The five local high schools likely learn their new region assignments for the 2016-2018 school year cycle today as the GHSA meets in Thomaston. The Georgia High School Association Executive Committee will release preliminary region assignments today following the meeting. Schools will then have an opportunity to appeal their placement before the new regions are finalized. A few weeks ago, the Georgia High School Association released the classification assignments for all Georgia schools and allowed schools to appeal or opt for a higher classification. That process has now completed and today the business of assigning schools to their 2016-2018 regions begins. All five local schools will remain in their current (2014-16) classification assignments for the 2016-18 school years. Woodland and Cass will remain in Class AAAAA, Cartersville will remain in Class AAAA, Adairsville will be in Class AAA, and Excel will be in Class A. Loren Maxwell, author of the popular Maxwell ratings projected Cass and Woodland to be placed in a region together along with Ridgeland, Southeast Whitfield and Kell. Maxwell used relative distance between schools and the other criteria the GHSA commonly uses to determine regions. One of those being schools in the same school district remain together. Maxwell's other projections included Cartersville in a region with Cedartown, Gilmer, Heritage (Catoosa), Lafayette, Northwest Whitfield, and Pickens. The most controversial of Maxwell's projections for local schools has Adairsville in a region with Bremen, Cedar Grove, Douglass, Haralson County, Lovett, Marist, Rockmart, and Westminster. Maxwell chose that placement over the region more similar to Adairsville's current group that would include Calhoun, Coahulla Creek, Fannin, Gordon Central, Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe, Murray County, North Murray, Ringgold, and Sonoraville. Maxwell only projected regions for football schools, so the article did not project a region for Excel Christian Academy. For this next reclassification cycle, the GHSA has created a new classification for the state’s largest schools. The move creates an eighth state championship classification for most sports. The GHSA also implemented a new rule during this reclassification cycle that forced schools receiving greater than 3 percent of their student body from outside the school’s own county lines to move up one classification. The rule impacted many private schools like Blessed Trinity, Pace Academy, Marist, Westminster, Lovett, Greater Atlanta Christian and Woodward Academy as you would expect. The rule also impacted a few independent (city) schools like Buford, Bremen, and Jefferson. Several schools including Crisp County, Thomasville, Vidalia, Early County, Heard County, Armuchee, Social Circle, and others with out-of-county populations greater than 3 percent appealed their placement in a higher classification caused by the new rule and won. That allowed those schools to remain in a classification with schools of their own actual size instead of being forced up one class by the “out-of-county percentage rule.” Thomas County Central was the largest school (1474 students) to win such an appeal. The south Georgia school has an out-of-county student body makeup of 5.5 percent. The list of schools volunteering to play in a higher classification are: Pace Academy (A to AAA); B.E.S.T. Academy (A to AA); Groves, Johnson (Sav.), McNair, Savannah, and Union County (AA to AAA); Henry County and Marist (AAA to AAAA); Carver (Atl.), Columbia, Decatur, Hampton, Morrow, Riverdale, and Southwest DeKalb (AAAA to AAAAA); plus Forest Park, Mt. Zion (Jonesboro), M.L. King, and Stephenson (AAAAA to AAAAAA). Bartow Sports Zone will share the new region placements as the information becomes available.

Updates on local collegiate and professional athletes currently participating in college football and the NFL. Bartow Sports Zone does periodic updates on these athletes and those of other sports. You may check each athlete's link on our Athletes Beyond Bartow page on this site. Here are the updates on football games of Saturday, November 27-29: TARRIS BATISTE — Georgia State University (Sr., Cass HS) … a starter at safety for the Panthers and last week’s football Defensive Student Athlete of the Week in the Sun Belt Conference, Batiste recorded four tackles in a 31-21 conference win over Troy Friday at the Georgia Dome. Georgia State improved to 5-6 and 4-3 in conference games. The Panthers close out the season Saturday at Georgia Southern in Statesboro. COLLIN BARBER — University of Georgia (Sr., Cartersville HS) … had two punts for a 40 yard average with a long punt of 41 yards, but pinned Georgia Tech inside the 20 yard line with both kicks as the Bulldogs won 13-7. Georgia (9-3) will play next in a bowl game to be determined. HAYES LINN — Air Force (Jr. Cartersville HS) … saw action for the Falcons in their 47-35 loss at New Mexico. Air Force slipped to 8-4 overall and 6-2 in the Mountain Division of the Mountain West Conference. Linn has 16 tackles and a pair of pass breakups on special teams and as a safety. He has played in all twelve games for the Falcons and started three. Despite the loss this past week, Air Force advances to the MWC Championship Game December 5 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego against San Diego State who is 9-3. AUSTIN HARRELL — The Citadel (R-Jr., Adairsville HS) … defensive lineman has appeared in 11 of 12 games for the Bulldogs who improved to 8-4 overall and were co-champions of the Southern Conference. The Citadel beat Coastal Carolina 41-38 in the opening round of the NCAA FCS playoffs. Harrell has twelve tackles on the season. The Bulldogs play cross-town rival Charleston Southern Saturday (Dec. 5) at CSU. T.L. FORD — UNC-Charlotte (Soph., Cartersville HS) … was targeted six times and caught 5 passes for 39 yards, with a long reception of 19 yards in a 27-7 loss at Rice in Houston, TX. He started all 12 games for the 49ers at wide receiver. Ford caught 26 passes during the season for 247 yards (9.5 avg/catch) with a long reception of 25 yards. Charlotte finished the year 2-10 overall and 0-7 in Conference USA. MARK QUATTLEBAUM — UNC-Charlotte (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … saw action in the 49ers season ending loss at Rice University in Houston, TX. For the season, Quattlebaum appeared in eight games, had two punt returns for six yards, and a 13 yard kickoff return. Charlotte ended the year 2-10 overall and 0-7 in Conference USA. BROOKS BARDEN — UNC-Charlotte (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … started at quarterback and was 3-for-9 for 33 yards with a long completion of 19 yards in a 27-7 loss at Rice in Houston, TX. Barden also ran twice for six yards. The 49ers finished their season 2-10 overall and 0-7 in Conference USA. Barden played in seven games and rushed for net 21 yards on 38 attempts with a long run of 31 yards and one touchdown. He was 49-of-99 passing on the season for 440 yards, 4 TDs, and 5 interceptions. His QB efficiency rating was 90.1 and his longest completion of the season was good for 31 yards. VIC BEASLEY — Atlanta Falcons (1st season, NFL) … a starter at defensive end for the Falcons, Beasley had one pass defended Sunday in a 20-10 home loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Through 11 games, Beasley has 20 tackles, two sacks, three passes defended, and one interception. The loss was Atlanta’s fourth in a row and fifth in their last six games. The Falcons fell to 6-5 on the season and have consecutive road games over the next three weeks at Tampa Bay, Carolina, and Jacksonville. If we have omitted a local athlete you think should be included, please use our Contact page or the attached form on the Athletes Beyond Bartow page to let us know.​

The Woodland Wildcats picked up their first boys basketball win of the year Saturday with an 81-75 defeat of the host Southeast Whitfield Raiders at the Southeast Hoopfest in Dalton. Woodland was led by Jarvis James, Jonathan Pritchett, John Adams, Julian Rockett, and Brady Jernigan who all finished with double figures in scoring. Tied at 33 at halftime, the Wildcats built a 15-point lead in the second half before the Raiders narrowed the margin to one point with just over two minutes to play. Woodland (1-2) secured the victory by going 13 of 17 at the free throw line and made several key free throws down the stretch according to head coach John Howard. Jarvis James was named to the Hoopfest All-Tournament team. The Wildcats and Lady Wildcats will host county rival, Cass, Tuesday (Dec. 1) and are scheduled to travel to Pepperell Friday (Dec. 4). Both doubleheaders are 6pm starts.

The Cass girls basketball team won the Southeast Whitfield Hoopfest Saturday night in Dalton with a convincing 57-27 victory over the host Lady Raiders. The Lady Colonels won the title, despite a loss earlier in the tournament to region foe Dalton. Cass, Southeast Whitfield, and Dalton all finished the Hoopfest with 2-1 records, but Cass held the tie-breaker, point differential over the over two opponents. Murray County finished the tournament, 0-3. It is the second consecutive year the Cass girls have won this event. Cass built a 28-12 lead in the first half and pulled away with an explosive 25-point third quarter to hand Southeast their first loss of the year. The Lady Colonels’ junior point guard, Jana Morning, was named Most Valuable Player in the tournament and teammate Esmeralda Thomas — also a junior — was selected to the Hoopfest All-Tournament team. Lexy Walraven led four Lady Colonels in double figures with 13 points. Kyla Micheinzi and Morning finished with 11 each and Payton Stoddard scored 10. Thomas scored 7 points, while Haley Gildersleeve and Chanel Clemmons chipped in with 3 and 2, respectively. Emileigh Easley scored 7 points and Tori Brock 5 for the Lady Raiders. Cass (3-1 overall) opens sub-region play Tuesday at Woodland (Dec. 1, 6pm) and will host Rome Friday (Dec. 4, 6pm). COAHULLA CREEK boys 42, CASS 41 Coahulla Creek trailed the Cass boys basketball team 20-12 at the half and 25-20 after three quarters, but rallied in the final period to edge the Colonels 42-41 at the Southeast Whitfield Hoopfest in Dalton. The Cass defense limited the Colts to eight points or less in each of the first three quarters, but Coahulla Creek (4-1) outdueled the Colonels in the fourth quarter, 22-16, to take the victory. Cass (1-3) travels to Woodland Tuesday and will host Rome next Friday in a pair of Region 7-AAAAA contests. NOTE: Check back soon. We will add details as they become available.

A pair of 13-0 juggernauts will meet Friday night (Dec. 4, 7:30pm) in Cartersville High School’s Weinman Stadium as the Bainbridge Bearcats arrive to challenge the Purple Hurricanes in the 2015 Class AAAA semifinals. At stake, a trip to The Georgia Dome in Atlanta and a spot in the Class AAAA state championship game Saturday, Dec. 12 at 4:30pm. The Canes dispatched Jonesboro 38-14 in the quarterfinals while the Bearcats rallied with a pair of fourth quarter rushing touchdowns by Dameon Pierce to slip past visiting St. Pius X, 18-17. Pierce finished the night with 216 yards rushing on 23 carries and scored the two touchdowns on back-to-back Bearcats’ possessions. His game-winner came with only 1:44 remaining, but it was his 72-yard touchdown scamper earlier in the fourth quarter with his team trailing 17-6 that surged momentum in the Bearcats’ direction. St. Pius (10-3) controlled the time of possession and had the ball for almost 30 of the game’s 48 minutes, but Bainbridge was able to overcome that deficit when the Golden Lions missed wide left on a 59-yard field goal attempt with only seven second remaining. The Golden Lions took a 10-6 lead at halftime on a Nkem Njoku blocked punt that he returned 35 yards. The blocked punt occurred following Bainbridge’s initial possession of the game. St. Pius added a 33-yard field goal by Nick Jones before the intermission. Njoku scored the other St. Pius touchdown on a three-yard run at the beginning of the fourth quarter that built the Lions’ 17-6 lead. Bainbridge quarterback, Brett McLaughlin, scored for the Bearcats on a one-yard run in the first quarter, but the PAT kick failed. McLaughlin was 8-of-16 through the air for 73 yards as Bainbridge stayed a perfect 13-0 for the first time in school history. The Bearcats failed on two-point conversion pass attempts on both fourth quarter scores. Bainbridge head coach Jeff Littleton, who is now 24-11 in three seasons, said his team stayed with their plan down the stretch. “Our staff and kids trusted each other to do the job,” said Littleton. “Everybody believes in what we’re doing. We expect to win. We never give up.” Under Littleton, the Bearcats have been in the state playoffs all three years but exited with first round losses to Ware County in 2013 and West Laurens in 2014. This season Bainbridge cruised through the regular season and sub-region 1-AAAA-B. Their two closest games were both against rival Cairo. The Bearcats beat the Syrupmakers 21-7 September 4 and defeated them again November 6 in the Region 1-AAAA championship game, 14-6. Bainbridge had an easy state playoffs opening round win over Griffin, 35-7, but has been in a pair of nail-biters the last two weeks. The Bearcats edged Sandy Creek 14-7 in overtime in the second round along with the come-from-behind victory over St. Pius X in the quarterfinals. All three playoff victories have been at home for the Bearcats. The matchup with the Hurricanes will be Bainbridge's first road game since their region championship win at Cairo. It is also the first appearance in the state semifinals for Bainbridge since 1993. Cartersville is in the Final Four for the ninth time in the past 27 years. It is also the third time the Hurricanes have won their first 13 games, a feat also accomplished in 1999 and 2012.

CARTERSVILLE 38, JONESBORO 14 The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes improved to 13-0 and advanced to the Class AAAA state semifinals with a 38-14 win Friday night over the Jonesboro Cardinals. Cartersville is in the Final Four for the ninth time in the past 27 years. It is also the third time the Hurricanes have won their first 13 games, a feat also accomplished in 1999 and 2012. Link: Atlanta Journal-Constitution Link: The Daily Tribune News Next: Cartersville will host Bainbridge in the Final Four. Bainbridge came-from-behind to defeat St. Pius X 18-17 in the quarterfinals. Both Bainbridge and Cartersville are No. 1 seeds. The playoff site was determined by coin flip. The other Class AAAA semifinal will pit Woodward Academy against Buford. WESTMINSTER 51, ADAIRSVILLE 21 Westminster's Rankin Woley passed for two touchdowns, ran for one and returned an interception 31 yards for another. Zay Malcome rushed for 154 yards on 13 carries, and Chase Williams had 115 yards from scrimmage and scored two touchdowns. Blake Gillikin kicked two field goals, including a school-record 56-yarder. The game was tied 7-7 early in the second quarter, but Westminster scored the final 24 points of the half to take control. Adairsville finished with an 11-2 record. Westminster (9-4) is one of three teams in the AAA Final Four from Region 4-AAA. The Wildcats will play region foe, Cedar Grove, in the state semifinals. Blessed Trinity plays Calhoun in the other semifinal. Link: Atlanta Journal Contitution ​Link: The Daily Tribune News

The Cass Lady Colonels’ basketball team cruised by Murray County 62-36 Friday afternoon at the Southeast Whitfield Hoopfest in Dalton. The Lady Colonels (2-1) took a 12-8 lead after one quarter and stretch that lead to 21-12 by the intermission. Cass then outpaced the Lady Indians 13-8 and 16-8 in the final two periods. Freshman Payton Stoddard and junior Esmeralda Thomas led the Lady Colonels with 14 points each. Jana Morning scored 13 points, followed by Lexy Walraven and Kyla Micheinzi with four each. Alexis Ware and Jaclyn Hazelwood added three points apiece and Chanel Clemmons score two points. The Cass girls will conclude play in the Southeast Whitfield Hoopfest Saturday afternoon against the host Southeast Lady Raiders at 5:30pm. The Cass boys lost 49-40 to Darlington in their second game of the Southeast Whitfield Hoopfest. The Colonels (1-2) were led in scoring by Jacquez Mills with 13 points. C.J. Bennett scored 10, followed by Mike Sims and Ashton Burley with six each. Ian Whittington scored four points and Matt Mundy added two. The Cass boys play Coahulla Creek Saturday at 4pm in both teams’ final game of the tournament in Dalton. The Cass basketball teams are also on the road next Tuesday (Dec. 1) at Woodland before hosting Rome Friday Dec. 4.

The Cass boys basketball team evened its early season record at 1-1 Wednesday night with an easy 83-42 victory over Southeast Whitfield at the Southeast Whitfield Hoopfest in Dalton. Mike Sims led the Colonels’ scoring attack with 27 points, followed by C.J. Bennett with 25, and Ashton Burley with 10 points and 10 assists. Matt Mundy scored five points. Jaquez Mills, Noah James, and Matt Ginn added four points each. Mark Chester scored three and Ian Whittington added one for Cass. The Colonels play again Friday and Saturday in the Southeast Whitfield Hoopfest. Darlington will be Cass' next opponent on Friday at 4:30pm. DALTON GIRLS 57, CASS 50 The Cass girls lost Wednesday night to Dalton, 57-50, at the Southeast Whitfield Hoopfest. Dalton took a 12-9 lead in the first quarter and maintained that margin through first half with the Lady Colonels trailing 26-23 at the intermission. The Lady Catamounts pushed their lead to nine after three quarters and held on for the seven point victory. Callie Smith and Lauren Parker led Dalton with 20 and 17 points, respectively. Kyla Micheinzi and Jana Morning led Cass with 11 points each. Lexy Walraven scored seven. Esmeralda Thomas and Alexis Ware chipped in with six each. Chanel Clemmons scored four, followed by Jaclyn Hazelwood with three and Haley Gildersleeve two points. The Lady Colonels next two games at the Southeast Whitfield Hoopfest are against Murray County Friday at 3pm and the host Lady Raiders of Southeast Saturday at 5:30pm. COAHULLA CREEK BOYS 78, WOODLAND 68 The Woodland boys slipped to an 0-2 start Wednesday night with a 10-point loss to Coahulla Creek at the Southeast Whitfield Hoopfest in Dalton. The Wildcats trailed 21-13 after one period, but narrowed the lead to 30-25 at halftime. The Colts (3-0) pushed their lead to 56-42 after three quarters, then held on in the fourth for a 78-68 win. Woodland lost their Hoopfest tournament opener Tuesday afternoon to North Cobb Christian, 82-28. Woodland is scheduled for a third Hoopfest game Saturday in Dalton and will host county rival Cass on Tuesday (Dec. 1).

The Woodland Wildcats wrestling team captured a championship Tuesday at the Etowah Duals. The defending Class 5A state runner-up Wildcats won preliminary round matches over Lumpkin County (50-18), Harrison (61-9), and River Ridge (78-6) to reach the semifinals. In the semifinals, Woodland topped Northwest Whitfield 53-25 before edging Gilmer 36-33 in the championship match. Several Woodland grapplers finished the Etowah tournament undefeated, including Gavin Nix, Kyle Gollhofer, Jahvar Lewis, Spencer Cooper, Cody Cochran, Joseph Jones, Jacob Frye, and Raekwan Hicks. Woodland will host Cass next Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 6pm in the "Pin Down Cancer" Dual. All of the proceeds from the match of county rivals will go to benefit Woodland teacher, Cathy Lorenz, who is battling cancer. Admission is $5 and additional donations may be made. Those interested may contact Woodland head coach Adam Tramutola (adam.tramutola@bartow.k12.ga.us) or Cass head wrestling coach D.L. Koontz (derston.koontz@bartow.k12.ga.us).

Atlanta Falcons' rookie defensive end Vic Beasley, Jr. -- a Clemson All-American and former Adairsville Tiger -- recently made his contribution to The Players' Tribune at theplayerstribune.com. "As a kid, when I would score touchdowns or make big plays -- either on the football field or just in my mind, daydreaming -- I'd imagine I was doing it in a Falcons uniform." ~~ Vic Beasley Jr. See Beasley's full contribution HERE. Bartow Sports Zone tracks Beasley and all the other professional and collegiate athletes contributing to their organizations or programs around the country through our Athletes Beyond Bartow page on this site.

The Armuchee Indians went 5-0 Tuesday to win the Col. Harvey Robinson Hurricane Duals hosted by Cartersville High School. The Indians finished ahead of second place Pickens (4-1 record) and third place Rockmart (3-2 record). Southeast Whitfield also finished 4-1 in their matches. The event included seven varsity teams and four middle school teams. Cartersville’s Robby Earick (132-lb.) led the Canes with a 5-0 record on the day. Jonathan De La Cruz (220 lb.) was 4-1 with a pair of pins and Ryan Hardesty (285 lb.) had three wins, all by pin. The Cartersville Middle School team won the middle school division with a 3-0 record. Cartersville High, led by head coach Garvin Edwards, is scheduled to be back on the home mats Tuesday against Coosa and will travel to the Bremen Blue Devils Invitational Friday, Dec. 5.

The Woodland Lady Wildcats basketball team defeated Calhoun 49-31 Tuesday at the Darlington Tip Off Tournament. Woodland (1-1) came from behind by outscoring Calhoun 21-3 in the third quarter. The Lady Yellow Jackets had built a 25-17 advantage at the half. Gabby Bradley led Woodland with 16 points and Lexie Robinson scored 13. Mikayla Richardson tallied 8 points for the Lady Cats and Haylie Roberson added 6. Woodland plays Darlington Wednesday and will host Cass next Tuesday (Dec. 1).