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January 26, 2025 The Adairsville High School swim team placed fifth, Woodland was sixth, and Cass eleventh Saturday at the 14-team Northwest Georgia Invitational held at the Calhoun Aquatic Center. Host Calhoun won the invitational, followed by Jefferson, Northgate, and North Paulding. Local individual medalists: FIRST PLACE Finnley Minhinnett, Adairsville, Boys 500-yard freestyle (5:46.04) SECOND PLACE Grayson Moore, Woodland, Boys 50-yard freestyle (21.82) Grayson Moore, Woodland, Boys 100-yard freestyle (49.66) Joel McSwain, Woodland, Boys 500-yard freestyle (6:10.43) Woodland Boys 200-yard freestyle relay team (1:34.93) THIRD PLACE Hayden Erickson, Adairsville, Boys 500-yard freestyle (7:14.34) Brayden Rizer, Adairsville, Boys 100-yard breaststroke (1:06.21) Brayden Rizer, Adairsville, Boys 100-yard freestyle (52.13) Adairsville will host a Last Chance to Qualify meet on Monday.

January 27, 2025 The report on college and pro athletes with Bartow County connections includes updates on more than two dozen contributors in five sports for the week ending Sunday, January 26. CHINA -- CBA PRO BASKETBALL Ashton Hagans ASHTON HAGANS — Xinjiang Flying Tigers (5th yr. pro; Cartersville native; University of Kentucky; Newton HS) … in three games last week, the point guard totaled 13 points with eight assists, five rebounds, and four steals. The Flying Tigers beat Qingdao and Jillin but lost to Shenzhen. Xinjiang (24-10) is in fourth place in the 20-team professional league at a break in the schedule. Hagans is averaging just over eight points, six assists, three rebounds, and two steals per game through the first 34 games.  The Tigers return to league action on March 5 at Ningbo. BASKETBALL Braxton Benham BRAXTON BENHAM — Berry College (Sr., Cass HS) … the Vikings won conference games Friday and Sunday at Hendrix College (AR) and Rhodes College (TN) as Benham totaled 55 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds, four steals, and two blocked shots. Berry (12-7, 5-1 Southern Athletic Association) will look to continue a five-game conference win streak this Friday and Sunday when the Vikings host Hendrix and Rhodes. NA’YEL CAMPER — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … totaled six points with nine rebounds, seven assists, and one blocked shot as the Eagles earned home wins last Wednesday and Saturday over Tennessee Wesleyan in overtime 70-69 and Columbia College 76-62. Reinhardt (15-5, 11-3 Appalachian Athletic Conference) has home-and-home games this week on Monday and Saturday with Kentucky Christian University. CLAIRE DAVIS — Kennesaw State University (Jr., Cass HS) … saw brief action in home conference wins over New Mexico State and UTEP last week. She scored three points in the win over the Miners. The Owls (8-10, 3-4 Conference USA) visit Liberty University on Thursday and Florida International University on Saturday. Ja'Ka'Yah Draughn JA’KA’YAH DRAUGHN — Chattanooga State CC (So., Cartersville HS) …  scored nine points with eight rebounds, four assists, and one steal this past Saturday in a 61-42 home win over Volunteer State CC. She also scored five points with five assists, three rebounds, and one steal last Thursday in a 48-46 victory at Dyersburg State CC. This week, the Tigers (12-7, 8-3 Tennessee Community College Athletic Association) host the Milligan University JV on Monday and Cleveland State CC on Wednesday before visiting Jackson State CC on Saturday. ZION HAYES — Weatherford College (Fr., Cass HS) … totaled 19 points with six rebounds, four steals, and two assists as the Coyotes split games last week — winning at Temple College but losing at Grayson College. Weatherford (10-8, 3-3 North Texas Junior College Conference) hosts Cisco College on Wednesday and Ranger College on Saturday. ZYON HEATH — LaGrange College (Fr., Woodland HS) … scored three points and had one rebound this past Saturday in a 97-79 home loss to Huntingdon College. The Panthers (5-14, 1-6 Collegiate Conference of the South) host Belhaven University (MS) on Wednesday. DAVID JINKS — University of Maine-Augusta (Fr., Excel Christian Academy) … scored one point last Wednesday in a 69-47 loss at Southern Maine CC. The Moose also lost to Maine-Fort Kent and won at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences during the week. UMA (4-16, 4-8 USCAA) visits Central Maine CC on Wednesday and Great Bay CC on Friday. HALEY JOHNSON — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cass HS) … had one rebound in the Eagles’ overtime win last Wednesday over visiting Tennessee Wesleyan. Reinhardt also won over Columbia College during the week. The Eagles (15-5, 11-3 Appalachian Athletic Conference) play home and home games with Kentucky Christian University on Monday and Saturday. KEARA McDANIEL — Toccoa Falls College (Jr., Cass HS) … in three wins for the Screamin’ Eagles last week, McDaniel totaled 23 points, eight assists, four rebounds, four steals, and one blocked shot. Toccoa Falls won 77-71 at Warren Wilson College (NC), 70-66 at Bob Jones University (SC), and 52-16 at home over Southeastern Baptist College. TFC (8-9) hosts Bob Jones University on Tuesday. TJ Printup TJ PRINTUP — Tusculum University (So., Adairsville HS) … made his first start of the season this past Saturday and finished with nine points, one rebound, and one steal in a 79-72 home loss to 18th-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne University. He also scored two points with four rebounds and one steal in an 86-78 loss last Wednesday at the University of Virginia-Wise. The Pioneers (4-15, 4-11 South Atlantic Conference) play at Limestone University on Wednesday and visit Catawba College on Saturday. MEGAN SCHULTZ — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (Fr., Woodland HS) .. collected two rebounds this past Saturday in a 79-44 loss at Faulkner University. The Fillies (5-14, 0-8 Southern States Athletic Conference) travel to Loyola University (LA) on Thursday and play at William Carey University (MS) on Saturday. LONDAISHA SMITH — St. Andrews University (Sr., Cass HS) … totaled 34 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and one blocked shot in losses last week at Kentucky Christian University and Johnson University (TN). The Lady Knights (9-12, 5-9 Appalachian Athletic Conference) host Columbia International University on Wednesday before visiting Tennessee Wesleyan University on Saturday. ALISSA WINTERS — Truett McConnell University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … totaled four rebounds, four assists, and one steal last week as the Lady Bears lost 55-54 at Columbia College (SC) and won 64-42 at Bluefield University (VA). TMU (9-10, 6-7 Appalachian Athletic Conference) hosts Brenau University, Kentucky Christian University, and Johnson University (TN) on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday of this week. WRESTLING WILLIAM BISHOP — Reinhardt University (Sr., Woodland HS) … went 1-2 in the 125-pound division of the Missouri Valley Invitational this past weekend. The Eagles finished 31st of 53 teams in Marshall, Missouri. Reinhardt will visit Montevallo University on Tuesday and be at the Newberry University Open on Sunday. BRYCE KRESHO — Franklin & Marshall College (Jr., Cass HS) … won his 141-pound bout by major decision as the Diplomats beat visiting Sacred Heart University (CT) 29-12 last Friday. Franklin & Mashall face Long Island University and Hofstra on Sunday. HAYDEN SANTORA — Reinhardt University (Fr., Woodland HS) … went 1-2 in the 157-pound weight class this past weekend at the Missouri Valley Invitational. The Eagles finished 31st of 53 teams in Marshall, Missouri. Reinhardt visits Montevallo University on Tuesday and will compete at the Newberry University Open on Sunday. JAXON SMITH — University of Maryland (R-Jr., Woodland HS) … had the only takedown in his bout and won a 4-3 decision last Friday, but the Terrapins lost a 33-7 decision to 11th-ranked Illinois in a Big Ten dual. Smith, ranked No. 13 nationally as an individual in the 184-pound weight class, defeated No. 10 Edmond Ruth of the Illini. The Terps remain home to host 2nd-ranked Iowa on Sunday. ELORA WATERMAN — Brewton-Parker College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … retired from her 101-pound bout by injury at the 3:15 mark and did not return to action at the Indiana Tech Open this past weekend in Fort Wayne. Next for the Lady Barons is the LWC Raider Open on Saturday in Columbia, Kentucky. JABRIL WILLIAMS — Midway University (Grad Student, Cartersville HS) … went 4-2 in his 165-pound bouts at the Missouri Valley Invitational this past weekend. The Eagles placed 22nd of 53 teams in the tournament in Marshall, Missouri. Midway has conference duals on Friday at Lindsey Wilson College (KY) and Saturday at Cumberland University (TN). Anetra Witherspoon ANETRA WITHERSPOON — Life University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … went 2-0 in her 180-pound bouts this past Saturday at the 48-team Indiana Tech Warrior Women’s Open in Fort Wayne. Witherspoon defeated her Mount Union opponent by pinfall and a Hastings College (NE) opponent by technical fall. The Runnin’ Eagles travel to Columbia, Kentucky, for the Blue Raider Open on Saturday. TENNIS Emily Surcey EMILY SURCEY — Samford University (Sr., Cass HS) … won her Line 1 singles match 6-3, 6-1, but lost her Line 1 doubles set with partner Sara Erenda in the Bulldogs’ 4-3 team victory over visiting Jacksonville State University last Friday. On Sunday, Surcey won her Line 1 singles match 6-3, 6-2 and paired with Grace Keller to win 6-0 at Line 2 doubles in a team 5-2 home victory over Presbyterian College. Samford hosts Alabama State on Friday. GYMNASTICS ABIGAIL BUNCH — Rhode Island College (Jr., Cass HS) … the Anchorwomen scored the highest performance in a meet in program history this past Sunday but lost a dual match at SUNY Brockport 192.925-192.125. Bunch scored 7.150 on bars and 9.00 on beam. RIC has a quad meet on Sunday at Springfield College (MA) with Ithica College and Ursinus College. INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD Noah Baer NOAH BAER — Baldwin Wallace University (So., Woodland HS) … placed 15th (13 feet 11.75 inches) in the pole vault at the Spire Midwest Collegiate Open in Geneva, Ohio. The Yellow Jackets will participate in the Dr. Taraschke Team Challenge on Saturday in Berea, Ohio. HAYDEN CAGLE — Berry College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … placed 22nd with a shot put throw of 37 feet, 8.75 inches this past Saturday at the 17-team Centre College Indoor Showcase in Danville, Kentucky. The Vikings placed fourth in the team event. Berry returns to action on Saturday at the Sewanee Tiger Indoor Open. KAITLYN GODWIN — University of North Florida (Fr., Cass HS) … placed 22nd of 49 competitors this past weekend (26.22) in the 200-meter dash at the RADD Sports College Invitational in Gainesville, Florida. The Ospreys will compete on Friday in the Celebration Pointe Classic at the Alacua County Sports and Events Center in Gainesville.

January 25, 2025 The Excel Christian Academy boys basketball team stayed close with visiting Murray County well into the fourth quarter Saturday afternoon before falling to the Indians, 80-59. Murray County led 16-9 after one quarter, 31-23 at halftime, and 50-44 through three quarters. The Indians outscored the Eagles 30-18 in the final eight minutes to pull away and seal their victory. Luke Smith and Jaiston Duff scored 21 points to lead Murray County (6-13). Cayce Robinette added 18 points for the Indians.  Evan Chappell posted 17 points for ECA. Jorge Ricardo finished with eight points. Kamarion Profit and Kaiyu Huffman added seven points for the Eagles. Excel Christian (12-8) has clinched the top-seed in the GAPPS Class A Region 1 tournament to be played the first week in February. The Eagles complete their regular season schedule this week. ECA hosts Cross Keys on Wednesday night before traveling to Oakwood Christian on Thursday and Covenant Christian Academy on Friday.

January 24, 2025 The Cartersville and Cass boys basketball teams earned region wins on the road Friday night with clutch baskets in the final seconds, while the Adairsville boys, Cartersville girls, and Cass girls also garnered wins. CARTERSVILLE BOYS 55, HIRAM 54 Grayson Warmack's rebound and last-second shot helped lift Cartersville to a 55-54 win Friday at Hiram. Grayson Warmack’s rebound and stick back with 1.5 seconds remaining lifted the Hurricanes to a 55-54 region road win Friday night at Hiram. Nas Bennett scored 21 points and collected seven rebounds for Cartersville. Wyatt Thomason finished with 13 points and five rebounds for the Canes. Hiram (8-12, 6-4) got 16 points from Mason McKinney and 10 by Quinn Jackson. Cartersville (12-10, 7-4) moves into third place in the Region 7-4A standings with three games remaining. The Canes play at Southeast Whitfield on Tuesday. CASS BOYS 57, CEDARTOWN 54 Comari Nettles scored 15 points in the Colonels' win Friday at Cedartown. Playing short-handed Friday night, the Colonels collected a key region win at Cedartown 57-54. Cass held narrow leads at the end of each quarter, but the host Bulldogs moved into a one-point lead in the final 20 seconds. Jason Brown knocked down his third three-pointer of the night with 12 seconds remaining to regain the lead for the Colonels. Dylan Miller made one of two free throws at the end for the final margin. “We were missing two of our top guys, but everyone else stepped up big on the road,” said Cass coach Kevin Cunningham. “I can’t tell you how well Jahlil Anderson and Derris Reece played defensively on Quinton Cothran of Cedartown.” Comari Nettles scored 15 points to pace the Colonels’ offense. Miller scored 14 points, and Brown scored 11. Zane Pasley led the Bulldogs with 15 points. Cothran scored 11, and Davion Smith added 10 points for Cedartown (11-10, 4-6). Cass (9-12, 5-6) travels to Dalton on Tuesday. ADAIRSVILLE BOYS 55, NORTHWEST WHITFIELD 36 The Tigers survived a sluggish first half with a scoring flurry in the second half to beat visiting Northwest Whitfield Friday night, 55-36. The Bruins led 17-14 at halftime, but Adairsville outscored Northwest 41-19 in the second half. “We really defended well in the second half,” noted Tigers’ coach Alex Disbrow. Tre Winters led the Adairsville scoring column with 18 points. Xavious Nalls scored 12. Ben Abernathy posted 11 points, and Eli Pearson added eight. Kenven Douglas and Caden Ramsey scored 10 points each for the Bruins (14-4, 6-2). Adairsville (12-8, 7-1) took over the region standings lead with their win and will travel to Ridgeland on Friday. DALTON 63, WOODLAND BOYS 37 Woodland started with a strong defensive first half, but the visiting Dalton Catamounts forged an even stronger comeback in the second half for a 63-37 win Friday night. The Wildcats led 13-1 at the end of the first quarter and Isaiah Livsey made a three-pointer at the first half buzzer for Woodland to carry a 22-19 advantage to the intermission. The Catamounts bounced back in the third quarter, outscoring the Wildcats 21-9 in the period to gain a 40-31 lead. "We played our best defensive first half of the season," Woodland coach Kip Dyer said following the loss. "It was still a close game for most of the second half, but we just ran out of gas down the stretch." Livsey led Woodland with 19 points. Bryson Van Tonder contributed six for the Wildcats. Dalton finished with four players in double-digits led by Jermichael Craft with 18 points. CJ Weaver scored 12. Drew Snyder pitched in 11 points and Melo Weaver added 10 for the Catamounts (12-8, 9-2). Woodland (5-17, 1-10) hosts Cedartown on Tuesday. CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 76, HIRAM 43 The Lady Canes had three players reach double-digits Friday night and rolled to a 33-point Region 7-4A win at Hiram, 76-43. Cartersville led 41-23 by halftime, adding to their advantage in the second half. KK Arnold led the Lady Canes’ scoring with 19 points. Zoe McCurry followed with 17 points. Bayley Stanley and Senai Camper added 11 and nine, respectively. Arnold added six rebounds and five steals. McCurry had five assists with two rebounds, and Stanley grabbed four rebounds. Taylor Crawford produced 18 points for the Lady Hornets. T’nasia Nance added eight for Hiram (8-12, 7-3). Cartersville (14-8, 10-1) travels to Southeast Whitfield on Tuesday. CASS GIRLS 63, CEDARTOWN 37 The Lady Colonels improved their hold on the fourth place spot in the Region 7-4A standings Friday night with a resounding 63-37 win at Cedartown. The outcome differed from the narrow 50-47 win by Cass at home in mid-December. In the rematch, the Lady Colonels jumped to a 16-4 lead in the first quarter and held a 27-16 advantage at the break. Darianna Sosa made four shots from behind the arc in the first half and scored 14 of her game-high 21 points before halftime. Cass maintained a 12-point lead through three quarters and pulled away in the final eight minutes by outscoring the Lady Bulldogs 23-9 in the fourth quarter. KK Evans scored 18 points for the Lady Colonels. Cadie Paez posted 11 points, and Anizah Taylor added seven. Hayvin Barclay led Cedartown (7-14, 4-6) with 10 points. The Cass girls (10-11, 7-4) travel to region co-leader and ninth-ranked Dalton on Tuesday. NORTHWEST WHITFIELD 70, ADAIRSVILLE GIRLS 53 The Lady Tigers kept pace with visiting Northwest Whitfield in the first half but managed only two points in the third quarter and dropped a 70-53 decision Friday night. The Lady Bruins led 18-16 after one quarter and 26-24 at halftime before pulling away by outscoring Adairsville 22-2 in the third quarter.  The Lady Tigers scored 27 points in the fourth quarter, but it wasn’t enough to overcome their deficit. NaXyria Roberts scored 24 points to pace the Lady Tigers. Samantha Gough added nine points. Sloan Pender led three Lady Bruins in double-figures with 21 points. Beckley Manning and Kennedy Baker added 13 and 10 points, respectively. Northwest Whitfield improved to 12-5 overall and 5-3 in Region 7-AAA. The Adairsville girls (9-12, 2-6) return to region action on Friday, January 31, at Ridgeland. DALTON 75, WOODLAND GIRLS 3 The ninth-ranked Dalton girls improved to 18-3 on the season and 10-1 in Region 7-AAAA with a 75-3 win Friday night at Woodland.  Woodland (1-22, 1-10) hosts Cedartown on Tuesday.

January 24, 2025 Zoe McCurry makes a dribble move in a recent game at The Storm Center. With just over two weeks remaining on local basketball schedules, local girls' and boys' teams have crucial games left for seeding purposes. The Adairsville boys’, Excel Christian boys,’ and Cartersville girls’ teams head into that stretch, tied for first place or leading in their respective standings. The other local teams continue to battle for the best seeding possible once region tournaments begin. In the GHSA regions that include the local public schools, the top four teams from each region tournament will advance to the state tournament. The Region 7-AAA tournament for girls and boys will be hosted by the school finishing first in the girls' region standings.  (The 2025-26 tournament will be at the first plays boys.) Allatoona will host the Region 7-AAAA tournament for girls and boys. In the GAPPS organization, which includes Excel Christian Academy, a different seeding procedure for the GAPPS State Tournament is utilized following the region playoffs.  NOTE: Standings updated through 11 a.m. on Friday, January 24. Information provided by GHSA and MaxPreps.com . REGION 7-AAA GIRLS Heritage . . . . . . . 5-1 . . . . 14-4 Calhoun . . . . . . . 5-1 . . . . 10-6 Gilmer . . . . . . . . . 5-2 . . . . 11-7 NW Whitfield . . .  4-3 . . . . 11-5 LaFayette . . . . . .  3-4 . . . . 14-6 Adairsville . . . . . . 2-5 . . . .  9-11 Ridgeland . . . . . . 0-8 . . . .  4-16 REGION 7-AAA BOYS NW Whitfield . . . .  6-1 . . . . .14-3 Adairsville . . . . . .  6-1 . . . . . 11-8 Calhoun . . . . . . .   4-1 . . . . .   9-3 Gilmer . . . . . . . . .  4-3 . . . . .  9-9 Heritage . . . . . . .   2-4 . . . . .  8-9 LaFayette . . . . . .   2-4 . . . . . . 11-8 Ridgeland . . . . . .  0-8 . . . . . . 5-15 REGION 7-AAAA GIRLS Cartersville . . . . . . 9-1 . . . . 13-8 Dalton . . . . . . . . .  9-1 . . . . 17-3 Hiram . . . . . . . . . . 7-2 . . . .   8-11 Cass . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4 . . . .  9-10 Cedartown . . . . . . 4-5 . . . . . 7-13 SE Whitfield . . . . . 2-7 . . . . . 3-11 Woodland . . . . . .  1-9 . . . . . 1-21 Allatoona . . . . . . . 1-9 . . . . . 3-14 REGION 7-AAAA BOYS Allatoona . . . . . . . 10-0 . . . . 15-5 Dalton . . . . . . . . .  8-2 . . . . . 11-8 Hiram . . . . . . . . . . 6-3 . . . . .  8-11 Cartersville . . . . . . 6-4 . . . . . 11-10 Cedartown . . . . . . 4-5 . . . . . 11-9 Cass . . . . . . . . . . . 4-6 . . . . . 8-12 Woodland . . . . . . . 1-9 . . . . . 5-16 SE Whitfield . . . . . 0-10 . . . . . 0-18 Game times indicate the scheduled girls’ start. ADAIRSVILLE: Fri. Jan. 24 — Home vs. Northwest Whitfield, 7 Fri. Jan. 31 — at Ridgeland, 7 Sat. Feb. 1 — at Heritage-Catoosa, 6 Tue. Feb. 4 — Home vs. Calhoun, 6 Fri. Feb. 7 — at LaFayette, 7 CARTERSVILLE Fri. Jan. 24 — at Hiram, 6 Tue. Jan. 28 — at Southeast Whitfield, 6 Fri. Jan. 31 — at Woodland, 6:30 Tue. Feb. 4 — Home vs. Cedartown, 6 CASS Fri. Jan. 24 — at Cedartown, 6 Tue. Jan. 28 — at Dalton, 6 Fri. Jan. 31 — Home vs. Allatoona, 6 Tue. Feb. 4 — at Hiram, 6 WOODLAND Fri. Jan. 24 — Home vs. Dalton, 6 Tue. Jan. 28 — Home vs. Cedartown, 6 Fri. Jan. 31 — Home vs. Cartersville, 6:30 Tue. Feb. 4 — at Southeast Whitfield, 6 GAPPS REGION 1, I-A BOYS Excel Christian Academy . . . . 2-0 . . . . . 12-7 Unity Christian School . . . . . . 1-2 . . . . .   5-15 Oakwood Christian Academy 0-2 . . . . .  6-10 GAPPS REGION 1, I-A GIRLS Unity Christian School . . . . . . 3-0 . . . . .  10-7 Oakwood Christian Academy 2-1 . . . . .   6-7 Excel Christian Academy . . . . 0-3 . . . . .   2-10 EXCEL CHRISTIAN Sat. Jan. 25 — Home vs. Murray Co., 2 Tue. Jan. 28 — Home vs. Academe of the Oaks, 5:30 (girls only) Wed. Jan. 29 — Home vs. Cross Keys, 6 Thur. Jan. 30 — at Oakwood Christian, 6 Fri. Jan 31 — at Covenant Christian, 4:30

January 25, 2025 Kaiyu Huffman The Excel Christian Academy boys basketball team defeated Fideles Christian 69-54 Thursday night in a non-region game played at Greater Heights Baptist Church in Cumming. The host Rangers kept pace through most of the first half before the Eagles took control of the game in the second half. Excel Christian led 18-12 after one quarter and 29-24 at the intermission before building a 49-35 lead by the end of the third quarter. Kaiyu Huffman led three Eagles in double-figures with 17 points. Kamarion Profit scored 15 and Evan Chappell had 14 points. Carter May added nine points for ECA. Fideles Christian (6-15) was led by Xander Lipinski’s 28 points. Excel Christian (12-7) hosts Murray County on Saturday at 4 p.m.

January 24, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Rodney Stewart, the CEO and Head of School at Excel Christian Academy, announced this week that the private school in Emerson would add high school football to its athletic offerings in 2025. Stewart also introduced Steve Birmingham, who works cooperatively with The Church at Liberty Square as an advisor and director of a Football Development Committee at the school. Birmingham has previously assisted in developing a football program at a private school and has a background working with other schools and their athletic departments. “My first task for the committee was to decide if this is the right time to start football,” said Birmingham. “With overwhelming and full support of the ECA staff, leadership, and community, we believe this is the right time.” Excel will start the program playing a varsity, nine-man schedule in 2025. The Eagles will participate in the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools (GAPPS) league. The school’s basketball teams and other sports offerings already participate in that sanctioning body, including 139 member schools. Nine-man football is very similar to the 11-man game, but the rules require the offense to align four players in the backfield and five (not seven) on the line of scrimmage. A typical defensive formation is the 3-3-3, with three defensive linemen, three linebackers, and three defensive backs. The playing field is often smaller in length and width, but some sanctioning bodies keep the playing field at full size. Games are frequently high-scoring because the number of players is reduced by more than the size of the field. Fast players often find more open space in the nine-man game. “We are very excited about the possibilities football brings to our school,” Stewart commented. “We will play our first season at Dellinger Park on Friday nights with five home games and five away for the regular season. We will announce our schedule in the next few weeks, but we are definitely kicking off football this year.” Stewart and Birmingham both discussed the importance of finding the right coach. “We have started our search,” noted Birmingham. “We want to find a role model with strong character and a history of success.” Stewart added, “We are looking for the right individual and the coach the Lord sends us, with desired traits including a strong desire to be a head coach and prior experience serving on a staff. We are also considering respected coaches who have recently retired and want to work in our Christian environment or take on this project as a community coach. The key in all cases is a solid reputation.” Interested coaches may submit resumes to rstewart@excelca.org  and sbirmingham@excelca.org . “Our goal is to expand to 11-man football,” added Stewart, “but this is a great way to launch our program.” Stewart also announced that the school has hired a band director, Daniel Varner, who will begin a marching band in grades 5-12 to help create the entire “Friday night lights” experience for the school and the Excel family. ----------------------- Listen to a full interview by Alan Sanders with Rodney Stewart and Steve Birmingham on the Bartow Sports Zone Podcast .

January 22, 2025 The Cartersville High School girls’ and boys’ basketball teams overpowered visiting Cass Wednesday night at the Storm Center while the Woodland girls' and boys' teams dropped home games to Allatoona in Region 7-4A action. CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 54, CASS 21 Senai Camper scored 10 points in the Lady Canes victory over Cass Wednesday. The Lady Canes clamped down defensively on the visiting Lady Colonels Wednesday night at the Storm Center and won their ninth region game of the year, 54-21. Cartersville led 15-6 after one quarter and 29-12 at halftime. The Lady Canes then extended their margin to 47-15 by the end of the third period. KK Arnold led Cartersville with 17 points. Senai Camper finished with 10 points. Jayda Cothran scored seven and Zoe Shiflett added five for the Lady Canes. Arnold added three assists and three steals. Camper grabbed seven rebounds and distributed four assists.  KK Evans scored 11 points for the Lady Colonels. Cass (9-10, 6-4) travels to Cedartown on Friday for a 6 p.m. tip. Cartersville (13-8, 9-1) visits Hiram on Friday at 6 p.m. CARTERSVILLE BOYS 76, CASS 52 Wyatt Thomason scored 20 points with six rebounds and four assists Wednesday as the Canes handled Cass, 76-52. The host Hurricanes outscored Cass in each period Wednesday night en route to a 76-52 Region 7-4A win at the Storm Center.  Cartersville led 22-19 after the opening eight minutes and stretched the lead in each quarter. The Canes led 36-25 at halftime and 58-41 after three periods. Wyatt Thomason scored 20 points with six rebounds and four assists for the Canes. Nas Bennett and Kyron McClendon followed with 12 points and nine rebounds each. Will Bishop tossed in 10 points and Kaden Baldwin added nine. Grayson Warmack added eight rebounds for Cartersville. Xavier Lowe converted four three-pointers and finished with 14 points for Cass. Jason Brown scored 11. Jakai Baldwin chipped in 10 points and Dylan Miller added seven for the Colonels.  Cass (8-12, 4-6) plays Friday at Cedartown at 7:30 p.m. Cartersville (11-10, 6-4) travels to Hiram for a 7:30 p.m. start. ALLATOONA 67, WOODLAND GIRLS 24 The visiting Allatoona girls avenged a loss to the Lady Cats earlier this season with a 67-24 victory Wednesday night at Woodland.  The Lady Bucs improved to 3-14 overall and 1-9 in Region 7-4A action. Woodland (1-20, 1-9) hosts Dalton on Friday at 7 p.m. ALLATOONA 73, WOODLAND BOYS 39 The Allatoona Buccaneers stayed unbeaten in Region 7-4A play with a 73-39 win at Woodland Wednesday night. Allatoona improved to 15-5 overall and 10-0 in region play. Woodland (5-16, 1-9) hosts Dalton on Friday at 8:30 p.m.

January 19, 2025 by Clifton Puckett The Georgia Highlands College men’s basketball team beat East Georgia State 79-78 in overtime Saturday afternoon to extend their winning streak to three games.   Rome native Jay’Quan Nelson tallied 29 points, with 5 in the final minute of regulation, including a 3-pointer that pushed the game into overtime. Marquin Thompson contributed 17 points, and Jordan Johnson added 13.   The Chargers used a 10-2 run to break a 27-27 tie headed into halftime and held back the Bobcats for most of the second half. With 4:44 left in regulation, GHC led 63-55, but East Georgia battled to take a 64-63 with 1:24 remaining. On the next possession, Nelson drove the lane for a layup to regain the lead, but East Georgia countered with a layup of their own to go ahead with 33 seconds left. Nelson, assisted by Jah’kim Payne, swished a 3-pointer to give GHC the lead back. In overtime, the Chargers grabbed an early lead and held off the Bobcats to snag the victory.   GHC (11-5, 3-1 GCAA) returns to action Saturday on the Floyd Campus against Albany Tech at 3 p.m. It will be Youth Day, where all children will receive free admission.

January 20, 2025 PAW POWER SWIMMING INVITATIONAL The Adairsville High School swim team placed fourth, and Woodland was fifth Saturday at the 12-team Paw Power Invitational held at the Adairsville natatorium. Starrs Mill won the event with 927.5 points. McIntosh was second with 611. Ola (402), Adairsville (397), and Woodland (365) rounded out the top five teams.  Local performers recorded multiple state qualifying times (SQT). Top local performances: First Place Woodland boys 200-yard medley relay (1:48.99) (SQT): Grayson Moore, Isaac Muriel, Isaiah Muriel, Kadin Keith Grayson Moore, Woodland, boys 100-yard backstroke (58.94) (SQT) Second Place Adairsville boys 200-yard medley relay (1:53.00): Gabriel Greenway, Dylan Barrett, Finnley Minhinnett, Brayden Rizer Adairsville boys 200-yard freestyle relay (1:36.52) (SQT): Isaac Muriel, Kadin Keith, Isaiah Muriel, Grayson Moore Adairsville boys 400-yard freestyle relay (3:40.91) (SQT): Gabriel Greenway, Finnley Minhinnett, Eli Burke, Brayden Rizer Dylan Barrett, Adairsville, boys 200-yard freestyle (2:11.56) Brayden Rizer, Adairsville, boys 50-yard freestyle (23.08) (SQT) Andrew Harris, Adairsville, boys 100-yard butterfly (1:00.95) Grayson Moore, Woodland, boys 100-yard freestyle (48.81) (SQT) Gabriel Greenway, Adairsville, boys 100-yard backstroke (1:00.20) Third Place Woodland girls 200-yard medley relay (2:11.41): Emily Guin, Peighton Young, Natalie Guin, Karynne McKenney Andrew Harris, Adairsville, boys 200-yard freestyle (2:11.74) Kadin Keith, Woodland, boys 200-yard individual medley (2:37.66) Finnley Minhinnett, Adairsville, boys 500-yard freestyle (5:48.28) Final Team Scores: 1 — Starrs Mill, 927.5 2 — MicIntosh, 611 3 — Ola, 402 4 — Adairsville, 397 5 — Woodland, 365 6 — Whitewater, 347 7 — Eastside, 236 8 — Union Grove, 225.5 9 — Cedar Shoals, 183 10 — Model, 44 11 — Locust Grove, 20 12 — Armuchee, 9

January 20, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com College basketball and wrestling have hit mid-season strides, and conference races are heating up for many of our Bartow County athletes nationwide.  In addition to college hoops and wrestling, this week’s update includes professional basketball from China, college tennis, gymnastics, and indoor track and field. CHINA — CBA PRO BASKETBALL ASHTON HAGANS — Xinjiang Flying Tigers (5th yr. pro; Cartersville native; University of Kentucky; Newton HS) … totaled 10 assists, nine points, nine rebounds, and one steal in wins last week over Jiangsu 92-82 and Guangzhou 116-97. The Flying Tigers (22-9) are fourth in the 20-team league standings. Xinjiang hosts Qingdao and visits Jilin and Shenzhen this week. WRESTLING ANGEL BANDA  — Reinhardt University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … won his bout at 133 pounds by pin at the 3:47 mark as the host Eagles blanked Emmanuel University last Thursday, 50-0. Reinhardt heads to Marshall, Missouri, for the Missouri Valley Open on Saturday. LEE CAMP — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cass HS) …won his bout at 125 pounds by pin at the 4:41 mark as the host Eagles shutout Emmanuel University last Thursday, 50-0. Reinhardt heads to Marshall, Missouri, for the Missouri Valley Open on Saturday. KYLE GOLLHOFER — University of Northern Iowa (R-Sr., Woodland HS) … finished with a 2-2 mark in the 125-pound division of the Iowa State Cyclone Open this past weekend. He lost a 6-4 decision to the eventual runner-up from Nebraska in the opening round before defeating opponents from Wisconsin and Oklahoma. He fell short of the fifth-place match in a loss to a second opponent from the University of Nebraska. Fifth-ranked UNI hosts third-ranked Oklahoma State on Friday night and 20th-ranked Oklahoma on Saturday in Big 12 Conference duals. BRYCE KRESHO — Franklin & Marshall College (Jr., Cass HS) … won his 141-pound bout by major decision this past Saturday, but the Diplomats lost to visiting Binghamton University 36-4. Franklin & Marshall hosts Sacred Heart University on Saturday night. QUESTAPHA LEWIS — Midway University (Sr., Woodland HS) … lost his bout at 133 pounds in the Eagles’ 38-3 loss this past Friday at the University of the Cumberlands (KY). Midway wrestles at Campbellsville University (KY) on Monday night and will participate in the Missouri Valley Invitational on Friday and Saturday. TYLER-XAVIER McKNIGHT — Davidson College (So., Cass HS) … won his 149-pound bout with a 5-0 decision Saturday as the Wildcats defeated Brown University 41-3. He also suffered a loss to his University of Arkansas-Little Rock opponent in a 38-9 team loss. Davidson also lost to Morgan State 26-13 in the quad match. Davidson (3-6, 1-0) hosts Southern Conference foes The Citadel and Gardner-Webb University on Friday and Sunday. The Wildcats will also face Air Force in a non-conference dual on Sunday. Jaxon Smith JAXON SMITH — University of Maryland (R-Jr., Woodland HS) … ranked No. 13 as an individual in the 184-pound weight class, Smith won a 14-3 major decision last Friday in the Terrapins’ 24-13 Big Ten home win over Wisconsin. Maryland (8-5, 3-0) hosts 9th-ranked Illinois on Friday. Anetra Witherspoon ANETRA WITHERSPOON — Life University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … won her bout pinfall last Wednesday in a home team victory over Lindsey Wilson College (KY). The Running Eagles also defeated Presbyterian College on Wednesday. Life (9-1) travels to Fort Wayne, Indiana, for the Indiana Tech Warrior Duals and Warrior Open this weekend. BASKETBALL Braxton Benham BRAXTON BENHAM — Berry College (Sr., Cass HS) … totaled 45 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists, and seven steals in a Vikings’ wins over Oglethorpe University at home and Millsaps College (MS) in Jackson this past Wednesday and Saturday. Berry (10-7, 3-1 Southern Athletic Association) has road conference games on Friday at Hendrix College (AR) and Rhodes College (TN) on Friday and Sunday. NA’YEL CAMPER — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … a starter for the Lady Eagles, Camper totaled eight rebounds, four points, and four assists in conference losses at Brenau University and Montreat College last Wednesday and Saturday. Reinhardt (13-5, 9-3 Appalachian Athletic Conference) hosts Wednesday and Saturday conference games with Tennessee Wesleyan University and Columbia College (SC). CLAIRE DAVIS — Kennesaw State University (Jr., Cass HS) … in brief floor time during a road win at Sam Houston University and a loss at Louisiana Tech last week, Davis recorded one blocked shot. The Owls (6-10, 1-4 Conference USA) host New Mexico State on Thursday and UTEP on Saturday afternoon. JA’KA’YAH DRAUGHN — Chattanooga State CC (So., Cartersville HS) … totaled 23 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists, and three steals in losses last week to Roane State CC and Columbia State CC. The Lady Tigers (10-7, 6-3 TCCAA) play at Dyersburg State CC on Thursday and host Volunteer State CC on Saturday. Zion Hayes ZION HAYES — Weatherford CC (Fr., Cass HS) … scored a career-high 15 points last Saturday in a 105-69 win at Southwestern Christian College. She added three rebounds and two assists. Hayes also posted four points and three rebounds last Wednesday in a 110-69 win at Hill College. The Coyotes (9-7, 2-2 North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference) play at Grayson College on Saturday afternoon. ZYON HEATH — LaGrange College (Fr., Woodland HS) … saw action in two of the Panthers’ three games last week. He scored five points with four rebounds, two assists, and one steal in a 110-82 loss at Piedmont University on January 14. He also scored three points with five boards and two assists this past Saturday in a 105-69 home win over Asbury University (KY). LaGrange also dropped a 67-52 home game to Maryville College (TN) last Friday. The Panthers (5-13, 1-5 Collegiate Conference of the South) host Huntingdon College on Saturday afternoon. HALEY JOHNSON — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cass HS) … had two rebounds, one assist, and one steal in the Eagles’ road losses last week at Brenau University and Montreat College. Reinhardt (13-5, 9-3 Appalachian Athletic Conference) hosts Wednesday and Saturday conference games with Tennessee Wesleyan University and Columbia College (SC). KEARA McDANIEL — Toccoa Falls College (Jr., Cass HS) …  made a start this past Saturday and scored three points, four assists, one rebound, and one steal in a 97-28 home win over Mid Atlantic Christian. She also totaled nine points, seven assists, two blocks, and four rebounds in two home losses earlier in the week to Truett-McConnell University and Pensacola Christian College. The Screamin’ Eagles (5-9) have road games at Warren Wilson College (KY) on Monday and Bob Jones University (SC) on Tuesday before hosting Southeastern Baptist College (MS) on Saturday. T.J. PRINTUP — Tusculum University (So., Adairsville HS) … scored eight points with two rebounds, one assist, and one steal this past Saturday in a 106-91 home win over Coker University. Printup also grabbed three rebounds last Wednesday in a 68-55 home loss to 11th-ranked Lincoln Memorial. The Pioneers (4-13, 4-9 South Atlantic Conference) visit the University of Virginia-Wise on Wednesday night and host Lenoir-Rhyne University on Saturday afternoon. MEGAN SCHULTZ — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (Fr., Woodland HS) … in home conference losses last week to the University of Tennessee Southern and Blue Mountain Christian University, Schultz had one rebound in each game. LONDAISHA SMITH — St. Andrews University (Sr., Cass HS) … in three wins last week, Smith totaled 39 points, 19 rebounds, nine steals, and eight assists as the Lady Knights beat Winston Salem State and Bluefield University (VA) at home and also won at Truett-McConnell University.  ALISSA WINTERS — Truett-McConnell University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … scored six points with four rebounds and one steal on Monday, January 13, in a 43-32 win at Toccoa Falls College. She also totaled six points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal in a home loss to St. Andrews University (NC) and Johnson University (TN). The Lady Bears (8-9, 5-6 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visit Columbia College (SC) on Wednesday night and Bluefield University (VA) on Saturday afternoon. TENNIS EMILY SURCEY — Samford University (Sr., Cass HS) … the Bulldogs split matches in Starkville, Mississippi this past Saturday. Surcey won her Line 1 singles match 6-3, 6-1 in a 4-1 team win over Bellarmine University but lost a 6-0 Line 1 doubles set with partner Sara Erenda in a 4-0 team loss to Mississippi State. She trailed 2-6, 4-5 in an unfinished Line 1 singles match vs. Mississippi State. Samford (1-1) hosts Jacksonville State on Friday and Presbyterian College on Sunday. GYMNASTICS Abigail Bunch ABIGAIL BUNCH — Rhode Island College (Jr., Cass HS) … had her career-high score and placed first on beam (9.700) in the Anchorwomen’s home win this past Saturday over Utica University (NY) and Gustavus Adolphus College (MN). Bunch also tied for fifth on bars (9.275). On January 12, she scored 7.45 on bars and was 28th in a five-way meet in Cortland, New York. RIC finished fourth behind Ursinus College (PA), Utica, and SUNY Cortland. The Anchorwomen finished ahead of Springfield College (MA). Next on the schedule for Rhode Island is a meet Sunday afternoon at SUNY Brockport. INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD JUNE DeLAUDER — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cass HS) … was 30th in the 60-meter hurdles preliminaries this past weekend at the Samford Open in Birmingham with an 11.65 time. She was also 42nd in the 400-meter prelims with a personal record of 1:11.79. The next event for the Eagles is Sunday in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, at the JDL Flat is Fast Invitational. KAITLYN GODWIN — University of North Florida (Fr., Cass HS) … was 51st with a time of 8.18 in the preliminaries of the 60-meter dash this past Saturday at the Jimmy Carnes Track and Feid Meet in Gainesville, Florida. ERIC TOVIAVE — Belmont University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … placed 25th (8.55) in the 60-meter hurdles preliminaries this past Saturday at the Vanderbilt Indoor Invitational in Nashville. The Bruins will compete at the Lenny Lyles Invitational in Louisville, Kentucky, on January 31-February 1.

January 18, 2025 by Clifton Puckett The Georgia Highlands College men’s basketball team continued their conference title defense Saturday, defeating the Andrew College Tigers 66-48 in Rome. They move to 10-5 on the season and 2-1 in the conference.   Cameron Baldwin scored a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds while adding two blocks, three steals, and two assists. Ten different Chargers scored in the contest, and GHC scored 27 points off the bench. The Chargers led 31-27 at halftime but outscored Andrew 35-21 in the second half to seal the win.   GHC will continue their four-game homestand Monday night against East Georgia State. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. on GHC’s Floyd Campus.