May 7, 2025 Cartersville and St. Pius X Catholic split their doubleheader Wednesday night and will play a rubber game on Thursday in Atlanta to decide their GHSA Class AAAA quarterfinal series. The middle of the Purple Hurricanes’ lineup produced ten hits and eight RBI in Wednesday's first game in an 11-7 win. The host Golden Lions bounced back with a 5-3 victory in Game 2 behind a complete-game, twelve-strikeout pitching performance by McKale Stevenson. The deciding game is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. start on Thursday. GAME 1: CARTERSVILLE 11, ST. PIUS X 7 Julez Pratt The Purple Hurricanes won the best-of-three series opener with a 15-hit attack led by the middle of the batting order. Julez Pratt, Cole Crawford, and Cameron Cochran combined for ten Canes’ hits and eight RBI from the 3-4-5 spots in the order. Pratt was 4-for-5 with three RBI. Crawford was 3-for-5 with a double and three RBI. Cochran was also 3-for-5 with two RBI. The Golden Lions kept the game tight, trailing 5-4 through the first five innings, but the Hurricanes posted six runs over the next two innings to build an 11-4 advantage. St. Pius scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh, but a comebacker to relief pitcher Maddox Frazier ended the threat. Cartersville pitcher Nate Russell collected the pitching victory by working into the seventh inning. He yielded six runs (four earned) on four hits and five walks while striking out five. Frazier allowed one earned run on two hits and one walk with one strikeout. Tristan McKibben produced two hits for the Canes in the victory. Brayden Logan (RBI), Andrew Purdy (double), and Nolan Elrod added one hit.  GAME 2: ST. PIUS X 5, CARTERSVILLE 3 Logan Shrewsbury Golden Lions’ starting pitcher McKale Stevenson struck out twelve, scattered five hits, four walks, and one hit batter to help St. Pius X Catholic earn a doubleheader split with Cartersville. St. Pius X, batting first and playing as the visitors in Game 2, took an early lead with two runs in the top of the third inning on a walk and three singles.  Cartersville (28-8) tied the game in the bottom of the fourth on RBI singles by Pratt and Elrod, but the Golden Lions (34-3) took advantage of four walks and an error in the fifth to regain the lead. Another Canes’ error in the sixth inning helped add another St. Pius X run, giving them a 5-2 advantage. Thomas Peters hit a leadoff double and later scored in the bottom of the seventh, but the comeback threat ended abruptly. Purdy started on the mound for Cartersville and was charged with the loss after working into the fifth inning. He allowed four earned runs on four hits and five walks, recording five strikeouts. Logan Shrewsbury recorded the final nine outs from the bump. He allowed one unearned run on two hits and three walks. Shrewsbury fanned six. Casen Cochran, Peters, Elrod (RBI), Pratt (RBI), and Logan had one hit each for Cartersville. McKibben added one RBI. The Hurricanes' loss snapped a 23-game winning streak—the second-longest in program history. The winner of Thursday’s series rubber game will advance to the state semifinals and a best-of-three series at Wayne County. The Yellow Jackets (32-5) eliminated Kell on Wednesday with two one-run wins — 3-2 and 5-4.

May 7, 2025 Ryan Martin On Wednesday, right fielder Ryan Martin contributed four hits, including two-run home runs in the third and fourth innings, leading the Georgia Highlands Chargers to a 12-4 victory over Andrew College in an eight-inning conference tournament game. The victory sent the Chargers into the championship round of the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association tournament, which is being played at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton. As the visiting team, the Andrew Tigers held a 3-1 lead halfway through the third inning. However, GHC pitchers Andrew Arnold (6 IP, 4R, 3ER, 7H, 2BB, 6K) and Jackson Greer (2 IP, 0R, 0H, 0BB, 3K) restricted the Tigers to just one additional run over the next five innings, ultimately securing the victory by an eight-run rule after seven innings. Martin’s first homer tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the third inning. His second round tripper in the fourth inning was part of a three-run frame.  The Tigers narrowed the margin to 6-5 in the top of the fifth inning, but the Chargers scored six unanswered runs in the sixth through eighth innings to put the game out of reach. Georgia Highlands out-hit Andrew 17 to 7. Kenskey Thomas, Grayson Godbee (double, two RBI), and Tyler Phillips had three hits for GHC.  Wyatt Gatlin had two hits, including a solo home run to walk off the game in the bottom of the eighth. Ian Fullerton hit a two-run homer in the sixth, and Andrew Bishop added a double with two RBI. Georgia Highlands (44-10) awaits the survivor of an elimination game between Gordon State (31-25) and Andrew (30-25) to be played Wednesday night.  The Chargers, already regular-season champions, need one win on Thursday to claim the conference title. The Gordon State/Andrew survivor must defeat Georgia Highlands twice on Thursday in the double-elimination format.  The championship round begins Thursday at 10 a.m. The conference tournament champion will advance to the NJCAA Appalachian District Championship Series at the Tennessee champion May 13-15 for the right to advance to the NJCAA World Series in Grand Junction, Colorado.

May 6, 2025 The Georgia Highlands Chargers easily dispatched East Georgia State 11-1 Tuesday afternoon in the double-elimination Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament opening round. The tournament is being played at a former conference member, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton. GHC scored runs in the first four innings to lead 9-1 and closed out the run-rule decision in the bottom of the sixth.  Max Eichenberger earned the pitching win for the Chargers by tossing all six innings. He allowed one earned run on three hits and two walks. Eichenberger recorded six strikeouts.  Andrew Bishop had three hits and two RBI for Georgia Highlands. Ian Fullerton had two hits, including a two-run home run and three RBI. Kenskey Thomas also produced two hits with one RBI. In the first inning, Ryan Martin hit a three-run homer to launch the Chargers’ offense. Tyler Phillips and Caden Marcos added one hit for GHC. The Chargers (43-10) advanced to face Andrew College (30-24) in the second round on Wednesday afternoon. The winner will advance to the championship round on Thursday. The loser will be forced to play an elimination game on Wednesday against the East Georgia State/Gordon State survivor.

May 6, 2025 The Adairsville High girls’ soccer team lost at Whitewater Monday night in the GHSA Class AAA state quarterfinals. The Lady Tigers (15-4) were shut out for only the second time all season, and the loss snapped a six-game win streak in April and May. Adairsville goalkeeper Chikondi Banda had 15 saves in the loss. The Lady Wildcats won their thirteenth straight match and improved to 16-3. On Thursday, Whitewater will host Oconee County in the state semifinals. The other semifinal is Cherokee Bluff at Jefferson.

May 5, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com (L-R): Anthony Seigler, Mason Barnett, Logan Martin MiLB MASON BARNETT — Las Vegas Aviators (Oakland A’s Triple-A affiliate; 4th-year pro; Auburn; Cartersville HS) … made two five-inning starts in wins at home (April 29 and last Sunday) against Tacoma with no decision in either start. He allowed seven earned runs on ten hits and six walks. Las Vegas won all six games last week in their series with the Rainiers. The Aviators play six games this week at the Reno Aces. Las Vegas (23-10) started the week with a five-game lead in the Pacific Coast League West standings. LOGAN MARTIN — Quad Cities River Bandits (Kansas City Royals High-Class A affiliate; 3rd-year pro; Kentucky; Cartersville HS) … improved his season record to 3-1 last Friday with a six-inning start at the Great Lakes Loons. He gave up two earned runs on four hits with no walks in a 7-5 win for the River Bandits. Quad Cities won four of six games at Great Lakes, improving to 18-8. Entering the week, the Bandits lead the Midwest League West Division by one game over Cedar Rapids. They play a six-game series this week at the Lake County Captains. ANTHONY SEIGLER — Nashville Sounds (Milwaukee Brewers Triple-A affiliate; 8th-year pro; Cartersville HS) … appeared in all seven games for the Sounds at the Gwinnett Stripers last week. He was 9-for-18 at the plate, including eight walks, one home run, one double, one triple, six runs scored, and two RBI. Seigler also stole two bases. Nashville won four of seven games at Gwinnett and improved to 19-14 entering this week. The Sounds trail the International League West leader, Memphis, by one game as they host the Norfolk Tides for six games this week.  SOFTBALL MEGAN GREGORY — Campbell University (So, Adairsville HS) … tossed a complete game and earned the pitching victory last Friday in a 3-1 conference home win over Elon University. Gregory allowed one earned run on five hits and six walks with nine strikeouts for her eleventh win. The Camels (34-18, 19-8) will host the Coastal Athletic Association tournament on Wednesday through Saturday in Buies Creek, North Carolina. Campbell faced Stony Brook University on Wednesday in the first round. ANSLEY HIGHT — Reinhardt University (So., Cass HS) … hit safely in all four of the Eagles’ Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament games last week, going 6-for-11 with one walk, one home run, two doubles, and seven RBI. The Eagles (28-10, 23-5 AAC) went 2-2 in the conference tournament. They will learn their NAIA Opening Round assignment on Tuesday evening. ERYN LEE — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cass HS) … went 4-for-10 with two doubles and one RBI in four conference tournament games last week in Kingsport, Tennessee. The Eagles beat Columbia International twice, but suffered losses to Johnson University (TN) and Tennessee Wesleyan University. Lee drew six walks in the four games and stole two bases. Reinhardt (28-10, 23-5 Appalachian Athletic Conference) will be assigned to an NAIA Opening Round site on Tuesday. RACHAEL LEE — Valdosta State University (Jr., Cass HS) … went 2-for-5 with one walk, but the Blazers were shut out in two straight Gulf South Conference tournament games last week in Oxford, Alabama. VSU (26-25) lost 5-0 to Alabama-Huntsville and 3-0 to Trevecca Nazarene University. Lee finished her season with a .267 batting average in 51 games and 161 official at-bats. She hit six homers and drove in 26 runs. She made only one defensive error all season in 76 chances. ALEXIS WOODS — Tennessee State University (So., Cass HS) … went 3-for-10, including one double, one triple, one run scored, and three RBI as the Tigers won two of three over visiting Southeast Missouri State last weekend. Woods also stole one base. Tennessee State (23-21, 13-13 Ohio Valley Conference) begins the conference tournament in Peoria, Illinois, on Wednesday with games against Tennessee Tech and Southeast Missouri. BASEBALL CURT BONNER — LaGrange College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … went 2-for-11 at the plate as the Panthers went 1-2 at the Collegiate Conference of the South Tournament. Bonner had one double, three walks, and two RBI. He also stole one base. He finished the season with a .365 batting average in 36 games and 148 official at-bats with six homers and 32 RBI. LaGrange finished the year with a 19-23 record. HARRISON CHILDERS — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (So., Cartersville HS) … had seven hits in 15 plate appearances during the Southern States Athletic Conference Tournament last week, including a 6-for-6 game that included one double and one RBI in a win over the University of Mobile. The Stallions also beat Thomas University, but lost to Loyola University (LA). Childers hit .301 for the season with one home run and 22 RBI. ABAC (35-14) awaits Wednesday's NAIA national tournament field announcement. CALEB DANIEL — Georgia Tech (Fr., Cartersville HS) … had multiple hits in all three games of last weekend’s home series with Western Carolina University. Daniel was 7-for-13 with one home run, two RBI, and scored six runs in a three-game sweep of the Catamounts. Georgia Tech (33-14, 15-9 Atlantic Coast Conference) hosts Georgia Southern Tuesday night, visits Mercer University on Wednesday, and entertains the University of Louisville for a three-game conference series the weekend. MICAH EARWOOD — Southeastern University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … retired one out in the ninth inning of an eventual 16-4 home win last Friday over Ave Maria University (FL). He faced five batters and allowed four earned runs on three hits and one hit batter. The Fire (41-13, 18-10 The Sun Conference) will host a double-elimination NAIA National Tournament Opening Round segment in Lakeland on May 12-15. ELLIOTT EASTIN — Covenant College (R-So., Cartersville HS) … the Scots lost two straight games at the Collegiate Conference of the South Tournament, but Eastin was 5-for-9 with one walk and one RBI. The losses came to host Maryville College (TN) and Huntingdon College. Eastin hit .339 for the season in 32 games and 115 official at-bats. He had five doubles and 18 RBI. Covenant finished the year with a 19-22 mark. COLIN EATON — East Tennessee State University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … made pitching appearances April 29 against UNC Asheville and last Sunday at VMI. He totaled 2-⅓ innings and allowed four earned runs on four hits and one walk. He fanned two and did not receive a decision in either game — both were Bucs’ wins. ETSU (34-12, 11-4 Southern Conference) plays at UNC Asheville on Tuesday and hosts Wofford University this weekend in a three-game conference series. DAVID JINKS — University of Maine-Augusta (Fr., Excel Christian Academy) … went 1-for-5 in games April 30 at Southern Maine CC and home against York County CC. The Moose finished the season with a 10-21 record. Jinks hit .326 for the season with one home run and 25 RBI. COLT McKIBBEN — Lee University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … did not appear in the two Flames' losses at the Gulf South Conference Tournament last week. He completed the season with a 2.86 ERA in 34-⅔ innings of work with 28 strikeouts. Lee finished the year with a 24-26 record. LUKE MILLER — Columbus State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … hit safely in all four of the Cougars’ Peach Belt Tournament games this past Saturday through Monday afternoon and was 7-for-20, including one double, two home runs, one walk, one hit by pitch, eight runs scored, and seven RBI. CSU won its conference tournament pool over Augusta, Georgia Southwestern, and the University of North Georgia. The Cougars (30-21) advanced to the PBC Championship Series to face Lander University on Thursday and Friday for the title. The Bearcats will host the games in Greenwood, South Carolina.  HANK SMITH — University of West Georgia (R-So., Cartersville HS) … in two starts at Stetson University last weekend, Smith was 1-for-6 with two walks, one hit by pitch, and scored one run. The Wolves (18-26, 9-15 Atlantic Sun Conference) lost two of three to the Hatters. They host Kennesaw State on Tuesday and will entertain a three-game conference series with Florida Gulf Coast University Friday through Sunday. SCOTTY SMITH — Covenant College (Sr., Woodland HS) … made a seven-inning start and received no decision in an eventual 8-6 conference tournament loss April 30 at Maryville College (TN). Smith gave up four earned runs on seven hits and two walks. He struck out seven. The Scots dropped two straight at the Collegiate Conference of the South tournament and finished with a 19-22 record. Smith was 4-2 in his senior season with a 4.20 ERA in 11 starts and 60 innings. PRESTON WELCHEL — Cumberland University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … in five games at the Mid-South Conference Tournament in Bowling Green, Kentucky, Welchel was 5-for-20 with three walks, two homers, one double, one hit by pitch, four runs scored, and three RBI. The Phoenix went 4-1 to win the tournament, winning over Campbellsville University (KY) and Freed-Hardeman University (TN) to reach the title series. Cumberland won two of three against the 8th-ranked host, the University of the Cumberlands (KY). The Phoenix (37-16-1) await their assignment to an NAIA National Tournament Opening Round site. SAWYER WILSON — Columbus State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … was the pitcher of record Monday afternoon in the deciding game of the Peach Belt Conference Dahlonega pool as the Cougars defeated the University of North Georgia 16-11 to advance to the PBC Championship Series. Wilson entered in the seventh inning with one out and finished the seventh and eighth innings. He allowed two earned runs on three hits with no walks. Trailing 11-4, CSU rallied for twelve runs in the top of the ninth to gain the win. The Cougars (30-21) advanced to the best-of-three PBC Championship Series to face Lander University on Thursday and Friday. The Bearcats will host the games in Greenwood, South Carolina. TRACK AND FIELD ERIC TOVIAVE — Belmont University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … was on the Bruins' fifth-place 4x400-meter relay team (3:18.23) and was 26th (22.20) in the 200-meter dash this past weekend in Nashville at the Vanderbilt University Music City Challenge. Belmont competes next at the Missouri Valley Conference Outdoor Championships in Carbondale, Illinois, on May 17-18. GOLF BUCK BRUMLOW — University of Georgia (Sr., Cartersville HS) … the Bulldogs received their NCAA Regional assignment last Wednesday and will be the No. 4 seed at the 14-team Tallahassee Regional on May 12-14. The 54-hole regional will be played at Seminole Legacy Golf Club. Georgia is seeded behind Ole Miss, Florida State, and San Diego State. Other teams in the regional are Louisville, Northwestern, Notre Dame, New Mexico, Southern California, Michigan State, Furman, Augusta, Davidson, and Florida A&M. The top five teams from each regional advance to the NCAA Men’s Championship at LaCosta Resort in Carlsbad, California, on May 23-28.

May 3, 2025 Local track and field athletes were in action Saturday at Georgia High School Association State Sectional sites. Cartersville had 19 athletes to qualify for the Class AAAA State Finals next weekend, with several earning spots in multiple events. Cass will send three to the State Finals, and Adairsville advanced two in Class AAA. The top four placers at each region meet were included in the state sectionals on Saturday. The top eight at each sectional advanced to the GHSA State Finals next Friday and Saturday. The Class AAAA State Finals will be held at East Jackson High School, and the Class AAA State Finals will be held in Albany. Each event will include sixteen qualifiers. Results from the State Sectionals: CARTERSVILLE  at GHSA Class 4A Sectional B — North Oconee High School in Bogart 1st — Boys 4x200-meter relay (1:28.23) — Bryson Everett, Madoxx Davis, Tyon Coe, Actavious Thompson Cartersville's 4x200-meter relay team won their State Sectional 2nd — Bayley Stanley — Long jump — 18-3 2nd — Thoreau Lipscomb — Discus throw — 151-0 3rd — Thoreau Lipscomb — Shot put — 52-0.25 3rd — Actavious Thompson — 400-meter dash — 49.43 4th — Laney Saunders — Pole vault — 9-6 4th — Cartersville 4x800 meter relay (8:15.59) — Tripp Chitwood, Kyle Camper II, Ethan Empie, Will Feuerbach 5th — Kenneth Wilkey — High jump — 6-0 6th — Cam’ren Collum — High jump — 6-0 6th — Langston Hogg — Shot put — 48-2 6th — Cartersville 4x800-meter relay (10:19.28) — Genevieve Alessandro, Sofia Burns, Hadley Finnemore, Kimberly Guerra 7th — Cam’ren Collum — 110-meter hurdles — 15.24 7th — Brady Marchese — 100-meter dash — 10.94 7th — Boys 4x100 meter relay (42.73) — Bryson Everett, Madoxx Davis, Brady Marchese, Tyon Coe 7th — Bryson Everett — 200-meter dash — 22.21 8th — Madoxx Davis — 100-meter dash — 10.96 8th — Laney Saunders — 100-meter hurdles — 16.46 8th — Bayley Stanley — 100-meter dash — 12.56 — Did not advance — 9th — Amira Davis — Shot put— 4-10 10th — Karlee Christian — High jump — 4-10 10th — Langston Hogg — Discus throw — 128-7 10th — Sydney Jackson — Pole vault — 8-6 11th — Madoxx Davis — 200-meter dash — 22.64 12th — Leyla Booth — 300-meter hurdles — 50.16 12th — Bayley Stanley — 200-meter dash — 26.93 13th — Sofia Burns — 1600-meter run — 5:49.52 13th — Tyon Coe — 100-meter dash — 11.12 13th — Thomas Smith — 300-meter hurdles — 41.82 13th — Ethan Empie — 3200-meter run — 10:37.36 13th — Kylie Ham — 800-meter run — 2:38.86 13th — Cartersville girls 4x400-meter relay (4:21.26) — Alex Hampton, Addi Burns, Sofia Burns, Leyla Booth 14th — Kimberly Guerra — 1600-meter run — 5:55.50 15th — Karlee Christian — Triple jump — 31-2.25 15th — Kimberly Guerra — 3200-meter run — 13:40.77 CASS  at GHSA Class 4A Sectional B — North Oconee High School in Bogart 1st — Xavier Lowe — High jump — 6-0 3rd — Kiana McDaniel — Shot put — 35-0 7th — Nakayla KK Evans — High jump — 4-10 — Did not advance — 11th — Adrian Dye — Shot put — 116-8 12th — Yvonne Ellison — Shot put —29-7.75 16th — Malik Henry — Discus throw — 109-9 16th — Nakayla KK Evans — 100-meter hurdles — 18.54 WOODLAND at GHSA Class 4A Sectional B — North Oconee High School in Bogart — Did not advance — 10th — Rowen Lee — 400-meter dash — 51.16 11th — Allison Snead — 3200 meter run — 12:29.83 13th — Girls 4x200-meter relay (1:52.55) — Ja’zavia Bryan, Alana Carnes, Kirae Grayson, Brynna Roberts 13th — Girls 4x100-meter relay (53.53) — Alana Carnes, Brynna Roberts, Kirae Grayson, Ja’zavia Bryan 14th — Girls 4x400-meter relay (4:27.04) — Brynna Roberts, Kirae Grayson, Cyler Williams, Miranda Pelow ADAIRSVILLE at GHSA Class 3A Sectional A — Peach County High School in Fort Valley 6th — Anthony Acie — 300-meter hurdles — 41.50 8th — Blaine Leighly — Shot Put — 46-9.50 — Did not advance —   9th — Ella Bailey — 300-meter hurdles — 49.41 10th — Westin Crisp — 200-meter dash — 23.30 12th — Ella Bailey — 100-meter hurdles — 17.26 14th — Norman Poch — 400-meter dash — 52.94 14th — Ben Abernathy — Triple jump — 40-10 14th — Boys 4x100-meter relay (44.89) — Norman Poch, Michael Stanley, Anthony Acie, Westin Crisp 15th — Aaron Souders — 800-meter run — 2:20.67

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com In conjunction with WBHF and Bartow Sports Zone, Elite Stone Supply presents the ELITE ATHLETES OF THE MONTH. Each month, local high schools name an Elite Athlete of the Month from their varsity programs and present the information on their honoree through Bartow Sports Zone and on 100.3FM and AM1450, WBHF in Cartersville. Malik Henry is the April 2025 Elite Athlete of the Month representing Cass High School. Henry has competed in varsity football and track and field for four years as a senior two-sport athlete. As a testament to his hard work and dedication, he has been named a permanent captain in football. He broke the school record for the discus throw in track and field — a mark established more than two decades ago. His throw of 152 feet and one inch shattered the previous mark by more than eleven feet. The son of Natasha Henry, he has a 3.3 GPA and plans to become an electrician following graduation. Rowan Lee is the Elite Athlete of the Month for Woodland High School for April 2025. The son of Kristy and Darrell Lee, he is a junior on the Wildcats’ track and field team and plays offensive and defensive line on the football team. Lee recently qualified for the GHSA sectionals in the 400-meter dash and was a leader on the 4x400-meter relay team that also qualified. “Rowan has stepped up in a leadership position on the track team this season,” noted Woodland coach Rebecca Beard-Arndt. “He gives it his all.”  Coach Robert Forbes agreed, “Rowan gives 100% in his sports and in the classroom. He is willing to help others and inspire them if needed. He is a great example of a Woodland Wildcat.” Lee is on the Woodland A/B Honor Roll and is a Woodland Scholar Athlete. He plans to continue his track and field career in college if the opportunity presents itself. He plans to pursue a Logistics degree. Andrew Purdy is the Elite Athlete of the Month representing Cartersville High School. He is a third baseman and pitcher on the Purple Hurricanes baseball team and played an integral role as a dual-threat quarterback on the football team. Through 34 games at the end of April, Purdy has a .579 batting average (55-for-95), including nine home runs, 18 doubles, one triple, and 33 RBI. His on-base percentage sits at .685 with a 1.074 slugging percentage.  On the mound, the right-hander has an 8-0 record with two saves in eight starts and 12 appearances. He has 64 strikeouts with only 17 walks in 38 innings. His ERA is a mere 0.37, and opponents have been limited to a .152 batting average.  In four state playoff games in April, Purdy was 11-for-14 (.786) with three home runs, six doubles, two walks, eight runs scored, and five RBI. He is 2-0 on the mound in two playoff starts, covering 11 innings with 18 strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA. “Andrew is such an outstanding athlete,” stated Canes’ head coach Kyle Tucker. “More importantly, however, he is an outstanding student and citizen. His hard work is second to none, and he handles himself with utmost humility. He is a joy to be around.” The son of Andy and Amy Purdy, Andrew will continue his academic and athletic career at the University of Alabama as a Crimson Tide baseball team member. Jackson Taylor is the April 2025 Elite Athlete of the Month for Adairsville High School. The son of Chris and Natalie Taylor is a junior and the top golfer on the Tigers’ golf team. “Jackson is hard-working, humble, and level-headed,” raved Adairsville golf coach Troy Hester. “He has consistently lowered his scores yearly through diligence during the off-season. Jackson is mentally tough, so you can’t tell if he made a birdie or a bogey. I joke that his only flaw is that he is a Tennessee fan.” Taylor has a 4.0 grade point average and is a BETA Club member.  He plans to attend college to become a teacher. Editor's Note: The respective schools and athletic departments supply Bartow Sports Zone and WBHF with photos and bios. Elite Stone Supply Co., LLC is the monthly sponsor. Athletes receive a plaque and recognition during a radio feature on WBHF. #EliteAthletesoftheMonth #Cass #Cartersville #Woodland #Adairsville #highschool

May 2, 2025 The bats for Georgia Highlands softball remained hot in Locust Grove on Friday, but the Chargers were not as productive as Gordon State. Consequently, the Highlanders eliminated GHC from the 2025 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association tournament with a score of 10-4. Georgia Highlands finished 3-2 in the tournament and placed third. Gordon State advanced to the tournament finals, but lost later in the day to Georgia Military College 8-3 to finish runner-up. The Chargers held a 3-1 lead in the middle of the third inning on Friday and were tied with Gordon 4-4 midway through the fourth. However, the Highlanders scored six unanswered runs over the next two innings to take control of the game. Grace Kendrick (2.2 IP, 4ER, 5H, 2BB), Hayden Joyner (2 IP, 6ER, 6H, 1BB, 2K), and Hannah Mounce (1.1 IP, 0R, 0H) shared pitching duties for Georgia Highlands. Emma Darrow led the Chargers’ offense with three hits. Mary Catherine Kimball (double, three RBI), Abbi Hall, and Cayden Warren produced two hits. Emmalee Freeman (RBI), Abbey Yates, and Joyner added one hit in the loss.  “This group has overcome so much adversity and never stopped believing in what we are building,” commented GHC coach Tanner Robertson following her team’s tournament elimination. “To go from not placing last year to finishing in the top three this year says everything about their heart. I’m incredibly proud to be their coach. These girls have set the tone for what is to come. The future for this program is bright.” Georgia Highlands finished the 2025 season with a 37-16 record. This was the team's best record since the 2017 team went 43-14 and lost to Georgia Military in the tournament finals. The winning record was the program’s first since 2021. Freeman, Darrow, Joyner, Kimball, and Ahmani Green were selected for the GCAA First Team. Abbi Hall was named Second Team All-Region.

May 2, 2025 Georgia Highlands College baseball concluded regular-season play on Thursday with a dramatic 13-11 walk-off victory over the visiting Gordon State Highlanders. The game was knotted at 11 in the bottom of the ninth inning when Wyatt Gatlin homered over the center field wall to secure the victory. Gordon State led most of the game, but the Chargers put together a six-run eighth inning to set up the final inning heroics. The Highlanders led 5-2 through four innings and were up 11-5 heading to the bottom of the eighth inning. Five pitchers toiled for GHC, with Jackson Greer (2 IP, 0R, 0H, 3K) collecting the win by retiring the side in order in the eighth and ninth innings. Heath Whitlock (2 IP, 1ER, 2H, 1BB, 3K) had a solid outing in the sixth and seventh frames. Gavin Webster (3 IP, 5R, 3ER, 4H, 3BB, 3K), Brodie Chestnutt (2 IP, 2ER, 5H, 3K), and Garrett Goblish (3 BF, 3ER, 1H, 2BB) also pitched. T Phillips and Caden Marcos (RBI) had two hits for the Chargers. Ryan Martin (four RBI), Kenskey Thomas (three RBI), Andrew Bishop (three RBI), and Gatlin (two RBI) hit home runs. Ali Banks (double), Grayson Godbee, and Ian Fullerton added one hit. Gordon State (30-24, 16-12) will be the No. 2 seed at the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament that begins Monday at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton. Georgia Highlands (42-10, 21-7) will be the No. 1 seed. Andrew College (29-24, 11-17), East Georgia State (25-28, 11-17), and South Georgia State (25-29, 11-17) tied for third place in the conference standings.

May 1, 2025 Georgia Highlands College softball won two elimination games on Thursday and advanced to the final day of the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament. The Chargers (37-15) will play Gordon State (23-25) on Friday at 10 a.m. in a semifinal elimination game. The winner will advance to the championship round against Georgia Military College (30-15) — the only unbeaten team remaining in the double-elimination tournament. On Thursday, GHC beat South Georgia State 18-1 and scored five unanswered runs over the final three innings to earn a 12-11 walk-off victory over East Georgia State. Ahmani Green went 4-for-4, including a three-run home run and two-run doubles, totaling eight RBI in the win over South Georgia State. Abbi Hall was also 4-for-4 with two RBI. Maci Andrews (home run, three RBI), Mary Catherine Kimball (double, RBI), Emma Darrow, Emmalee Freeman, and Abbey Yates (double) produced two hits. Chloe Fowler and Hayden Joyner (sacrifice fly, three RBI) added one hit. The Chargers' offense, with 20 hits, provided ample support for Grace Kendrick on the mound. She pitched the entire five innings, giving up just one earned run on two hits and two walks, while striking out two batters. In the nightcap, Georgia Highlands trailed 6-0 but struck for seven runs in the bottom of the second to get back into the game. East Georgia pushed back with five runs over their subsequent three frames to take an 11-7 lead. The Chargers answered with two runs in the fifth and sixth innings to tie the score, and Freeman bounced a bases-loaded single into left field in the bottom of the seventh inning for a walk-off victory. Kendrick collected her second win of the day in the circle with two innings of relief. She did not allow a run in the sixth and seventh innings while scattering three hits and two walks. Kendrick fanned three. Joyner (1.1 IP, 4ER, 5H, 1BB, 3K) made the pitching start, and Hannah Mounce (3.2 IP, 7R, 3ER, 6H, 3BB)  pitched in middle relief. Kimball (double, four RBI) and Freeman (home run, four RBI) led the Chargers’ 17-hit attack in Game 2 with three hits. Andrews (home run, double, three RBI), Joyner (RBI), Yates, and Warren contributed two hits. Darrow, Hall, and Hailey Love added one hit.

May 1, 2025 The Lady Tigers defeated the Luella Lions Thursday night, advancing to the GHSA Class AAA state quarterfinals for the first time since 2017. The Adairsville High School girls’ soccer team cruised to a 6-0 win at Luella Thursday night and advanced to the GHSA Class AAA state quarterfinals for the first time since 2017. Braylynn Martin scored two first-half goals and completed the hat trick in the second half to lead the Lady Tigers’ scoring flurry. Ella Edwards had a goal in each half, and Sam Gough tacked on a late goal. Alexa Damer, Jacksyn Elrod, Lily McCormick, Addi Jerauld, Gough, and Edwards produced one assist each. Adairsville dominated most aspects of the game from the start and created multiple one-on-one chances against the Lions’ goalkeeper in the initial minutes, but failed to score. Martin scored for the Tigers in the 30th minute and netted her second goal in the 32nd minute. Damer assisted with the first goal, while Elrod assisted with Adairsville’s second goal. Edwards scored four minutes later, giving the Lady Tigers a 3-0 lead at the intermission. Edwards added her second goal in the 64th minute off a feed from McCormick. Jerauld assisted on Martin’s third goal in the 71st minute, and Gough found the net in the 79th minute with an assist going to Edwards. The Lady Tigers played their entire bench in the second half and rotated players in multiple positions. Coach David Sexauer praised Damer for her exceptional performance and highlighted the abilities of center backs Victoria Loudon and Emma Edwards. Gough was acknowledged for her leadership qualities and on-field experience. Luella had its season end with a 13-7 record. Adairsville (15-3) advances to the Class AAA Elite Eight and will travel to Fayetteville to face Whitewater (15-3) for that quarterfinal match on May 5. The Wildcats went 8-0 in Region 2-AAA and have shutout wins over Westover and Heritage-Catoosa in the first two rounds.

April 30, 2025 Georgia Highlands College softball finished the first day of the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament with one win and one loss on Wednesday. The third-seeded Chargers won their opening game over Andrew College 10-2 but lost 7-6 to second-seeded Gordon State in the winner’s bracket semifinals of the double-elimination tournament. Georgia Highlands plays an elimination game on Thursday at 1 p.m. against South Georgia State. The winner advances to another elimination game at 7 p.m. against the Andrew College/East Georgia State survivor. The Chargers (35-15) must win five straight elimination games to win the conference title. The top two seeds, Georgia Military College and Gordon State, remain undefeated in the tournament bracket and square off Thursday at 4 p.m.  The tournament continues through Friday at Strong Rock Christian School in Locust Grove.  Athens Hudson (1.2 IP, 2ER, 4H, 3BB, 1K) and Grace Kendrick (3.1 IP, 0R, 2H, 0BB, 1K) share the pitching duties for GHC in Wednesday’s win over Andrew College. Ahmani Green (three RBI) and Emmalee Freeman (two RBI) paced the Chargers’ offense in the win. Mary Catherine Kimball (double, three RBI), Abbey Yates (double, RBI), and Emma Darrow (RBI) had two hits. GHC led Gordon College 6-2 through five innings, but the Highlanders scored three times in the sixth inning and two more in the bottom of the seventh to walk off a 7-6 decision. Hayden Joyner (6.2 IP, 7R, 2ER, 9H, 2BB) went the distance for the Chargers in the circle and was tagged with the loss. Darrow had three hits for Georgia Highlands. Green contributed two hits and one RBI. Cayden Warren (double, two RBI), Kimball (two RBI), Freeman, and Joyner added one hit.