April 30, 2025 Dr. Marty Durden has been selected as the first head football coach at Excel Christian Academy. Dr. Marty Durden has been selected as the first head football coach at Excel Christian Academy and will begin building the program in preparation for the Eagles’ inaugural season in 2025. A native of Attapulgus, Georgia, Durden has won ten state championships in a career that spans decades. He has five state titles in football, three in golf, one in basketball, and one in baseball. His most recent football title was in 2020. Durden and his wife Diane have two sons — Chip in Columbus, Georgia, and Tyler in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Tyler and his wife Emily have a two-year-old son. Dr. Durden’s focus is on servant leadership. For over a decade, he has researched the motivational aspects of servant leadership in coaching. He has also written several academic articles and authored two books. He serves as the CEO of a non-profit organization, A Higher Standard for Athletics, which aims to train coaches, business leaders, and teachers in servant leadership. Dr. Durden is convinced that coaches hold transformational importance in society, and he shares his knowledge through a weekly podcast titled Coaching to a Higher Standard. Dr. Durden is an Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Shorter University in Rome, Georgia, and an adjunct professor at Belhaven University and Houston Christian University. He is an avid golfer and outdoorsman. He also loves to work in his flower garden, especially crossbreeding day lilies. His favorite verse is Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as Eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Rodney Stewart, Head of School at ECA, stated, “We are excited about Coach Durden's addition and the proven track record he brings to the Eagles’ athletic program.” In 2025, Excel Christian Academy will participate in nine-man football within the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools (GAPPS). The Eagles' first ten-game regular season will begin on August 15, with home games held at Cunningham Stadium on Grassdale Road, next to the Bartow County College and Careers Center. ECA begins its schedule at Fideles Christian on August 15 and will play its first home game on August 22 against Unity Christian. The Eagles also have road games at Holy Ground Baptist Academy, Hearts Academy, Trinity Christian, and Covington Academy. Home games in 2025 will include dates with Horizon Christian, Johnson Ferry Christian Academy, Praise Academy, and Kings Way Baptist.

April 29, 2025 Andrew Purdy The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes defeated the defending Class AAAA champion Starr’s Mill Panthers in two straight games Tuesday evening in Fayetteville to advance to the 2025 GHSA state quarterfinals. Trailing 3-1 through five innings, the Canes rallied in the sixth and seventh innings of Game 1 to score seven unanswered runs and win 8-3. In Game 2, the University of Alabama commit Andrew Purdy struck out ten and went 4-for-4 with two home runs, a double, and four RBI to lead the Hurricanes to a 9-1 victory and a sweep of the best-of-three second-round series. Nate Russell (6 IP, 3R, 2ER, 5H, 1BB, 7K) was the winning pitcher in the opener. Maddox Frazier walked one and struck out one in a scoreless seventh inning to wrap up Game 1.  Purdy (6 IP, 0R, 1H, 1BB, 10K) kept the host Panthers off the scoreboard in Game 2 and collected the pitching victory. Logan Shrewsbury (1 IP, 1ER, 1H, 2BB, 1K) pitched the seventh inning for the Canes.  Cartersville totaled twenty hits in the doubleheader sweep. Brayden Logan Purdy led the Purple Hurricanes offense by going 6-for-6 with two walks, three home runs, and two doubles. He drove in five runs and extended his on-base streak to 11 consecutive at-bats in the playoffs, extending back to a sixth-inning single in Game 2 against Cambridge in the first round. Julez Pratt (double, three RBI), Cole Crawford (three RBI), and Tristan McKibben (two RBI) had three hits in the series. Cameron Cochran (double) contributed two hits. Brayden Logan (RBI), Casen Cochran, and David Vargas added one hit. With their Sweet Sixteen series victory, Cartersville has advanced to the state quarterfinals in 26 of the last 29 seasons. The season ended for Starr’s Mill with a 23-8 record. Cartersville (27-7) advanced to face St. Pius (33-2) in the state quarterfinals. The Lions defeated East Forsyth 2-1 and 7-2 in the second round and will host the best-of-three series with the Hurricanes on May 7-8.

April 29, 2025 Jason Bohn On Monday, Cartersville Country Club was a Stage One qualifying spot for the 2025 USGA U.S. Senior Open. One hundred six professionals and amateur entrants sought 21 qualifying spots on the 6,854-yard, par-72 layout. The qualifiers advanced to one of twelve Final Qualifying sites from May 19 to June 2. Those qualification rounds will determine the final field for the 45th U.S. Senior Open at The Broadmoor (East Course) in Colorado Springs on June 26-29. Professionals Joe Kern (Vero Beach, FL) and Bradley Long (Hoover, AL) were co-medalists at Cartersville Country Club, carding rounds of 67. Jay Jurecic (Caspian, MI) shot 68, and Hank Kim (Jonesboro, GA) fired a 69. John Smoltz Former Atlanta Braves pitcher and MLB Hall of Famer John Smoltz (Alpharetta, GA) and Jason Bohn (Kennesaw, GA) of the PGA Champions Tour were among five players to shoot 70. They were joined by amateurs Ray Greco (Social Circle, GA) and Christian Raynor (Kennesaw, GA), along with pro Jeffrey Lyons (Nashville, TN). Gibby Gilbert III (Chattanooga, TN) and Len Mattiace (Atlantic Beach, FL) were joined by amateurs Tony Wise (Georgetown, KY) and David Noll (Dalton, GA) at 71. Chad Branton Cartersville resident Chad Branton was one of six to advance with an even-par 72. He was joined by amateurs Neal Hendee (Atlanta, GA), William Mitchell (Atlanta, GA), and Harold Wyatt (Atlanta, GA), plus professionals Kelly Sellers (Lakeland, FL), and David Potts (Johns Creek, GA). The final two spots were earned with 1-over-par 73s by professional Paul Scaletta (Jupiter, FL) and amateur JJ Stewart (Canton, GA).

April 29, 2025 Georgia Highlands baseball wrapped up regular season play on Tuesday afternoon at home with a doubleheader sweep of South Georgia State. The Chargers won 11-6 and 12-1. In the opening victory against the Hawks, Tyler Phillips hit two home runs and drove in five. His home runs occurred in the second and third innings, helping GHC establish a 7-2 lead. Kensky Thomas and Ryan Martin (who hit a double and had an RBI) also contributed with two hits each. Andrew Bishop (double, two RBI), Grayson Godbee (solo home run), Wyatt Gatlin (RBI), and Alex Karst (double) added one hit in Game 1 for the Chargers. In Game 2 on Tuesday, Georgia Highlands scored six times in the bottom of the first and added four more runs in the third en route to a 12-1 victory. Phillips (home run, double, three RBI) and Bishop had two hits. Heath Whitlock (two RBI), Martin, Thomas, and Caden Marco homered. Godbee (double) and Ian Fullerton (double) added one hit. Six pitchers worked abbreviated stints on the mound for the Chargers in the opening game. Kaiden Krak (3 IP, 2R, 1ER, 4H, 2BB), Whitlock (1 IP, 1R, 0ER, 2H, 2K), Gavin Webster (1.1 IP, 0R, 0H, 1K), Brodie Chestnutt (0.1 IP, 0R, 1H, 1BB), Jackson Greer (0.1 IP, 0R, 0H), and Hunter Ward (1 IP, 3ER, 4H, 1BB, 1K) pitched in relief. Andrew Arnold went six innings on the mound in Game 2. He allowed only one earned run on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Braxton Wade allowed two hits in a scoreless seventh on the bump. He recorded two strikeouts. The losses dropped South Georgia State to 24-29 overall and 10-17 in the GCAA. The Chargers concluded the regular season with a five-game winning streak, ending with a 41-10 overall record and a 20-7 mark in conference play. Georgia Highlands will be the No. 1 seed at the conference tournament. The tournament begins Monday at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College.

April 28, 2025 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com This week's edition of Athletes Beyond Bartow includes updates on three dozen local contributors at the collegiate and professional levels. MiLB Mason Barnett MASON BARNETT — Las Vegas Aviators (Oakland A’s Triple-A affiliate; 4th-year pro; Auburn; Cartersville HS) … made a five-inning start with no decision April 23 in a 2-1 loss at the Round Rock Express. The 24-year-old righty allowed one earned run on four hits and one walk while striking out eight. Las Vegas (17-10) finished last week 3-3 at Round Rock and entered the week leading the Pacific Coast League West Division by three games over Reno. The Aviators host Tacoma for six games this week. Logan Martin LOGAN MARTIN — Quad Cities River Bandits (Kansas City Royals High-Class A affiliate; 3rd-year pro; Kentucky; Cartersville HS) … earned his second pitching win in four starts this season last Friday with a six-inning home start against the Peoria Chiefs. The 23-year-old right-hander did not allow a run on two hits and two walks while striking out three in an eventual 13-4 win. Martin had his season ERA drop to 1.77 with the performance. The Bandits were 4-2 last week against the Chiefs. Quad Cities (14-6) began the week leading Cedar Rapids by two games in the Midwest League West. They play six games this week at the Great Lakes Loons. Anthony Seigler ANTHONY SEIGLER — Nashville Sounds (Milwaukee Brewers Triple-A affiliate; 8th-year pro; Cartersville HS) … went 2-for-10, including a homer and one walk across four home games last week against the Durham Bulls. The 25-year-old also had two stolen bases. The Sounds were 3-3 in the series with Durham and entered this week 15-11 and ½ game behind the Memphis Redbirds in the International League West Division. Nashville hosts the Gwinnett Stripers this week for a six-game series through Sunday. NFL Evan Slocum EVAN SLOCUM -- Indianapolis Colts (1st year pro; Wake Forest; Cartersville HS) ... is among the 14 undrafted free agents and two safeties who signed with the Colts after the draft. During his four-year tenure with the Demon Deacons, Slocum amassed 167 tackles and two interceptions. Analysts suggest that Indianapolis will probably need to include an additional safety in their 53-man roster, positioning Slocum to compete for that role or a potential spot on special teams. SOFTBALL KILEY ARNOLD — Shorter University (So., Cartersville HS) … went 0-for-2 in the Hawks’ 8-0 loss to Chowan University last Friday in the first round of the Conference Carolinas Tournament in Duncan, South Carolina. Shorter finished the season with a 13-31 record. HAYLEE DISHMON — Georgia Highlands College (So., Cass HS) … in home wins over East Georgia State and South Georgia State last Friday and Saturday, Dishmon was 2-for-7 with one RBI. She stole one base and scored one run. GHC (34-14, 13-5 GCAA) faces Andrew College on Wednesday in the opening round of the conference double-elimination tournament. The Chargers are the No. 3 seed. PEYTON DORN — Brewton Parker College (Fr., Woodland HS) … did not allow a run on one hit and one walk in the sixth and seventh innings of an 11-2 Barons’ win on April 22 at Spartanburg Methodist. On Wednesday, BPC (18-24-1, 11-15 Southern States Athletic Conference) begins play in the SSAC Tournament in Decatur, Alabama. MEGAN GREGORY — Campbell University (So., Adairsville HS) … made two pitching appearances totaling 6-⅔ innings last Saturday and Sunday at College of Charleston. Gregory was charged with the pitching loss in both games. She allowed three earned runs on five hits and seven walks while striking out eight in the two games. The Camels (33-16, 18-6) host Elon for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday games. RACHAEL LEE — Valdosta State University (Jr., Cass HS) … went 1-for-10 with one walk and one RBI as the Blazers dropped two of three home Gulf South Conference games against the University of West Florida. VSU (26-23, 19-13) is the No. 4 seed in the conference tournament that begins on Wednesday. The Blazers face Alabama-Huntsville in the first round. AVA PERKINS — Lee University (So., Cartersville HS) … went 2-for-7, including one double, three walks, one run scored, and two RBI as the Flames won two of three games at home last Saturday and Sunday with Trevecca Nazarene University (TN). Lee finished the season 25-25 overall and 12-20 in the Gulf South Conference. ALEXIS WOODS — Tennessee State University (So., Cass HS) … went 4-for-11 in four games last week with one walk and one run scored. The Tigers lost two of three games at UT Martin and a non-conference home game with Middle Tennessee State. TSU (21-20, 11-12 Ohio Valley Conference) hosts three conference games with Southeast Missouri on Saturday and Sunday. BASEBALL DREW BILLINGS — Trinity Baptist College (Jr., Woodland HS) … earned his tenth save of the season by closing the final two innings last Saturday of a 2-0 win over John Melvin Christian College (FL). Billings allowed two hits and one walk, securing the shutout. The Eagles (25-16, 9-3) will begin play in the National Christian College Athletic Association South Region tournament on May 5. CURT BONNER — LaGrange College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … went 3-for-6 with one double, two RBI, three walks, one hit by pitch, and three runs scored last Friday in a doubleheader sweep of Huntingdon College. The Panthers (18-21, 10-8 Collegiate Conference of the South) will be the No. 4 seed and face Piedmont University in the conference tournament that begins on Thursday at Maryville College (TN). HARRISON CHILDERS — Abraham  Baldwin Agricultural College (So., Cartersville HS) … went 2-for-10 with one walk, one run scored, and one RBI last Thursday and Friday as the Stallions won two of three home games with Thomas University (GA). ABAC (31-15, 17-13 Southern States Athletic Conference) begins pool play in the conference tournament on Wednesday in Jackson, Tennessee. CALEB DANIEL — Georgia Tech (Fr., Cartersville HS) … went 4-for-15 last week as the Yellow Jackets lost at Auburn and dropped two of three home games with Virginia. Daniel scored three runs with one homer, two RBI, and one walk. Georgia Tech (30-14, 15-9 Atlantic Coast Conference) hosts Western Carolina for three non-conference games on Friday through Sunday. ELLIOTT EASTIN — Covenant College (R-So., Cartersville HS) … went 1-for-7 in a three-game home series against Asbury University (KY) last weekend. He coaxed one walk, scored three runs, drove in one run, and stole one base in the series. On Wednesday, the Scots (19-20, 5-13) begin the Collegiate Conference of the South Tournament at Maryville College (TN). COLIN EATON — East Tennessee State University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … allowed one earned run on a solo home run and recorded two strikeouts April 22 during a one-inning relief appearance at Appalachian State University. The Buccaneers won the game 13-6. ETSU (30-12, 8-4 Southern Conference) hosts UNC Asheville on Tuesday before visiting VMI for a three-game conference series over the weekend. DAVID JINKS — University of Maine-Augusta (Fr., Excel Christian Academy) … appeared in two games last week and went 2-for-8 at the plate, including one walk, one sacrifice fly, three runs scored, and three RBI. The Moose (9-19, 7-6 Yankee Small College Conference) host New Hampshire Tech on Tuesday for a YSCC Tournament Play-In game.  SAM MELTON —Guilford College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … in a pinch-hitting appearance at Roanoke College and an appearance off the Quakers' bench at home to play third base against Randolph-Macon College, Melton was 0-for-3 in the two losses. Guilford (22-16, 8-14 Old Dominion Athletic Conference) did not qualify for the ODAC championship tournament. Luke Miller LUKE MILLER — Columbus State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … went 6-for-12, including one triple, one double, five walks, six runs scored, and four RBI in the Cougars’ three-game sweep at Claflin University (SC). He also had one stolen base. For the second time, Miller was named the PBC Freshman Player of the Week. CSU (27-20, 17-10 Peach Belt Conference) begins the double-elimination portion of the conference tournament on Friday as the No. 4 seed and will play Georgia Southwestern at the University of North Georgia. AYDEN RAY — USC Lancaster (Fr., Woodland HS) … singled and scored a run in the Lancers’ 20-2 home win this past Sunday over Gaston College. USC Lancaster (23-25, 15-15 NJCAA Region 10) will play in the Region 10 Tournament May 2-5 in Lexington, South Carolina. HANK SMITH — University of West Georgia (R-So., Cartersville HS) … made two starts and four appearances last week. The Wolves lost at Georgia State and dropped all three games of a conference series at Jacksonville University. Smith was 1-for-8 at the plate. UWG (17-24, 8-13 Atlantic Sun Conference) plays three games this weekend at Stetson University. SCOTTY SMITH — Covenant College (Sr., Woodland HS) … made a seven-inning pitching start and earned his fourth win of the season last Friday in a 14-4 home victory over Asbury University (KY). He also made an unsuccessful pinch-hitting appearance last Saturday in a 17-14 win over the Eagles. The Scots (19-20, 5-13 Collegiate Conference of the South) open the conference tournament at Maryville College (TN) on Wednesday against the hosts.  KADEN STEPHENSON — Piedmont University (So, Cartersville HS) … made a tenth-inning defensive appearance at shortstop last Saturday in an 8-7 home win over Maryville College (TN). The Lions (26-13, 12-6 Collegiate Conference of the South) play LaGrange College on Wednesday night in the opening round of the CCS Tournament in Maryville, Tennessee. PRESTON WELCHEL — Cumberland University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … went 2-for-9 in three home games last weekend with the University of the Cumberlands (KY). He had one sacrifice fly and was hit by a pitch. He scored one run and drove in two in the series. The Phoenix won two of three games with the Patriots. Cumberland (33-15-1, 13-5) faces Campbellsville University (KY) on Wednesday afternoon in the Mid-South Conference Tournament opening round in Bowling Green, Kentucky. BEACH VOLLEYBALL Ailee England AILEE ENGLAND -- Berry College (Fr., Cartersville HS) ... with partner Keira Kruk, the Line 2 duo finished 2-2 at the AVCA D-III National Championship in Gulf Shores, Alabama, and the Vikings finished National Runner-Up. Berry completed the year with a program-best 28-5 record and had wins over Southern Virginia University and Hendrix College twice at the National Tournament. The Vikings lost to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in the finals. England played most of the season at Line 2 with Kruk, but also partnered with Sabine Rudolph, Kara Schmit, Blakely Barnes, and Lura Underwood. LAUREN LAWSON — University of South Carolina (Fr., Cartersville HS) … lost 21-15, 21-12 with partner VB Trost to their University of Texas opponents in a Line 5 match during the Gamecocks’ 3-0 loss to the Longhorns in the first match of the Coastal Collegiate Sports Association Championship Tournament last weekend in Baton Rouge. The Lawson/Trost duo also lost at Line 5 in a 3-1 team loss to LSU. South Carolina finished the season with a 14-17 record. LONDON MOULTRIE -- Wingate University (Jr., Cartersville HS) ... spent parts of the season on Line 1, Line 2, and Line 3 and was 11-17 with partners Alyssa Mangellis, Amelia Talbott, and Lilly DeLamielleure. The Bulldogs were 9-26 this season. TENNIS Emily Bush EMILY BUSH — University of North Georgia (Jr., Cartersville HS) … won her Line 6 singles match 6-0, 6-0 as the 5th-ranked Nighthawks defeated Columbus State University 4-3 to win a second-straight Peach Belt Conference Tournament championship. Bush and partner Linn Goerdes lost their Line 2 doubles set, 0-6. She had two unfinished matches in the tournament semifinals as UNG beat Georgia College 4-1. Bush and Goerdes were leading 5-4 at Line 2, and she was trailing at Line 6 singles, 5-7, 2-4. This week, North Georgia (18-6) will receive its NCAA D2 national tournament assignment. BRYCE VAN ORDER — Piedmont University (Grad student, Woodland HS) … playing Line 3 singles at the Collegiate Conference of the South Championship Tournament in Chattanooga, Van Order was tied 4-4 and had his match halted in a 4-0 team win over Huntingdon College. He defeated his opponent 7-6, 6-3 in a 4-1 team win over Covenant College in the semifinals, but lost 2-6, 3-6 in a 2-4 team loss to Asbury College (KY) in the championship. The loss marked the third consecutive year the Lions have lost in the CCS title match. TRACK AND FIELD HAYDEN CAGLE — Berry College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … finished sixth (140-3.00) in the javelin throw and ninth (42-00) in the shot put to help the Vikings to a second-place finish at the Southern Athletic Association Outdoor Championship last weekend at Sewanee-University of the South. McKINLEY CHAPPELL — Berry College (Jr., Woodland HS) … placed eleventh (16:17.93) in the 5000-meter run at the SAA Outdoor Championship at Sewanee. The Vikings finished second in the conference behind Centre College (KY). ANDY FORSYTH — Berry College (Fr., Woodland HS) … finished second in the 800-meter run (1:58.06) and was part of the third-place 4x400-meter relay team (3:24.73) as the Vikings finished in second place and 53 points behind Centre College (KY) at the Southern Athletic Association Outdoor Championship last weekend in Sewanee, Tennessee.  TYLER JONES — University of West Georgia (So., Woodland HS) … placed 20th (16:59.60) in the 5000-meter run last weekend at the 11-team Western Carolina Catamount Classic. UWG has the Gulf South Conference Championships on Thursday through Saturday at the University of Montevallo. JOE WOMACK — Furman University (Fr., Cartersville resident, Darlington HS) … finished 16th (49.90) in the 400-meter dash April 25 at the UNC-Charlotte Invitational. The Paladins placed eleventh of 18 teams. Furman will compete in Birmingham in the Southern Conference Championship on May 12-13. GOLF BUCK BRUMLOW — University of Georgia (Sr., Cartersville HS) … carded stroke play rounds of 66-69-68 and tied for eighth individually to lead the Bulldogs to a sixth-place finish in the stroke play segment of the Southeastern Conference Championship last week on the par-70, 7005-yard Seaside Course at Sea Island Golf Club. In the tournament's quarterfinals of the match play segment, Brumlow lost 4&3, and Georgia lost 4-1 to Texas A&M. The Bulldogs will learn their NCAA Regional assignment on Wednesday. Regionals will be held May 12-14. BRODY TIDWELL — Georgia State University (So., Cartersville HS) … shot 76-73-73 and tied for 50th individually as the Panthers placed tenth at the Sun Belt Conference Championship Tournament held at the par-72 7,157-yard Annandale Golf Club in Madison, Mississippi, April 19-21.

April 28, 2025 Lee Bowman of Cartersville Country Club and his partner Matt Stauch of Atlanta finished runner-up at the 2025 Georgia State Golf Association Four-Ball Championship Tournament, which was played at Doublegate Country Club in Albany this past weekend. The par-72 layout played at 7,024 yards. The Bowman/Stauch duo carded rounds of 65-65-61 — 191 (25-under par) and finished runner-up to David Denham of Athens and Dalton Melnyk of Atlanta, who shot 27-under par to claim the title. R.B. Clyburn of Cartersville and Nate Gahman of Albany tied for eighth place with rounds of 68-66-63. Laine Frazier of Adairsville and Adam Yarbrough of Dallas tied for 22nd place, recording rounds of 68-68-69. Tevis Upton of Cartersville Country Club and Luke Upton missed the 36-hole cut with a 1-under par total after shooting 73-70.

April 28, 2025 Max Eichenberger On Sunday, the Georgia Highlands Chargers received another strong pitching start from Max Eichenberger and beat visiting East Georgia State, 9-3. The conference victory secured the Chargers' No. 1 seed in the 2025 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament, which will be held May 5-8 at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. GHC scored five runs in the bottom of the third inning to secure their win. Three hits, two walks, a Bobcats’ error, a sac fly, and a two-run homer by Andrew Bishop produced the early runs. The Chargers added single runs in the fifth and sixth innings to build a 7-1 advantage and added two more in the eighth inning for good measure. Eichenberger, a Cherokee High School product, went six innings and allowed just one unearned run on five hits and three walks. He fanned six Bobcats. Nickolaus Kane gave up two runs on four hits in the seventh, but Jackson Greer struck out two and did not give up a hit or run in the final two frames. Bishop finished with three hits, including his homer. Ali Banks also had three hits with one RBI. Tyler Phillips (two RBI), Ryan Martin (triple, sac fly, two RBI), and Kenskey Thomas (double) contributed two hits. Ian Fullerton and Caden Marcos (double) added one hit. East Georgia fell to 24-27 overall and 10-16 in the GCAA.  Georgia Highlands (39-10, 18-7) has two conference regular-season dates remaining. The Chargers host a doubleheader with South Georgia State on Tuesday at 1 p.m. and Gordon College on Thursday for a single game at 2 p.m.

April 26, 2025 Georgia Highlands College softball swept a home doubleheader with South Georgia State on Saturday, winning 10-1 and 6-5. The two wins gave the Chargers a five-game winning streak heading into the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association Championship Tournament. Hayden Joyner pitched all five innings in the opener and allowed just one earned run on two hits and one walk while striking out three. Grace Kendrick (2.1 IP, 4ER, 5R, 6H, 1BB) and Hannah Mounce (4.2 IP, 0R, 1H, 1BB, 1K) shared the pitching duties in the second game. Abbi Hall (double, sac fly, five RBI), Cayden Warren (double, three RBI), and Chloe Fowler (double) led the Chargers with three hits in the two games. Joyner (triple, two RBI), Emma Darrow (double, RBI), and Maci Andrews (double, RBI) had two hits. Haylee Dishmon (RBI), Ahmani Green (RBI), Raegan Ford, Abbey Yates, Hailey Love, and Mary Catherine Kimball added one hit for GHC. Emmalee Freeman contributed one RBI. Georgia Highlands (34-14, 13-5) will be the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament that begins Wednesday at Strong Rock Christian School in Locust Grove.

April 25, 2025 The Adairsville Tigers lost their opening-round playoff series with the visiting Mary Persons Bulldogs, falling 7-0 and 10-0 in the best-of-three Class AAA playoff. Mary Persons won the first game behind the strong pitching performances of Cole Carr and Shivan Patel. The Bulldogs' pitching duo limited the Tigers to four hits and did not allow a run. Mary Persons led 1-0 through four innings and added single runs in the fifth and sixth to go up 3-0. The visitors put the game away in the seventh inning with four additional runs. Gavin Barr hit two home runs for Mary Persons, including a solo shot in the sixth inning and a three-run homer in the seventh. He finished with four RBI. Carr added three hits and one RBI. Brady Christman (double), Nic Arnold (RBI), and Andrew Snow contributed two hits. Jack Nelson made the pitching start for Adairsville and worked six innings. He allowed three runs (two earned) on ten hits and two walks. Nelson struck out six. McCayden Hufstetler retired three outs in the seventh inning, allowing four earned runs on four hits. Harrison Cole had two hits for the Tigers, including one double. Isaac Burnett and Westin Barfield added one hit. Game 2 began on Friday night with Mary Persons racing to an early 8-0 lead through three innings. Weather concerns and unplayable field conditions delayed the contest's completion until Saturday and forced the game to be shifted to Northwest Whitfield in Tunnel Hill.  The Bulldogs, playing as the home team in the second game, scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning on Friday night and added four in the second and two in the third. The game was paused in the top of the fifth inning with the Tigers batting with one out. When the game resumed on Saturday, Adairsville managed to load the bases with a walk and two singles in the fifth, but a double play ended the Tigers' scoring opportunity. The hosts loaded the bases again with one out in the sixth inning, but failed to score. Mary Persons closed the contest with two runs in the bottom of the sixth on three hits and an Adairsville error. Andrew Snow collected the Game 2 pitching win for the Bulldogs with a 4-1/3 inning start. He struck out three and allowed only two hits. Patel retired the final five outs and had one strikeout. Jarrett Scott (1 IP, 4ER, 3H, 3BB, 1K) started on the bump for Adairsville in Game 2 and was charged with the pitching loss. Kaiden Coker (2 IP, 4R, 1ER, 5H, 1BB) and Hudson Parr (2.1 IP, 2R, 1ER, 4H, 0BB, 4K) pitched in relief for the Tigers. Ethan Long had two hits in the final game. Peyton Bowen, Braxton Ryan, Brody Varner, Scott, and Cole added one hit. Mary Persons improved to 17-14 and will host Upson-Lee in the second round. The Tigers' season ended with a 17-10 record. The game was paused in the top of the fifth inning with one out. A win by Mary Persons would clinch the series. Adairsville needs a come-from-behind win in Game 2 and an additional win in Game 3.

April 26, 2025 Emerie Elrod, a junior gymnast at Cartersville High School, made school history on Friday with a fifth-place finish on the vault at the 2025 GHSA Gymnastics State Championships in Buford. Elrod qualified for the state finals by placing in the Top 8 at the State preliminary competition, where she earned a score of 9.050. Elrod, a second-year member of the Lady Canes team, scored 9.350, securing fifth place in the event. “Emerie has been a rock for us this season,” noted CHS Head Coach Kimberly Mosteller. “Fifth-place in the state and competing at this level is truly special. It has been an honor to watch her grow and lead through this sport.”

April 25, 2025 Clifton Pucket, GHC Athletics Georgia Highlands College softball delivered a dominant doubleheader sweep over East Georgia State on Friday, winning 12-1 and 7-0 to stay in the hunt for the No. 2 seed in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) standings. The sweep improves the Chargers' positioning ahead of Saturday’s regular season finale against South Georgia State. While Georgia Military College has clinched the regular season title and top seed, GHC and Gordon State remain deadlocked for second place. With Gordon State holding the tiebreaker, the Chargers will need help to secure the two-seed for next week's GCAA tournament in Locust Grove. In game one, the Chargers exploded for five runs in both the second and third innings to blow the game open. Mary Catherine Kimball (Haralson Co. HS) led the offensive barrage, going 3-for-4 with three RBI. Ahmani Green (Worth Co. HS) and Hayden Joyner (Bryan Co. HS) each drove in two runs, as GHC piled up the runs early. Joyner also impressed in the circle, tossing three no-hit innings before Athens Hudson (Calhoun HS) took over to finish the game. Hudson allowed one hit and one unearned run over the final two frames to secure the run-rule victory. Game two saw the Chargers strike early again, plating two runs in the first two innings before adding insurance in the fourth and fifth. Green continued her hot day at the plate with four RBI on two hits, while Raeghan Thomson (Jackson Co. HS) added another RBI. Hannah Mounce (Smiths Station HS) took care of business on the mound, tossing a two-hit shutout over five innings in a lightning-shortened contest. The Chargers (32-14, 11-5) will close out the regular season Saturday at home, needing a strong showing and a little help from Gordon State’s opponents to climb into the second seed.

April 24, 2025 Alivia Joslin The Adairsville Lady Tigers soccer team defeated visiting Pickens 4-2 Thursday night to advance in the GHSA Class AAA state playoffs. Adairsville started quickly, and Alexa Damer scored in the 2nd minute off an assist from Addi Jerauld. After the Dragons found an equalizer in the 18th minute off a penalty kick, Ella Edwards gave the Tigers a 2-1 lead in the 24th minute. Damer assisted, and Adairsville carried their one-goal advantage into the intermission. The high-paced and physical first half carried over into the second 40 minutes. The Edwards-Damer duo struck again in the 49th minute to put the Tigers up 3-1, but Pickens narrowed the margin to 3-2 in the 69th minute. Alexa Damer Damer finished off the scoring for Adairsville in the 78th minute off an assist from Braylynn Martin. “Alivia Joslin received our game ball tonight,” noted Tigers’ assistant coach Amanda Jones. “Liv had a great game and is extremely versatile. Victoria Loudon and Sam Gough also exhibited great leadership.” Adairsville goalkeeper Chikondi Banda was credited with six saves of shots on goal in the victory. The season ended for the Dragons with an 8-6 record. The Lady Tigers (14-3) advance to the second round of the state playoffs to face the Islands/Luella winner on Thursday, May 1. Adairsville would host Islands, but would be the visiting team if the opponent is Luella.