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February 11, 2025 Jakai Baldwin scored 12 points in the Colonels region tournament win over Woodland on Monday The Cass Colonels rallied from behind in the fourth quarter Monday night to defeat county rival Woodland for the third time this season, 59-52, in the opening round of the Region 7-AAAA Tournament at Allatoona High School. Cass led 16-14 at the end of the first quarter and was ahead 31-27 at halftime before the Wildcats surged ahead in the third quarter. Woodland outscored Cass 14-7 in the third period to go up 41-38 entering the final eight minutes. The Colonels won the fourth quarter 21-11 to escape with a seven-point tournament victory. Xavier Lowe and Jakai Baldwin led a balanced Cass scoring attack with 12 points. Dylan Miller followed with 11 points. Parnel Gamble added seven in the win. Amir Heath scored 21 points, including 13 in the second half, to lead the Woodland scoring column. Bryson Van Tonder contributed 11 points. Caiden Moore and Isaiah Livsey added eight points for the Wildcats. "That was a tough win against a county rival," said Cass coach Kevin Cunningham after the game. "We get to do it all again tomorrow against another cross-town rival." Woodland completes the season with a 6-20 mark. Cass (11-14) advanced to face Cartersville in the Region 7-AAAA quarterfinals on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Allatoona High School. SEASON ENDS FOR WOODLAND GIRLS The Lady Cats were eliminated from the Region 7-AAAA tournament Monday night with a 60-21 loss to Cedartown at Allatoona High School. The Lady Bulldogs improved to 10-16 and will face Cass in the tournament quarterfinals on Tuesday at 7 p.m. Woodland's season comes to a close with a 1-26 mark.

February 11, 2025 Tre Winters is the Region 7-AAA Player of the Year for the 2024-25 season. Coaches in Region 7-AAA and Region 7-AAAA have named their All-Region Basketball Teams for the 2024-25 season, with several local players honored. Region 7-AAA Girls Coach of the Year:  David Dowse – Gilmer Player of the Year:  Sa’Niah Dorsey – Calhoun First Team Jace Sanderson – Gilmer Macie Collins – Heritage-Catoosa NaXyria Roberts – Adairsville Kennedy Baker – Northwest Whitfield Sloan Pender – Northwest Whitfield Second Team Jaylan Moore – Calhoun Kayla Lopez – Heritage-Catoosa Raven Yancey – LaFayette Paula Robertson – Gilmer Allie Duke – Calhoun Bree Burnette – Gilmer Sha Elliott – Ridgeland Tori Epps – Heritage-Catoosa Aliza Chastain – Gilmer Kat Atha – Calhoun Region 7-AAAA Girls Coach of the Year:  Hannah Harris – Dalton Player of the Year:  Aubriyana Camp – Dalton First Team Taylor Crawford – Hiram Jolie Wingfield – Dalton Senai Camper – Cartersville KK Arnold – Cartersville Damariah Windmon – Hiram Second Team Kenzlei Boozer – Cedartown BB Bates – Dalton Zoe McCurry – Cartersville Zoie Shiftlett – Cartersville Nakayla Evans – Cass Honorable Mention Johanna Ortiz – Southeast Whitfield Ava Glassmeyer – Allatoona T’nasia Nance – Hiram Wisdom Kent – Dalton Camille Solomon – Cedartown Alana Carnes – Woodland-Cartersville Betzai Hipolito – Southeast Whitfield Bayley Stanley – Cartersville Darianna Sosa – Cass Bitsy Hartsfield – Woodland-Cartersville Titiana Parks – Southeast Whitfield Avery Parks – Southeast Whitfield Hayvin Barclay – Cedartown Riley Lumpkin – Allatoona Sophie Macurak – Allatoona Region 7-AAA Boys Player of the Year:  Tre Winters – Adairsville First Team JD Taylor – Gilmer Trace Hawkins – Calhoun Xavious Nalls – Adairsville Cayden Lowrey – Heritage-Catoosa TJ Foster – Ridgeland Second Team Caden Ramsey – Northwest Whitfield Khalas Finley – LaFayette Keegan Bryant – Gilmer Jaxon Moore – Calhoun Ben Abernathy – Adairsville Ken Ken Douglas – Northwest Whitfield Cooper Bell – Heritage-Catoosa Trey Perkins – Calhoun Jace Johns – Calhoun Isaiah McKenzie – LaFayette Region 7-AAAA Coach of the Year:  Chad Phillips – Allatoona Player of the Year:  Andre Dupree – Allatoona First Team Dean Soulsby – Allatoona Quinlan Cothron – Cedartown Nas Bennett – Cartersville AJ Williams – Hiram Kobi Cooper – Dalton Second Team Wyatt Thomason – Cartersville Matthew McAuley – Allatoona Mason McKinney – Hiram Dylan Miller – Cass Jermichael Craft – Dalton Honorable Mention Isaiah Livsey – Woodland-Cartersville Drew Snyder – Dalton Cameron Weaver – Dalton Xavier Lowe – Cass Mason Williams – Southeast Whitfield Jason Brown – Cass Jakai Baldwin – Cass Kellen Phillips – Allatoona Zane Diamond Pasley – Cedartown Quin Jackson – Hiram Ethan Hampton – Southeast Whitfield Dino Loyd – Hiram Hayden Rittenhouse – Cedartown Kyron McClendon – Cartersville

February 10, 2025 This week’s edition includes updates on four dozen athletes with local ties to Bartow County and their contributions for the week ending February 9. PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS Jason Bohn JASON BOHN — PGA Tour Champions (34 yr. pro; Alabama; Cartersville CC member) … shot rounds of 74-71-79 (5-over) and tied for 39th this past weekend at the Trophy Hassan II at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat, Morocco. He was in the top twenty entering the final round but struggled with four consecutive bogeys during a stretch on the back nine of the par-73, 7,329-yard course. The PGA Tour Champions moves to Naples, Florida, for the Chubb Classic this weekend. BASKETBALL BRAXTON BENHAM — Berry College (Sr., Cass HS) … recorded a double-double scoring 41 points with 10 rebounds, three assists, and two steals last Friday in a 91-80 win at Sewanee-University of the South. On Sunday, Benham scored 14 points with five assists, three rebounds, and two steals in an 84-67 victory at Centre College (KY) for a ninth-straight win. The Vikings (16-7, 9-1 Southern Athletic Association) visit Oglethorpe University on Wednesday night and host Millsaps College (MS) on Sunday in the regular season finale. NA’YEL CAMPER — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … totaled three points with seven rebounds and three assists last week as the Eagles split home games. Reinhardt lost 64-61 to Johnson University (TN) and beat Union Commonwealth University (KY) 73-47.  The Eagles (18-6, 14-4 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visit Bryan College (TN) on Wednesday and St. Andrews University (NC) on Saturday. CLAIRE DAVIS — Kennesaw State University (Jr., Cass HS) … scored five points at Middle Tennessee this past Saturday in a 76-43 loss in Murfreesboro. Davis grabbed two rebounds and had one assist last Thursday in a 78-57 loss at Western Kentucky. The Owls (8-14, 3-8) host Louisiana Tech on Thursday night and Sam Houston on Saturday afternoon in Conference USA games. JA’KA’YAH DRAUGHN — Chattanooga State CC (So., Cartersville HS) … scored two points with five rebounds, four assists, and two steals Wednesday, February 5, in a 61-48 home win over Pellissippi State CC. Draughn scored 10 points with six assists and two rebounds this past Saturday in a 64-62 loss at Southwest Tennessee CC. The Tigers (15-9, 10-5 TCCAA) play at Walters State CC on Wednesday. ANSLEY GRIFFIN — North Carolina Wesleyan (Fr., Cartersville HS) … had no stat line but saw eight minutes of floor time this past Saturday in a 66-44 home victory over Salem College. The Battlin’ Bishops (13-7, 10-3 USA South Athletic Conference) visit William Peace University (NC) on February 18. ZION HAYES — Weatherford College (Fr., Cass HS) … totaled five points with two blocked shots, two steals, four assists, and four rebounds in wins last week over Southwestern Assemblies of God University (81-65) and at Collin County CC (72-69). The Coyotes (14-8, 6-3 North Texas Junior College Conference) host McLennan CC on Wednesday and Hill College on Saturday afternoon. DAVID JINKS — University of Maine-Augusta (Fr., Excel Christian Academy) … scored three points with two assists, one rebound, and one steal this past Saturday in a 111-73 loss at Maine-Presque Isle. The Moose (5-18, 5-9 USCAA Division 2) will host New Hampshire Tech on Monday and face Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences on Sunday. HALEY JOHNSON — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cass HS) … scored eight points with six rebounds, three assists, and one steal in a 73-47 home win this past Saturday over Union Commonwealth University (KY). Johnson also scored nine points with six rebounds, two steals, two assists, and one blocked shot Wednesday, February 5, in a 64-61 home loss to Johnson University (TN). On Wednesday, the Eagles (18-6, 14-4 Appalachian Athletic Conference) play at Bryan College (TN). KEARA McDaniel — Toccoa Falls College (Jr., Cass HS) … scored two points with two assists and one rebound this past Saturday in a 64-38 win at Southeastern Baptist College (MS). The Screamin’ Eagles (12-9) play at Pensacola Christian on Monday night and host Regent University (VA) on Friday. TJ Printup TJ PRINTUP — Tusculum University (So., Adairsville HS) … making his fourth and fifth starts of the season, Printup totaled 31 points with eight rebounds, four steals, two assists, and one blocked shot as the Pioneers beat visiting Emory & Henry College on Wednesday, February 5, 92-82, and lost to Wingate University 67-57. Tusculum (5-18, 5-14 South Atlantic Conference) hosts Carson-Newman University on Wednesday night. LONDAISHA SMITH — St. Andrews University (Sr., Cass HS) … extended her streak of games scoring in double figures to eight last week as the Knights split home games with Columbia College (SC) and Truett McConnell University. Smith scored 19 points with five rebounds, two steals, and one assist in the 85-76 win over Columbia. She scored 11 points with five rebounds, four steals, and one assist in a 59-54 loss to Truett McConnell. On Wednesday, St. Andrews (10-15, 6-12 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visits Brenau University (GA). ALISSA WINTERS — Truett McConnell University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … totaled five points, one rebound, and one assist in five-point wins last week over Tennessee Wesleyan University (62-57) and St. Andrews University (59-54). The Bears (12-12, 9-9 Appalachian Athletic Conference) host Milligan University on Saturday afternoon. WRESTLING ANGEL BANDA — Reinhardt University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … won his 125-pound bout by technical fall, but the Eagles lost at Life University this past Friday, 33-14. Up next for RU is the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament on February 21-22 at Life University. LEE CAMP — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cass HS) … lost his bout at 133 pounds by technical fall last Friday in a 33-14 loss at Life University. The Eagles return to Marietta February 21-22 for the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament. Kyle Gollhofer KYLE GOLLHOFER — University of Northern Iowa (Sr., Woodland HS) … won a 7-0 decision in his bout this past weekend at 125 pounds, helping the 5th-ranked Panthers to a 33-6 road dual win at North Dakota State. Northern Iowa (12-1) hosts 14th-ranked Iowa State on Sunday. CALEB HENSON — Virginia Tech (Jr., Woodland HS) … currently ranked No. 1 nationally in the 149-pound weight class, Henson defeated 9th-ranked Jaden Abas by technical fall, 17-1, as the No. 10 Hokies won at No. 17 Stanford this past Friday, 30-13. Virginia Tech (7-2, 3-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) hosts Pitt on Friday night. CHAMP HIGDON — Lander University (So., Woodland HS) … won his 285-pound bout with a 14-2 tech fall Tuesday, February 4, as the 12th-ranked Bearcats blanked University of Montevallo, 49-0. Lander (13-4, 9-0 Conference Carolinas) hosts Shorter University on Tuesday, and the conference tournament begins on Sunday. BRYCE KRESHO — Franklin & Marshall College (Jr., Cass HS) … won his 141-pound bout by pin (2:48) last Friday in the Diplomats’ 30-9 home loss to Drexel University. Franklin & Marshall hosts Millersville University (PA) on Sunday. TYLER-XAVIER McKNIGHT — Davidson College (So., Cass HS) … the 149-pounder suffered a pair of losses this past weekend to opponents from UT-Chattanooga (4-0) and Bellarmine University (7-1). The Wildcats (3-12, 1-5 Southern Conference) also lost both team duals. Davidson hosts VMI on Friday night. JORDAN MITCHELL — Life University (R-Sr., Cass HS) … won his 141-pound bout last Friday with a 10-5 decision as the Runnin’ Eagles defeated visiting Reinhardt University 33-14. Life will host the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament on February 21-22. JAXON SMITH — University of Maryland (R-Jr., Woodand HS) … ranked 11th nationally in the 184-pound weight class, Smith went 1-1 in his bouts, but the Terrapins lost home duals to Rutgers (21-20) and Penn State. Smith won a major decision (14-4) in his Rutgers bout but lost by technical fall (17-2) against national No. 1 Carter Starocci of top-ranked Penn State on Sunday. Maryland (8-9, 3-4 Big Ten) travels to Purdue for a Friday conference dual. ANETRA WITHERSPOON — Life University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … wrestling up in the 207-pound class last Friday, Witherspoon lost bouts by pin to opponents from Campbellsville University (KY) and University of the Cumberlands (KY). Life defeated Campbellsville 34-13 and 5th-ranked University of the Cumberlands 24-19. Next for the Runnin’ Eagles is the Mid-South Conference Tournament in Bowling Green, Kentucky. TENNIS EMILY BUSH — University of North Georgia (Jr., Cartersville HS) … won her Line 6 singles match Saturday 6-2, 6-0 in the Nighthawks’ 6-1 victory over Erskine College. She also teamed with Linn Goerdes to win their Line 3 doubles match with the Fleet, 7-6. On February 4, Bush and Goerdes won 6-3 at Line 3 doubles in a 6-1 team victory over Bush’s former team, Young Harris College. North Georgia (3-0) is ranked No. 6 nationally and visits 10th-ranked Auburn Montgomery on Friday. EMILY SURCEY — Samford University (Sr., Cass HS) … in a 6-1 Bulldogs’ victory this past Saturday over visiting Belmont University, Surcey won her Line 1 singles 6-1, 2-6, 10-3 and partnered with Libby Blair to win at Line 1 doubles, 7-6. On Friday, she lost her Line 1 singles match at Lipscomb University in Nashville, 0-6, 2-6, and with Grace Keller at Line 2 doubles, 3-6, in a 0-7 team loss. Samford (5-2) hosts UAB on Wednesday afternoon. GYMNASTICS ABIGAIL BUNCH — Rhode Island College (Jr., Cass HS) … scored 9.300 and tied for 12th as an individual on uneven bars this past Sunday as the Anchorwomen finished second behind host University of Bridgeport (CT) in a quad meet with Springfield College (MA) and Wilberforce University (OH). Bunch also scored 8.850 on the balance beam to place 23rd individually. Bridgeport finished with 192.175 points. Rhode Island College was second at 189.950, followed by Springfield (185.275) and Wilberforce (177.300). The Anchorwomen will host a tri-meet on Saturday with SUNY Cortland and Springfield College (MA). INDOOR TRACK HAYDEN CAGLE — Berry College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … placed 31st of 38 (11.65 meters / 38-02) in the shot put and was 33rd (10.81 meters / 35-05) in the weight throw this past weekend at the UAB Vulcan Invitational in Birmingham. The Vikings will participate in the Samford Open 2 on Saturday. KAITLYN GODWIN — University of North Florida (Fr., Cass HS) … finished 22nd of 73 competitors in the 200-meter dash last Friday at the Celebration Pointe Indoor Classica in Gainesville, Florida. Next for the Ospreys is the Atlantic Sun Conference Indoor Championships in Louisville, Kentucky on February 27-28. GOLF BLANE DAVIS — Georgia College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … carded rounds of 84-81-76 on the 7,021-yard, par-72 Preserve at Verdae in Greenville (SC) and tied for 65th individually on February 1-2 at the Lander University Bearcat Spring Invitational. Wingate won the tournament and Georgia College was ninth of ten teams. The Bobcats are scheduled for the Matlock Collegiate Classic in Lakeland, Florida, on Monday and Tuesday. SOFTBALL KILEY ARNOLD — Shorter University (So., Cartersville HS) … went 4-for-12 with a walk and two RBIs in the Hawks’ four losses last Friday and Saturday at the Alabama-Huntsville Charger Chillout in Albertville, Alabama. Shorter (0-6) hosts Georgia Southwestern State on Tuesday and will play Allen University (SC) and USC Beaufort at the Sand Shark Invitational in Hardeeville, South Carolina on Friday and Saturday. HAYLEE DISHMON — Georgia Highlands College (So., Cass HS) … went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and one run scored last Friday in a 10-2 home win over USC Salkehatchie. Dishmon also drove in a run, walked, and scored a run on Tuesday, February 4, in a 12-3 home win over Coastal Alabama-North CC. The Chargers (7-1) host Cleveland State CC on Tuesday and USC Sumter for a four-game series on Friday and Saturday. Peyton Dorn PEYTON DORN — Brewton-Parker College (Fr., Woodland HS) … picked up her first collegiate pitching win this past Saturday in a 2-⅔ inning relief appearance as the Barons beat visiting West Virginia University Tech 14-5. Dorn did not allow a run on three hits and recorded one strikeout. Brewton-Parker (3-4-1) plays at Brenau University (GA) on Tuesday, hosts College of Coastal Georgia on Friday, and Truett McConnell University on Saturday. MEGAN GREGORY — Campbell University (So., Adairsville HS) … made pitching appearances this past Friday, Saturday, and Sunday as the Camels beat Kent State twice (5-4 and 9-3) and East Tennessee State (12-4). Gregory totaled 9-⅓ innings in the circle and allowed six runs (four earned) on 12 hits and five walks. She was credited with the pitching win with her two innings against ETSU. Campbell (4-1) will host Lafayette, UMass-Lowell, Eastern Kentucky, and Bryant University Friday through Sunday for the Camel Invitational. SADYE JOHNSON — University of North Georgia (Sr., Adairsville HS) … went 2-for-4, including one double, two RBIs, and one run scored in three game appearances this past weekend — two wins over Lake Erie College and a loss to the University of West Florida in the Mizuno Invitational in Dahlonega. The Nighthawks (6-2) travel to Carson-Newman for a Wednesday doubleheader and will host Emmanuel University (GA) and Emory & Henry College on Saturday and Sunday for the Gold City Classic. RACHAEL LEE — Valdosta State University (Jr., Cass HS) … in six starts last week against Florida Southern College, University of Tampa, and Saint Leo University, Lee was 5-for-18 at the plate with four walks, one double, and three RBIs. She also had one stolen base. The Blazers won both games at Florida Southern but lost twice at 10th-ranked Tampa and lost both games at Saint Leo. VSU (4-7) has a three-game Gulf South Conference series on Saturday and Sunday at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee. Ava Perkins AVA PERKINS — Lee University (So., Cartersville HS) … went 6-for-11 at the plate last week, including four walks, one home run, one double, five RBIs, and seven runs scored in two wins at Carson-Newman University and three home wins over Cedarville University (OH). The Flames (7-1) begin Gulf South Conference play at home Saturday and Sunday with a three-game series against Delta State University. ALEXIS WOODS — Tennessee State University (So., Cass HS) … had four hits in eleven at-bats last weekend as the Tigers went 2-3 at the Troy University Trojan Classic. Woods walked three times and added two sacrifice hits. TSU beat North Texas and Samford but lost to Troy twice and Central Michigan. The Tigers host Illinois, Quinnipiac, Stony Brook, and Mercer Friday through Sunday for the Roar City Invitational in Nashville. BASEBALL DREW BILLINGS — Trinity Baptist College (Jr., Woodland HS) … earned his third save this past Saturday in a 14-10 win over Bob Jones University in Orange Park. Billings worked the eighth and ninth innings, allowing one earned run on two hits and three walks. He fanned two of the ten batters he faced. The Eagles (6-2, 4-1) will make a four-game Texas trip this weekend for the National Christian College Athletic Association D-2 Invitational. CURT BONNER — LaGrange College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … went 3-for-8 with two walks and one run scored in starts last Friday and Saturday against 24th-ranked Rhodes College and Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Panthers (0-3) will host Pfeiffer University, 20th-ranked Adrian College, and Berry College Friday through Sunday for the LaGrange College Classic. HARRISON CHILDERS — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (So., Cartersville HS) … went 2-for-10 this past weekend in a three-game home series sweep of Spartanburg Methodist. He walked two times and scored one run in the series. ABAC (5-1) visits Middle Georgia State University on Tuesday and welcomes William Carey University for a three-game conference series on Friday and Saturday. MICAH EARWOOD — Southeastern University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … made two relief appearances last Thursday and Saturday with no decision in Fire wins over the University of British Columbia and the University of Saint Francis (IN). Earwood totaled 2-⅔ innings and allowed two runs (no earned runs) on no hits and two walks. He struck out five of ten batters faced in the appearances. Southeastern (8-0) has a four-game series at home with Embry-Riddle University on February 21-22. GEOFFREY GORE — Bevill State CC (So., Cartersville HS) … earned a save last Friday with a two-inning appearance during a 7-6 win at Calhoun CC. Gore allowed two unearned runs on three hits with two strikeouts. This past Saturday, he was also tagged with a pitching loss in a 6-4 loss at Gadsden State CC. Gore allowed two earned runs on one hit and one walk in 1-⅓ innings. On Tuesday, the Bears (1-5) play a doubleheader at Wallace State-Hanceville CC. CAL GOSS — Lee University (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … allowed six earned runs on five hits and one walk in a ninth-inning appearance last Friday during a 14-10 win over visiting Hillsdale College. He recorded one strikeout and hit one batter. The 22nd-ranked Flames (5-2) visit Young Harris College on Wednesday and travel to Delta State University for a three-game conference series on Friday and Saturday. COLT McKIBBEN — Lee University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … collected a pitching win with a two-inning relief appearance on Wednesday, February 5, as the Flames beat visiting Lincoln Memorial University 5-1. McKibben allowed no runs on one hit and two walks. He faced nine batters and struck out two. He did issue one intentional walk. Lee (5-2) plays at Young Harris College on Wednesday and visits Delta State University on Friday and Saturday for a three-game Gulf South Conference series. LUKE MILLER — Columbus State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … went 4-for-10, including one triple, one double, and two runs scored in two starts this past weekend at Young Harris College. The Cougars (3-3) host Albany State University on Wednesday before playing at Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida, Saturday and Sunday. AYDEN RAY — USC Lancaster (Fr., Woodland HS) … was 0-for-1 but drove in a run Wednesday, February 5, in a 9-6 loss to Cleveland CC (NC). USC Lancaster (1-8) plays at Cleveland CC on Wednesday and has a three-game series at Rockingham CC on Saturday and Sunday. Preston Welchel PRESTON WELCHEL — Cumberland University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … in a four-game series at home this past weekend against the University of Northwestern Ohio, the Phoenix went 2-1-1. Welchel was 6-for-12 at the plate, including one homer, a double, and four walks. He was also hit by a pitch and scored five runs. Cumberland (5-2-1) visits the University of Tennessee Southern on Tuesday and has a three-game home series with Indiana Tech on Saturday and Sunday. SAWYER WILSON — Columbus State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … made a one-inning relief appearance last Friday with no decision in a 15-6 loss to Lenoir-Rhyne. The game was played at Young Harris College. Wilson allowed two earned runs on two hits. The Cougars (3-3) host Albany State University on Wednesday and travel to Barry University (FL) for three games on Saturday and Sunday.

February 9, 2025 Georgia Highlands College baseball split a home doubleheader with Pellissippi State Saturday but finished the four-game weekend series with three wins. GHC secured a 10-4 victory in the first game on Saturday, while Pellissippi State managed a 16-14 win in the series finale. In Saturday’s win, the Chargers scored seven runs in the bottom of the second inning to gain control, and four GHC pitchers limited any comeback attempt by the Panthers. Jack Butler (4 IP, 3ER, 5H, 1BB, 6K) started on the mound and collected the pitching win for Georgia Highlands. Gavin Webster (1.2 IP, 1ER, 2H, 2BB), Braxton Wade (0.1 IP), and Hunter Ward (1 IP, 1BB, 1K) also took the mound for the Chargers. Ryan Martin (three RBI) and Grayson Godbee (home run, double, two RBI) had two hits for GHC in the win. Ali Banks (double, RBI), Kenskey Thomas (two RBI), Andrew Bishop (double, RBI), Tyler Phillips (RBI), and Caden Marcos (double) added one hit. Game 2 on Saturday was an offensive shootout, with the Chargers suffering their first loss of the season. Pellissippi State built a considerable lead and survived a ten-run bottom of the seventh by the GHC offense for a 16-14 win. Six Georgia Highlands’ pitchers combined to allow 13 earned runs on 15 hits and five walks in the loss. Marcos (home run, double, two RBI), Godbee (double, two RBI), and Bishop (two RBI) had two hits. Joe Johnson (home run, two RBI), Banks (RBI), Tyler Phillips (RBI), and Thomas added one hit. Georgia Highlands (6-1) hosts a doubleheader with USC Salkehatchie on Tuesday at 2 p.m. and will entertain a four-game series with Lincoln Trail College on Friday and Saturday.

February 9, 2025 The Cass High wrestling team claimed victory in the Class AAAA Section A tournament on Saturday and will send twelve individuals to the GHSA State Finals Tournament, held from Thursday to Saturday at the Macon Centreplex. Woodland was the Section tournament runner-up and advanced nine individuals. Cartersville placed eleventh of 30 teams and advanced six wrestlers. The top eight placers in each weight class advanced from the Section tournament to the State Finals tournament. Cass finished ahead of Woodland 330-203. Central-Carroll (182), Harris County (114), and Ware County (109) rounded out the top five. Local individuals advancing to the State Finals tournament: Cass: Hayden Trimm, 1st, 106 pounds Hunter Barrett, 1st, 120 pounds Aidan Piatt, 1st, 144 pounds David Jewell, 1st, 150 pounds Ethan Harrington, 1st, 157 pounds Mason Tompkins, 1st, 175 pounds Kirecg Roe, 1st, 190 pounds Gavin Walker, 2nd, 113 pounds Luka Jensen, 2nd, 132 pounds John Abernathy, 2nd, 285 pounds Rowdy Duck, 3rd, 138 pounds Codey Dean, 6th, 215 pounds Woodland: Zachary Wallace, 1st, 165 pounds John Gill, 1st, 215 pounds Adrian Zapata, 2nd, 126 pounds Dylan Couey, 2nd, 138 pounds Nick Weathersbee, 4th, 106 pounds Nathan Cates, 4th, 132 pounds Paul Lanier, 4th, 157 pounds Melvin Ramos, 5th, 175 pounds Owen Jones, 5th, 190 pounds Cartersville: Talan Nix, 2nd, 150 pounds Grey Williams, 5th, 144 pounds Cole Henson, 5th, 157 pounds Jair Flores, 6th, 113 pounds Grant Adams, 6th, 126 pounds Peter Cepeda, 7th, 165 pounds

February 9, 2025 Jaylee Long and Jett Johnson advanced to the GHSA State Finals Tournament. This weekend, two wrestlers from Adairsville High School secured victories in their respective weight class divisions at GHSA Section Tournaments, earning a spot in the GHSA State Finals Tournament, which will take place from Thursday through Saturday at the Macon Centreplex. Jaylee Long secured victory in the 100-pound weight category at the Girls Section D Tournament at East Jackson High School in Commerce. Long achieved a 3-0 record to claim the Section title. Jett Johnson achieved a 4-0 record to claim victory in the 285-pound category of the Class AAA Section B Tournament held at Chestatee High School in Gainesville.

August 7, 2025 The Georgia Highlands Chargers opened a home four-game weekend series with Pellissippi State CC by sweeping a doubleheader with the Panthers on Friday, 6-3 and 9-0. In the opener, Georgia Highlands trailed 1-0 early before posting two runs in the bottom of the third, fifth, and sixth innings to take a 6-1 lead. Pellissippi State scored two runs in the top of the seventh on a homerun but got no closer. Andrew Arnold made the Chargers’ pitching start and picked up the win. He allowed one earned run on two hits and three walks while striking out five. Jackson Greer (3 IP, 0R, 1H, 1K) worked the subsequent three frames on the mound, and Nic Kane (1 IP, 2ER, 3H, 1K) pitched in the seventh inning. Kenskey Thomas (two RBI), Ali Banks (double), Grayson Godbee (triple), and Caden Marcos (double, RBI) had two hits in Game 1. Heath Whitlock (double, RBI) and Andrew Bishop (solo HR) had the other Georgia Highlands hits. Anthony Miller drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. The Chargers’ Game 2 win was dominated by the shutout pitching performances of starter Max Eichenberger (6 IP, 0R, 0BB, 1H, 6K) and Calvin Koo (1 IP, 0R, 1BB, 3K). Ryan Martin had three hits, including a pair of homers and five RBI. Banks (two RBI), Tyler Phillips (double), and Caden Morris produced two hits. Thomas (RBI), Whitlock, Bishop (solo HR), and Godbee contributed one hit.  Georgia Highlands (5-0) and Pellissippi State (2-2) continue their series on Saturday at noon.

February 8, 2025 Georgia Highlands Softball swept a home doubleheader with USC Salkehatchie on Friday, winning 10-2 and 19-4. A five-run first inning sparked the Chargers in the opener. After the Indians narrowed the lead to 4-2, GHC struck for four more runs in the fifth inning to take command. Hannah Mounce (3 IP, 2R, 1ER, 3H, 1K) and Athens Hudson (3 IP, 0R, 1H, 1BB, 3K) worked three innings in the circle each. In Game 2, the Chargers posted three runs or more in each of the first four innings to close out a five-inning victory. Chargers’ pitcher Grace Kendrick limited USC Salkehatchie to two earned runs on five hits and two walks. She fanned four. Sapphire Baker had three hits and four RBIs in the doubleheader for Georgia Highlands. Emma Darrow (two RBI), Ahmani Green (four RBI), Chloe Fowler, Ally Graden (RBI), and Hayden Joyner (four RBI) contributed two hits. Haylee Dishmon (two RBIs), Athens Hudson (two RBIs), Cayden Warren (two RBIs), and Mary Catherine Kimball (four RBIs) had one hit. Raeghan Thompson and Abbi Hall added one RBI. The Chargers (7-1) host a doubleheader with Cleveland State CC on Tuesday at 2 p.m. CHARGERS SPLIT DOUBLEHEADER AT GADSDEN STATE CC GHC Softball split a doubleheader at Gadsden State CC on Thursday, dropping the opener 6-4 before winning the second game 14-3. The Chargers scored single runs in the first three innings of the first game to grab a 3-0 lead, but the Cardinals posted four runs in the third inning and two more in the sixth to seal the victory. Grace Kendrick (5.2 IP, 6ER, 8H, 0BB, 2K) suffered the pitching loss for GHC. Athens Hudson (0.1 IP, 1BB, 1K) retired the final out in the sixth inning. The Chargers rebounded quickly in the second game and took a 10-0 lead by the middle of the fourth inning en route to a mercy run-rule five-inning win. Hayden Joyner allowed three earned runs on seven hits and two walks in the Chargers’ circle. She struck out five. Emma Darrow (triple) and Cayden Warren (double, two RBI) had four hits in the twin bill. Abbey Yates (two doubles, sac fly, three RBIs) followed with three hits in the two games. Hailey Love (double), Sapphire Barker (double, three RBIs), Haylee Dishmon, and Mary Catherine Kimball (double, three RBIs) produced two hits. Ahmani Green (triple, RBI) and Chloe Fowler (RBI) added one hit. The Chargers also stole five bases in each game to spark the offense.

February 8, 2025 The Adairsville High School basketball teams concluded their regular season schedules Friday night at LaFayette and picked up Region 7-AAA wins. Both teams now prepare for next week's Region 7-AAA tournament. ADAIRSVILLE GIRLS 44, LAFAYETTE 39 NaXyria Roberts The Lady Tigers outlasted the host Lady Ramblers Friday night, 44-39. LaFayette led 8-7 after the opening eight minutes, but Adairsville pulled ahead by halftime 21-18. The Lady Tigers extended their advantage to 33-25 by the end of the third quarter and held on in the fourth quarter for a five-point road win. NaXyria Roberts led Adairsville with 16 points. Ziyah Hicks followed with eight points, and Rihanna Crittenden added seven. Erin Grant paced the Ramblers (14-10, 3-8) with 19 points. The Adairsville girls (11-14, 4-8) will finish fifth in the region and avoid a Monday play-in game unless LaFayette upsets Calhoun on Saturday. The Region 7-AAA tournament begins Monday, with sites and pairings to be announced this weekend. ADAIRSVILLE BOYS 61, LAFAYETTE 43 Xavious Nalls scored 41 points Friday night at LaFayette. Xavious Nalls made ten three-pointers Friday night and scored 41 points as the Tigers pulled away in the second half and cruised to a 61-43 region win at LaFayette. Adairsville led 17-13 by the end of the first quarter and 31-20 at halftime. The Tigers extended their lead to 52-37 by the end of the third period and won by 18. Tre Winters contributed 12 points for Adairsville. Ben Abernathy grabbed 13 rebounds and added six points. Khalas Finley led the Ramblers (13-11, 4-7) with 20 points. Adairsville (16-9, 10-2) holds the No. 2 spot in the Region 7-AAA standings and will receive a bye in the region tournament until the semifinals. The Tigers have won 10 of 11 entering post-season play. The tournament begins Monday, with sites and pairings to be finalized this weekend.  This past Thursday, the Tigers won a non-region game at Darlington 62-53.

February 7, 2025 The Georgia Highlands College men's basketball team was edged by Southern Crescent Tech on Wednesday night, 89-86, in Griffin. The conference tilt stayed tightly contested throughout, but the Tigers outscored the Chargers 49-40 in the second half to escape with a narrow conference win. Josh Cooper scored 18 points off the GHC bench to lead the scoring. Landen Williams followed with 13. Jay’Quan Nelson and Jordan Johnson produced 12 and 11 points, respectively, for the Chargers. Matthew Willis led Southern Crescent with 29 points. JaCarlin Dennis finished with 18 for the Tigers (4-17, 1-6). Georgia Highlands (12-7, 4-3) returns to action on Saturday at East Georgia State in a 3 p.m. tip.

February 6, 2025 On Thursday night, the Excel Christian Academy Eagles surged with 37 points in the third quarter, distancing themselves from Unity Christian School to secure an 80-51 victory in the GAPPS Region 1-A championship game played in Rome. Excel led 14-11 after one quarter and 33-21 at halftime before outscoring the Lions by twenty points in the third quarter for a comfortable lead. Evan Chappell led four Eagles in double figures with 19 points. Carter May finished with 14 points. Kaiyu Huffman and Jayden Jinks tossed in 12 points. TJ Hubert added eight for ECA. Andreo Sawyer scored a game-high 26 points to lead Unity Christian. Beau Matson contributed 11 points for the Lions (8-16). Excel Christian (16-8) advanced to the GAPPS State Tournament and will host their first game. The tournament's first round begins on Monday, and the quarterfinal round is February 14-15.   The final seeding for the state bracket has not yet been determined.

February 6, 2025 The Cass High School girls’ and boys’ tennis teams lost matches at Gordon Central on Thursday evening with the following results: GORDON CENTRAL 3, CASS GIRLS 2 Singles Line 1 — Carly Cagle lost 0-6, 0-6 Line 2 — Rainey Parham lost 0-6, 2-6 Line 3 — Makenna Martin won 3-6, 6-1, 10-8 Doubles Line 1 — Allison Garrett / Vivienne Willingham lost 1-6, 3-6 Line 2 — Trinity Allen / Carleigh Higgins won 6-1, 6-4 GORDON CENTRAL 3, CASS BOYS 2 Singles Line 1 — Acelin Mullinax lost 3-6, 0-6 Line 2 — Drake Brush won 6-3, 6-4 Line 3 — Liam Herferth won 6-2, 6-4 Doubles Line 1 —Zane Ajmal / Kirtan Maisuna lost 3-6, 1-6 Line 2 — Cass forfeit Next for the Colonels is a match against Adairsville on Tuesday at Hamilton Crossing Park.