The Cass High basketball teams tipped off the 2018-19 season Tuesday night at home with the Lady Colonels picking up an opening night win and the Colonels falling to visiting Cumberland Christian. The Cass girls had ten different players score in their 60-30 victory. Amber Brittain led the way with 14 points, followed by 11 from Claire Davis. The Lady Colonels ran out to a 22-9 lead after one quarter and were up 38-13 at the intermission. Londaisha Smith had eight points for Cass, with Payton Stoddard adding seven. Taryn Callahan scored six, Sharia Wade five, Alexis Ware four, Ariana Hames three, and Brooklyn Whittingtonand Justice Bennett tossed in two points each. The loss drops the Cumberland Christian girls to 0-3 on the season. Next for the Lady Colonels (1-0) is another home game with Clarkston November 24 at 2 p.m. CUMBERLAND CHRISTIAN 83, CASS BOYS 68 The Colonels dropped their season opener Tuesday night in the debut of new head coach Sean Glaze despite a 21 point, nine rebound effort by senior transfer, Jacquez Fountain. Cumberland Christian (3-1) trailed early, including 23-18 after one quarter, but outscored Cass 22-8 in the second quarter to take a 40-31 lead at the intermission. The visitors extended their advantage to 65-45 after three quarters and held on in the final period for a 15-point win. Sophomore Andrew Glaze posted 12 points for the Colonels and sophomore guard C.J. Pipkin totaled five assists in the loss. Cass (0-1) returns to the hardwoods Monday in the Dalton Thanksgiving Tournament against Cleveland (TN) at 4:30 p.m.

There were standout performances sprinkled throughout the contributions of local athletes at the collegiate and professional levels over the past week. Some of the former Bartow County stars are getting off to solid starts to their winter sports seasons, while others are putting the finishing touches on their fall campaigns. On the gridiron, Cartersville High graduate Terry Berdin exploded for 175 yards and three touchdowns for Reinhardt; Emmanuel Jones, a Woodland product, returned from injury to put up great defensive stats again; and Cartersville resident Jake Walker scored two touchdowns for Furman. Meanwhile, Kingston native Spencer Fields has helped his Rhodes College cross country team reach the NCAA Division III championship, following a great performance at nearby Berry College. As for the quick starts, ex-Woodland wrestler Jake Huffine earned an overtime win against a foe from a top-25 program. Elsewhere, Elijah Robinson continued his great start to professional basketball in Argentina; Ryan Davis started hot for Francis Marion; and Furman's Jaylon Pugh hit a pair of 3-pointers in his first career game. PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL Vic Beasley Jr. (Atlanta Falcons; Adairsville) — Beasley's quiet 2018 season continued with another game in which he failed to record a tackle. The Falcons' tough 2018 season also continued Sunday as Atlanta fell to Cleveland on the road by a 28-16 final score. COLLEGE FOOTBALL Quadre Allen (Tusculum Sr., Woodland) — Allen played but didn't land on the stat sheet during Tusculum's 16-12 loss to Wingate on Saturday. DeAndre Applin (Georgia State Sr., Adairsville) — Applin recorded two solo tackles in a 36-22 loss to Louisiana on Saturday. Terry Berdin (Reinhardt Fr., Cartersville) — Berdin erupted for a huge game in the Eagles' regular-season finale, piling up 175 yards and three touchdowns on just 10 carries. He scored on runs of 7, 29 and 78 yards with the 78-yarder coming on the first play of the second half in the 62-0 win over Union (Kentucky). His stellar showing landed him Mid-South Conference offensive player of the week honors. Fourth-ranked Reinhardt (9-1) will host No. 13 seed Concordia (Michigan) in the first round of the NAIA playoffs at 1 p.m. Saturday in Waleska. Chris Blackston (West Georgia Jr., Adairsville) — Blackston started for the Wolves but didn't record any stats in a 47-31 loss to Valdosta State on Saturday. With the defeat, West Georgia missed out on an unbeaten regular season. The Wolves will host Wingate in the first round of the NCAA Division II playoffs at noon Saturday in Carrollton. Bryce Burgess (Reinhardt Fr., Adairsville) — Burgess carried the ball five times for 13 yards, including a long of 8 yards, in Saturday's 62-0 victory over Union. Trevor Carlton (Reinhardt Sr., Cartersville) — Carlton recorded a 4-yard sack and totaled six tackles (three solo) in Saturday's rout. Marcus Childers (Northern Illinois R-So., Adairsville) — Childers accounted for three total touchdowns to help extend Northern Illinois' winning streak to six straight games. He threw a 33-yard scoring pass in the first half and had touchdown runs of 1 and 23 yards in the third quarter to seal a 38-15 win over Toledo last Wednesday. Childers completed 13 of 19 passes with the one touchdown and one interception. He added 58 yards on the ground. Xavior Coaxum (LaGrange So., Cartersville) — Coaxum tied his season high with seven tackles, including a 6-yard tackle for loss, in a 42-14 loss to Huntingdon on Saturday. Coaxum finished his sophomore year with 39 tackles. Jonathan Cruz (Charlotte Fr., Cartersville) — Cruz drilled all three of his kicks on Saturday, nailing a pair of field goals and an extra point in a 30-13 loss to Marshall on Saturday. Dalen Curtis (Brevard So., Cartersville) — Curtis hauled in a 10-yard pass for his fourth catch of the year in a 28-7 victory against Greensboro on Saturday. Kurtis Feanny (Lenoir-Rhyne Fr., Woodland) — Feanny made the participation report but not the stat sheet in Lenoir-Rhyne's 10th consecutive win. Following a season-opening loss to West Alabama, the Bears haven't lost, including a 63-21 triumph over Catawba on Saturday to complete an undefeated SAC season. Lenoir-Rhyne will host Florida Tech in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs at 2 p.m. Saturday. Jordan Ferguson (Middle Tennessee State So., Cartersville) — Ferguson assisted on a tackle in a 48-32 win over Texas-El Paso on Saturday. Miller Forristall (Alabama R-So., Cartersville) — Forristall saw time on the field in top-ranked Alabama's 24-0 shut out of Mississippi State on Saturday. Rico Frye (Bowling Green Fr., Cartersville) — Frye posted 45 yards on 12 carries with a long of 27 in a 24-13 win over Central Michigan on Saturday. The total yards and individual 27-yard burst were both season highs for Frye. Cameron Gonyea (Saint Anselm Fr., Cass) — Gonyea totaled two tackles and a pass breakup in Saint Anselm's 33-10 loss to Pace on Saturday. Gabriel Gridley (Angelo State So., Cartersville) — Gridley was busy on Saturday, punting 10 times in a 41-13 defeat against Texas A&M-Commerce. He averaged 38 yards with a long of 56 and one punt inside the 20-yard line. Sean Holton (Davidson So., Cartersville) — Holton saw playing time but didn't land on the stat sheet in a 56-52 loss to San Diego on Saturday. Brady Jernigan (Maryville Jr., Woodland) — Jernigan assisted on two tackles and recovered a fumble in a 31-14 triumph over N.C. Wesleyan on Saturday. Lucas Johnson (Georgia State Sr., Cass) — An offensive lineman, Johnson was once again listed as a starter for the Panthers, although it was at wide receiver, in Saturday's defeat. Emmanuel Jones (Colorado State So., Woodland) — Jones (photo left) returned from injury and picked up where he had left off. He made five tackles (four solo), two tackles for loss and a 10-yard sack against Nevada. However, the Rams came up on the losing end of a 49-10 scoreline. Bradley Kirk (Shorter Fr., Cartersville) — Kirk racked up seven tackles, including five solo stops, and also intercepted a pass in Shorter's season finale against Florida Tech on Saturday. Trevor Lawrence (Clemson Fr., Cartersville) — Lawrence threw for just shy of 300 yards and accounted for two touchdowns, as the Tigers remained perfect on the season. He completed 29 of 40 pass attempts for 295 yards and one score to earn his fourth ACC rookie of the week honor. A recently named semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award for the nation's best quarterback, Lawrence added a rushing touchdown in Saturday's 27-7 win over Boston College. Nyvin Nelson (Chattanooga Fr., Cartersville) — Nelson didn't record any stats, but he did see the field in a 13-9 setback against Mercer on Saturday. Dorian Pitt (Southwestern Oklahoma State Jr., Adairsville) — Pitt saw playing time along the offensive line for the Bulldogs in a 35-14 loss to Northwestern Oklahoma State in the final game of the regular season on Saturday. Mark Quattlebaum (Charlotte R-Sr., Cartersville) — Quattlebaum had an 11-yard reception and a 9-yard punt return on his only two touches of Saturday's defeat. Seven Richards (Jacksonville Fr., Cass) — Richards started at offensive guard during Jacksonville's 48-30 loss to Valparaiso. He helped the Dolphins rush for 439 yards in the game. Macland Shay (New Mexico Highlands Fr., Cass) — Shay saw action in a 52-24 loss to Colorado Mesa on Saturday. Jake Walker (Furman So., Cartersville resident) — Walker had an outstanding showing in a 49-13 romp against Virginia Military Institute, as he hauled in two passes for 102 yards and two touchdowns. His first catch resulted in a 33-yard score and his second was a 69-yarder. PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL Elijah Robinson (Villa San Martin, Argentina; Excel) — Robinson continues to shine in the Argentina professional league. He posted 16 points and nine rebounds in his most recent outing — a 75-70 win over Hindu Club. On the season, Robinson is averaging 16 points and seven rebounds, while shooting 49 percent from the floor, 53.3 percent from 3 and 76.9 percent from the line. COLLEGE BASKETBALL Ryan Davis (Francis Marion Sr., Cartersville) — Davis has gotten off to a hot start to the season with 44 points combined through his first two games. He posted 16 points on 7-of-14 shooting with four rebounds and four assists in a 115-84 loss to Catawba to open the year. Davis followed that up with 28 points (11-of-17 shooting) and nine boards in a 105-86 win over Newberry. Whitney Harris (Toccoa Falls Fr., Woodland) — Harris started both of Tocca Falls' games this past week. She totaled five points and five rebounds across the pair of defeats. Carter Hedden (Hocking Fr., Cass) — Hedden scored a total of 19 points during this past week's three games. He had nine points in a loss to Cincinnati-Claremont and five points apiece in a loss to Lorain County and a win over Westmoreland County. He added five rebounds, four steals, two assists and a block across the three games. Jonathan Pritchett (Vermont Tech So., Woodland) — Pritchett started both games for Vermont Tech this past week, as the Knights remained undefeated on the young season. Foul trouble slowed him down in the first game of the week, limiting Pritchett to just seven points, two rebounds, two steals and an assist. He saw 35 minutes the next game, posting four points and five assists against just one turnover. Jaylon Pugh (Furman Fr., Cartersville) — Pugh played 14 minutes in Furman's season-opening win over Bob Jones last Tuesday. He nailed two of his six 3-point attempts, while grabbing two rebounds and recording a steal. He didn't the floor in Furman's upset win on the road Friday against Loyola-Chicago, which reached the Final Four last season. Darius Thrower (Truett McConnell Jr., Excel) — Thrower saw action but didn't record any points in a loss to Union College on Wednesday. He knocked down a pair of triples in a win over Columbia International on Saturday. Carrod Watson (North Georgia Jr., Woodland) — North Georgia got off to a 1-1 start to the season with a loss to North Greenville and a win against Erskine in the Peach Belt-Conference Carolinas Challenge over the weekend. Watson saw three minutes in each game, totaling two points, two blocks and a rebound. CROSS COUNTRY Spencer Fields (Rhodes Sr., Kingston native) — Fields finished 13th as Rhodes College placed first out of 33 teams in the NCAA Division III South/Southeast Regional Saturday in Rome. Back in his old stomping grounds, the Darlington graduate completed the course in 26 minutes, 14.63 seconds. Rhodes will compete this coming weekend in the NCAA D-III Championship in Winneconne, Wisconsin. WRESTLING Robby Earick (Life So., Cartersville) — Earick scored a 9-4 win during Life's season opener against Truett McConnell on Nov. 1. He then went 1-2 in the Patriot Open that weekend in Williamsburg, Kentucky. Jake Huffine (Chattanooga Jr., Woodland) — Huffine recorded a thrilling victory in the 133-pound division in Chattanooga's Sunday matchup against 21st-ranked North Carolina. Huffine fell behind twice during regulation against James Szymanski but managed to force overtime. In the extra period, the junior scored a takedown for an 8-6 win. Chattanooga, though, fell by a score of 23-10. --- NOTE 1: This week's report courtesy the staff at The Daily Tribune News — NOTE 2: All information comes from the official websites of the teams or schools listed above. Questions regarding collegiate stats and/or participation for any individual should be directed to their sports information department.

The Cartersville Parks and Recreation Department all-star football teams played at Calhoun this past Saturday with Calhoun taking two of the three age group wins. Calhoun 8U edged Cartersville 12-6 and Calhoun 10U won a narrow 18-16 decision. The Cartersville 12U team blanked Calhoun 36-0. Saturday, November 10 GRPA District 5 8U at Calhoun Recreation Department CALHOUN 12, CARTERSVILLE 6 CALHOUN: Seth Kirby 16-yard touchdown run. Isaiah Knowles 3-yard touchdown run. Kirby was also the top defensive standout for Calhoun. CARTERSVILLE: Cooper Melvin 35-yard touchdown run. Defensive standouts Nathan Woods and Melvin. Cartersville 8U hosts Carrollton Saturday at Dellinger Park at 10 a.m. 10U at Calhoun Recreation Department CALHOUN 18, CARTERSVILLE 16 CALHOUN: Blake Hammett 12-yard touchdown run. Jake Chadwick 3-yard touchdown run and 10-yard touchdown run. Rylin Goble had two interceptions and a tackle for a safety. CARTERSVILLE: 24-yard touchdown pass and a 60-yard touchdown pass from Bodie Brumlow to Reed Ezell. Asa Mitcham connected on both PAT kicks. Jacob Ellis had 10 tackles. Collier Jordan had a forced fumble with a Cartersville recovery. Cartersville 10U hosts Carrollton Saturday at Dellinger Park at 11:30 a.m. 12U at Calhoun Recreation Department CARTERSVILLE 36, CALHOUN 0 CARTERSVILLE: Khristian Lando had over 100 rushing yards and two touchdown runs from 12- and 51-yards. Kendrick Price 23-yard touchdown run. Isaiah Livsey 10-yard touchdown run. Brodie McWhorter and Brelace Williams shared kicking duties. Landen Heath finished with 12 tackles, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. CALHOUN: Hunter White was the top defensive player. Cartersville 12U hosts Carrollton Saturday at Dellinger Park at 1 p.m.

The Cartersville competition cheer team won the GHSA Class AAAA state championship Saturday at the Columbus Civic Center. After not winning the Region 5-AAAA title, Cartersville qualified for the state finals with a first place finish in Friday’s state sectional qualifier and carried that momentum into Saturday’s finals that included the top sixteen teams. The Canes scored 95.33 in the finals to edge out Denmark with a 94.33 score. Mary Persons finished in third place and the winner of Cartersville’s region — Chapel Hill — took fourth in the state finals. Saturday’s state title marks the fourth time Cartersville has taken the top spot in competitive cheer. The Canes won championships in 2014-15, 2000-01, and 1994-95. In other state finals action this weekend, Woodland placed 12th in the all-classification, co-ed division, Cass qualified for Saturday night’s finals in Class 5A, and Adairsville placed sixth in Class 3A. Cass qualified for the state finals with a seventh place finish Friday in the 5A Sectional and Adairsville was third in their sectional qualifying.

After a slow start in wet conditions, Cartersville quarterback Tee Webb threw for three touchdowns and running back Marcus Gary ran for two scores as Cartersville took down visiting Stephens County 34-7 Friday night at Weinman Stadium in the first round of the 2018 Class 4A state playoffs. Stephens County scored first on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Kenny Colwell to Kamon Taylor to take a 7-0 lead about three minutes into the second quarter, but the Indians' lead would be short-lived. Webb (photo) then tossed a pair of scoring strikes in the quarter as the Hurricanes’ offense heated up to take a 13-7 advantage at halftime. The first touchdown pass was a 14-yarder to Dadrian Dennis. The second was a 34-yarder to Marquail Coaxum (photo) on a 4th and 20 play with only 0:19 remaining in the half. Oscar Hernandez made the first PAT, but the second attempt failed. The go-ahead touchdown was set up when Harrison Allen forced a fumble that was recovered by Sunni Moorehead. Allen later added an interception at the end of the third quarter. The visiting Indians were stopped on the initial possession of the third quarter setting up a short scoring drive for Cartersville. Gary capped a 32-yard drive with a 10-yard run to make the score 19-7 before Webb hit Jackson Lowe with a shovel pass, two-point conversion that put the Canes ahead 21-7 with 7:26 to go in the third quarter. Cartersville’s next possession ended with an interception, but after forcing a punt the Canes started at the midfield stripe. Gary (photo), who rushed for 164 yards on 21 attempts, finished off the 50-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run, but the PAT failed again to leave Cartersville with a 27-7 lead with 0:54 remaining in the third quarter. The Canes’ Harrison Allen picked off a pass in the final seconds of the third quarter to set up Cartersville’s final touchdown drive of the night from 36 yards out. Webb — who finished the night 12-for-19 for 161 yards — found Devonte Ross on a 26-yard screen pass catch and score with 10:45 remaining. The Hernandez PAT put Cartersville up 34-7. The Hurricanes drove inside the red zone one more time in the final minutes, but turned the ball over on downs at the nine yard line. Ross finished with four catches for 59 yards for Cartersville. Coaxum caught three balls for 37 yards, and Dennis had three receptions for 27 yards. All three had touchdown catches. Stephens County finished the year with a 5-6 record. Second-ranked Cartersville (11-0) advances to host 10th-ranked Ridgeland next Friday night at Weinman Stadium. Ridgeland (8-3) defeated 8th-ranked Flowery Branch 34-14 Friday night in Rossville. -- Unofficial stats courtesy Nicholas Sullivan, The Daily Tribune News

The Adairsville High School basketball teams will be looking to make their marks in Region 6-AAA of the Georgia High School Association again this season with the Lady Tigers tipping-off their season Monday, November 19 at the Armuchee Thanksgiving Tournament. The Tigers will start their regular season a bit later on Tuesday, November 27. The Lady Tigers, who were 3-22 last season and 1-11 in Region 6-AAA, will be seeking their first winning season since going 13-10 in 2013-14. The Tigers were 14-13 last year and finished in the middle of the pack in region play after qualifying for the Class AAA state tournament the season before. Both teams will face the stiff competition of Region 6-AAA with Coahulla Creek, Sonoraville, Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe, and Haralson County the four teams to qualify for the girls’ state tournament in 2017-18. Haralson County won two rounds before falling to Tattnall County in the state quarterfinals. On the boys’ side of Region 6-AAA, all four state qualifying teams last season — Sonoraville, Bremen, Ringgold, and Calhoun — were eliminated in opening round games. Two other schools, Murray County and North Murray, will also be included in Adairsville’s region that includes nine schools. In non-region action, the Lady Tigers will play Woodland Monday, November 19 in the opening round of the Armuchee Thanksgiving Tournament. Adairsville will also face Cartersville the following day at the Armuchee event in Rome. The Adairsville girls will play non-region games against Southeast Whitfield, at Cass, at Cartersville, and will play three games at home in the Ace Hardware Christmas Clash December 27-29. The Lady Tigers will open that tournament against North Cobb Christian. Outside of their region schedule, the Tigers will play Cass and Rockmart as well as three games in the Christmas Clash. Adairsville will open the tournament between Christmas and New Year’s Day against Excel Christian Academy. Adairsville High School Lady Tigers Head Coach: Michael Roberson Assistants: Melissa Winters, Lauren Zarefoss, Julia Roberson Returning Starters: Havyn Isaac, Coriana McDaniel, Nakiyah Washington, and Breeana Wilson Potential starters and top expected contributors: Competition within makes it wide-open. Others that will push last year's starters for a spot: Lori Cimino, Alexa Varner, Ji'Leyah Mitchell, Chezne McConnell, and Aaliyah Applin Remainder of varsity roster: Alexia Crisp, Kaitlynn Stiles, and Aubrei Atchley Coach Roberson on expectations for this year’s Lady Tigers: Each day we want to be better than yesterday. Our expectation and goal is to compete every day at practice or in a game. In the end, we want to be one of the top four teams in our very strong region. We have a good group of freshmen this year, 10 total, who will compete every day and will push the returning players. We believe this will help create a healthy competitive environment in practice each day. We didn't have that consistently last year. Adairsville High School Tigers Head Coach: Alex Disbrow Assistant: Tarvis Scott Returning Starters: Gaven Crunkleton, Mason Boswell New potential starters and top expected contributors: D'Narous Johnson, Savuan Henderson, Malachi Gardner, Derrick Simmons, Tyshawn Savage Coach Disbrow on expectations and goals for this year's team: To incrementally improve every drill and every day until winning games is a by-product of our process.

The 2018 region champion Cartersville Purple Hurricanes had 20 players honored this week by league football coaches with Tuesday’s release of the All-Region 5-AAAA team. Cartersville players on All-Region team rosters: FIRST TEAM ALL-REGION 5-AAAA QB - Tee Webb (Jr.) RB - Marcus Gary (Sr.) TE - Jackson Lowe (Sr.) OL - Matthew Surrett (Jr.) OL - Jonah Gambill (Jr.) DL - Bobby Harris (Sr.) DL - La’Kwayme Jupiter (Jr.) LB - Sunni Moorehead (Sr.) S - Marko Dudley (Jr.) SECOND TEAM ALL-REGION 5-AAAA WR - Kaleb Chatmon (Sr.) WR - Dadrian Dennis (Sr.) OL - Andrew Thompson (Sr.) DL - Isaiah Chaney (Sr.) LB - Harrison Allen (So.) DB - Marquail Coaxum (Jr.) HONORABLE MENTION LB - Amarai Orr (So.) LB - Tristan Carlton (Sr.) DB - Evan Slocum (So.) OL - Blake Woods (Jr.) WR / DB - Devonte Ross (So.) The Hurricanes open the Class AAAA state playoffs at home Friday night against Stephens County at Weinman Stadium.

The Woodland High School varsity basketball teams will open their 2018-19 campaigns on Friday, November 16 by hosting Gordon Central with both teams looking to improve their marks from one year ago. The Lady Cats finished 7-17 overall a year ago and were 4-12 in Region 7-AAAAA. The Wildcats were 7-19 overall and 4-12 in league play. In addition to the non-region opener with Gordon Central, the Woodland girls will play in the Armuchee Thanksgiving Tournament November 19-20 where they will open against Adairsville. The Woodland boys will play in the Paulding County Hoopsgiving Classic November 17-20 and both teams will participate in the Rome News-Tribune Holiday Tournament December 17-21. Additionally, the Woodland teams will play a non-region home-and-home series against Cartersville. The always challenging Region 7-AAAAA schedule will include home-and-home games with Carrollton, Cass, East Paulding, Hiram, Kell, Paulding County, Rome, and Villa Rica. Woodland High School Lady Cats Head Coach: Kyle Morgan Assistant Coaches: Steve Dunnington, Lexi Katt Returning Starters: Madgie Robinson, Lauren Morris, Morgan Cooper, Ansley Evans, Gracie Styles, Nickiah Metcalf all started games last year. Potential Starters / Expected Contributors: Riley Jaussi (currently injured), Morgan Bailey, Jordan Thompson, Callie Jones, Abigail Taylor could all push for time this season. Outlook from Coach Morgan: We expect to get better (individually and collectively) each practice and each game as the season progresses. Our goal is to play hard, smart, and together each time we step on the floor. Robinson, a four-year starter, is the only senior if Jaussi is not able to recover from the injury to play. We have several juniors and sophomores that gained valuable experience last year. We play in a very competitive region that is loaded with all-state players and we look forward to competing every night against good teams. We have a good group of young ladies and I’m confident their best basketball is still ahead of them. Woodland High School Wildcats Head Coach: Colman Roberts Assistant Coach: Erik Foss The Wildcats have five returning starters for the 2018-19 season after losing Connor Gallagher, Dustin Ivie, and Kenny Jinks to graduation off last season’s team. Coach Roberts expects contributions and starters from most of his returning roster including Peyton Roberts, Jaylen Ballard, Hunter Johnson, D.J. Robinson, Dawson Wilkins, Justice Carter, Nathan Gomez, DiAnthony Heathcock, and Kyjuan McClendon. Roberts also stated the team goal for 2018-19 is to qualify for the Class 5A State Playoffs.

Excel Christian Academy returns to varsity level boys basketball for the 2018-19 season under new head coach Shannon Boatfield. While the academic site for Excel has moved to a new location in Emerson, the basketball teams will continue to play home games at the former site on Old Mill Road in Cartersville. The Eagles will open the season at home on Saturday, November 17 against Gordon Central and will compete in GHSA Region 6-A that includes Bowdon, Christian Heritage, Darlington, Gordon Lee, Mt. Zion-Carroll, North Cobb Christian, and Trion. Non-region opponents on the schedule include: Savannah's Bethesda Academy, Georgia School for the Deaf, Class 7A Lassiter, and Class 4A Lafayette. The Eagles will also participate in Adairsville's Ace Hardware Christmas Tournament December 27-29. Excel Christian Academy Eagles Head coach and coaching staff: Shannon Boatfield (photo) with assistants Gary Boulier and Tyler Blackman Returning starters: Seniors Josiah Mosley and Evan Lee. Juniors Rayshawn Womack and Brendan Quillin. Sophomore Kalil Holley. Coach Boatfield’s analysis: Mosley is a quick, defensive-minded point guard who is our floor general. Great hands, tough to stay in front of him; gets to the rim with ease. Lee is our best deep threat and is our tallest player at 6-5. Plays like a European big man with finesse on the wing. Lee is best for us when at the high post position. We enjoy the ball in his hands. Good things happen. Womack can be an explosive scorer that can play inside and outside. He is a great athlete and leaper with long wingspan. Quillin is our best pure shooter even though he’s one of our biggest players. He has a very high IQ and is fundamentally sound. What he lacks in athleticism he overcomes with playing smart. Expected top contributors and Boatfield’s analysis: Robby Poston (Jr.) — hard-nosed, tough, undersized post player at 6-2. He is a high-energy player with double-double potential this year. Jacob Day (Jr.) — long, shooting guard with good size on the wing. He is a newer player developing three-point consistency. Remainder of the varsity roster: Jake Murray (Jr.) — shooting guard, undersized, spot up shooter. Trippe Anderson (So.) — energy guy off the bench, spot minutes, ability to knock down the open shot. Noah Welch (So.) — strong interior presence with good size, only lacking experience. Freshmen Tim Terry and Jun Hyuk Choi Boatfield on expectations and goals for this year’s team: It is really hard to say. We step back into varsity competition after a 12-win JV season last year. Playing in the ultra-competitive Region 6 in Private A ball is tough. I believe the pre-season top 10 features four teams from our region, so we’ve got our work cut out for us. I expect us to battle, play sound defense, be patient with the ball, and push it when the opportunity comes. We will surprise some people this year. It’s a new day for Excel basketball. There’s an excitement and buzz about our program, both on campus and in the community. Our vision is to Engage the Heart, Elevate the Spirit, and Empower the Body of every coach and player in our program. If it doesn’t accomplish one of those three things, we don’t want to do it. I am excited to add some quality depth to our coaching bench in bringing over Tyler Blackman. He’s an Excel grad who loves this place and is really sharp with the Xs and Os of the game. Our middle school program has added some strong depth too with some familiar faces in new places. If I’m the smartest guy in the room, we are in trouble, so I wanted to bring some of the best in Bartow County to our program to help us lead this program to what it can be.

An update of local athletes competing in professional and collegiate sports for the week ending Sunday, October 4. This past week, the Atlanta Falcons refused trade offers for Vic Beasley, more than two dozen locals contributed with their respective college football programs, and locals made marks in college cross country, tennis, wrestling, and basketball. NFL VIC BEASLEY — Atlanta Falcons (4th yr. pro; DE, Clemson University, Adairsville HS)… Beasley did not scratch the stat line Sunday in the Falcons road win at Washington, but he was a pressure factor a multiple plays. He also drew a holding penalty due to his pass rush. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported this weekend that prior to last Tuesday’s trade deadline the Falcons received trade offers for the Adairsville native. Atlanta decided, however, to not pull the trigger on any deal. Beasley has only one sack this season and just three quarterback hits. He had his fifth-year option for next season picked up by the Falcons and is set to make $12.8 million in 2019. COLLEGE FOOTBALL QUADRE ALLEN — Tusculum University (Sr., DB, Woodland HS)… made a first quarter tackle on punt team coverage in the Pioneers’ 20-11 non-conference loss Saturday at VMI. Tusculum (5-4, 4-2 South Atlantic Conference) plays at Wingate this Saturday afternoon. DeANDRE APPLIN — Georgia State University (Sr., DB, Adairsville HS)… had three tackles (2 solo) in the Panthers’ 40-31 loss to Texas State Saturday in Atlanta. GSU (2-7, 1-4 Sun Belt Conference) plays at Louisiana-Lafayette this Saturday. TERRY BERDIN — Reinhardt University (Fr., RB, Cartersville HS)… had two carries for 23 yards and one kick return for 12 yards as the NAIA 4th-ranked Eagles won at St. Andrews (NC) 54-30. Reinhardt (8-1, 5-0 Mid-South Conference, Appalachian Division) plays Saturday night at Union College (KY). CHRIS BLACKSTON — University of West Georgia (Jr., DB, Adairsville HS)… the Wolves’ starter at free safety had three tackles in a 29-17 win over Gulf South Conference foe Delta State Saturday in Carrollton. NCAA D-II 3rd-ranked UWG (10-0, 7-0) plays at 7th-ranked Valdosta State Saturday night in a battle of unbeatens. BRYCE BURGESS — Reinhardt University (Fr., RB, Adairsville HS)… returned the second half kickoff 28 yards into the plus-territory 46 yard line in the NAIA 4th-ranked Eagles 54-30 win at St. Andrews (NC). Reinhardt (8-1, 5-0 Mid-South Conference, Appalachian Division) plays at Union College (KY) this Saturday night. TREVOR CARLTON — Reinhardt University (Sr., LB, Cartersville HS)… had four tackles including 1.5 for a loss and a sack as the 4th-ranked Eagles topped St. Andrews (NC) on the road, 54-30. Reinhardt (8-1, 5-0 Mid-South Conference, Appalachian Division) travels to Union College (KY) this Saturday night. MARCUS CHILDERS — Northern Illinois University (R-So., QB, Adairsville HS)… was 21-for-28 passing for 188 yards and one touchdown in the Huskies’ 36-26 Mid-American Conference win last Thursday at Akron. Childers also finished with 9 net yards rushing on 13 attempts. NIU (6-3, 5-0 MAC) has now won five straight games and hosts Toledo Wednesday night. XAVIOR COAXUM — LaGrange College (So., DB, Cartersville HS)… had four tackles Saturday in the Panthers’ 48-38 home win over Methodist University. LaGrange (3-6, 2-4 USA South Athletic Conference) travels to Montgomery Saturday afternoon at face Huntingdon College. JONATHAN CRUZ — UNC-Charlotte (Fr., PK, Cartersville HS)… made a 20-yard field goal late in the first half in the 49ers’ 14-3 non-conference loss Saturday night at Tennessee. He also had two kickoffs for a 59 yard average with one kick going out of bounds. Charlotte (4-5, 3-2 Conference USA) returns to conference action Saturday afternoon at Marshall. DALEN CURTIS — Brevard College (So., FB, Cartersville HS)… started at fullback for the Tornados but did not have any touches in a 25-6 loss at Averett (VA). Brevard (2-6, 2-4 USA-South Athletic Conference) hosts Greensboro College this Saturday afternoon. JORDAN FERGUSON — Middle Tennessee State University (So., DL, Cartersville HS)… saw action in the Blue Raiders’ 29-10 home victory Friday night over Western Kentucky. MTSU (6-3, 5-1 Conference USA) travels to University of Texas-El Paso this Saturday. MILLER FORRISTALL — University of Alabama (R-So., TE, Cartersville HS)… saw playing time Saturday night in the Crimson Tide’s 29-0 win over LSU in Baton Rouge. Top-ranked Alabama (9-0, 6-0 SEC) clinched the SEC Western Division title with the win and will host Mississippi State this Saturday afternoon. RICO FRYE — Bowling Green University (Fr., RB, Cartersville HS)… carried 17 times last Tuesday for 36 yards in the Falcons’ 35-28 home loss to Kent State. He also caught four passes for eight yards. Bowling Green (1-8, 0-5 Mid-American Conference) plays at Central Michigan this Saturday afternoon. CAMERON GONYEA — Saint Anselm College (Fr., DB, Cass HS)… made a pair of tackles in the Hawks’ 49-21 loss at New Haven College this past Saturday. Saint Anselm (1-7, 1-7 Northeastern 10 Conference) hosts Pace University this Saturday to close out the 2018 season. GORDON GRAY — Kennesaw State University (Sr., WR, Cartersville HS)… got the start this past Saturday in the FCS 2nd-ranked Owls’ 49-0 blanking of Campbell. KSU (8-1, 4-0 Big South Conference) travels to New Jersey this Saturday afternoon to face Monmouth with the winner securing the conference championship and automatic bid into the FCS playoffs. GABRIEL GRIDLEY — Angelo State University (So., P, Cartersville HS)… punted twice Saturday for only a 25.5 yard average, but had one punt downed inside the 20 yard line as the Rams defeated visiting Eastern New Mexico 34-17. ASU (6-4, 4-3 Lone Star Conference) has won three in a row and travels to Texas A&M-Commerce this Saturday. ANTOINE JEFFERSON — Lindsey Wilson College (So., SL, Cartersville HS)… had one punt return for eight yards and had a fourth quarter pass attempt that fell incomplete in the NAIA 17th-ranked Blue Raiders’ 21-4 win at Campbellsville University (KY) Saturday afternoon. LWC (6-3, 3-2 Mid-South Conference Bluegrass Division) hosts Kentucky Christian this Saturday. BRADY JERNIGAN — Maryville College (TN) (Jr., DL, Woodland HS)… had two tackles Saturday in the Scots’ 42-7 win at Greensboro College. Maryville (6-2, 6-0 USA South Athletic Conference) entertains North Carolina Wesleyan this Saturday afternoon. LUCAS JOHNSON — Georgia State University (Sr., OL, Cass HS)… started at tight end Saturday for the Panthers in a 40-31 home loss to Texas State. GSU (2-7, 1-4 Sun Belt Conference) travels to Louisiana-Lafayette this Saturday evening. BRADLEY KIRK — Shorter University (Fr., DB, Cartersville HS)… had two tackles Saturday at North Alabama in the Hawks’ 41-14 loss. Shorter (0-10, 0-7 Gulf South Conference) wraps up the 2018 season this Saturday afternoon at Barron Stadium in Rome against Florida Tech. TREVOR LAWRENCE — Clemson University (Fr., QB, Cartersville HS)… was 8-for-12 passing for 59 yards and two touchdowns Saturday as the 2nd-ranked Tigers pummelled Louisville, 77-16. Lawrence tossed an 11-yard touchdown to Tee Higgins and a 3-yard scoring pass to Amari Rodgers in his abbreviated start. He also ran three times for 11 yards. Clemson (9-0, 6-0 ACC) plays at Boston College this Saturday night. DORIAN PITT — Southwestern Oklahoma State University (Jr., OL, Adairsville HS)… saw action in the Bulldogs’ 35-23 loss at Southern Nazarene University (OK). SWOSU (3-7, 3-7 Great American Conference) hosts Northwestern Oklahoma State University this Saturday night. MARK QUATTLEBAUM — UNC-Charlotte (Sr., SL, Cartersville HS)… had one reception for 18 yards and had two punt returns for 10 yards in the 49ers’ 14-3 loss at Tennessee Saturday. Charlotte (4-5, 3-2 C-USA) plays at Marshall this Saturday afternoon. SEVEN RICHARDS — Jacksonville University (Fr., OL, Cass HS)… started at left guard Saturday for the Dolphins in a 48-44 Pioneer Football League win over visiting Butler. The JU offense rolled up 505 total yards including 448 rushing yards. The Dolphins (2-6, 1-5 PFL) play at Valparaiso this Saturday afternoon. MACLAND SHAY — New Mexico Highlands University (Fr., DB, Cass HS)… had one tackle on kickoff coverage in the Cowboys’ 20-16 home victory over Western State Colorado University Saturday. NMHU (4-6, 4-5 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) hosts Colorado Mesa University this Saturday. GARRETT SHELTON — Alabama State University (Fr., LS, Cartersville HS)… saw action in the Hornets’ 30-21 win Saturday over Texas Southern in Montgomery. ASU (3-5, 2-2 SWAC) entertains Jackson State this Saturday afternoon. HIRAM VELEZ — University of West Florida (Sr., WR, Adairsville HS)… saw playing time in the Argonauts’ 48-21 home loss Saturday to 7th-ranked Valdosta State. UWF (6-4, 4-3 Gulf South Conference) travels to West Alabama this Saturday afternoon. BRANDON WADE -- Ellsworth CC (So., DL, Cartersville HS)... made five tackles in a 28-7 loss Saturday to Coffeyville CC. The Panthers are now 1-9 and play at Independence CC this Saturday night. JAKE WALKER — Furman University (So., TE, Cartersville, GA, Darlington HS)… the Paladins’ starter at tight end caught one pass for 11 yards and a first down Saturday in the first quarter. He was also targeted two more times in Furman’s 16-10 home win over Chattanooga. Furman (4-4, 4-2 Southern Conference) plays at VMI this Saturday afternoon in another SoCon matchup. CROSS COUNTRY JAISON MORNING — Valdosta State University (Sr., Cass HS)… placed 29th of 99 runners last Saturday at the Gulf South Conference Championships hosted by Mississippi College. Morning completed the 8K course in Jackson in 26:25 to lead all the Blazers’ harriers. VSU placed eighth of 11 teams. The GSC title was won by Lee University. SOCCER KATELYNN HARBEKE — Life University (Sr., MF, Cass HS)… played 42 minutes and took one shot in Life’s 6-1 conference quarterfinal loss at Campbellsville (KY). Life finished the year with a 6-12 record. KATIE LAWHORN — Life University (So., MF, Adairsville HS)… saw 17 minutes of playing time in the Runnin’ Eagles’ 6-1 loss last Thursday at Campbellsville (KY) in the quarterfinals of the Mid-South Conference Tournament. Life finished the season with a 6-12 mark. MARISSA MOWRY — Anderson University (Fr., MF, Cartersville HS)… played six minutes last Wednesday in the Trojans’ 1-0 home loss to Catawba College in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament quarterfinals. Anderson finished the season with a 7-8-1 record. TENNIS PEYTON GOLLHOFER — Ball State University (Sr., Cartersville, GA, Laurel Springs Academy)… defeated her opponent from Indiana University, Somer Henry, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 and paired with Victoria Sec to win matches against their Cleveland State and Indiana opponents this past weekend as Ball State closed out the Fall portion of their 2018-19 schedule at the Bronco Invitational hosted by Western Michigan. WRESTLING JAKE HUFFINE — UT-Chattanooga (Sr., 133-lb., Woodland HS)… went 3-2 Sunday at the Virginia Tech Hokie Open in Blacksburg, Virginia. Huffine defeated Patrick Washington of Appalachian State, his UTC teammate Colton Landers, and Austin Warner of Campbell Universitiy. His losses came to Garrett Pepple of Indiana and Zach Sherman of North Carolina. The Mocs will host North Carolina next Sunday afternoon. COLLEGE BASKETBALL MARK CHESTER — Georgia Northwestern Tech (Fr., G, Cass HS)… scored two points in the Bobcats’ 99-51 loss at Southern Crescent Tech in Griffin. Next for Georgia Northwestern is a road contest at Covenant College JV November 13. WHITNEY HARRIS — Toccoa Falls College (Fr., G, Excel Christian Acad.)… in three games last week, Harris averaged 11 points, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal in 30 minutes per game. The Screaming Eagles lost to Truett-McConnell University 55-33 and Milligan College 82-51, but defeated Trinity College 69-68. TFC (1-2) hosts Brevard College Thursday and Johnson & Wales University Friday. CARTER HEDDEN — Hocking CC (Fr., G, Cass HS)… saw action in the Hawks’ 80-44 home win last Thursday over Cincinnati Christian JV. Hocking lost a pair of games over the weekend at Potomac State of WVU, falling to Potomac State CC and Garrett CC. Stats not available. KIMORA McCLINIC — Middle Georgia State University (So., G, Cartersville HS)… saw action in both games for the Knights last Thursday and Friday. She played 14 minutes and scored four points with three rebounds. MGSU beat Regent University 79-41, but lost to Warner 66-58. The Lady Knights (1-1) host Thomas University (GA) Monday night, play at Kennesaw State Wednesday, and travel to Voorhees (SC) Friday. JONATHAN PRITCHETT — Vermont Tech CC (So., G, Woodland HS)… scored 13 points with eight rebounds and 13 assists in the Knights’ two wins over the weekend. Vermont Tech beat Maine-Augusta 88-73 and Central Maine CC 93-91 as Pritchett averaged 35 minutes. VTCC (2-0) hosts Northern Vermont-Johnson Thursday and travels to Northern Vermont-Lyndon Friday. DARRIUS THROWER — Truett-McConnell University (Jr., G, Excel Christian Acad.)… played 22 minutes off the bench and scored 14 points with two rebounds and one assist in a 96-76 win last Tuesday at Toccoa Falls College. The Bears (2-0) play at Union College (KY) Wednesday and host Columbia International University Saturday. HAKEEM WINTERS — Point University (Sr., F, Cartersville HS)… averaged 3.7 points with five rebounds, three blocks, three steals, and four assists in three of the Skyhawks’ first four games. Point (0-4) lost at Thomas University and fell to Voorhees College at home before dropping two games over the weekend at the Faulkner University Classic to Faulkner and Campbellsville. Point plays at Bryan College (TN) Wednesday and hosts Bluefield College (VA) this Saturday.

All four local high school cheerleading teams were successful Saturday in qualifying for the Georgia High School Association’s 2018 State Sectionals and Championships in Columbus next Friday and Saturday. Cass, Cartersville and Adairsville all competed Saturday in the West Metro qualifier at University of West Georgia. Click image to enlarge. L-R: Cartersville, Woodland, Cass Cartersville placed second in Region 5-AAAA to advance. Chapel Hill won the region championship with LaGrange, Central-Carroll, Troup, and Cedartown all qualifying for the state sectionals. In 6-AAA, Adairsville finished third to advance. The region was won by Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe with Ringgold, Sonoraville, Murray County, North Murray, and Coahulla Creek all qualifying for the state sectionals. Cass placed fourth among Region 7-AAAAA teams. That region was won by Carrollton with Kell, Paulding County, and Rome earning spots at the state sectionals. Woodland placed 12th in the all-classification Co-Ed Sectionals Saturday held at Peachtree Ridge High School and also advances to the state finals next weekend. Mill Creek placed first in co-ed with McIntosh, East Coweta, Peachtree Ridge, and Winder-Barrow rounding out the top five. The Friday schedule at the Columbus Civic Center will include Adairsville and Cartersville competing in the 9 a.m. segment. Cass will compete in an afternoon session slated to begin at 2 p.m. and the co-ed division finals with Woodland will be Friday night with a 7 p.m. start. The region champions and the top qualifying teams from Friday in each classification will advance to the state finals on Saturday. Class 2A, 3A, and 4A will conduct state championships at 9 a.m. Class 5A, 6A, and 7A will begin at 2 p.m.

The Cartersville boys finished sixth and the girls placed 14th at the GHSA Class 4A Cross Country State Championships Saturday afternoon in Carrollton. The Canes were sixth of 32 teams with the team title won by St. Pius X. Marist, Blessed Trinity, North Oconee, and White County rounded out the top five. Leif Andersen of Marist won the 222-runner race in 16:17. Bill Archer finished 34th in 17:58 and Alex Rios was 35th in 17:59 to lead the Hurricanes. They were followed by Harrison Banks (46th, 18:26), Max Florence (52nd, 18:35), Parker Breedlove (77th, 18:57), Levi Booth (86th, 19:03), and Jacob Busek (120th, 19:44). The Cartersville girls placed 14th of 29 teams where the state championship was captured by Marist. St. Pius X, Blessed Trinity, Oconee County, and White County rounded out the top five. Kathleen Maley of Marist was the individual girls winner in Class 4a in 19:22. There were 200 runners in the race. Alex Machado led the Lady Canes with a 49th place finish in 22:38. She was followed by teammates Vanna Beach (53rd, 22:40), Alice Terry (99th, 24:18), Trinity Atkins (109th, 24:41), Jocelyn Blanchette (119th, 25:01), Jaxiry Betancourt (132nd, 25:34), and Trista Kelly (134th, 25:45).