March 4, 2025 Georgia Highlands College baseball rallied from a 7-1 deficit on Tuesday in their 2025 conference opener at South Georgia State and briefly grabbed an 8-7 lead. However, the host Hawks plated five runs in the bottom of the eighth to beat the Chargers 12-8. South Georgia State piled up all 12 runs in two big innings — the fourth and the eighth. GHC scored a single run in the second, six in the sixth, and one more in the top of the seventh inning. Jack Butler (4 IP, 7R, 6ER, 6H, 0BB, 6K) made the Chargers’ pitching start. William Homan (2 IP, 0R, 1H, 0BB, 3K) pitched two scoreless innings, and Jackson Greer (2 IP, 5ER, 5H, 0BB, 2K) worked the final two innings and was saddled with the pitching loss. Ryan Martin (two RBI), Heath Whitlock (double, two RBI), and Kenskey Thomas (double, RBI) had two hits for Georgia Highlands. Ali Banks (RBI), Caden Marcos (RBI), Andrew Bishop, Grayson Godbee (double), and Wyatt Gatlin added one hit. South Georgia State improved to 12-13 overall and is 1-0 in conference play. Georgia Highlands (17-4, 0-1) hosts a doubleheader with USC Salkehatchie on Wednesday at 2 p.m.

March 4, 2025 Cartersville Little League Baseball will kick off the 2025 season with its annual Opening Weekend on Friday and Saturday at Hicks Park. The activities begin on Friday at 5 p.m. with Family Fun Night, which includes a fundraising dinner. Meals may be purchased for $8 per plate or four meals for $30. The meal will include sandwiches, hot dogs, chips, macaroni and cheese, and cole slaw. Family Fun Night includes player competitions, including a home run derby, pinpoint throwing accuracy, baserunning speed, pitching velocity, and long throws by some of the youngest competitors. In addition, each Major League and Minor League team will have team baskets available for a raffle, with the contents of each basket valued at $500. Team raffle basket tickets may be purchased for $5, three for $10, or 10 tickets for $20. Raffle winners will be announced on Saturday at the start of the final Opening Day game, and winners do not have to be present. "It's a fun weekend for everyone," said Allison Rutledge of Cartersville Little League Baseball. "We appreciate everyone's support with all of these fundraising activities. It's a great way to begin the year and an opportunity for everyone to come to enjoy Hicks Park and support our programs." On Saturday, the annual team parade will begin at 10 a.m., and special awards and recognitions will be announced. A full slate of Opening Day games will follow those ceremonies.

March 3, 2025 Mason Barnett and Anthony Seigler Former Cartersville High School Purple Hurricanes Mason Barnett and Anthony Seigler made Spring Training appearances last week with the Oakland Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers. This week's edition also includes updates on local athletes in college tennis, indoor track and field, basketball, softball, and baseball. MLB SPRING TRAINING MASON BARNETT — Oakland Athletics (3rd-yr. pro; Auburn; Cartersville HS) … a Spring Training invitee, Barnett, has now made two relief appearances for the A’s. On February 22, he walked two and struck out one in a scoreless eighth inning during a 10-3 loss to the San Diego Padres. On February 26, the 24-year-old righty allowed two earned runs on four hits and one walk while pitching the eighth and ninth innings of an 8-5 win over the Seattle Mariners. The Athletics were 5-3 through their first week of Cactus League action. ANTHONY SEIGLER — Milwaukee Brewers (8th-yr. pro; Cartersville HS) … after signing with the Brewers’ organization in November and being assigned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds, Seigler has made three appearances in Spring Training games as a second baseman with the Brewers. He is 1-for-5 with one walk. His base hit was a double against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Milwaukee was 4-5 through the first nine games of Cactus League play. TENNIS SYDNEY COPPOLA — Berry College (So., Cass HS) … won her Line 4 singles 6-0, 6-1 and paired with teammate Charlee Eidson to win 6-0 at Line 2 doubles February 24 as the Vikings blanked Covenant College at the Rome Tennis Center. Berry also lost a 5-2 home decision to Cumberland University (TN) this past Friday. The Vikings head to Hilton Head, South Carolina, for matches against Western Illinois, Gettysburg College, Dickinson College, and George Mason University on March 9-14. EMILY SURCEY — Samford University (Sr., Cass HS) … lost a lengthy Line 1 singles match 6-4, 1-6, 3-6 in the Bulldogs’ 4-3 team victory at Western Kentucky on February 26. Surcey and Line 1 doubles partner Sara Erenda were trailing 6-5 in a set that went unfinished when the team outcome had been determined. This past Friday at home, she lost her Line 1 singles match 4-6, 0-6 and was leading 5-2 with Erenda at Line 1 doubles, but that set also went unfinished in a 4-2 team loss to Troy University. Samford plays at the University of North Alabama on Friday. BRYCE VAN ORDER — Piedmont University (Grad student, Woodland HS) … won his Line 2 singles match 6-3, 1-6, 1-0 (10-8) as the Lions won 6-1 at Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi. During the week, Piedmont also recorded a 7-0 home win over Truett McConnell University. The Lions host Pfeiffer University (NC) and Huntingdon College (AL) on Friday and will play six matches in the Orlando Spring Break Invitational on March 9-12. INDOOR TRACK AND FIELD Andy Forsyth ANDY FORSYTH — Berry College (Fr., Woodland HS) … earned all-conference honors with a second-place finish in the 800 meters (1:59.89) at the Southern Athletic Association Indoor Championships. He was also on Berry’s second-place distance medley team (10:27.99) and third-place 4x400 meter relay team (3:30.47). The Vikings finished second in the conference behind host Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. The NCAA Division III Indoor Championships are March 14-15 in Rochester, New York. ERIC TOVIAVE — Belmont University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … ran 11th in the 60-meter hurdles preliminaries this past Sunday at the Missouri Valley Indoor Championships in Chicago. The 2025 outdoor season begins for the Bruins on March 21-22 in Atlanta at Georgia Tech. JOE WOMACK — Furman University (Fr., Cartersville resident, Darlington HS) … finished 13th in the 400 meters (52.55) at the Southern Conference Indoor Championships this past weekend at VMI in Lexington, Virginia. The Paladins begin the outdoor season on March 22 at High Point University. BASKETBALL BRAXTON BENHAM — Berry College (Sr., Cass HS) … helped lead the tournament host Vikings to a second straight Southern Athletic Association conference title with 20 points in an 84-65 semifinal win over Oglethorpe University, and 11 points in an 83-65 championship game win over Centre College. Benham added 12 assists, eight rebounds, two steals, and one blocked shot in the two tournament wins. Berry (19-8) will learn its NCAA D-III National Championship Tournament assignment on Monday afternoon. NA’YEL CAMPER — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … totaled four rebounds, two assists, and one blocked shot in two games at the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament in Kingsport, Tennessee last Thursday and Friday. The Eagles defeated Bryan College 64-52 in the quarterfinals before falling  88-69 to Tennessee Wesleyan University in the semifinals. Reinhardt finished the season with a 22-8 record. CLAIRE DAVIS — Kennesaw State University (Jr., Cass HS) … totaled two rebounds and one steal in appearances last week against visiting Florida International University and Liberty University. KSU beat FIU 53-50 and lost to Liberty 71-69. The Owls (11-17) host Jacksonville State University on Saturday. JA’KA’YAH DRAUGHN — Chattanooga State CC (So., Cartersville HS) … totaled 14 points with 11 assists, seven rebounds, and three steals in a 51-39 win at Roane State CC and a 65-60 home win over Columbia State CC last Wednesday and Saturday. Chattanooga State begins the TCCAA post-season tournament with a 19-10 record. ANSLEY GRIFFIN — North Carolina Wesleyan (Fr., Cartersville HS) … scored two points with four assists, two rebounds, and one steal on February 25 in an 82-41win over Meredith College (NC) at the USA South Conference Tournament in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The Battlin’ Bishops were eliminated in the conference semifinals on February 27 to conclude their season with a 16-9 mark. ZION HAYES — Weatherford College (Fr., Cass HS) … scored seven points and had two rebounds this past Saturday in a 70-47 Coyotes’ win at Cisco College. She also saw limited action with no stat line in a 59-53 home loss to Grayson College. Weatherford (18-10, 9-6 North Texas Junior College Conference) concludes regular season play on Wednesday at Ranger College. HALEY JOHNSON — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cass HS) … totaled 12 points, five rebounds, three assists, and one steal in the Eagles two Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament games last Thursday and Friday in Kingsport, Tennessee. Reinhardt beat Bryan College 64-52 in the quarterfinals but lost to Tennessee Wesleyan University in the semifinals 88-69. The Eagles finished the year with a 22-8 record. KEARA McDANIEL — Toccoa Falls College (Jr., Cass HS) … scored five points with two rebounds, one assist, and one steal in the Screamin’ Eagles 69-64 win in the National Christian College Athletic Association D-II South Region semifinal at Bob Jones University. McDaniel had one rebound in the tournament finals in a 57-41 loss to Pensacola Christian College. TJ Printup TJ PRINTUP — Tusculum University (So., Adairsville HS) … scored a career-high 24 points with five rebounds, three steals, three blocked shots, and two assists in the Pioneers’ triple-overtime home loss to UVA-Wise last week. He also finished with two points, two steals, three assists, and one rebound in a home loss to Anderson University. Tusculum did not qualify for the conference tournament and finished the season with a 6-22 record. ALISSA WINTERS — Truett McConnell University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … had three rebounds in the Bears’ Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament opening-round loss to Columbia College, 71-62, in Kingsport, Tennessee. TMU’s season ended with a 12-17 record. SOFTBALL KILEY ARNOLD — Shorter University (So., Cartersville HS) … made one start at third base and appeared in both games of a home doubleheader loss on February 24 to Carson-Newman University. She was 0-for-3 at the plate. The Lady Hawks (3-12) visit Lee University for a doubleheader on Wednesday and host North Greenville University in a Conference Carolinas doubleheader on Saturday. HAYLEE DISHMON — Georgia Highlands College (So., Cass HS) … went 2-for-7 and scored one run in the Chargers’ home doubleheader loss to Chattanooga State last Friday. GHC (18-4) plays a conference doubleheader at Andrew College on Tuesday and visits USC Union for doubleheaders on Friday and Saturday. MEGAN GREGORY — Campbell University (So., Adairsville HS) … made three pitching appearances last week —  one at NC State on February 26 and two last weekend at home against North Carolina Central. Gregory allowed two earned runs on six hits and two walks with one strikeout in 2-⅓ innings at NC State and was charged with the pitching loss. She totaled eight scoreless innings against NC Central on five hits and two walks while fanning ten. She collected the pitching win last Friday. The Camels (12-7) host the University of North Carolina-Wilmington for three Coastal Athletic Association conference games on Friday through Sunday. ANSLEY HIGHT — Reinhardt University (So., Cass HS) … in eight starts last week, Hight was 10-for-22 at the plate with two home runs, four doubles, three walks, and eight RBI. The Eagles lost two games at Georgia Gwinnett, split games at Montreat College (NC), and swept home doubleheaders with Spartanburg Methodist and Union Commonwealth University (KY). Reinhardt (8-4, 5-1 Appalachian Athletic Conference) has a doubleheader at Cumberland University (TN) on Tuesday, hosts Johnson University (TN) for two games on Friday, and entertains Bryan College (TN) on Saturday. ALYSSA JARRETT — Piedmont University (So., Adairsville HS) … made catching starts against Alma College (MI) on February 24 and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire last Friday. She also appeared in another game against Alma. Jarrett was 2-for-4 at the plate with one walk and three RBI. She added one sacrifice and stole one base. The Lions (4-6) host Buena Vista University (IA) on Wednesday before traveling to Raleigh, North Carolina, for six games at the Diamond Classic on Friday through Sunday. SADYE JOHNSON — University of North Georgia (Sr., Adairsville HS) … went 1-for-3 in pinch-hitting appearances and wins last week against Miles College at home and at USC Aiken. The 11th-ranked Nighthawks (16-4, 3-0 Peach Belt Conference) host 2nd-ranked Auburn University Montgomery for a doubleheader on Wednesday and Lander University (SC) for three conference games on Saturday and Sunday. Eryn Lee ERYN LEE — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cass HS) … started seven of the Eagles’ eight games last week at second base and was 6-for-13 at the plate. She coaxed one walk, scored four runs, drove in two runs, and stole eight bases in eight attempts. Reinhardt went 5-3 for the week with two losses to Georgia Gwinnett College, one loss to Montreat College (NC), and wins over Spartanburg Methodist, Montreat, and Union Commonwealth University (KY). The Eagles (8-4, 5-1 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visit Cumberland University (TN) for two games on Tuesday, host Johnson University (TN) in a Friday doubleheader, and host Bryan College (TN) for two games on Saturday. RACHAEL LEE — Valdosta State University (Jr., Cass HS) … the Blazers’ two-hole hitter and outfielder was 2-for-10 in a three-game Gulf South Conference series this past weekend at the University of Alabama-Huntsville. VSU (8-11, 4-4) won two of three games in the series. The Blazers host the University of West Alabama in a conference series on Saturday and Sunday. Ava Perkins AVA PERKINS — Lee University (So., Cartersville HS) … made starts at second base in all five games as the Flames went 1-4, splitting a home doubleheader with Lincoln Memorial before dropping all three games at 2nd-ranked Auburn Montgomery over the weekend. Perkins was 4-for-14 at the plate during the week with one home run, one double, and three walks. She stole one base and scored four runs. Lee (10-8, 2-6) hosts Shorter University for two games on Wednesday and a three-game Gulf South Conference series with Union University (TN) on Saturday and Sunday. ALEXIS WOODS — Tennessee State University (So., Cass HS) … in six games last week, the Tigers’ starting infielder was 3-for-18 with four RBI and two stolen bases. TSU lost at Belmont on February 26 and Wofford at the Wofford Invitational but won games with North Dakota and Wofford, plus two over Buffalo at the tournament. Tennessee State (8-6) begins Missouri Valley Conference play on Saturday and Sunday with a three-game series at Tennessee Tech. BASEBALL DREW BILLINGS — Trinity Baptist College (Jr., Woodland HS) … notched two pitching wins in one day this past Saturday with relief appearances against Bethel University (IN) and Valley City State University (ND) at the Russ-Matt Invitational in Lake Myrtle, Florida. Billings completed the final three frames on the mound without allowing a run or hit in a 10-inning win over Bethel.  He also retired the final two outs of the victory over Valley City. He issued two walks and struck out two in the appearances. The Eagles (13-7, 5-1 NCCAA) host Dordt University (IA) and Northwestern College (IA) on Friday and Saturday in the RMI. CURT BONNER — LaGrange College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … went 1-for-15 in four home games last week as the Panthers lost to Emory University and swept three games from North Carolina Wesleyan. Bonner walked twice, scored twice, was hit by a pitch twice, and drove in one run. LaGrange (7-6) hosts Berry College on Friday and will play Marietta College (OH) and Berry in Rome on Saturday and Sunday. HARRISON CHILDERS — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (So., Cartersville HS) … went 3-for-14 with two walks in five games last week. The Stallions won twice at Paine College and swept a three-game series with the University of Mobile this past weekend. Childers scored four runs and was twice hit by a pitch. ABAC (14-5, 6-3 Southern States Athletic Conference) hosts Paine College on Tuesday before playing a three-game conference series at Loyola University in New Orleans on Friday and Saturday. Caleb Daniel CALEB DANIEL — Georgia Tech (Fr., Cartersville HS) … went 4-for-11 in four home games last week, including a loss to Marshall, a win over West Georgia, and two wins over Western Michigan. Daniel had one double, drew three walks, was hit by a pitch, drove in one run, scored four, and stole one base. The Yellow Jackets (10-2) host Kennesaw State on Tuesday and play a three-game Atlantic Coast Conference series at Virginia Tech on Friday through Sunday. ELLIOTT EASTIN — Covenant College (R-So., Cartersville HS) … went 3-for-12 with one double and three runs scored in a three-game home sweep of Bob Jones University (SC) last Friday and Saturday. He also stole one base. The Scots (8-1) host Eastern Mennonite University on Wednesday, visit Emory University on Friday and host Emory for a doubleheader on Saturday. COLIN EATON — East Tennessee State University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … needed only two pitches to retire the final out in the Buccaneers’ 10-0 home win this past Sunday over Binghamton University. ETSU went 5-0 for the week with a win over Appalachian State and two over Siena and Binghamton. The Bucs (10-2) welcome Pittsburgh for a three-game series on Friday through Sunday. RYAN FARR — Kentucky Christian University (Fr., Adairsville HS) …made a six-inning pitching start with no decision in a 7-6 loss at Wilberforce University (OH) on February 25. Farr yielded five runs (four earned) on three hits, seven walks, and two hit batsmen while striking out four. The Crusaders (8-6, 2-4 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visit Wilberforce on Wednesday before hosting a three-game conference series with the University of Pikeville (KY) on Friday and Saturday. RYAN JOHNSON — Georgia Tech (Fr., Cartersville HS) … entered in the eighth inning and retired one out in the ninth inning on February 26 in a 16-7 home win over the University of West Georgia. Johnson faced five batters, allowed one hit, and struck out one. The Yellow Jackets (10-2) host Kennesaw State on Tuesday and play a three-game Atlantic Coast Conference series at Virginia Tech on Friday through Sunday. COLT McKIBBEN — Lee University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … entered in the second inning and made a 3-⅔ innings relief appearance this past Saturday in the Flames’ 11-10 loss at Auburn Montgomery. He allowed two earned runs on three hits, one walk, and one hit batsman. McKibben struck out three. Lee (9-9, 3-6 Gulf South Conference) visits Lincoln Memorial University on Tuesday and hosts Union University (TN)  for a three-game conference series on Friday and Saturday. SAM MELTON — Guilford College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … made two starts last week — one in a win at William Peace and the other in a loss at Brevard College — and went 2-for-7 at the plate, including a double, a triple, one sacrifice, and one run scored. The Quakers (7-1) visit Carolina University (NC) on Wednesday and host Virginia Wesleyan University for a doubleheader on Saturday. LUKE MILLER — Columbus State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … went 7-for-20, including one homer, one triple, one walk, one sacrifice fly, three runs scored, and five RBI in five games last week. The Cougars beat Middle Georgia State and Albany State and won one of three games in a home series with the University of North Georgia. Miller also had one stolen base. CSU (8-7, 1-2 Peach Belt Conference) visits the University of Montevallo on Tuesday and hosts Flagler College for a three-game conference series on Friday through Sunday. AYDEN RAY — USC-Lancaster (Fr., Woodland HS) … was inserted in the eighth inning, drew a walk, and forced in a run in an eventual 17-16 ten-inning win this past Saturday over Florence-Darlington Tech. It was the Lancers' only win in a four-game week. USC-Lancaster (6-12, 3-3 NJCAA Region 10) plays at Surry CC on Tuesday and has a three-game series at USC Sumter on Saturday and Sunday.  DREW ROTHSCHILD — University of West Georgia (Jr., Cartersville HS) … drew a base on balls in a pinch-hitting appearance this past Saturday during a 14-4 home win over Eastern Kentucky. The Wolves lost at Georgia Tech on February 26 but swept a series with the Colonels. UWG (7-3) hosts Samford on Tuesday and plays a four-game set at Florida A&M on Friday through Sunday. TREY SCOTT — Alabama A&M University (Sr., Cass HS) … made a three-inning pitching start this past Saturday at Georgia State and was charged with the loss. He allowed nine runs (six earned) on seven hits and seven walks while striking out one in an eventual 16-2 loss. The Bulldogs (2-9) host Tennessee-Martin on Tuesday and welcome Alcorn State University for a three-game series Friday through Sunday. HANK SMITH — University of West Georgia (R-So., Cartersville HS) … in a loss at Georgia Tech and two home wins over Eastern Kentucky, Smith was 3-for-9 at the plate with one walk, two runs scored, and two RBI. The Wolves (7-3) host Samford University on Tuesday before traveling to Tallahassee for a four-game series at Florida A&M on Friday through Sunday. Scotty Smith SCOTTY SMITH — Covenant College (Sr., Woodland HS) … improved his 2025 pitching record to 3-0 this past Saturday with a seven-inning start and a 10-0 home win over Bob Jones University (SC). Smith scattered three hits, one walk, and two hit batsmen without allowing a run. The Scots (8-1) host Eastern Mennonite University (VA) on Wednesday, visit Emory University on Friday, and host Emory for a Saturday doubleheader. KADEN STEPHENSON — Piedmont University (So., Cartersville HS) … was entered defensively at second base on February 25 in a 7-6 home loss to Hanover College (IN) and a 13-2 win over visiting Albion College (MI) this past Saturday. Stephenson had a ninth-inning plate appearance and coaxed a base on balls this past Sunday in a 9-6 home loss to Greensboro College (NC). The Lions (8-2) entertain Adrian College (MI) on Wednesday and will play a three-game series at Methodist University (NC) on Friday through Sunday. PRESTON WELCHEL — Cumberland University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … in a win on February 25 over visiting Tennessee Southern and four wins this past weekend over Michigan-Dearborn University, Welchel was 4-for-17 at the plate with two doubles, one sac fly, one hit by pitch, and five RBI. The Phoenix (15-3-1) visit 6th-ranked Reinhardt University on Tuesday and host Lourdes University (OH) for three games on Saturday and Sunday. DAVIS WILLIAMS — University of West Georgia (R-So., Cartersville HS) … took the mound in the seventh inning at Georgia Tech on February 26 and allowed three earned runs on two hits and one walk while recording one out in an eventual 16-7 loss. The Wolves (7-3) host Samford University on Tuesday before traveling to Tallahassee for a four-game series at Florida A&M on Friday through Sunday.

March 2, 2025 Will Feuerbach (front) and Barrett Stepp competing on Saturday at the Purple Hurricane Invitational. The Cartersville boys finished third, and the Lady Canes tied for eighth this past Saturday at the 19-team Purple Hurricane Invitational at Weinman Stadium. Woodstock won the girls’ meet with 92.5 points. Cherokee (79) was second, followed by Central-Carroll (64.5), North Paulding (58), and North Springs (56), which were in the top five. Carrollton won the boys’ title with 116 points, followed by North Paulding (65), Cartersville (63), Cherokee (58), and Central-Carroll (54). Cartersville won the girls’ and boys’ JV meet, which included nine teams. Top varsity performers for Cartersville included: First Place Thoreau Lipscomb — Boys Shot Put — 55-0.50 Sofia Burns — Girls 1600 Meter Run — 5:33.23 Madoxx Davis — Boys 200 Meter Dash — 22.92 Second Place Brady Marchese — Boys 100 Meter Dash — 11.13 Third Place Actavious Thompson — Boys 400 Meter Dash — 50.98 Kimberly Guerra — Girls 3200 Meter Run — 13:39.20 Boys 4x400 Meter Relay (3:36.80) — Actavious Thompson, Barrett Stepp, Will Feuerbach, Kemontae Parker Fourth Place Karlee Christian — Girls High Jump — 4-6 Amirra Davis — Girls High Jump — 4-6 Kenneth Wilkey — Boys High Jump — 5-10 Bayley Stanley — Girls 100 Meter Dash — 12.81 Will Feuerbach — Boys 800 Meter Run — 2:05.26 Bryson Everett — Boys 200 Meter Dash — 23.33 Cartersville heads to the River Ridge Invitational on Saturday in Woodstock.

March 1, 2025 The track and field teams at Adairsville, Cass, and Woodland competed Saturday at the 13-team Southeast Whitfield Invitational in Dalton. The Woodland girls placed second, the Cass girls were fifth, and the Adairsville girls finished eleventh. Heritage-Catoosa finished at the top of the girls’ standings. Dalton and Calhoun were in the top five. The Cass boys finished fifth behind Calhoun, Heritage, Dalton, and Southeast Whitfield. Woodland placed sixth, and the Adairsville boys’ team was tenth. Top performances from Adairsville, Cass, and Woodland athletes: First Place Allison Snead - Woodland - Girls 3200 Meter Run - 13:01.00 Ella Bailey - Adairsville - Girls 100 Meter Hurdles - 17.75 Woodland Girls 4x100 Meter Relay (51.28) - Jordan Hammonds, Ja’zavia Bryan, Kirae Grayson, Aliya Strachan Woodland Girls 4x400 Meter Relay (4:33.00) - Paisley Harp, Miranda Pelow, Aliya Strachan, Ja’zavia Bryan Cyler Williams - Woodland - Girls High Jump - 5-00.25 Second Place Aliya Strachan - Woodland - Girls 100 Meter Dash - 12.61 Ja’zavia Bryan - Woodland - Girls 200 Meter Dash - 27.31 Allison Snead - Woodland - Girls 1600 Meter Run - 6:00.00 Ella Bailey - Adairsville - Girls 300 Meter Hurdles - 52.18 KK Evans - Cass - Girls High Jump - 5:00.00 Kiana McDaniel - Cass - Girls Shot Put - 33-01.00 Rowan Lee - Woodland - Boys 400 Meter Dash - 52.66 Anthony Acie - Adairsville - Boys 300 Meter Hurdles - 43.74 Woodland Boys 4x400 Meter Relay (3:46.00) - Rowen Lee, Gabriel Hardin, James Morris, Jadyn Jenkins Xavier Lowe - Cass - Boys High Jump - 6-04.00 Third Place Kamerynn Easterling - Cass - Girls 200 Meter Dash - 28.17 Addison Brown - Woodland - Girls 3200 Meter Run - 13:46.00 Nakayla KK Evans - Cass - Girls 100 Meter Hurdles - 17.83 Cass Giris 4x100 Meter Relay (53.29) - KK Evans, Markayla Sanford, Javia Woodard, Anizah Taylor Paisley Harp - Woodland - Girls Pole Vault - 7-06.25 Cass Boys 4x200 Meter Relay (1:34.03) - Jordan Powell, Kalel Charles, Jaimere Anderson, Yuvi Singh Woodland Boys 4x800 Meter Relay (9:06.17) - Juan Mendoza, Will Parker, Gabriel Hardin, James Morris Jahlil Anderson - Cass - Boys High Jump - 5:10.50 Malik Henry - Cass - Boys Shot Put - 42-11.00 Cass will compete at Pepperell High School on Friday. Woodland travels to the River Ridge Invitational on Saturday. Adairsville’s next meet will be at Calhoun High School on March 12.

March 1, 2025 by Clifton Puckett, GHC Athletic Dept. Jay'Quan Nelson drives by a South Georgia State defender. In a crucial conference matchup, Georgia Highlands College surged in the second half to secure an 85-79 win over South Georgia State College on Saturday in Rome. The victory moves the Chargers to 8-6 in GCAA play, keeping them firmly in the race for a home playoff game. Despite the loss, South Georgia remains atop the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association standings at 11-4. The Chargers started strong, gaining an early lead, but South Georgia countered, taking control before the halftime break. The Hawks secured an eight-point lead at halftime and increased it to 11 in the second half. Nevertheless, GHC remained resilient, surging back with an impressive 53-39 performance in the second half to secure the lead permanently in the final minutes. Marquin Thompson (South Gwinnett HS) led the way with 20 points, while Jay’Quan Nelson (Alexander HS) added 16 to fuel the comeback. Jah’kim Payne (Alexander HS) controlled the boards with a team-high nine rebounds, and Chi Shannon (Chapel Hill HS) protected the rim with three blocks. With the regular season winding down, the Chargers now focus on a critical road test against South Georgia Technical College on Wednesday in Americus — the first of their final two games before the postseason.

March 1, 2025 Georgia Highlands baseball completed a weekend series sweep of visiting Northwest-Shoals CC on Saturday by sweeping both games of a doubleheader, 11-1 and 12-1. The Chargers also won the series' first game on Friday, 14-10. The GHC bats and offense started fast in both games on Saturday. The Chargers led 6-0 through three innings in the opener and 12-0 through three frames in the second game. Andrew Arnold pitched all six innings of the opener and scattered four hits and two walks for the win. Kaiden Krak went all five innings in the second game. He limited the Patriots to five hits and one walk while fanning five. Ali Banks had six hits and four RBI in Saturday's doubleheader. Ali Banks had six hits in Saturday’s doubleheader with four RBI. Andrew Bishop (double, sac fly, five RBI), Grayson Godbee (double, four RBI), and Tyler Phillips (home run, two doubles, four RBI) finished the day with three hits. Anthony Miller (RBI), Kenskey Thomas (double, RBI), and Ryan Martin (double) contributed two hits. Heath Whitlock (home run, two RBI), Wyatt Gatlin (RBI), and Joe Johnson added one hit. The season mark for Northwest-Shoals slipped to 10-6. Georgia Highlands (17-3) plays its first conference game on Tuesday at South Georgia State at 3 p.m. and will return home on Wednesday to host a doubleheader with USC Salkehatchie.

March 1, 2025 The Woodland Wildcats baseball team secured two victories on Saturday in Spring Garden, Alabama games. WOODLAND 14, SPRING GARDEN (AL) 0 In the first of two games on Saturday for Woodland in Alabama, the Wildcats and Spring Garden remained scoreless through the first three innings. However, Woodland peppered the Panthers for 14 runs over the final four innings in a 14-0 shutout. With two outs in the top of the fourth, the Wildcats strung together three hits with a Spring Garden infield error to take a 3-0 lead. They added another run in the top of the sixth on two hits and another Panther error. Ahead 4-0, Woodland put the game out of reach with a 10-run top of the seventh inning. Five hits, five walks, and two hit batsmen produced the Wildcats’ big inning. They sent 15 batters to the plate in the frame. Kallen Reynolds (3.1 IP, 0R, 1H, 4BB, 3K) and Lucas Baker (3.2 IP, 0R, 1H, 0BB, 3K) earned the pitching win and save, respectively. Preston Sorrells went 3-for-3 with a walk and two RBI to lead Woodland’s offensive attack. One of his three hits was a double. Jake Clowers (two RBI), Ben Turcotte (double), and Tommy Risner (RBI) had two hits. Conner Lujan (triple, RBI), Tucker James (two RBi), Sammy Ray (RBI), Alfredo Romo, and Baker added one hit. Steven Tumlin and Jacob Tatum had one RBI. WOODLAND 2, CHEROKEE CO. (AL) 1 The Woodland Wildcats made it a three-game season sweep of the Cherokee County Warriors of Centre, Alabama, on Saturday, but it took extra innings. The game was played at Spring Garden. Woodland took advantage of two walks to begin the top of the second inning when Jake Clowers drove in a run with a single into center field. That 1-0 lead held for the Wildcats until Cherokee pushed across a tying run in the bottom of the seventh. In the top of the eighth inning, Lucas Baker led off with a single, advanced to second on a groundout, and moved to third on an infield error.  Baker then scored the game-winning run on a wild pitch. Christian Duran (3 IP, 1ER, 1H, 2K) worked a clean bottom of the eighth on the mound for the Wildcats to close the game and collect the win. Austin Daves (5 IP, 0R, 4H, 0BB, 7K) made the pitching start for Woodland and received no decision. Seven Wildcats had one hit each, including Clowers (RBI), Baker, Alfredo Romo, Conner Lujan, Ben Turcotte, Tommy Risner, and Jonathan Ryan. The loss left Cherokee with a 4-6 record. Woodland (5-2) hosts Cedartown on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. to begin a three-game Region 7-AAAA series that will continue with a doubleheader on Friday.

March 1, 2025 Tristan McKibben The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes’ comeback efforts came up just short Saturday in a 9-7 loss to the Mountain Brook (AL) Spartans. The PG High School Showdown consolation game was Cartersville’s fourth game of the weekend. The Canes were 1-3 in the elite high school tournament. Their win was over Brandon High School, the No. 1-ranked team in Class 7A in Mississippi. In the loss to Mountain Brook, the Canes trailed 8-1 through four innings. Cartersville rallied for four runs in the fifth inning and added single runs in the final two frames. The Spartans broke open a 1-1 game in the bottom of the second inning and did most of their damage with two outs. A flyout and a strikeout followed a leadoff double, but then Mountain Brook coaxed six walks and added an infield single to go ahead 6-1. Logan Shrewsbury (1.2 IP, 6ER, 3H, 5BB, 4K) started on the mound for Cartersville and was saddled with the pitching loss. Cooper Reynolds (0.0 IP, 0R, 1H, 2BB), Davis Waddell (2.1 IP, 2ER, 3H, 1BB, 5K), and Brayden Logan (2 IP, 1R, 0ER, 2H, 1K) also pitched for the Hurricanes. David Vargas (two RBi) and Andrew Purdy (RBI) finished with two hits against the Spartans. Cameron Cochran (RBI), Cole Crawford (RBI), Logan (RBI), Tristan McKibben, Thomas Peters, Julez Pratt, and Ben Cagle added one hit. Hunter Davis went 3-for-3 with one RBI and Sam Estes drove in three runs to lead the Mountain Brook offense. The Spartans improved to 6-3. Cartersville (4-5) opens play in Region 7-AAAA at Allatoona on Tuesday at 5:55 p.m. in the first game of a three-game series. The Canes will host a doubleheader with the Buccaneers on Friday.

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. Lucas Baker represents Woodland High School as the February Elite Athlete of the Month. Baker, a senior pitcher and third baseman on the Wildcats’ baseball team, started the 2025 campaign with a .429 batting average. He is 1-0 on the mound and recently signed to continue his education and baseball career at Albany State University. “Lucas works extremely hard,” said Wildcats head coach Mark Collins. “He has been elected captain by his teammates.” He is the son of Joe and Dona Baker. Peyton Bowen is the February Elite Athlete of the Month for Adairsville High School. A senior outfielder on the Tigers’ baseball team, Bowen has started the season with a .405 batting average. “Peyton Bowen is a hard-working young man and always leads by example,” said Adairsville head baseball coach Billy Roper. “He is quiet, but he plays the game the right way. I can always count on him to do what is right and best for the team.” The son of Mark and Carla Bowen, he has a 4.0 grade point average in the Adairsville High School Magnet Program. He plans to attend the University of North Georgia to major in Nursing. Talan Nix represents Cartersville High School as the February Elite Athlete of the Month. He is a three-time state placer for the Canes’ wrestling team, having placed fifth, fifth, and third the past three seasons in his weight division. “Talan is a great example of an elite athlete. He excels on and off the mat. His continued success in the classroom and wrestling directly results from the hard work he pours into everything he does. He finished strong with an outstanding senior season,” said Cartersville wrestling coach Sammy Rosario. The son of Leslie and Kevin Nix, Talan has a 4.7 weighted GPA and 4.0 unweighted. He was selected Most Outstanding Congressman at the Georgia State Youth Assembly in 2024. He is a Georgia Merit Scholar, Mu Alpha Theta Scholar, Junior Marshall, Scholar Athlete for Wrestling, Advanced Placement Scholar with Honors, Georgia Certificate of Merit winner, National Honor Society member, and was nominated for the Governor’s Honors Program in mathematics. Nix plans to attend the University of Georgia to study Engineering. Darianna Sosa is the February Elite Athlete of the Month for Cass High School. Sosa is a standout member of the Lady Colonels’ softball, basketball, and tennis teams. A 5-8 guard, Sosa concluded the recent basketball season as the team’s second-leading scorer and helped the team reach the GHSA Class AAAA state playoffs.  As a shortstop and leadoff hitter for the softball team, she led the Lady Colonels as they also reached the Class AAAA state playoffs. She is the daughter of Sebastian and Brenda Sosa and plans to attend Fort Valley State University on an athletic scholarship for softball. Editors 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

March 1, 2025 The Woodland boys’ soccer team edged Calhoun on penalty kicks Friday night, but the Lady Cats fell to the visiting Yellow Jackets on penalty kicks. In the girls’ match, the two teams battled to a scoreless draw in regulation before Calhoun won in the penalty kicks shootout. The Lady Jackets converted four PKs and the Lady Cats made three. The Woodland boys’ team trailed 1-0 when Danny Chavez finished on a goal assisted by Aiden Carrillo in the 21st minute. The teams fought scoreless for the remainder of the half. In the 43rd minute, Carrillo gave the Wildcats a 2-1 advantage with a penalty kick but the Yellow Jackets managed the equalizer in the 60th minute.  Tied 2-2, the game went to a penalty kick session where Calhoun missed high on one of their shots. Deiby Sanchez, Luis Olvera Sanchez, Hunter Limbaugh, Marvin Morales, and Chavez were successful for the Wildcats to earn the victory. Woodland goalkeeper Pedro Montalvo had eight saves in regulation. The Wildcats (2-2) and the Lady Cats (1-3) travel to Cedartown on Tuesday to begin play in Region 7-AAAA.

March 1, 2025 Casen Cochran drove in two runs in the Hurricanes' win over the Brandon Bulldogs. Cartersville High baseball scored six runs in the first two innings on Friday afternoon and defeated Brandon (MS) 6-2 in a consolation game at the Perfect Game High School Showdown in Hoover, Alabama. The Bulldogs are the No. 1-ranked Class 7A team in The Magnolia State. Cameron Cochran drove in the Canes’ first run with a single in the bottom of the first inning and Casen Cochran grounded out to second base to force home a second Cartersville run. The Hurricanes added four more runs in the second inning on three hits, a walk, and a Bulldogs’ error. Nate Russell picked up the pitching win for Cartersville in a five-inning start. He scattered four hits and two walks while striking out four. Nolan Elrod allowed two earned runs in the sixth inning. Elrod allowed three hits and had one strikeout. Cameron Cochran (RBI) and Brayden Logan had two hits in the contest. Casen Cochran (two RBI), Tristan McKibben, Andrew Purdy, Julez Pratt, and Thomas Peters added one hit for the Canes. The loss dropped the Bulldogs to a 5-4 record. ETOWAH (AL) 6, CARTERSVILLE 4 In the Canes second consolation game of the day on Friday, Cartersville dropped a 6-4 decision to the Etowah Blue Devils of Attalla, Alabama. Both teams plated two runs in the first inning but the Blue Devils added single runs in the second, third, fifth, and seventh innings to build a 6-2 advantage. Cartersville scored twice in the bottom of the seventh but it wasn’t enough. Two Etowah pitchers — Broc Billingsley and Baylor Morrison — combined for ten strikeouts. Four Hurricanes pitched in the loss including Davis Waddell (1.2 IP, 3ER, 4H, 1BB, 1K), Cooper Reynolds (1.1 IP, 1ER, 1H, 3BB, 2K), Maddox Frazier (2 IP, 1ER, 2H, 1BB, 1K), and Andrew Purdy (2 IP, 1ER, 2H, 2BB, 3K). Purdy had two doubles at the plate to go with two walks and one RBI. Avery Shiflett (RBI), Brayden Logan (RBI), David Vargas, and Tristan McKibben (double) added one hit for the Canes. The Blue Devils improved to 5-4, Cartersville (4-4) will wrap up the trip to Hoover with a 2 p.m. (CST) consolation game on Saturday against Mountain Brook (AL) on the Spartans’ home field.