First half goals by Victor Guevara and Elian Abeja provided enough offense Thursday night for the Cartersville boys soccer team to defeat the visiting Troup Tigers, 2-1. Guevara scored in the 10th minute off an assist by Pedro Robledo. Abeja's tally was assisted by James Chege at the 25 minute mark. Troup scored with 10 minutes remaining in the first half. The second half then turned into a defensive battle with the Hurricanes coming away with the Region 5AAAA win. Troup fell to 0-2 on the season. Cartersville (4-1-1) plays at LaGrange in another region matchup Tuesday at 8pm. The Canes then play a non-region match at Sprayberry next Friday at 7:30pm.

Local high school tennis results for Thursday, March 2 ADAIRSVILLE GIRLS 5, NORTH MURRAY 0 at Murray County Rec Center SINGLES Line 1 — Abby Asbridge (A) d. Bianca Carrillo (NM), 6-0, 6-0 Line 2 — Chloe Powell (A) d. Addison Hunt (NM), 6-0, 6-0 Line 3 — Brantley Hughes (A) d. Hannah Patterson (NM), 6-0, 6-0 DOUBLES Line 1 — Cali Mealer & MaKenzie Davis (A) d. Tori Henderson & Savannah Smith (NM), 6-4, 3-6, 13-11 Line 2 — Olivia Long & Audrey Mixon (A) d. Hannah Blackwell & Courtney Gibson (NM), 6-2, 7-6 (7-2) NORTH MURRAY BOYS 4, ADAIRSVILLE 1 at Murray County Rec Center SINGLES Line 1 — Houston Medlock (A) d. Reese Thomas (NM), 6-4, 6-4 Line 2 — Colby Cochran (NM) d. Jack Bates (A), 6-3, 6-2 Line 3 — Brady Tallent (NM) d. Cody Kimbrogh (A), 6-3, 6-3 DOUBLES Line 1 — Karson Shelton & Preston Shields (NM) d. Landon Swanson & Cameron O’Neal (A), 6-1, 6-3 Line 2 — Chandler Keith & Jacob Caulder (NM) d. Jason Burdette & Zach Ogle (A), 6-4, 6-2 WOODLAND BOYS 4 ROME 1 at Rome Tennis Center, Berry SINGLES Line 1 — Blake Bottegal (W) d. Taylor Settelmoir (R), 6-1, 6-4 Line 2 — Bryce VanOrder (W) d. Jarred Jones (R), 6-2, 6-1 Line 3 — Connor Gunnell (W), d. Jack Fletcher (R), 1-6, 7-5, 6-0 DOUBLES Line 1 — Max Costlow/Alex Banta (W) d. Jarred Swanson/Brendon Jarvis (R) 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 Line 2 — John Cromer/William Hicks (R) d. Noah Pirkle/Brenton Bigger (W) 5-7, 6-3, 6-1 ROME GIRLS 3, WOODLAND 2 at Rome Tennis Center, Berry SINGLES Line 1 — Gloria Gore (W) d. Celion Chan (R), 6-2, 6-1 Line 2 — Deanna Dodson (W) d. Morgan Padgett (R), 3-6, 6-2, 6-0 Line 3 — Nigara Nizamidin (R) d. Michele Maserjian (W), 6-4, 6-4 DOUBLE Line 1 — McCormick & Bennett (R) d. Ashlyn Walker & Breanna Shook (W), 6-2, 6-1 Line 2 — Eberhart & McCurry (R) d. Becky Wesley & Kayla Gales (W), 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 CASS BOYS 5, KELL 0 SINGLES Line 1 -- Avery Cornett won 6-1, 6-0. Line 2 -- Dalton Jackson won 6-2, 6-1. Line 3 -- Seth Colston won 6-1, 6-1 DOUBLES Line 1 -- Max MaCauley / Reagan Barrere won 7-6, 6-2. Line 2 -- Cade Foster / Kendall Arnold won 6-0, 6-4 KELL GIRLS 5, CASS GIRLS 0 SINGLES Line 1 -- Ryleigh Lanham lost 6-2, 6-3. Line 2 -- Morgan Hughes lost 6-0, 6-0. Line 3 --Isabella Prater lost 6-0, 6-0. DOUBLES Line 1 -- Kara Bowen / Emma Wickenheiser lost 6-0, 6-0 Line 2 -- Hallie Gore / Grace Njoroge lost 6-0, 6-1.

Woodland pitcher Trenton Harrison tossed a complete-game three hitter Thursday afternoon in Lindale to shutout the Pepperell Dragons, 11-0, in six innings. The Wildcats scored twice in the top of the first inning for all the runs Harrison would need for the non-region contest, but Woodland added one additional run in both the third and fourth innings before posting two runs in the fifth and five in the sixth frame. Harrison — who also went 3-for-3 with a homer, a double, a walk and three RBIs at the plate — needed only 75 pitches in his victory. He did not issue a walk and struck out eight Dragons. Cauy Williams and Jacob Frye also had a huge days at the dish for the Wildcats. Williams went 4-for-4, scored a run, and drove in five runs with a home run and a double of his own. Frye was 3-for-3 with a walk and three RBIs. Hunter Reaid had two hits and one RBI and Jordan Lee added a hit in Woodland’s 13-hit attack. The Dragons remained winless with an 0-7 mark to open the season. Woodland (8-1) plays at Chattooga Monday at 5:30pm. The Wildcats will then host Calhoun next Thursday at 5pm and Cedartown on Friday, March 10 at 5pm.

The 2017 high school track and field season is young, but it is underway. Here are the top track and field performances for local high school athletes this season as supplied by local high school coaches. Update as of: Wednesday, March 1 High school coaches are encouraged to provide results and identify any errors in the listings. Please notify David Bishop by email: casshigh.db@gmail.com

The Cass girls and boys track teams opened the 2017 season with wins in a three-way meet held Tuesday afternoon at Cass High School. The Cass girls finished with 72 points, followed by Southeast Whitfield with 40 points and Adairsville with 36. In the boys meet, Cass totaled 93 points, followed by Adairsville with 40 points and Southeast Whitfield with 37. GIRLS TOP LOCAL PERFORMANCES: LONG JUMP 1st - Sabrina Buggs - Cass (14-5.5) 2nd - Brianna Stephenson - Cass (13-1.5) TRIPLE JUMP 1st - Brianna Stephenson - Cass (27-8.75) HIGH JUMP 1st - Kyler Trouten - Cass (5-0) POLE VAULT 1st - Aubre White - Adairsville (6-0) DISC 1st - Nakiyah Washington - Adairsville (85-0) 2nd - Channel Clemmons - Cass (82-3) 3rd - Dawna Garrett - Cass (72-1) SHOT 1st - Channel Clemmons - Cass (32-6.75) 2nd - Josie Summerville - Adairsville (32-4) 3rd - Kathryn Calvert - Adairsville (31-4.5) 800M 2nd - Laura Wilson - Adairsville (3:24) 3rd - Addison Wolfsberger - Adairsville (3:27) 4x100M Relay Cass A - Hillary McCarver, Brianna Stephenson, Sydney Mays, Sabrina Buggs (54.04) Cass B - Sharia Wade, Kyler Trouten, Arrianna Mustin, Alicia Ellis (56.15) 400M 3rd - Laura Wilson - Adairsville (80.75) 100M 1st - Sabrina Buggs - Cass (13.5) 2nd - Alicia Ellis - Cass (13.67) 3rd - Sharia Wade - Cass (13.72) 100 High Hurdles 1st - Hillary McCarver - Cass (17.96) 2nd - Andrea Fritz - Adairsville (19.18) 3rd - Madeline Huling - Adairsville (23.22) 200M 1st - Sabrina Buggs - Cass (28.68) 2nd - Sidney Mays - Cass (29.16) 3rd - Alicia Ellis - Cass (29.35) 300 Intermediate Hurdles 1st - Kyler Trouten - Cass (59.14) 2nd - Andrea Fritz - Adairsville (62.90) 4x400M Relay 2nd - Cass A - Hilary McCarver, Brianna Stephenson, Sydney Mays, Sabrina Buggs (5:24) 3rd - Cass B - Katana Kilgore, Sharia Wade, Damia Simpson, Alicia Ellis (6:27) BOYS TOP LOCAL PERFORMANCES: LONG JUMP 1st - Ray Varnum - Cass (20-5) 3rd - Josh Fox - Cass (15-7.5) TRIPLE JUMP 3rd - Collin McNeil - Adairsville (34-9.75) HIGH JUMP 1st - Tavarus Varnum - Cass (5-10) 2nd - Ethan Belcher - Adairsville (5-8) 3rd - Devin Pritchett - Cass (5-8) POLE VAULT 1st - Steven Smith - Cass (9-6) 2nd - Chad Lowery - Adairsville (8-6) 3rd - Jacob Shaver - Cass (8-6) DISC 1st - Chad Lowery - Adairsville (109-3) 2nd - Jacob Potter - Adairsville (106-5) 3rd - Nathan Gant - Cass (95-9) SHOT 1st - Rico Wills - Adairsville (37-5) 2nd - Brock Holland - Adairsville (35-11.25) 3rd - Chad Lowery - Adairsville (34-4) 3200M 3rd - Ethan Williams - Cass (12:05) 1600M 1st - Ryan Dupree - Cass (5:08) 3rd - Jameson Leker - Adairsville (5:22) 800M 1st - Stephen Smith - Cass (2:17) 2nd - Ryan Dupree - Cass (2:19) 4x100 Relay 1st - Cass A - Laizon West, Malik Grimes, Ray Varnum, Terry Berdin (43.1) 2nd - Cass B - Chance Scrutchins, Devin Pritchett, Tavares Varnum, Cameron Gonyea (45.40) 3rd - Cass C - Shawn DeLaCruz, Nigel Whittington, Chris Moore, Kamari Robinson (48.89) 400M 2nd - Cameron Gonyea - Cass (56.74) 100M 1st - Terry Berdin - Cass (10.81) 2nd - Laizon West - Cass (11.13) 3rd - Malik Grimes - Cass (11.23) 110 High Hurdles 1st - Ray Varnum - Cass (15.98) 2nd - Ethan Belcher - Adairsville (19.52) 3rd - Marcus Broughton - Adairsville (19.78) 200M 1st - Terry Berdin - Cass (22.18) 2nd - Laizon West - Cass (23.06) 3rd - Malik Grimes - Cass (24.13) 300 Intermediate Hurdles 1st - Nigel Whittington - Cass (45.72) 2nd - Chris Moore - Cass (47.36) 3rd - Marcus Broughton - Adairsville (48.45) 4x400M Relay 1st - Cass B - Steven Smith, Tavarus Varnum, Ryan Dupree, Islama Bamba (3:57)

The Georgia High School Association board of trustees voted 5-3 on Monday in Thomaston to recommend that executive director Gary Phillips step down from his position at the end of the current school year. The full, 66-member executive committee will vote on the recommendation at a called meeting next Monday at the Thomaston-Upson County Civic Center. At this point, Phillips has declined to resign and has not commented to the media regarding the trustees’ vote. The recommendation by the GHSA trustees is in response to House Bill 415 and Senate Bill 203 which would replace the GHSA with a new statewide athletic governing entity. Senate Bill 203 was authored by 14th District senator Bruce Thompson of Cartersville. He represents portions of Cherokee, Bartow and Cobb counties. LINK to Senate Bill 203 — http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20172018/SB/203 LINK to an interview conducted Monday by WBHF's Mike Garcia with District 14 State Senator Bruce Thompson -- http://www.bartowsportszone.com/bruce-thompson-comments-regarding-g Thompson referenced over sixty complaints from districts all over the state when drafting SB 203. Bill sponsor Greg Kirk of Georgia Senate District 13 told reporters in his home district that includes Sumter County that there seems to be a lack of accountability in the GHSA that needs to be addressed. The bill was drafted on February 17 and was presented to the Georgia Senate on February 21. Atlanta Journal-Constitution related story — http://highschoolsports.blog.ajc.com/2017/02/27/ghsa-board-votes-5-3-to-recommend-ousting-executive-director-phillips/

The Adairsville boys soccer team won its first game of the season Tuesday night at Coahulla Creek, 2-0. Danny Carillo scored the Tigers’ first half goal to lead 1-0 at the break. Miguel Garcia then found the net on an outstanding assist from Chris Rodriguez in the second half for Adairsville second goal. Coach Kelly Abernathy credited his defense with an outstanding effort in front of keepers Stuart Abernathy (12 saves) and Nic Jackson (5 saves) as the Tigers recorded a shutout. Coahulla Creek falls to 1-2-1 with the loss. Adairsville (1-2) plays at Bremen next Tuesday and at Haralson County March 9. Both are sub-region opponents. CARTERSVILLE BOYS 3, NORTHWEST WHITFIELD 2 The Cartersville boys soccer team knocked off previously unbeaten Northwest Whitfield Tuesday night at home, 3-2. The visiting Bruins had won their first five games in 2017 and are ranked fourth in Class AAAA. The game was tied 1-1 at halftime with the Canes' goal coming off the foot of Jonathan Cruz. Victor Guevara scored a pair of second half goals for Cartersville. James Chege contributed a pair of assists on the night and Christian Mejia added an assist. Cartersville (3-1-1) will host region-foe Troup County Thursday night at 8pm and will play at LaGrange next Tuesday in another region match. The Lady Canes were shutout by Northwest Whitfield Tuesday night, 4-0. The Cartersville girls are now 3-2 and will host Troup County Thursday at 6pm and travel to LaGrange next Tuesday for a 6pm kickoff. WOODLAND BOYS 1, PAULDING COUNTY 0 The Woodland boys soccer team edged Paulding County on the road Tuesday night, 1-0. The goal for the Wildcats was scored by Servando Aguirre. Paulding County slipped to 1-5 with the loss. Woodland (3-1-1) is scheduled to host Hiram Friday at 7:55pm and will travel to Kell next Tuesday. CARROLLTON BOYS 3, CASS 0 The Cass boys soccer team was shutout at Carrollton Tuesday night, 3-0. The Trojans and Colonels played a scoreless first half, but Carrollton posted three second half goals even though Cass keeper Brandon Romero recorded 13 saves. Carrollton improved their season mark to 3-2. Cass (0-6) plays at Rome Friday with a 7:45pm kickoff.

In the first game of the doubleheader, Georgia Highlands College scored five early runs in the first two innings and held off visiting Roane State CC 6-2 Tuesday at LakePoint in Emerson. The Raiders two runs came in the top of the second inning. Jake Lovvorn (5 IP, 2ER, 4H, 3BB, 3K) earned the pitching victory for the Chargers. Tyler Sellers (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 0BB) worked a perfect sixth inning and David Hussey (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 2BB, 0K) picked up a save by working a scoreless seventh inning. John White was 2-for-3 with a home run, a walk, scored twice, and drove in three runs to lead Georgia Highlands at the plate. Matt Vaccro had a hit and two RBIs. Bronco O’Brien, Devin Bilardello, Brandon Bell, and Justin Stroud (RBI) also had hits. In the nightcap, Roane State took a 4-0 lead with two runs in both the first and second innings but the Chargers rallied late to win 5-4 in dramatic style. Bilardello had the game winning hit with a single up the middle. Sam Sowerbrower (2 IP, 4ER, 6H, 1BB, 1K), Alex Holdbrooks (2 IP, 0R, 1H, 3K), and Bradley Hood (1 IP, 0R, 0H, 0BB, 1K) all saw mound time for GHC. Jeremiah Woods secured the first two outs of the sixth inning on the mound for the Chargers before Brit Buckelew entered to get the final out of the inning and keep Roane State off the board. David Hussey picked up a save for the Chargers with a scoreless seventh and one strikeout. Roane State fell to 10-7 on the season with the two losses. Georgia Highlands (8-8) has four games this weekend at LakePoint. The Chargers will play Cuyahoga CC (OH) Friday at 5pm and Saturday at 4pm. They will also play Macomb CC (MI) Saturday night at 7pm and again Sunday at 12noon.

The Adairsville girls soccer team won at Coahulla Creek Tuesday night, 6-2. Emily Collum scored three goals, Gillian Johnson two, and Chloe Cochran added a goal for the Lady Tigers. Johnson was credited with a pair of assists and Collum also had one assist. Coahulla Creek is now 2-2 on the season. Adairsville (4-0) plays next Tuesday at Bremen and will host Haralson County on Thursday, March 9. CARROLLTON GIRLS 5, CASS 3 The Cass girls soccer team lost its fourth straight game Tuesday night at Carrollton, 5-3. The win for Lady Trojans was their first of the year after seven losses to open the year. Carrollton led 3-1 at the intermission. The Lady Colonels’ first half goal was scored by Logan Vermaas on assists from Kelsey Rivera and Briana Ochoa. Cass scored two more goals in the second half, but could not overcome the Lady Trojans’ lead. Stephanie Robledo scored off an assist from Vermaas and Robledo assisted on a goal by Hannah Johnson in the second half. Cass (2-4) plays at Rome Friday at 5:45pm and will host Paulding County at 5:45pm next Tuesday. PAULDING COUNTY GIRLS 8, WOODLAND 1 The Woodland girls soccer team lost at Pauldling County Tuesday night, 6-1. Grace Webb scored her first high school goal for the Lady Cats in the loss. Woodland head coach Jonathan Cannon credited strong performances from Audrey Morris and Lexie Lehmann on defense and noted quality offensive performances by Kaitlin Winnenberg and Grace Webb on the Lady Cats’ attack. The Lady Patriots improved to 5-1 on the season with their win. Woodland (0-4-1) hosts Hiram Friday at 5:30pm and will travel to Kell next Tuesday for a 5:30pm kickoff.

Cartersville scored three runs in the top of the fifth Tuesday night at Lambert to break open a 2-2 game. The Canes then held on over the final two frames for a 5-3 victory over the Class 7A, 7th-ranked Longhorns. In the fifth, Devin Warner lined a solo homer to center field to make the score 3-2 before a pair of walks to Noah Daniel and J.P. Martin. The walks sandwiched a sacrifice bunt by Jacob Fowler and a passed ball set up two more runs. Jake Gooch followed with a line drive into right field that was misplayed with an error by the Lambert outfielder. The play allowed two more runs to score and the Hurricanes held a 5-2 lead. Leading by three, Spencer Dickey allowed a run on two hits in the sixth as the Longhorns cut the lead to 5-3. Seigler allowed a hit, but struck out two in closing out a scoreless seventh. Jacob Fowler (3 IP, 2R, 1ER, 2H, 1BB, 1K) started on the mound for the Canes. Mason Barnett (2 IP, 0R, 0H, 2BB, 5K) pitched the fourth and fifth frames. Cartersville manufactured runs in the first two innings. A leadoff triple by Anthony Seigler in the first inning led to a sacrifice fly by Martin and a 1-0 lead. After Lambert tied the game on Josh McAlister’s home run in the bottom of the first, Brant Smith singled to start the Canes’ second inning. Smith moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt and then an error allowed Tee Webb to reach. Both runners moved up a base and Preston Welchel plated the second Canes’ run of the game with a ground out. That gave Cartersville a 2-1 lead, but the Longhorns scored again in the bottom of the inning to tie the score 2-2. Lambert falls to 3-5 with the loss. Cartersville (6-1) hosts Class 4A, 2nd-ranked Buford on Friday at 5:55pm. SONORAVILLE 2, CASS 1 Cass had the potential tying run on third base and winning run at second in the bottom of the seventh, but could not push them across in a 2-1 home loss to Sonoraville Tuesday night at a rainy Colonels’ baseball diamond. Sonoraville’s Grant Clark scattered three hits and two walks while allowing only one run. He also struck out 13 on his way to the pitching win in a duel with the Colonels’ Cody Johnson. The Cass pitcher pitched a gem as well, allowing just two runs on a pair of hits and a walk. Johnson struck out ten. Avery Hopper picked up a save for the visiting Phoenix. He entered in the seventh inning with one out and runners in scoring position and struck out the only to batters he faced. The win by Sonoraville evened the series record between the two teams. Cass won 4-1 at Sonoraville on February 21. The Phoenix took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third. Chase Kirby was hit by a pitch, advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt, and scored when Matthew Vincent doubled into right field. In the fifth, Sonoraville went up 2–0 when Wyatt Castoe walked, stole second, moved over to third and scored on a sacrifice fly by Storm Carnes. The Colonels posted their only run in the bottom of the sixth. Jake Collum was hit by a pitch to open the inning and moved to second on a single by Bailey Campbell. The two runners moved up to second and third on a wild pitch and Collum scored on a balk. Clark struck out the next two Colonel hitters to halt the threat and strand a runner at third. Campbell, Johnson, and Nathan Smith had the three Cass hits. The win improved Sonoraville’s season mark to 3-2. Cass (5-3) is scheduled to host River Ridge Wednesday at 5:55pm, Heritage Friday at 5:55pm, and play at Alexander Saturday at noon.

Cartersville moved up to No. 2 in the latest high school baseball poll released by Georgia Dugout Preview Magazine. The Canes are currently 5-1 on the year and their only loss came to the No. 3 team in Class AAAAAAA, Parkview. Cartersville also has wins this season over the top team in the state’s largest classification, Walton, 4th-ranked Mill Creek of Class AAAAAAA, 8th-ranked Johns Creek in Class AAAAAA, and Marist who is No. 8 in Class AAAA. The Hurricanes will play Lambert (7th-ranked in Class AAAAAAA) Tuesday and Buford (2nd-ranked in Class AAAAA) on Friday. Woodland, who has started the season 7-1, is one of the teams considered for the Class AAAAA top ten this week. Georgia Dugout Magazine Baseball poll February 25, 2017 CLASS AAAAAAA Walton (5-2) Brookwood (4-0) Parkview (3-0) Mill Creek (5-2) Woodstock (8-2) Norcross (3-3) Lambert (3-4) Grayson (6-3) Archer (3-2) North Gwinnett (7-1) Others considered: Etowah (4-2), South Forsyth (4-1), Lassiter (4-2), East Coweta (4-2), McEachern (5-2), Colquitt County (3-4), Lowndes (5-1), Tift County (5-3), Camden County (6-0), Forsyth Central (5-2), Roswell (6-1, North Paulding (4-1) CLASS AAAAAA Pope (5-0) Winder-Barrow (5-0) Dalton (5-0) Allatoona (6-0) Harrison (4-2) Cambridge (2-3) Valdosta (3-2) Johns Creek (4-2) Lee County (5-1) Gainesville (2-1) Others considered: Northview (6-0), Alpharetta (5-1), Greenbrier (4-2), Grovetown (5-1), Effingham County (3-4), Houston County (1-3), Richmond Hill (5-3), Alexander (3-2), Tucker (3-3) CLASS AAAAA Veterans (7-1) Buford (3-4) Locust Grove (3-2) Loganville (1-2) Jones County (4-2) Starr’s Mill (1-0) Griffin (4-1) Wayne County (4-3) Carrollton (5-0) Harris County (6-1) Others considered: Kell (5-2), McIntosh (3-1), Bainbridge (3-3), South Effingham (2-4), East Paulding (1-4), Dutchtown (8-0), Walnut Grove (5-1), Woodland-Bartow (7-1), Columbia (7-1), Union Grove (3-5) CLASS AAAA Blessed Trinity (5-1) Cartersville (5-1) Cedartown (4-0) Heritage-Catoosa (3-1) Eastside (5-1) St. Pius X (2-5) Madison County (3-3) Marist (3-4) Troup (5-2) Woodward Academy (2-2) Others considered: LaGrange (4-2), Columbus (3-2), Cairo (7-1), Perry (5-5), West Laurens (2-3), Jefferson (4-1), North Oconee (3-3), Northside-Columbus (3-4), Hardaway (1-4-1), Upson-Lee (2-3), Spalding (3-1), Stephens County (5-1), West Hall (3-1), Cross Creek (1-2) CLASS AAA North Hall (5-2) Pierce County (5-1) Lovett (2-3) Greater Atlanta Christian (2-3) Westminster (3-2) Franklin County (4-2) Redan (4-3) Ringgold (5-1) Calhoun (3-2) Dawson County (5-1) Others considered: Jackson County (8-1), Pace Academy (5-2), Appling County (3-3), Cook (3-2), Brantley County (3-5), Jackson (2-1), Worth County (5-0), Southeast Bulloch (0-2), Coahulla Creek (3-2), Pike County (3-2), Morgan County (6-2), Monroe Area (6-2) CLASS AA Benedictine (2-3) Heard County (2-3) Jeff Davis (3-3) Elbert County (6-0) Harlem (6-1) Berrien (3-1) Callaway (2-3) Metter (4-2) Rockmart (3-3) Bacon County (3-3) Others considered: Bleckley County (3-1), Toombs County (3-2), Lamar County (1-3), Westside-Augusta (4-2), Fitzgerald (3-2), Thomasville (2-3), Bryan County (7-2), Washington County (0-3), Coosa (1-5), Social Circle (2-4) CLASS A PUBLIC Bowdon (5-1) Gordon Lee (4-2) Schley County (3-1) Charlton County (1-2) ECI (3-0) Trion (3-0) Irwin County (4-1) Taylor County (6-0) Lanier County (5-0) Clinch County (2-2) Others considered: Telfair County (3-1), Miller County (6-0), Treutlen (1-3), GMC (1-4), Commerce (3-3), Baconton Charter (6-0), Seminole County (5-0) CLASS A PRIVATE Holy Innocents’ (7-0) Tattnall Square (5-0) Wesleyan (2-4) Kings Ridge Christian (3-3) Hebron Christian (3-1) Savannah Christian (6-1) George Walton (2-5) Calvary Day (2-3) Eagles Landing Christian (2-4) Walker (1-2) Others considered: Mount Paran Christian (4-3), First Presbyterian Day (4-2), Mount Pisgah Christian (2-4), Mount de Sales (5-2), Brookstone (2-5), North Cobb Christian (3-4), Pinecrest Academy (4-1), Prince Avenue Christian (4-2), Athens Christian (4-1), Strong Rock Christian (5-1)

Sam Howard pitched the 6th and 7th innings in shutout relief Monday for the Colorado Rockies major league team in their spring training 7-1 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. In his two innings of work, Howard allowed no runs, only one hit, and struck out one. The Rockies were leading 7-1 when he entered the game. Howard, who played for Cartersville High School and later for the Georgia Southern Eagles, is a fourth-year pro in the Rockies’ organization who was drafted in the 3rd round in 2014. The 23-year-old has worked his way up the minor league ladder from Rookie League to Class AA. He has spent time with Rockies’ teams in Grand Junction, CO; Asheville, NC; Modesto, CA; and Hartford, CT. He spent the last half of the 2016 season with the Class AA Hartford Yard Goats of the Eastern League. Howard, who finished with strong performances last season for Hartford, was invited to major league spring training for the first time this year and is working out daily with the major league team in Scottsdale, Arizona. Bartow Sports Zone’s Charles Wilson caught up with Sam Tuesday morning by phone prior to Howard’s arrival at the Rockies’ Spring Training complex in Scottsdale. Click on the link below to listen to the interview: LINK TO SAM HOWARD INTERVIEW (February 28, 2017)