ANETRA WITHERSPOON — Life University (So., Cartersville HS) … went 2-2 in her 180-pound bouts at the Grand View Open Silver Division last Saturday in Des Moines, Iowa. Witherspoon also lost a bout to an opponent from Ottawa University (KS) on Sunday at For Her Duals in Coralville, Iowa, as the Running Eagles went 3-1. Next for Life is the Mid-South Conference Championship Tournament on February 20 in Bowling Green, Kentucky. BASKETBALL NA’YEL CAMPER — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS) … scored four points and had one rebound with one assist in a 79-52 home win February 4 over Spartanburg Methodist. The Eagles also beat Bryan College (TN)  on Saturday, 71-64. Reinhardt (17-5, 14-1) visits Columbia International University (SC) on Wednesday and hosts the University of Pikeville (KY) on Saturday. JA’KA’YAH DRAUGHN — Brewton Parker Christian University (So., Cartersville HS) … totaled 15 points, five assists, three rebounds, and three steals in three home games last week. The Barons edged Faulkner University (AL) 72-70 in overtime, but lost 69-66 to Blue Mountain University (MS) and 80-75 to the University of Mobile. Brewton Parker (5-19, 4-9 Southern States Athletic Conference) visits Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College on Thursday and Thomas University on Saturday. ANSLEY GRIFFIN — North Carolina Wesleyan University (So., Cartersville HS) … scored three points with two steals, one rebound, and one assist in a 71-44 win last Saturday at Meredith College (NC). The Battling Bishops (11-8, 9-4) carry a six-game winning streak to Pfeiffer College (NC) on Monday. NCWU also plays on Wednesday at Greensboro College and hosts Mary Baldwin University on Saturday. ZION HAYES — Vincennes University (So., Cass HS) … grabbed nine rebounds and scored five points with four assists and three steals in the Trailblazers’ 68-60 win on February 4 at Lincoln Trail College (IL). The team also won 91-42 this past Saturday at Shawnee CC, but no stats were available for this report. The Blazers (16-7) host Shawnee CC on Wednesday and Rend Lake College on Saturday. ZYON HEATH — LaGrange College (So., Woodland HS) … had two rebounds in the Panthers’ win over Asbury University (KY) 80-65 and 85-84 loss to Piedmont University last weekend at home. LaGrange (10-9, 3-5 Collegiate Conference of the South) welcomes Huntingdon College on Tuesday, before traveling to Toccoa Falls College on Wednesday and to Covenant College (GA) on Saturday. HALEY JOHNSON — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cass HS) … totaled four points, four rebounds, and three assists as the Eagles pushed their current winning streak to 12 games with wins over Spartanburg Methodist on February 4 and at home over Bryan College last Saturday.  Reinhardt (17-5, 14-1 Appalachian Athletic Conference) travels to Columbia International University (SC) on Wednesday and welcomes the University of Pikeville (KY) on Saturday. KEARA McDANIEL — Toccoa Falls College (Sr., Cass HS) … totaled 38 points in four home games last week, with 29 assists, 12 rebounds, and nine steals as the Screaming Eagles defeated Paine College 79-76, Trinity Baptist College-Jacksonville 81-75, and Southeastern Baptist (FL) 69-32, but dropped a 72-59 decision to Bob Jones University (SC). TFC (9-15, 2-2 NCCAA) visits Paine College in Augusta on Tuesday and Alice Lloyd College (KY) on Saturday. T.J. PRINTUP — Tusculum University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … totaled 20 points with 23 rebounds,  seven assists, two steals, and two blocks in two losses last week. The Pioneers dropped a 65-58 home decision to Lincoln Memorial University (TN) on February 4 and suffered a 93-76 loss last Saturday at Catawba College (NC). Tusculum (8-14, 4-12 South Atlantic Conference) hosts Mars Hill on Wednesday and Newberry College on Saturday. MEGAN SCHULTZ — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (So., Woodland HS) … totaled four points, four assists, and four rebounds in road losses at Loyola University-New Orleans and William Carey University (MS) last Thursday and Saturday. The Fillies (5-16, 2-10 Southern States Athletic Conference) visit Trinity College-Jacksonville on Tuesday before hosting Brewton-Parker Christian and Point University on Thursday and Saturday. LONDAISHA SMITH — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cass HS) … scored 22 points with 11 rebounds, three assists, and one steal in home wins on February 4 and this past Saturday over Spartanburg Methodist (SC and Bryan College (TN). The Eagles (17-5, 14-1 Appalachian Athletic Conference) look to extend their 12-game win streak at Columbia International University (SC) on Wednesday and will host the University of Pikeville (KY) on Saturday. TENNIS EMILY BUSH — University of North Georgia (Sr., Cartersville HS) … partnered with Sofia Giraldo to win 6-2 at Line 3 doubles as the Nighthawks opened the 2026 season with a 6-1 home win over Newberry College (SC). UNG had an exhibition at Mercer University on Sunday and will travel to Erskine College on Saturday before hosting Auburn University-Montgomery on Sunday. SYDNEY COPPOLA — Berry College (Jr., Cass HS) ... teamed up with Charlee Eidson to secure a 6-1 victory at Line 3 doubles and won her Line 5 singles match 6-2, 6-2, contributing to the Vikings' 7-0 home win over Snead State CC (AL) last Friday. Although Coppola and Eidson were defeated at Line 3 doubles against Wallace State CC (AL), Coppola triumphed in her singles match, 6-3, 6-3, in the Vikings' 5-2 loss last Friday. Facing D-I Jacksonville State, Coppola and Eidson suffered a 0-6 loss in a 0-7 team defeat on January 27. On Sunday, Coppola and Sloane Vaccaro lost 6-0 in doubles, and Coppola was defeated 6-1, 6-0 at Line 5 singles in the Vikings' 0-7 loss at Emory University in Atlanta. The Vikings will host a scrimmage with Piedmont University on Tuesday and will compete again at Shorter University on Saturday, February 21. GOLF CHRISTINA SURCEY — Lipscomb University (So., Cartersville resident, North Cobb Christian School) …  carded rounds of 79-72-73 (8-over) to finish 16th as the Bisons tied for second at the Advance Golf Partners Collegiate at Hammond Creek Golf Club in Palm City, Florida on February 1-3. Virginia Tech won the tournament with a team total of 4-over par. Lipscomb tied with UNC-Greensboro at 35-over. Georgia State (+37) and Akron (+42) rounded out the top five teams in the 17-team event. Lipscomb’s next tournament is the Space Coast Classic at Duran Golf Club in Melbourne, Florida, on February 20-21. GYMNASTICS ABIGAIL BUNCH — Rhode Island College (Sr., Cass HS) … scored 9.55 on balance beam and 9.525 on the uneven bars this past Sunday as the Anchorwomen finished second to Brown University but ahead of Springfield College (MA) in a tri-meet at Springfield. Rhode Island College will host Springfield College on Saturday. TRACK AND FIELD BEN ABERNATHY — Reinhardt University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … finished 11th (40’ 7-75”) in the triple jump last Saturday at the Life University Super Bowl Meet in Marietta. The Eagles will compete at the Samford University Bulldog Indoor Invitational in Birmingham on Friday. ANDY FORSYTH — Berry College (So., Woodland HS) … ran eighth (1:58.72) in the 800 meters last Friday at the UAB Green and Gold Invitational in Birmingham. Next for the Vikings is the Samford Open 2 in Birmingham on Saturday. TYLER JONES — University of West Georgia (Jr., Woodland HS) … placed 29th (4:40.17) in the one-mile run last Saturday at the UAB Green and Gold Invitational in Birmingham. The Wolves travel to the Tryon Mid-Winter Invitational on Friday and Saturday. WILL PARKER — Columbia College (Fr., Woodland HS) … finished 19th (3:07.10) in the 1000 meters at the Campbell University Camel City Distance in Winston-Salem last Saturday. The Koalas will compete at the Tryon Mid-Winter Invitational hosted by UNC-Asheville on Friday and Saturday. JAYLEN SCOTT — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS) … finished ninth (39’ 7.75”) in the shot put and was tenth (47’9.25”) in the weight throw last Saturday at the Life University Super Bowl Meet in Marietta. The Eagles will compete at the Samford University Bulldog Indoor Invitational in Birmingham on Friday. SOFTBALL KILEY ARNOLD — Shorter University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … made a start last Friday and went 0-for-2 in a 9-0 loss to McKendree University in Chattanooga. The Hawks also had losses to Palm Beach Atlantic University and Union University (TN). They salvaged a 5-4 win over the University of Illinois-Springfield on Saturday. Shorter (3-3) hosts Middle Georgia State University for a doubleheader on Tuesday, visits the University of Alabama-Huntsville on Friday, and will play Kentucky Wesleyan College in a doubleheader on Saturday in Huntsville. JORDAN BISHOP — Virginia Tech (Fr., Cartersville HS) … appeared in three of five games last Thursday through Saturday and made one start in right field as the Hokies started the season 5-0 with two wins over host and 14th-ranked South Carolina, two wins over Binghamton University, and one over Winthrop University. Bishop was 0-for-2 at the plate, but scored one run as a pinch runner. Virginia Tech will face Villanova twice, Michigan State twice, and Charlotte this weekend in the Queen City Classic in Charlotte. TAYLOR EVANS — Southern Wesleyan University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … saw action in two games and made one start at catcher as the Warriors went 1-4 last Thursday through Saturday at the Embry-Riddle Tournament in Daytona Beach, Florida. Evans was 0-for-2 in two official at bats. Southern Wesleyan split games with Mississippi College and lost to the University of West Alabama, the University of Tampa, and host Embry-Riddle University. The Warriors have four games Friday and Saturday in Greenwood, South Carolina, at the Lander University Invitational. MEGAN GREGORY — Indiana University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … pitched one scoreless inning in two games last weekend at the Florida Atlantic University Paradise Classic. Gregory allowed one hit and one walk with one strikeout in an 8-2 win over Army, and retired the side in order with one strikeout in a 10-0 victory over Stonehill College (MA). The Hoosiers (4-1) lost to host FAU, but beat Army, 25th-ranked Ohio State, Delaware, and Stonehill. Indiana travels to Arizona State for games Thursday through Sunday in the Littlewood Invitational. The Hoosiers will face Portland State, Pacific University, the host Sun Devils, and Nevada twice. RACHAEL LEE — Valdosta State University (Sr., Cass HS) … went 1-for-5, including a two-run home run, and was hit by a pitch in two losses Saturday at 6th-ranked University of North Georgia. The Blazers (1-5) will play Flagler College, Saint Leo University twice, and Chowan University (NC) on Saturday and Sunday in St. Augustine, Florida, at the Old Coast Classic. BASEBALL CAMERON ADAMS — Shorter University (R-Fr., Excel Christian Academy) … saw action in three games last Friday and Saturday as the Hawks went 4-0 against visiting Kentucky State University. Adams was 1-for-2 at the plate with a double, one hit by pitch, and scored five runs. Shorter (4-0) visits Middle Georgia State University on Tuesday and hosts three conference games with Belmont Abbey College on Friday and Saturday. DREW BILLINGS — Trinity Baptist College-Jacksonville (Sr., Woodland HS) … recorded one strikeout and was credited with a save last Friday in a 7-6 win over visiting Bob Jones University (SC). The Eagles (3-3, 2-0 NCCAA D-II) welcome Baptist University of Florida for three games on Friday and Saturday. CURT BONNER — LaGrange College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … went 4-for-11, including three walks, one hit by pitch, three runs, and one RBI in three games last Friday and Saturday at The Firehouse Classic hosted by Huntingdon College in Montgomery. The Panthers had two wins over Schreiner University (TX) and one over Berea College (KY). LaGrange (3-0) hosts a three-game series with Millikin University (IL) on Friday through Sunday. MADDOX FRAZIER — Southern Union State CC (Fr., Cartersville HS) … made two, one-inning relief appearances last week in an 8-6 win at Chipola College on February 5 and a home 9-5 win last Saturday over Walters State CC. Frazier fanned four, walked one, and collected his second save, facing seven batters in the two appearances. The Bison (6-2) host San Jacinto College-North (TX), Marion Military Institute (AL), and John A. Logan College (IL) this weekend for the SUSCC Invitational. NICHOLAS HRUBY — Bryan College (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … retired the final two outs in the fourth inning, but was tagged with the pitching loss last Saturday in a 12-9 loss to Marian University (IN). Hruby allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits, one walk, and one hit batter. The Lions (0-7) host a three-game series on Friday and Saturday with Union Commonwealth University (KY). AIDAN LARKIN — Georgia Highlands College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … went 5-for-11 with one home run, one double, five runs scored, and one walk in the Chargers’ four-game home sweep of USC Lancaster this past weekend. GHC (7-3) visits Cleveland State CC (TN) on Tuesday for two games and welcomes Lincoln Trail College (IL) for four games on Friday and Saturday. LUKE MILLER — Columbus State University (So., Cartersville HS) … went 2-for-12, including one home run, three RBI, and three walks in the Cougars’ three losses last weekend at Lenoir-Rhyne University (NC). Columbus State (0-5) hosts Albany State University on Wednesday and welcomes Flagler College (FL) for a three-game Peach Belt Conference series on Friday through Sunday. AYDIN RAY -- USC- Lancaster (So., Woodland HS) ... as of February 7, Ray has appeared in six games for the Lancers and is 5-for-15 (.333) at the plate, including one home run, two doubles, three walks, and one hit by pitch, and three RBI. USC-L (1-5) visits Cleveland CC on Wednesday and hosts Clark State College for four games on Friday and Saturday. DREW ROTHSCHILD — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … went 3-for-11 at the plate as the Stallions split two games at Warner University (FL) and swept two games against Indiana University-South Bend in Lake Wales, Florida, last Friday and Saturday. Rothschild had one double, one walk, scored five runs, stole two bases, and was hit by a pitch twice in the four-game set. ABAC (7-3) hosts Thomas University (GA) on Tuesday and Spartanburg Methodist College for three games on Friday and Saturday. JARRETT SCOTT — Bryan College (Fr., Adairsville HS) … appeared in three games of a four-game home series with Marian University (IN) last weekend and went 3-for-12, including one double, one RBI, and three runs scored. The Lions (0-7) host Union Commonwealth University (KY) for three games on Friday and Saturday. SAWYER WILSON — Columbus State University (So., Cartersville HS) … made a four-inning pitching start this past Sunday at Lenoir-Rhyne University and was tagged with the loss as the Cougars fell 13-2. Wilson allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and four walks. He struck out three. Columbus State (0-5) hosts Albany State University on Wednesday and entertains Flagler College (FL) for a three-game conference series on Friday through Sunday.

February 7, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com The Cartersville girls’ and boys’ basketball teams completed regular-season sweeps of Woodland on Friday night at the Storm Center, while the girls’ teams at Adairsville and Cass also picked up region wins. CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 66, WOODLAND 18 The 8th-ranked Lady Canes overpowered visiting Woodland on Friday evening in the Storm Center, 66-18, to remain tied with Dalton at the top of the Region 7-AAAA standings with one league game remaining in the regular season. Cartersville led 28-3 after one quarter and was up 56-8 at the end of the third. Reese Gibson scored a game-high 20 points for Cartersville. She added eight rebounds and three steals. Trinity Montgomery followed with 17 points, four rebounds, and four assists. Zoe McCurry knocked down 11 points, while Blakely Morris grabbed 12 rebounds and scored nine points. Cathryn Sneed led the Lady Cats with eight points. Woodland (3-21, 0-13) hosts Southeast Whitfield on Tuesday at 6 p.m. Cartersville (19-4, 12-1) closes out the regular season at Cedartown on Tuesday at 6 p.m. CARTERSVILLE BOYS 64, WOODLAND 46 Nas Bennett led the Canes with 20 points and six rebounds. The visiting Wildcats stayed within striking range for three quarters Friday night at the Storm Center, but host Cartersville outscored Woodland 23-7 over the final eight minutes to take a 64-46 victory. Nas Bennett paced the Canes with 20 points and six rebounds. Xavier Lowe scored 16 points and made three steals. Kyron McClendon finished with 13 points, six steals, and six assists. Grayson Warmack, Shakai Taylor, and Logan Van Pelt combined for 20 rebounds for Cartersville. Solomon James led Woodland with 12 points. Canden Davis scored 11. Clayton McArdle contributed nine points, and Landon Dougherty added eight for the Wildcats. Woodland (8-16, 1-12) welcomes Southeast Whitfield on Tuesday. Cartersville (19-4, 12-1) visits Cedartown on Tuesday. CASS GIRLS 54, ALLATOONA 41 The Lady Colonels secured the No. 3 seed for the Region 7-AAAA tournament with a 54-41 win at Allatoona on Friday in Acworth.  Cass, who will wrap up regular season play at home on Tuesday against Hiram, improved to 10-12 overall and 9-4 in region games with the victory. Allatoona slipped to 10-13 overall and 7-6 in Region 7-AAAA. ALLATOONA 70, CASS BOYS 47 The visiting Colonels stayed competitive in the first quarter and even outscored Allatoona in the third period. However, a 22-10 second quarter and a 16-7 final eight minutes secured a 23-point Region 7-AAAA win for the Buccaneers. Carter Turnbow and Andre Dupree led Allatoona with 20 and 14 points, respectively. Cam’ron Beauford led Cass with 16 points. Isaiah Moreno finished with 11. The Bucs improved to 15-8 overall and remained in third place in the region standings at 9-4. The Colonels (7-15, 6-7) host region co-leading Hiram on Tuesday. ADAIRSVILLE GIRLS 37, LAFAYETTE 32 The Lady Tigers completed a regular-season sweep of LaFayette on Friday night with a 37-32 home win over the Lady Ramblers. Adairsville won the first meeting at LaFayette in mid-January by a similar 47-42 score. Adairsville held slim leads of 16-15 at the intermission and 27-26 at the end of the third quarter before pulling out their five-point win down the stretch. Rihanna Crittenden and Alivia Joslin led the Lady Tigers with 10 points each. Lily Roberts added eight points. Erin Grant scored a game-high 14 points for LaFayette (16-9, 2-9). Adairsville (11-14, 5-7) will be the No. 5 seed in the Region 7-AAA tournament. ADAIRSVILLE BOYS 67, LAFAYETTE 62 The Tigers won a home region game on Friday night, topping the visiting Ramblers 67-62, and finished the regular season with two wins in the final three games. The loss dropped LaFayette to 14-9 on the season and 5-6 in Region 7-AAA. Adairsville will enter the Region 7-AAA tournament with a 4-21 overall mark. The Tigers were 3-9 in region games. They host Ridgeland on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. in the opening round of the region tournament.

February 9, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com The Adairsville Tigers opened the 2026 baseball season on Monday with a 6-2 win at Pepperell. The Tigers produced only two hits in the game, but scored three runs in the top of the fourth to build a 4-1 advantage and later added two insurance runs in the top of the seventh to secure the win.  Adairsville pitchers Hudson Parr, Tyler Parker, and Kaden Coker limited the Dragons to just four hits. Parr (1ER, 1H, 2BB, 7K) made the start and worked four innings to collect the pitching win. Parker (1.1 IP, 1ER, 2H, 2BB, 1K) worked middle relief, and Coker (1.2 IP, 0R, 1H, 3K) closed out the game. Hunter Dudley (double, RBI) and Harrison Cole (RBI) had the two Adairsville base hits. Parr drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Westin Barr added one RBI, and the Tigers took advantage of ten walks issued by Pepperell pitchers. Adairsville (1-0) visits Cass on Wednesday for a 5:30 p.m. first pitch. WOODLAND 12, DOMINION CHRISTIAN 2 The Woodland Wildcats scored five runs in the bottom of the second and seven more in the third inning en route to a 12-2 season-opening home win. Woodland outhit the Knights nine to four and took advantage of seven walks and six Dominion Christian errors. Tucker James (2.2 IP, 1ER, 2H, 5BB, 5K) made the pitching start for the Wildcats and was credited with the win. Zaylen Cochran (1.1 IP, 0R, 0H, 1BB, 3K) and Logan Smith (1 IP, 1R, 0ER, 2H, 1BB) also pitched for Woodland. Sammy Ray (four RBI), Tommy Risner (RBI), and Steven Tumin (double, RBI) led the Wildcats’ offense with two hits each. Grant Tidwell (triple, two RBI), Preston Sorrells (double, RBI), and Jonathan Ryan each added one hit. Woodland (1-0) hosts North Cobb on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

February 9, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Special Photo / Excel Christian School: (L-R) Coach Carson Ford, Colton Sims, Russell Jones, Gabriel Gossett, Levi McMillan, and Avery Honeycutt. Excel Christian Academy wrestler Gabriel Gossett won the 215-pound weight class of the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools (GAPPS) state championships on January 30 at Cherokee Christian Schools to lead four Eagles who medaled at the tournament. Excel’s Levi McMillan (157-pound weight class), Russell Jones (165-pound weight class), and Avery Honeycutt (285-pound weight class) each placed third. Colton Sims also represented the Eagles at the state championships. Weather postponed the tournament from its original date, but the event featured over 100 wrestlers from across Georgia for the first time in GAPPS history.

February 9, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com The Georgia Highlands Chargers swept a four-game home series with USC Lancaster on Friday and Saturday, outscoring the Lancers 40-15. The Chargers hit ten home runs in the first two games to win 16-5 and 13-3 on Friday. Starting pitcher David McKechnie tossed five scoreless innings, and closer Jack Burns collected two saves in Saturday’s games for 3-0 and 8-7 wins. Andrew Bishop had seven hits, including one homer and four RBI in the four-game series. Ian Fullerton (home run, three doubles, six RBI), Aidan Larkin (home run, double, four RBI), and Wyatt Gatlin (two home runs, two doubles, three RBI) produced five hits. Caden Marcos (home run, double, seven RBI), Carson Page (three doubles, four RBI), and Emilliano Dominguez (two home runs, five RBI) each contributed three hits. Starting pitcher Noah McMahan (3 IP, 5R, 1ER, 4H, 3K) collected the win in the series opener. Wyatt Gatlin retired the final seven outs of Game 2 with two strikeouts to pick up a pitching victory in relief. The Chargers utilized six pitchers in the series finale, with Heath Whitlock retiring the final out of the sixth inning to receive the win. The four losses dropped USC Lancaster to 1-5. Georgia Highlands College (7-3) visits Cleveland State CC (TN) for a doubleheader on Tuesday. The Chargers will host a four-game series on Friday and Saturday with Lincoln Trail College (IL). Doubleheaders begin at 1 p.m. on Friday and 12 noon on Saturday.

February 7, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com The wrestling teams at Woodland and Cass finished first and second, respectively, in Region 7-AAAA, and repeated that order on Saturday at the GHSA Class AAAA Section A at Cambridge High School in Milton. Woodland finished first in the Sectional with 412-½ points, and Cass was runner-up with 316. Dalton (199-½), Ware County (197), and Cambridge (181-½) rounded out the top five teams. Cartersville (48) placed 16th. The Widcats advanced thirteen individuals to the State Finals tournament. The Colonels advanced eleven, and Cartersville advanced two. Five Woodland wrestlers secured Sectional titles with 4-0 records, including Adrian Zapata (126 pounds), Dylan Couey (144), Nathan Cates (157), Owen Jones (190), and John Gill (215). Five Wildcats finished as Sectional runners-up, namely Cayden Bagely (106), Nick Weathersbee (113), Noah Cates (138), Skylar Pizzutiello (165), and Paul Lanier (175). Will Thomas achieved a 5-1 record to claim third place at 285 pounds. Aiden Buchanan went 4-2, earning fourth place in the 150-pound class. Bryton Glenn (120) also advanced with a 3-2 record, finishing seventh. The Colonels had three individuals win Sectional titles and eleven total to advance to the state finals tournament. Sectional winners for Cass, each with a 4-0 record, were Hayden Trimm (120 pounds), Rowdy Duck (138), and Ethan Harrington (165). Three Colonels secured 3-1 records as runners-up in their weight classes: Luka Jensen (144), David Jewell (157), and Codey Dean (215). Finishing in third place were Brandon Lalbehari (106), Mason Tompkins (175), and Logan Crisp (190). Justus Fife (126) achieved fifth place with a 4-2 record, while Collin Armona (150) placed seventh with a 3-2 record.  Jair Flores (113) secured third place on Saturday for Cartersville with a 3-1 record. Peter Cepeda (5th, 165) and PJ Richards (8th, 175) also advanced to the state finals tournament. The Class AAAA Traditional State Finals Tournament is Friday and Saturday, February 13-14, at the Clayton County Convocation Center in Morrow. ADAIRSVILLE WRESTLING ADVANCES TWO Adairsville wrestlers Jarrett Chriswell (157 pounds) and David Coon (175) each placed fourth on Saturday at the GHSA Class AAA Section B Tournament at Cherokee Bluff High School in Flowery Branch. Chriswell went 4-2 in his bouts, and Coon went 3-2.  Tigers teammates Jude Lowery (106), Victor Singer (150), and Joey Harill (190) also competed on Saturday, but did not advance. Jefferson won the Section B team title, followed by Gilmer, Oconee County, West Laurens, and Heritage-Catoosa. The Class AAA Traditional State Finals Tournament is Wednesday and Thursday, February 11-12, at the Clayton County Convocation Center in Morrow.

February 7, 2026 Jaylee Long advanced to the GHSA Girls State Finals with a runner-up finish at the State Sectionals on Friday at Coahulla Creek. Photo credit: Adairsville Wrestling Community on Facebook. Adairsville sophomore wrestler, Jaylee Long, followed up her recent Area 7 championship with a runner-up finish on Friday at the GHSA Girls State Sectional at Coahulla Creek High School in Whitfield County. Long, who went 2-1 in the 100-pound weight class, advanced to the Girls All-Classification State Finals next Friday and Saturday, February 13-14, at the Clayton County Convocation Center in Morrow.

February 5, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com The Excel Christian Academy boys basketball team won the GAPPS Region 1-IA championship on Thursday night in Powder Springs with an 85-69 victory over Praise Academy. The Eagles led 25-15 after one quarter; 47-35 at halftime; and 67-58 through three quarters en route to a 16-point win. Damir McBride led ECA with 33 points. Mier Bell scored 17, and Jamari Gatson added 13 points. Hunter Ivey paced Praise Academy (17-7) with 28 points. Caleb Dateayer followed with 18. Excel Christian (20-6) advanced to host a GAPPS Class A State Tournament quarterfinal game on February 13.  The Eagles’ opponent will be determined in the first round of play.

February 5, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Thirteen local high school swimmers competed on Thursday in the 2026 finals of the GHSA Swimming Championships at Georgia Tech. The girls’ and boys’ teams from Greater Atlanta Christian won the Class A-AAA team championship. The Adairsville boys tied for 36th place. In Class AAAA, Marist won the girls’ and boys’ team titles. The Woodland girls finished 22nd, and the Cartersville boys placed 18th. Results for local swimmers: ADAIRSVILLE Andrew Harris — 100-yard butterfly —19th — 59.30 Boys 200-yard freestyle relay team — Dylan Barrett, Brian Grist, Andrew Harris, Eli Burke — 18th — 1:38.89 CARTERSVILLE William Galland — 50-yard freestyle — 8th — 22.01 William Galland — 100-yard butterfly — 12th — 53.93 Grayson Paradis — 500-yard freestyle — 18th — 5:20.34 Boys 200-yard freestyle relay — William Galland, Nate Rives, Luke Gibson, Grayson Paradis — 12th — 1:34.71 Boys 400-yard freestyle relay — William Galland, Nate Rives, Luke Gibson, Grayson Paradis — 17th — 3:37.37 WOODLAND Girls 200-yard freestyle relay — Kailyn Black, Kimberlin Smith, Madysen Grano, Emily Guin — 17th — 1:52.24 CASS Anniston Duckett — 100-yard butterfly — 20th — 1:07.17