It wasn’t the storybook finish Adairsville native Vic Beasley Jr. and the rest of the Atlanta Falcons’ fans hoped for, but it was an amazing season for the second year pro. The Falcons let a 25-point second-half lead get away Sunday in Super Bowl LI and lost to the New England Patriots in overtime, 34-28. It was the largest come-from-behind victory by any Super Bowl champion. "We have to find a way to learn from this experience and build from it. Taking it one day at a time right now." Beasley told reporters after arriving back in Atlanta. Beasley had one pass defended and one quarterback hit in the Super Bowl. The pass deflection came in the end zone during the Patriots’ eventual winning drive in overtime. The Deacon Jones Award was presented to Beasley last Saturday. The award is presented to the NFL leader in sacks. He concluded the 2016 season with 15.5 sacks. He also had 41 tackles, six forced fumbles, a fumble recovery for a score, and four passes defended. Beasley was named first-team All-Pro and made the NFC Pro Bowl roster. This edition of Athletes Beyond Bartow also includes updates for local athletes contributing to their respective collegiate basketball, tennis, wrestling, softball, and baseball. Also of note, former Cartersville High School and Georgia Southern pitcher, Sam Howard, is an invitee to spring training for the Colorado Rockies. Howard finished the 2016 season as a AA starter for the Hartford Yard Goats. BASKETBALL EMMANUEL HOLLOWAY — UU Korihait UUsikaupunki — Finnish Pro League (G, Illinois State; Woodland HS). . . scored two points and had one assist in a 95-72 loss to Kauhajoki February 1. UU Korihait (4-20) plays Lapua Wednesday and Kouvot Saturday. A.J. MOSBY — Alcorn State University (Junior, Cartersville HS). . . scored 16 points and collected four rebounds with a steal in a 69-58 win over Jackson State Saturday. On Monday night, he scored 14 points with 9 assists, two steals and a rebound in a 75-65 win over Grambling State. Mosby is averaging 9.3 points and 4.7 rebounds and 3 assists per game. The Braves (11-11, 8-3) play at Mississippi Valley State Saturday in another Southwestern Athletic Conference game. ADRIAN RODGERS — Malbus Oresund Malmo — Swedish Pro League (G, Cartersville native, Southern University). . . scored 15 points with four rebounds, two assists, two blocked shots, and a steal in an 82-72 loss to Norrkiping February 3. Rodgers leads his team in scoring (15.2 ppg) and steals (1.1 spg). Malbus Oresund Malmo (1-20) plays BC LF Lulea Tuesday and Boras Friday. DARIUS THROWER — Truett-McConnell University (G, Freshman, Excel Christian Academy). . . coming off the bench, Thrower recorded a steal in a 90-86 loss at Montreat February 1. The Bears also picked up a win Saturday over Bluefield College (VA) 69-68. TMU (14-12, 8-8 Appalachian Athletic Conference) travels to St. Andrews (NC) Wednesday and plays at Reinhardt University Saturday. COREY TOBIN — Reinhardt University (G, Junior, Cartersville HS). . . Tobin has moved into the Eagles’ starting lineup over the past eight games and is contributing 7.5 points per game and 3.4 rebounds per game. He scored six points with two assists, a rebound, and a steal in a 102-92 win at St. Andrews (NC) February 1 and added 12 points with two rebounds and a steal in a 105-88 home loss to Montreat on Saturday. Reinhardt (18-6, 12-5 AAC) hosts Selma University Wednesday and entertains Appalachian Athletic Conference opponent Truett-McConnell University on Saturday. CARROD WATSON — University North Georgia (F/C, R-Freshman, Woodland HS). . . scored two points and gathered four rebounds in a 64-60 win over Saturday. He added three points with two rebounds and a steal Monday in an 89-63 loss at Clayton State. UNG (12-11, 8-6 Peach Belt Conference) entertains Georgia Southwestern Wednesday before traveling to Georgia College next Monday. HAKEEM WINTERS — Point University (Sophomore, Cartersville HS). . . scored 18 points with nine rebounds and a steal in a 104-70 loss at Allen University (SC). He also saw limited playing time in a 111-79 home loss to Tennessee Wesleyan February 1. Winters is averaging 7.6 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. The Skyhawks (2-23, 1-15 AAC) host Appalachian Athletic Conference opponents Bryan College Wednesday and Milligan College Saturday. TENNIS PEYTON GOLLHOFER — Ball State University (Sophomore, Laurel Springs Academy, Cartersville resident). . . competing at the No. 1 singles line, Gollhofer lost a pair of singles matches this past weekend, but the Cardinals won team matches Saturday and Sunday at home over Illinois State and Wright State University. She also paired with teammates Audrey Berger (vs. Illinois State) and Rosalinda Calderon (vs. Wright State) for doubles losses. She will look to bounce back Sunday when BSU (5-1) travels for a match at University of Cincinnati. WRESTLING EVAN COLE — Cumberland University (Junior, Cartersville HS). . . lost a pair of matches January 31 against Brewton-Parker and 11th-ranked Life University in Marietta, GA. The Phoenix defeated Brewton-Parker 29-15, but lost to Life 22-13. CU also fell 22-11 at 4th-ranked Campbellsville University February 3 without Cole. The Phoenix host University of the Cumberlands Wednesday and will compete in the NAIA East Region Qualifier in Bowling Green, KY February 18. SAMMY ROSARIO — Cumberland University (Senior, Cass HS). . . the 5th-ranked 133-pound wrestler in NAIA won by forfeit and won by major decision January 31 in a team match win over Brewton Parker and a team loss at 11th-ranked Life University. CU also fell 22-11 at 4th-ranked Campbellsville University February 3 without Rosaio. The Phoenix host University of the Cumberlands Wednesday and will compete in the NAIA East Region Qualifier in Bowling Green, KY February 18. BASEBALL BRANDON ETHERIDGE — Limestone College (OF, Junior, Cass HS). . . after playing last season for Georgia Highlands, Etheridge started in right field in Limestone’s third game of the year Saturday to make his Saints’ debut. He contributed with a triple and scored a run in his first at bat. He also started the next game and drew a pair of walks as Limestone swept a doubleheader with Saint Anselm 6-5 and 15-3. The Saints (3-1) host Carson-Newman Wednesday and have a three-game home series with Davis & Elkins Saturday and Sunday. CARRINGTON EVANS — Augusta University (OF, Freshman, Cartersville HS). . . entered as a reserve Saturday and was 0-for-2 in his collegiate debut at University of West Georgia as the Lynx fell 8-5. Augusta (0-3) host Erskine College Wednesday and entertain West Georgia for a pair of games Saturday and Sunday. TY FOWLER — (photo right) Tennessee Wesleyan College (RHP, Senior, Cartersville HS). . . pitched a scoreless ninth inning and did not allow a hit in the Bulldogs’ opening 8-7 loss at 2nd-ranked Faulkner last Friday. TWC also suffered a 13-3 loss to 12th-ranked Saint Thomas University and defeated 6th-ranked Lindsey Wilson 13-4 in Montgomery Saturday. The Bulldogs (1-2) travel to Auburn University-Montgomery this weekend for a three-game series. TYLER WASHINGTON — Young Harris College (INF/OF, Junior, Adairsville HS). . . was 1-for-1 with a single coming off the bench Saturday in a 4-1 loss to Rollins. He then started in centerfield Sunday and went 1-for-4 with a walk and a run scored in a 7-6 loss. The Mountain Lions (0-3) host King University (TN) for a three-game series this weekend. SOFTBALL BETHANY BALLARD — Armstrong State University (INF, Senior, Cass HS). . . flied out in a pinch hitting appearance Sunday during a 10-3 win over Nova Southeastern. The Pirates were 4-1 in five games at the season-opening Florida Tech Marriott First Pitch Classic in Melbourne, FL. They return to Florida Tech February 17-19 for the Brawl at the Beach where they will face Stonehill, Saint Leo twice, East Stroudsburg, and Florida Tech. KAILAH RAIN — Embry-Riddle University (OF, Junior, Cartersville HS). . . went 1-for-14 at the plate with three walks in six starts at the Gulf Shores, AL Gulf Coast Classic. The Eagles went 2-4 with victories over North Alabama and Delta State. ERU will play Newberry College and host Flagler College Sunday in St. Augustine, FL. LAUREN WOMACK — Georgia Highlands College (INF, Sophomore, Cass HS). . . starting at shortstop, Womack is 5-for-20, scoring three runs with a walk and three RBIs in the Chargers’ first eight games. GHC (5-3) won three of four games with USC Salkehatchie last weekend and will host games with Southern Union State CC, Roane State CC, Cleveland State CC, Shelton State CC, and Spartanburg Methodist this weekend at Hamilton Crossing Park and Stars Park. Did we miss someone this week? If we did, please let us know. Use the 'Contact' link at the top of this page or send an email to: bartowsportszone@comcast.net. A full listing of local athletes is available on this website on the Athletes Beyond Bartow page.

CARTERSVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT YOUTH BASKETBALL RESULTS January 30 - February 4 6U BASKETBALL CANES-VAUGHAN 14, CANES-MOORE 11 VAUGHAN: Noah Owens 14 MOORE: Ashton Lawless 9, Breanna Thompson 2 CANES-WOODY 14, CANES-TAYLOR WOODY: Kayden Blackwell 10, Andy Holstein 4 TAYLOR: Nathan Woods 4, Landon Smith 2 CANES-MOORE 12, CANES-VAUGHAN 2 VAUGHAN: Colton Hubbard 2 MOORE: Ashton Lawless 6, Cash Meadows 4, Jayda Heard 2 CANES-TAYLOR 11, CANES-MOORE 11 TAYLOR: Nathan Woods 7, Noah Lefew 4 MOORE: Ashton Lawless 9, Jayda Heard 2 CANES-DAVIS 5, CANES-VAUGHAN 0 DAVIS: Braylen Pierre 3, Quenton Chisum 2 8U BASKETBALL CANES-ABERNATHY 15, CANES-GRAVLEY 5 ABERNATHY: Jorian Bailey 6, Blake Lutjens 4, Ella Abernathy 3, Bodie Brumlow 2 GRAVLEY: Tristan Wells 3, Landon Gore 2 CANES-BISHOP 13, CANES-TAYLOR 12 BISHOP: Will Bishop 8, Bryce Barkley 4, Owens Wiggins 1 TAYLOR: Jaylon Watkins 8, Shaylen Osborn 2, Emma Pfiester 2 CANES-ABERNATHY 9, CANES-TAYLOR 5 ABERNATHY: Jorian Bailey 6, Bodie Brumlow 2, Millie Meadows 1 TAYLOR: Justin Gooch 3, Jaylon Watkins 2 CANES-ABERNATHY 21, CANES-POWELL 12 ABERNATHY: Jorian Bailey 16, Bodie Brumlow 4, Ramsey Dunn 1 POWELL: Colby Craig 8, Gavin Baxter 2, James Manring 1, Zeke Morton 1 CANES- TAYLOR 13, CANES-CROWDER 11 TAYLOR: Jaylon Watkins 7, Emma Pfiester 3, Shaylen Osborn 2, Justin Gooch 1 CROWDER: Michael Moreno 8, Lily Cagle 2, Marc Moreno 1 10U BOYS CANES-GIBSON 48, CANES-COOLEY 24 GIBSON: Tayshaun Jackson 34, Jackson Barley 6, Owen Dunn 2, Adam Reed 2, Weston Chatman 1, Luke Gibson 1 COOLEY: Noah Pogue 8, Andrew Lutjens 7, Lance Smith 4, Wilson Brock 2, Carson Towler 2, Hudson Lusk 1 CANES-CLINE 36, CANES-WOODALL 28 CLINE: Cayden Aleman 10, Cade Horn 6, Julian Cline 5, Jordyn Woods 5, Asa Mitcham 4, Caleb Freeman 4, #23-2 WOODALL: Jalen Levy 10, Brayden Channell 5, Lyle Woody 5, Parnel Gamble 5, Griffin Woodall 2, Evan Archer 1 12U BOYS CANES-COOPER 59, CANES-COOLEY 33 COOPER: Jonah Cooper 31, Vercenta Collins 10, Isaac Cunningham 8, Anmari Thomas 4, Turner Abernathy 4, Cooper Stone 2 COOLEY: Rowan Billings 12, Brody Tidwell 8, Noah Baer 6, Cedric McClinic 5, Collier Parker 2 CANES-HORN 56, CANES-CREWS 40 HORN: Kedrick Chatmon 22, Carson Horn 13, Drew Perry 7, Kace Adams 4, Devin Goodson 3 CREWS: Jordan Hall 17, Jace Kilgore 8, JaKiyon Porter 7, Chandler Mathison 6 CANES-HORN 38, CANES-COOLEY 28 HORN: Kedrick Chatmon 18, Drew Perry 6, Kace Adams 6, Robert Hudson 4, Carson Horn 2, Lamarcus Mattew 2 COOLEY: Brody Tidwell 9, Noah Baer 7, Cedric McClinic 6, Rowan Billings 4 CANES-COOLEY 47, CANES-COOPER 33 COOLEY: Brody Tidwell 23, Rowan Billings 7, Noah Baer 6, Carson Lockwood 6, Cedric McClinic 4 COOPER: Jonah Cooper 12, Isaac Cunningham 10, Turner Abernathy 5, Vercenta Collins 4, Anmari Thomas 2 CANES-WEIDETZ 36, CANES-CREWS 33 WEIDETZ: Sam Weidetz 12, Dawson Gulasa 10, Jeffery Wright 8, Joseph Womack 4, Kaden Smith 2 CREWS: JaKiyon Porter 11, Jordan Hall 7, Chris Wells 5, Chandler Mathison 5, Jace Kilgore 3, Zeke Stevens-Kilgore 2 14U BOYS LAKEPOINT 44, CANES-DAVIS 38 LAKEPOINT: Ben Williams 15, Jackson Heilman 10, Cal Goss 9, McCary Anderson 6, Brody Mott 2, Eli Swan 1 CANES: Blane Davis 15, Luke Kottemann 8, Buck Brumlow 6, Lamarcus Matthew 6Drew Billings 4, Alex Freman 3 CANES-CHANDLER 39, LAKEPOINT 31 CHANDLER: Charlie Heidmann 12, Jacob Day 11, William Cline 9, Matthew Wilson 4, Micah Earwood 3 LAKEPOINT: McCary Anderson 6, Cal Goss 5, Jake Lawson 5, A.J. Christina 4, Ben Williams 4, Brody Mott 2, Jackson Heilman 2 CANES-DAVIS 37, CANES-WILSON 31 DAVIS: Buck Brumlow 18, Blane Davis 6, Nathan McDonald 4, Alex Freeman 3, Luke Kottemann 3, Jake Graves 2, Parker McPherson 2 WILSON: Kason Fearon-McLeod 15, Jarante Little 10, Phillip Schiltz 3, Carl Davis 2 ADULT COMPETITIVE and REC LEAGUE PRI 79, ALL WASHED UP 78 PRI: Cyrus Banks 32, Glare 21, Laine Frazier 10, #91-7, Michael Frazier 6, Tyler Blackmon 3 AWU: Blake Thompson 22, Courtney Gamble 21, Mike Howren 20, Darrell Wilkins 12, Monterio Fezzia 2, Reggie King 1 CFB-GRAY 67, BEARDS 32 GRAY: Joshua Christian 19, #30-14, Dionata Christian 13, Asa Williams 9, Derrick Jackson 6, Jonathan Brown 2, Tanner Stinard 2, #51-2 BEARDS: Blake Scoggins 8, Paul Monroe 8, Kevin Harris 7, Zack Morgan 4, Chase Corder 3, Greg Sizemore 2 KRACKERJAX 67, MONSTARS 47 KRACKERJAX: Mike Ezell 20, Ricky Heath 12, Jay Frazier 12, Blake Wilkey 9, Adam Chance 4, Steven Brown 2, Landon Adams 2 MONSTARS: Jordan Lothan 16, Justin Reed 15, Jacob McWhorter 9, Kaleb Reed 6 CFB-RED 62, HAWKS 61 CFB: Mitch Jones 20, Craig Lindsay 17, Matt Gibson 14, Tyler Heath 9, Jeremy Morton 3 HAWKS: Ben Bridges 23, Nick Whorton 16, Georgia Russell 13, Joe Owen 11, Kyle Bradley 1 CFB-RED 49, KRACKERJAX 24 CFB: Kent Howard 25, Andy Bishop 12, Craig Lindsay 7, Matt Gibson 6, Blake Arthur 2 KRACKERJAX: Blake Wilkey 10, Landon Adams 4, Adam Chance 3, Mike Ezell 2, Jay Frazier 2, Ricky Heath 2 SHAW X-MEN 50, TOYO ALL-STARS 44 SHAW: #34-17, Cyril Young 12, #20-8, Reo Johnson 6, #35-3, #40-3, #23-2 TOYO STARS: Paul Richard 16, Cory Warn 13, Keith McEver 8, KSean Stafford 5, Deion Jackson 3 HAWKS 48, GF WILLIS 46 HAWKS: Georgia Russell 15, Nick Whorton 9, Ben Bridges 9, Kyle Bradley 5, Zach Tasker 2, Brian Warlick 2, Joe Owen 1 GFW: Ty Mitchum 10, Shannon Horn 9, Michael Woodard 8, Brad Stephens 8, Justin McClain 3 MONSTARS 81, BEARDS 57 MONSTARS: Kaleb Reed 22, Justin Reed 20, Kenny Pierson 14, Jacob McWhorter 14, Jordan Lothan 11 BEARDS: Kyle Lundberg 26, Zack Morgan 10, Chase Corder 10, Blake Scoggins 9, James Griffin 2 GF WILLIS 53, CFB-RED 51 - Overtime GFW: Michael Woodard 20, #12-15, Justin McClain 8, Greg Johnson 7, #10-1, Ty Mitchum 1 CFB-GRAY: Donlin HInton 15, Joshua Christian 15, Dionata Christian 8, #30-4, Logan Bagley 3, Derrick Jackson 2, Jonathan Brown 2, Asa Williams 2 TOYO HIGHLANDERS 92, ALL WASHED UP 82 TOYO: Bryan Owens 37, Jozel 20, Eddie Melvin 19, Blake Wood 6, Cedric Spivey 4, Willy Woods 4, Shannon Winters 2 AWU: Monterio Fezzia 20, Mike Howren 18, Courtney Gamble 13, #5-12, Nick Roberts 8, #20-6 Recreation basketball results are provided by the Cartersville Parks and Recreation Department and the Bartow County Recreation Department.

Adairsville, Cartersville and Woodland had high school swimmers eligible to compete at the Georgia High School Association Swimming and Diving State Championships this past weekend at the Georgia Tech Aquatic Center in Atlanta. All three schools had relay teams to qualify for the state meet, Georgia Rutledge of Cartersville qualified in two events as did Adairsville’s Rylee Moss. Rutledge finished 37th in the girls 50-yard freestyle (26.08) and was 45th in the 100-yard freestyle (57.64). Moss was a scratch in the girls 200 individual medley and the 100-yard butterfly. The Cartersville girls 200-yard freestyle relay team of Rutledge, Gracie Siniard, Grayson Breedlove, and Aleina Vidoli placed 38th with a time of 1:51.19. The Woodland girls 200-yard freestyle relay team placed 39th with a time of 1:51.84. That team consisted of Lyrica Miron, Maggie Monforte, Madilyn Tuplin, and Kera Lawhon. Daniel Sullivan, Jason Bromby, Chance Jones, and Johnathon Wilkes comprised the Adairsville boys 200-yard freestyle relay team that placed 47th with a time of 1:41.51. Swimmers earn their spots in the state meet by posting qualifying times during meets throughout the regular season. Swimmers are divided into classifications A through 5A. 6A and 7A were separated into their own classification.

The Woodland girls basketball team defeated East Paulding Monday night to advance in the Region 7AAAAA Championship Tournament. The Woodland boys and the Adairsville girls were eliminated in tournament openers. WOODLAND GIRLS 52, EAST PAULDING 44 Region 7AAAAA Tournament Lexie Robinson (photo) scored 16 points and collected 16 rebounds to help lead the Lady Cats into the next round of the Region 7AAAAA tournament Monday night at Rome High School. Woodland led 13-8 after one quarter and extended their advantage to 31-19 at the half. The Lady Cats held a 40-33 lead going into the fourth quarter. Freshman Carli Clymer added 14 points with four assists and four steals for Woodland. Lauren Morris contributed nine points and Jamison Kilgo chipped in with four points. East Paulding finished the season with a 3-23 mark. The Woodland girls (4-20) will face the region’s top seed Carrollton in the next round Tuesday at Carrollton at 7pm. The Lady Trojans (24-1) are ranked No. 4 in Class AAAAA and were 16-0 in region play this season. ROME BOYS 54, WOODLAND 39 Region 7AAAAA Tournament The Woodland boys had their season come to an end Monday night with a loss to Rome in the Region 7AAAAA play-in game at Rome High School. The Rome Wolves took a 21-10 lead after one quarter, led 28-19 at halftime, and held a 41-22 advantage through three periods. Justice Hays scored 12 points to lead the Wildcats. Trevor Knowles and Jaylen Ballard added seven and five points, respectively. Rome (8-16) advances to play top-seed and 9th-ranked Carrollton Tuesday night at Carrollton. Woodland finished the year with a 1-23 record. NORTH MURRAY GIRLS 46, ADAIRSVILLE 30 Region 6AAA Tournament The Adairsville girls team had its season come to a close Monday in the opening round of the Region 6AAA tournament at Calhoun. The Lady Tigers lost to North Murray, 46-30. North Murray (15-10) advances to play in the next round Wednesday against Sonoraville. The Lady Phoenix defeated Murray County in a first round game Monday. Adairsville finished the year with an 8-18 mark. Nakiya Washington and Josie Summerville of the Lady Tigers were named to the Region 6AAA all-region team.

The Adairsville girls and boys basketball teams will open play Monday and Tuesday in the Region 6AAA Championship Tournament hosted by Calhoun High School. The Lady Tigers face North Murray Monday evening at 4pm in the opening round. The Tigers will play Murray County Tuesday at 5:30pm. REGION 6AAA CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT MON. FEB. 6 GIRLS 4pm -- #2N North Murray vs. #5S Adairsville 5:30pm -- #3S Sonoraville vs. #4N Murray County 7pm -- #2S Haralson County vs. #5N Coahulla Creek 8:30pm -- #3N Lakeview-FO vs. #4S Bremen TUE. FEB. 7 BOYS 4pm -- #2N Ringgold vs. #5S Haralson County 5:30pm -- #3S Adairsville vs. #4N Murray County 7pm -- #2S Sonoraville vs. #5N Lakeview-FO 8:30pm -- #3N North Murray vs. #4S Bremen WED. FEB. 8 4pm -- Girls -- N.Murray/Adairsville winner vs. Sonoraville/Murray winner 5:30pm -- Boys -- Ringgold/Haralson winner vs. Adairsville/Murray winner 7pm -- Girls -- Haralson/CC winner vs. LFO/Bremen winner 8:30pm -- Boys -- Sonoraville/LFO winner vs. N.Murray/Bremen winner FRI. FEB 10 Semifinals 4pm -- Girls -- #1S Calhoun vs. N.Murray/Adairsville/Sonoraville/Murray winner 5:30pm -- Boys -- #1S Calhoun vs. Ringgold/Haralson/Adairsville/Murray winner 7pm -- Girls -- #1N Ringgold vs. Haralson/Coahulla Creek/LFO/Bremen winner 8:30pm -- Boys -- #1N Coahulla Creek vs. Sonoraville/LFO/N.Murray/Bremen winner SAT. FEB. 11 3rd Place & Championship Games 3pm -- Girls Third Place Game -- Semifinal losers 4:30pm -- Boys Third Place Game -- Semifinal losers 6pm -- Girls Championship Game 7:30pm -- Boys Championship Game

Jaylon Pugh was named co-Region 5AAAA Player of the Year and teammates T.J. Horton and Isaac Gridley were recognized as members of the All-Region Team in a recent release by the region. Horton was named to the First Team. Gridley is an Honorable Mention selection.

The basketball teams from Cass and Woodland begin region tournament play this week at a variety of sites with the Region 7AAAAA Championship Tournament culminating Thursday and Friday at Villa Rica High School. The Woodland teams open tournament play Monday night at Rome High School where they will each play in the region tournament play-in game. The Lady Cats play East Paulding at 6pm with the boys playing Rome at 7:30pm. A win by Woodland in either game earns an opportunity to play Carrollton in the next round. Both the Lady Trojans and Trojans finished the regular season in first place and will host that portion of the tournament. The Cass girls and boys begin region tournament action Tuesday at two different sites. The Lady Colonels take on Hiram at 6pm at Villa Rica High School. The Colonels travel to Kell High School where they play Paulding County. A win by either team will advance that team to the region final four host by Villa Rica on Thursday and Friday. An opening round win also ensures a trip to the Class AAAAA state playoffs. The top four teams from each region qualify for the state playoffs. REGION 7AAAAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT MON. FEB 6 at Rome 6pm - Girls - #9 East Paulding vs. #8 Woodland 7:30pm - Boys - #9 Woodland vs. #8 Rome TUE. FEB 7 at Carrollton 4pm - Girls - #5 Kell vs. #4 Rome 5:30pm - Boys - #5 Hiram vs. #4 Villa Rica 7pm - Girls - #1 Carrollton vs. East Paulding/Woodland winner 8:30pm - Boys - #1 Carrollton vs. Woodland/Rome winner at Villa Rica 6pm - Girls - #3 Cass vs. #6 Hiram 7:30pm - Girls - #2 Villa Rica vs. #7 Paulding Co. at Kell 6pm - Boys #3 Cass vs. #6 Paulding Co. 7:30pm - Boys #2 Kell vs. #7 East Paulding THUR. FEB 9 Semifinals at Villa Rica 4pm - Girls - Cass/Hiram winner vs. Paulding/Villa Rica winner 5:30pm - Boys - Cass/Paulding winner vs. Kell/East Paulding winner 7pm - Girls - Carrollton/EP/Woodland winner vs. Kell/Rome winner 8:30pm - Boys - Carrollton/Woodland/Rome winner vs. Hiram/Villa Rica winner FRI. FEB 10 3rd Place & Championship Games at Villa Rica 4pm - Girls - Third Place Game - Semifinal losers 5:30pm - Boys - Third Place Game - Semifinal losers 7pm - Girls - Championship Game 8:30pm - Boys - Championship Game

The Cartersville Lady Canes and Purple Hurricanes play in the Region 5AAAA Championship Tournament this week at a variety of sites. The Lady Canes travel to LaGrange Tuesday evening for a matchup with 4-seed Troup County. The Cartersville girls are the 5-seed going into the tournament, but the winner of their game with the Lady Tigers will reach the region semifinals and will be guaranteed a trip to the Class AAAA state playoffs. The Hurricanes are in a similar situation as the region tournament begins. The Cartersville boys are the 3-seed and will host a pair of boys games Wednesday night. Troup and Cedartown will face off in the early game. The Canes will play the winner of Monday night's game between Chapel Hill and Central-Carrollton. The complete schedule: REGION 5-AAAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT MON FEB 6 at Chapel Hill 6pm - Girls - #6 Cedartown v. #7 Central 7pm - Boys - #6 Chapel Hill v. #7 Central TUE FEB 7 at LaGrange 6pm - Girls - #4 Troup v. #5 Cartersville 7:30pm - Girls - #3 LaGrange v. Cedartown/Central winner WED FEB 8 at Cartersville 6pm - Boys - #4 Troup v. #5 Cedartown 7:30pm - Boys - #3 Cartersville v. Chapel Hill/Central winner THUR FEB 9 at Sandy Creek 6pm - Girls - #2 Chapel Hill v. LaGrange/Cedartown/Central winner 7:30pm - Girls - #1 Sandy Creek v. Troup/Cartersville winner FRI FEB 10 at LaGrange 6pm - Boys - #2 Sandy Creek v. Cartersville/Chapel Hill/Central winner 7:30pm - Boys - #1 LaGrange v. Troup/Cedartown winner SAT FEB 11 at LaGrange Semifinal losers for 3/4 seed — Girls 3pm and boys 4:30pm Semifinal winners for 1/2 seed — Girls 6pm and boys 7:30pm

The Georgia Highlands baseball team split a Saturday doubleheader with Chattanooga State at LakePoint in Emerson, but won two of three in the season opening series. After winning 12-0 Friday, the Chargers won 10-3 Saturday in Game 1 before being edged by the Tigers in Game 2, 2-1. Drew Wilson (4 IP, 4H, 3ER, 3K) was the Game 1 winnning pitcher. Grant Bodison was 2-for-4 for the GHC offense in the opener and hit his second homerun of the season. Nick Fink also homered for the Chargers. Sam Sowerbrower was the Game 2 losing pitcher. He allowed only two earned runs through five innings, but the Georgia Highlands offense managed only a Bronco O’Brien RBI. The Chargers (2-1) host Walters State CC in a three game series next weekend. The Senators come to LakePoint for a Saturday doubleheader and a single game on Sunday.

The Georgia Highlands College softball team improved to 5-3 Saturday with a doubleheader sweep of USC-Salkehatchie. The Chargers won the first game Saturday 6-2 and took the second game 8-0 in five innings. With the sweep, GHC won three of four games in the four game series played Friday and Saturday at Stars Field. Micayla McCoy picked up the pitching victory in Game 1. She tossed four innings and allowed two earned runs on three hits and a walk. She struck out two. Rebecca Meade collected a save in the opener. She worked three innings, allowing only one hit and a pair of walks. She struck out five. Meade was also a complete game winner in Game 2. She scattered three hits and a walk while striking out two in the shutout. Offensively, the Chargers were led by Gardner-Webb commit Andria Booth who was 5-for-8 on the day with a double, triple, and a stolen base. Shay Wooten had a great outing going 4-for-7. She also crushed her first collegiate home run. Next up for the Chargers is the GHC Border Battle next Friday-Sunday (Feb. 10-12) at Hamilton Crossing Park. Follow the Chargers on their Facebook page or the GHC website www.ghcchargers.com for tournament info. (Pictured: freshman Shay Wooten)

The Cartersville basketball teams swept Central-Carrollton Saturday at the Storm Center to complete the Region 5AAAA regular season. Excel Christian Academy's girls and boys teams fell in their final regular season games to Christian Heritage. CARTERSVILLE BOYS 74, CENTRAL-CARROLLTON 65 T.J. Horton scored 24 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, JaCorey Johns scored 13 points, and Jaylon Pugh added 12 points with seven rebounds to lead the Canes past the visiting Lions Saturday at the Storm Center. Central-Carrollton finished the regular season with a 5-21 mark and was 1-11 in Region 5AAAA. Cartersville (18-5, 9-3) will be the 3-seed in the Region 5AAAA tournament and will play the winner of an opening round game between Chapel Hill and Central-Carrollton. CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 59, CENTRAL-CARROLLTON 52 The Cartersville girls trailed 28-23 at halftime, but came back in the second half for a Region 5AAAA win that kept the Lady Canes out of the 6-7 seed game at the region tournament next week. Cartersville will be the 5-seed and play LaGrange Tuesday with the winner of that game advancing to the state tournament. Madison McKinney led all scorers in the game with 23 points. Central-Carrollton enters the region tournament with a 9-15 mark. Cartersville finished the regular season with a 10-15 record. CHRISTIAN HERITAGE GIRLS 47, EXCEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 35 Christian Heritage improved to 15-9 overall and 9-5 in region play with the win Saturday at Excel Christian Academy. Brighton McCollum led Excel with 13 points. Rylie Boston scored nine and Kalli Beth Scheff added eight. The Excel girls lost their final six games and concluded the regular season with a 10-10 record. The Lady Eagles were 6-8 in Region 6A. CHRISTIAN HERITAGE BOYS 80, EXCEL CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 26 The visiting Lions took a 24-13 lead after one quarter and led 44-13 at halftime on their way to a Region 6A win at Excel Christian Academy. Christian Koneman led Christian Heritage with 19 points. Kyrie Tucker scored 10 points for the Eagles. Christian Heritage improved to 15-10 overall and 9-5 in Region 6A. ECA concluded the season 0-19.

The Woodland wrestling team had eleven wrestlers at the Class AAAAA State Sectionals Saturday at Buford and all eleven advanced to the Class AAAAA State Traditional Championships next Thursday-Saturday in Macon. Adairsville also had a pair of wrestlers advance from the Class AAA State Sectionals at Bremen to the Class AAA State Traditional Championships in Macon next week. State Traditional Tournament qualifiers: WOODLAND Gavin Nix - 106 - 4th Kyle Golhofer - 113 - Sectional Champion Neuro Montero - 120 - Sectional Champion Vinnie Rosati - 126 - Sectional Runner-Up Dawson Woods - 132 - Sectional Runner-Up Joshua Veley - 138 - 4th Cody Cochran - 152 - Sectional Champion Kristian Fisher - 160 - 5th Jacob Frye - 170 - 7th Hunter Hardin - 220 - 3rd Kurtis Feany - 285 - 5th ADAIRSVILLE Bryce Burgess (Jr.) 160 - 3rd Nic Jackson (Soph.) 170 - 4th