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April 28, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Georgia Highlands College softball swept a three-game series at South Georgia State last Friday and Saturday to take a firm hold on the second-place position in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association standings. The Chargers won 5-2 and 10-4 last Friday and edged the Hawks 10-9 in nine innings on Saturday. Emily Ferro picked up two of the pitching wins. She tossed all seven innings in Friday’s first game, allowing two earned runs on five hits and four walks. On Saturday, Ferro collected the win in relief, going 5-1/3 innings. She allowed one earned run on three hits and two walks. She totaled nine strikeouts in the two pitching appearances. Athens Hudson was the Game 2 winning pitcher on Friday, working 6-2/3 innings in the circle. Hudson allowed two earned runs on six hits and four walks with five strikeouts. Haley Curtis (5 ER, 10H, 2BB, 3K) pitched four innings in the series. CeCe Williams (three doubles, four RBI), Emma Darrow (four RBI), and Mary Catherine Kimball (three RBI) led the Chargers’ bats in the series with five hits. Emmalee Freeman (double, sac fly, three RBI) and Ferro (solo home run, double) contributed four hits. Gracie Azpeitia (sac fly, two RBI) totaled three hits in the series. Georgia Highlands (27-15, 16-6) hosts Andrew College for a doubleheader at 2 p.m. on Friday and a single game on Saturday at 1 p.m. to wrap up regular season play. The Chargers will host the conference tournament on May 7-9.

April 29, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com The Adairsville High School girls' soccer team experienced a heartbreaking conclusion to their remarkable season on Tuesday night at home in the Sweet Sixteen round of the state playoffs. The Johnson-Gainesville Lady Knights defeated the Lady Tigers in a penalty kick shootout after a fiercely contested 1-1 draw through regulation and two overtime periods. Adairsville controlled possession and dictated the pace for much of the first half. The Lady Tigers broke through in the 35th minute off a set piece when Sam Gough sent home a corner kick from Alexa Damer, giving Adairsville a 1-0 lead heading into halftime. Johnson-Gainesville found the equalizer early in the second half, scoring in the 45th minute to make it 1-1. The Lady Knights carried more of the momentum in the second half, but neither team could find the back of the net as the game remained tied after 80 minutes. With the score still level, the match moved into two 10-minute overtime periods. Both teams battled intensely, yet no goals were scored, forcing the outcome to be decided from the penalty spot. In the shootout, Johnson-Gainesville outscored Adairsville to advance to the Class AAA state quarterfinals with a 2-1 victory. The Lady Knights, now 13-5, will host Heritage-Catoosa on Monday, May 4. Heritage advanced with a 2-1 win at West Laurens on Tuesday night. For Adairsville, the loss marked the end of a stellar campaign that included a Region 7-AAA championship and a final record of 16-3.

April 27, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Cartersville Country Club member Tevis Upton carded an even-par 72 and tied for sixth place on Monday to advance to the Final Stage of qualifying for the U.S. Senior Open. Upton was one of 22 amateur and professional players in a starting field of 130 players to advance. The qualifier for players 50-and-over was hosted by Cartersville Country Club and competed at 6,833 yards. Chad Branton of Cartersville was exempted from the Local Qualifying Stage by the U.S.G.A. due to his Senior Amateur Golf Ranking. He is currently ranked sixth with five Top Five finishes and two other Top Twenty finishes in WAGR events in 2026. Professional John Rollins (Argyle, TX) was the medalist, firing a five-under par 67. Amateurs Michael Pearson (Atlanta) and Harald Wyatt (Atlanta) tied for second place with two-under par 70s. Pro Todd Ormsby (Newnan) and amateur David Noll (Dalton) were the only other players under par at 71. Professionals Derek Sanders (Whispering Pines, NC), Franklin Langham (Peachtree City), Don Carpenter, III (Athens), Vaughn Taylor (Augusta), and Hyeong Kim (Jonesboro) joined Upton and fellow amateurs Brian Quackenbush (Aiken, SC), and Chip Brooke (Altamonte Springs, FL) at even par. The remaining qualifiers included professionals John Smoltz (Alpharetta), Jay Jurecic (Caspian, MI), and amateurs Jason Lina (Alpharetta), Brian Davidson (Baldwin), Brian Armstrong (Tampa, FL), Eddie Bannister (Loganville), G. Davis Boland (Louisville, KY), Robbie Cotten (Brewton, AL), and Cres Dodd (Calhoun). Final Stage qualifying will take place at various sites between May 18 and June 15. The 2026 U.S. Senior Open Championship will be played at Scioto Country Club in Columbus on July 2-5.

April 27, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com The Canes L-R: Blake Lutjens, Reid Henson, James Buessing, Ramsey Dunn, Carsen Stanfield, Carter Rice, Bodie Brumlow, and River Gunn. The Lady Canes: Mia Miller, Addie Feuerbach, Reese Hertel, Ana Jo Culverhouse, Mary Harris Gambill, Coach Alicia Murray, Not pictured: Macie Mosteller. Right photo: Medalist, Bodie Brumlow. The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes boys’ golf team captured the Area 3 AAAA championship on Monday at The Governor’s Club, firing a team score of 1-over-par 289 to claim the title and punch their ticket to the state championship. Led by standout performances from Bodie Brumlow and Reid Henson, the Canes dominated the field. Brumlow carded a spectacular 5-under-par round to earn low medalist honors and the individual Area title. Henson contributed a strong 3-under performance, while five of Cartersville’s six players finished inside the top 10 individually. The boys’ victory automatically qualifies them for the GHSA State Championship, scheduled for later in May at the Savannah Golf Club. On the girls’ side, the Purple Hurricanes battled to a third-place finish with a team total of 303. The squad was paced by Addie Feuerbach (100), Ana Jo Culverhouse (101), and Reese Hertel (102). Their third-place showing earned them a berth in the State Sectionals next week at Georgia National Golf Course in Alpharetta.

April 27, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Four local amateur golfers made the 36-hole cut and earned top positions this past Friday through Sunday (April 24-26) at the 54th Georgia State Golf Association Four-Ball Championship. Brooks Colquitt (Atlanta) and Cole Isban (Marietta) won the 2026 title with rounds of 63-66-64—193 (23-under par). Brody McQueen (Marietta) and Nicholas Canitano (Milton) finished runner-up (66-62-68—196; 20-under par). R.B. Clyburn (Cartersville) and partner Ryan Morley-Stockton (Woodstock) carded rounds of 66-67-68—201 (15-under par) and tied for 10th place. Laine Frazier (Adairsville) and Adam Yarbrough (Kingston) shot 68-67-67—202 (14-under par) to tie for 15th, and Andrew Lutjens (Cartersville) and Georgia College teammate Jacob Speece (Hahira) shot 67-67-69—203 (13-under par) to tie for 20th place. Eighty teams qualified to compete in the Four-Ball Championship, which was played at the par-72, 6,843-yard Harbor Club on Lake Oconee in Greensboro. Thirty-four teams made the 36-hole cut at 7-under par.

April 27, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Photo: CanesAthletics.com Scott Barkley / CanesAthletics.com Zoe McCurry and Emily Odom dominated their singles matches while the doubles team of Taryn Bradley and Raegan Rhodes secured a 3-0 Lady Canes win over Maynard Jackson High on April 23 to move on to the second round of the state playoffs. Cartersville travels to Ware County on Wednesday, April 29, to compete in the Sweet 16.

April 27, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Cartersville High product Devonte Ross signed with the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League this weekend as an undrafted free agent. Ross, who played three seasons at Troy University before playing his senior season at Penn State, had over 2,100 receiving yards in college. Elsewhere, local athletes made their marks this past week in Minor League Baseball, college track and field, tennis, college softball, and college baseball. MiLB MASON BARNETT — Las Vegas Aviators (5th-year pro; MLB Athletics Triple-A franchise; Auburn; Cartersville HS) … made a five-inning, no-decision start last Saturday and allowed no runs on one hit and two walks. Las Vegas scored late to win 4-0. Barnett struck out seven, facing 18 batters. He improved his Triple-A ERA to 2.29 in four starts with a 2-0 record. The Aviators began the week with a 13-11 record. They play a six-game series at the Tacoma Rainiers this week. LOGAN MARTIN — Richmond Flying Squirrels (4th-year pro; San Francisco Giants Double-A affiliate; Kentucky; Cartersville HS) … made a four-inning start this past Sunday and allowed three earned runs on five hits and one walk. He struck out five and received no decision at home in an eventual 4-3 win over the Somerset Patriots. Richmond entered the week with a 17-3 record, leading the Eastern League’s Southwest Division by four games over the Harrisburg Senators. The Squirrels play a six-game series this week at the Altoona Curve. ANTHONY SEIGLER — Worcester Red Sox (9th-year pro; Boston Red Sox Triple-A affiliate; Cartersville HS) … went 3-for-13 across four home games last week versus the Syracuse Mets. Seigler had two walks and three RBI. Worcester entered the week with a 15-11 record. Worcester plays a six-game series this week at the Rochester Red Wings. NFL DEVONTE ROSS — Los Angeles Chargers (1st-year pro; NFL; Penn State; Cartersville HS) … signed this past weekend as one of 18 undrafted free agents (two wide receivers) by the Chargers. Ross had 36 receptions for 501 yards and five touchdowns in his senior season for the Nittany Lions. He played his first three seasons at Troy University, amassing 1,618 yards on 129 catches with 14 touchdowns. Training camp for the Chargers is slated to begin July 17. SOFTBALL JORDAN BISHOP — Virginia Tech (Fr., Cartersville HS) … was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded last Friday to drive in a run in the sixth inning of the 13th-ranked Hokies’ 6-5 home win over North Carolina. Virginia Tech (41-9, 15-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) plays a three-game series at Syracuse on Friday through Sunday. ANSLEY HIGHT — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cass HS) … went 2-for-5, including one home run, one double, two walks, scored one run, and had one RBI in two Eagles’ losses April 22 at Johnson University (TN). Reinhardt (23-9, 19-7 Appalachian Athletic Conference) opens play in the conference tournament in Kingsport, Tennessee, on Tuesday night versus Monday’s Bryan College/University of Pikeville winner. The tournament continues through Friday. ALYSSA JARRETT — Piedmont University (Jr., Adairsville HS) … appeared in both games of a doubleheader last Friday at Wesleyan College in Macon and went 1-for-7 at the plate with one walk and scored one run. The Lions (24-14, 11-5 Collegiate Conference of the South) open play in the conference tournament in Oxford, Alabama, on Thursday. ERYN LEE — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cass HS) … entered as a pinch runner April 22 in an Eagles’ 2-1 loss at Johnson University (TN). Reinhardt (23-9, 19-7 Appalachian Athletic Conference) heads to Kingsport, Tennessee, for the conference championship tournament on Tuesday through Friday. RACHAEL LEE — Valdosta State University (Sr., Cass HS) … went 2-for-8 in a series at the University of West Florida last Friday and Saturday, where VSU dropped two of three. Lee had one double, one walk, one run scored, and drove in four runs. The Blazers (22-24, 14-16 Gulf South Conference) host Union University (TN) for three games on Friday and Saturday. AVA PERKINS — Lander University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … made three home starts last Friday and Saturday against USC Aiken and went 0-for-6 at the plate with two walks, one sacrifice hit, and one RBI. The Bearkats (31-16, 15-9 Peach Belt Conference) visit Columbus State University for a three-game series on Friday and Saturday. ALEXIS WOODS — Tennessee State University (Jr., Cass HS) … went 3-for-9, including one double, one sacrifice hit, two runs scored, one stolen base, and two RBI in three home games last week. The Tigers beat Western Illinois on April 20, but lost three games to Southern Illinois-Edwardsville. Tennessee State (2-35, 2-22 Ohio Valley Conference) plays a three-game series at Eastern Illinois on Friday and Saturday. BASEBALL CAMERON ADAMS — Shorter University (R-Fr., Excel Christian Academy) … in four road games last week — a loss at Carson-Newman University and three games (two wins) at Southern Wesleyan University — the infielder went 2-for-12, including one walk, one hit by pitch, one run, and one RBI. The Hawks (17-28, 8-25 Conference Carolinas) did not qualify for the conference tournament. DREW BILLINGS — Trinity College of Jacksonville (Sr., Woodland HS) … tossed a shutout fifth inning last Friday as the Eagles beat visiting Paine College (GA) 12-3. He allowed one hit and did not issue a walk. Trinity (20-19, 10-5 National Christian College Athletic Association South Region) begins play in the regional tournament on Monday, May 4, at Toccoa Falls College (GA). CURT BONNER — LaGrange College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … in three home games last Friday and Saturday against Maryville College (TN), Bonner went 8-for-12, including two triples, one double, two hit by pitch, two walks, two stolen bases, six runs scored, and six RBI. He lifted his season batting average to .374. LaGrange (19-17, 8-10 Collegiate Conference of the South) begins the CCS Tournament on Wednesday at Trustman Park in Pearl, Mississippi. CALEB DANIEL — Georgia Tech (So., Cartersville HS) … went 2-for-15, including one double, in four starts as the 3rd-ranked Yellow Jackets defeated the 5th-ranked University of Georgia on April 21 in Atlanta and swept a three-game home series versus Wake Forest over the weekend. Georgia Tech visits Kennesaw State University on Tuesday night and hosts Xavier University for three games on Friday through Sunday. MICAH EARWOOD — Southeastern University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … made two relief appearances totaling 1-2/3 innings as the Fire split home games against New College (FL). Earwood allowed one earned run on three hits and two walks with three strikeouts. Southeastern (35-15, 19-9) faces St. Thomas University (FL) on Thursday afternoon in the first round of the Sun Conference Tournament in Fort Myers. ELLIOTT EASTIN — Covenant College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … went 3-for-13 last week as the Scots dropped five road games — one at Berry College and four at Toccoa Falls College. Eastin had one double, four walks, scored one run, stole one base, and drove in four runs. Covenant (14-26, 6-12 Collegiate Conference of the South) did not qualify for the conference tournament. COLIN EATON — East Tennessee State University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … in a third-inning relief appearance at Appalachian State University on April 21, Eaton walked one and hit one batter, completing a scoreless inning in a 3-1 loss to the Mountaineers. The Buccaneers also dropped two of three games at Western Carolina University over the weekend. ETSU (26-15, 9-6 Southern Conference) welcomes UNC Asheville on Tuesday night and plays a three-game, non-conference series at UConn on Friday through Sunday. RYAN FARR — Kentucky Christian University (So., Adairsville HS) … made a 1-1/3 innings relief appearance last Friday and was charged with the pitching loss as the Knights dropped a 17-6 decision at Oakland City College (IN). Farr (2-2) allowed four earned runs on one hit and four walks with one strikeout. KCU finished the regular season 22-22 overall and 11-16 in the River States Conference. RYAN JOHNSON — University of Illinois (Fr., Cartersville HS) … pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one walk with one strikeout in the Illini’s 13-6 home loss April 21 to Illinois State. Illinois (21-21, 9-12 Big Ten Conference) also lost two of three at home this past weekend to 20th-ranked Nebraska. They visit Bradley University on Tuesday and play a three-game series at the University of Iowa this weekend. AIDAN LARKIN — Georgia Highlands College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … went 5-for-11, including one homer, one triple, one double, four runs scored, and three RBI in road wins April 21 and 23 at Andrew College and East Georgia State. The Chargers (41-11, 21-4 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association) finish regular-season play this week with a doubleheader on Tuesday at South Georgia State and a single game on Thursday at Gordon State. HUNTER LOVETT — Oglethorpe University (Fr., Cass HS) … allowed one earned run on two walks and one hit this past Saturday, retiring only one batter in a fifth-inning relief appearance and Stormy Petrels’ 3-2 loss at Centre College (KY). Oglethorpe (18-18, 9-9 Southern Athletic Association) dropped all three games in the series. They host Emory University on Tuesday night and welcome Sewanee-University of the South on Friday and Saturday for a three-game series. SAM MELTON — Guilford College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … made an unsuccessful pinch-hitting appearance April 22 in the Quakers’ 10-1 win at Greensboro College. Guilford (19-19, 6-13 Old Dominion Athletic Conference) visits Carolina University (NC) on Tuesday to complete the season. The Quakers did not qualify for the conference tournament. LUKE MILLER — Columbus State University (So., Cartersville HS) … in three starts last week — one at the University of Montevallo and two at Georgia Southwestern State University — Miller went 2-for-7, including one double, one walk, one sac fly, and three RBI. The Cougars suffered a 0-4 week and will look to bounce back starting Friday at the Peach Belt Conference Tournament in Greenwood, South Carolina, against USC Aiken. AYDEN RAY — USC-Lancaster (So., Woodland HS) … went 2-for-7, including one sacrifice fly and three RBI in two games this past weekend at Gaston College (NC). The Lancers finished the regular season with a 22-26 record and went 9-20 in the Carolina Junior College Conference. DREW ROTHSCHILD — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … went 2-for-10, including one homer, one hit by pitch, three runs scored, and two RBI as the Stallions swept a three-game series at home over the University of Tennessee Southern. ABAC (36-14, 20-7 Southern States Athletic Conference) is the No. 1 seed in the SSAC Championship Tournament that begins Wednesday through Saturday at Rockabillys Stadium in Jackson, Tennessee. LOGAN SHREWSBURY — Columbus State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … made a one-inning relief appearance April 21 with no decision in an 8-5 loss at the University of Montevallo (AL). He yielded one earned run on two hits, facing five batters in the frame. The Cougars (27-20, 18-12 Peach Belt Conference) dropped all three games in their weekend series in Americus. They begin the Peach Belt Conference Tournament on Friday in Greenwood, South Carolina, against USC Aiken. HANK SMITH — University of West Georgia (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … appeared in three games and made one start last week, going 2-for-5 in his plate appearances. The Wolves lost a home game with Kennesaw State University and dropped all three home games with Stetson University (FL). West Georgia (11-33, 8-13 Atlantic Sun Conference) travels to Knoxville to challenge the University of Tennessee on Tuesday night and hosts a three-game conference series with Queens University of Charlotte on Friday through Sunday. DAVIS WILLIAMS — University of West Georgia (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … made two relief appearances this past weekend at home versus Stetson University and was charged with a pitching loss in both. He gave up five earned runs on five hits and two walks. The Wolves (11-33, 8-13 Atlantic Sun Conference) visit the University of Tennessee on Tuesday night and welcome Queens University of Charlotte for a three-game conference series beginning Friday through Sunday. SAWYER WILSON — Columbus State University (So., Cartersville HS) … made a six-inning start at Georgia Southwestern State University last Friday and received no decision in a 5-3 loss to the Hurricanes. Wilson allowed three earned runs on seven hits and one walk. He fanned seven. The Cougars (27-20, 18-12 Peach Belt Conference) dropped all three games in their series in Americus. They open play in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament against USC Aiken on Friday in Greenwood, South Carolina. TENNIS EMILY BUSH — University of North Georgia (Sr., Cartersville HS) … at the Peach Belt Conference Championship in Columbus this past weekend, Bush partnered with Linn Goerdes to win Line 2 doubles sets in a team quarterfinal win over Lander and a semifinal team loss to Flagler College (FL). She also had a Line 5 singles win versus Lander and a narrow Line 6 singles loss against Flagler. The 13th-ranked Nighthawks (16-7) await their fate regarding an at-large bid to the 48-team NCAA Division II National Tournament. The selection show is on Monday, May 4, at 8 p.m. TRACK AND FIELD BEN ABERNATHY — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cass HS) … placed 11th (19-07.50) in the long jump this past weekend at the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships in Montreat, North Carolina. The Eagles are scheduled for the Emory Last Chance Meet on May 6. McKINLEY CHAPPELL — Berry College (Sr., Woodland HS) … finished 20th (16:20.19) in the 5000-meter run this past weekend at the Southern Athletic Association Championships hosted by the Vikings. Next on the Berry schedule is the Emory Twilight Qualifier in Atlanta on May 6. JUNE DeLAUDER — Reinhardt University (So., Cass HS) … finished 12th (1:14.93) in the 400-meter hurdles this past weekend at the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships in Montreat, North Carolina. The Eagles are scheduled for the Emory Last Chance Meet on May 6. ANDY FORSYTH — Berry College (So., Woodland HS) … won the men’s 800-meter run (1:53.21) as the Vikings hosted the Southern Athletic Association Championships this past weekend. Next on the Berry schedule is the Emory Twilight Qualifier in Atlanta on May 6. The NCAA Division III Outdoor Championships are May 21-23. WILL PARKER — Columbia College (Fr., Woodland HS) … placed 5th (34:32.67) in the 5000-meter racewalk this past weekend at the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships in Montreat, North Carolina. JAYLEN SCOTT — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … finished 17th (123-07) in the discus throw this past weekend at the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships in Montreat, North Carolina. The Eagles are scheduled for the Emory Last Chance Meet on May 6. JOSEPH WOMACK — Furman University (So., Cartersville resident, Darlington HS) … finished 17th (49.13) in the 400-meter dash at the UNC-Charlotte Invitational this past weekend. Next up for the Paladins is the Duke University Twilight on Sunday.

April 25, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com For the first time in 20 years, the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes boys soccer team secured a road victory in the Georgia High School Association state playoffs, defeating the host Drew Titans of Riverdale 3-2 in overtime Friday night in a Class AAAA first-round matchup. Drew jumped out to an early lead, scoring within the first five minutes of the game. Cartersville responded in the 20th minute when Rhett Jacobs was fouled in the box, drawing a penalty kick. Brayden Alonso stepped up and calmly converted the spot kick to even the score at 1-1. The Titans regained the advantage just five minutes later. A long ball slipped past the Hurricanes’ defense to an open striker, who made no mistake in finishing to put Drew back in front 2-1. Cartersville refused to go away. With just three minutes left in the first half, Abraham Zavala Grande headed home the first goal of his high school career off a corner kick delivered by Jacobs, leveling the match at 2-2 heading into halftime. The second half remained tightly contested, even after Zavala Grande received a red card, forcing the Hurricanes to play a man down for the final 30 minutes of regulation. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Cartersville’s defense held firm, and the game remained deadlocked at 2-2 through the end of regulation. In the first overtime period, the Hurricanes found the decisive moment. Joy Toure received a perfectly weighted through ball from Alonso and raced in on a breakaway, slotting the ball past the Drew goalkeeper to give Cartersville a 3-2 lead. The Purple Hurricanes then showed their resilience, digging in defensively for the remainder of overtime to protect the lead and run out the clock for the hard-fought victory. Drew’s season came to an end with a final record of 13-4. Cartersville improved to 11-7 and advances to the second round, where it will travel to Walnut Grove. The Warriors (16-3) earned their spot in the next round with a 3-0 shutout victory over Ware County in the first round.

April 24, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com The Adairsville Tigers overpowered the host Douglass Astros on Friday in Atlanta to sweep their first-round Class 3A state playoff series in two straight games. Adairsville claimed victory in the first game with a 15-0 win in six innings and ousted the Astros 12-2 in five innings in the second game to clinch the best-of-three series. Starting pitcher Hudson Parr struck out ten and scattered two hits without allowing a walk to earn the victory in Game 1. Tyler Parker struck out two in closing out a scoreless sixth inning. In Game 2, the Tigers established a 10-0 advantage during the first three innings, while pitchers McCayden Hufstetler and Evan Hardin worked together to restrict Douglass to only two unearned runs—one per pitcher—across three hits and four walks. Hufstetler struck out seven batters. Both pitchers issued two walks each. Adairsville had 17 hits in the doubleheader, led by Harrison Cole with three, including one home run, one double, and three RBI. Brody Varner (four RBI), Hayden Miller (double, two RBI), and Parr (triple, sacrifice fly, four RBI) each contributed two hits. Hunter Dudley (RBI), Huck Garlin (RBI), David Sutton (RBI), Matthew Cook, Westin Barfield, Braden Slocumb, Parker (RBI), and Hardin each added one hit. The season ended for Douglass with a 14-8 record. The Tigers (20-11) advance to the Sweet Sixteen round of the Class AAA state playoffs and will play at Pickens on Thursday in Jasper. The Dragons (29-3) swept Cairo on Friday, 10-0 and 13-1.

April 24, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Freshman defender Sofia Mayorga moves upfield April 23 in the Lady Canes' playoff loss to Pace Academy. RANDY PARKER / THE DAILY TRIBUNE NEWS On Thursday night, both the Woodland Lady Cats and the Cartersville Lady Canes were defeated in their Class 4A first-round state playoff games. JACKSON-ATLANTA 5, WOODLAND 1 The Woodland Lady Wildcats fell 5-1 to the Maynard Jackson-Atlanta Lady Jaguars on Thursday night in Atlanta, bringing their season to a close in the Class AAAA state playoffs. Jackson-Atlanta struck quickly, scoring twice in the opening minutes of the first half. The first goal came on a free kick after a handball just outside the box created an open look, and the Jaguars followed with another goal shortly after to take an early 2-0 lead. Woodland settled in after the quick start and put together a solid stretch of play, but the Jaguars extended their advantage to 3-0 on a counter-attack before halftime. The Lady Wildcats showed improvement in the second half, creating offensive opportunities, but Jackson-Atlanta again capitalized on a counterattack to push the lead to 4-0. Woodland broke through to cut the deficit to 4-1 when Ansley Burns finished a crossing pass from Sammy Espinosa. However, the Jaguars added a final goal in the closing five minutes, taking advantage of a Woodland turnover to seal the 5-1 victory. Woodland head coach James Thomas reflected on the season following the loss. “Overall, it was a good season,” Thomas said. “We will lose four seniors, three of whom were starters, so we will have some holes to fill, but we’re looking forward to another good year.” The Lady Wildcats conclude the season with an 8-9 record, while Jackson-Atlanta improves to 10-6 and will travel to North Oconee next Thursday for the Sweet Sixteen round of the Class AAAA state playoffs. PACE ACADEMY 7, CARTERSVILLE 0 Senior midfielder Mallory Nicklas looks for an open pass April 23 in the Lady Canes' home playoff loss to Pace Academy. RANDY PARKER / THE DAILY TRIBUNE NEWS The Cartersville Lady Canes saw their season come to an end with a 7-0 loss to the visiting Pace Academy Lady Knights Thursday night in the first round of the Class AAAA state playoffs at Weinman Stadium. Despite the loss, Cartersville head coach MaryBeth Popham emphasized the bigger picture following the match. “It wasn’t the outcome we were hoping for, but I’m proud of our girls,” Popham said. “They’ve had a tremendous season, and they battled to the final whistle. I’m grateful for the hard work, heart, and resilience they’ve shown all season. They grew as athletes, as teammates, and as young women, and that’s something a scoreboard can’t measure.” The loss closes the season for the Lady Canes at 10-8. Pace Academy improved to 10-8 and will travel to Perry next Thursday to compete in the Sweet Sixteen round of the state playoffs.

April 23, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Ellie Kate Jones, coach Kimberly Mostellar, and Emerie Elrod at the GHSA State Preliminary Meet in Buford on Wednesday. Senior Emerie Elrod and freshman Ellie Kate Jones from Cartersville High School's varsity gymnastics team competed in the Georgia High School Association State Preliminary Meet on Wednesday, April 22, in Buford, facing some of the leading athletes in the A–4A classification. Among 32 vault competitors, Elrod showcased a strong performance, securing 11th place overall with a score of 8.725. Just behind, Jones achieved 12th place with an 8.700, marking an impressive display for the Lady Canes at the state level. Cartersville head coach Kimberly Mosteller noted that the meet marked the conclusion of Elrod’s standout high school career. “Emerie has been a steady leader. She leaves a lasting impact on the program, highlighted by her consistent performances at the state level and her role in the team’s success.” With Jones among those expected to return, Mosteller expressed optimism about the future. “We plan to build on this year’s accomplishments with a mix of experienced athletes and newcomers.”

April 22, 2026 Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com Nate Russell collected the Game 1 pitching win on Wednesday as the Hurricanes swept their first-round state playoff series against the M.L. King Lions. Dominant pitching and plenty of offensive production lifted the Cartersville Purple Hurricanes to a Class AAA state playoff first-round sweep of the M.L. King Lions on Wednesday at Richard Bell Field. The Canes secured the best-of-three playoff series with victories of 11-0 and 15-0. In Game 1, starting pitcher Nate Russell and reliever Collier Jordan limited the Lions to only one hit and two walks. The duo combined for twelve strikeouts. Cartersville scored two runs in the first and second innings, added a run in the third, and posted six runs in the fourth. Brayden Logan led the offense with two doubles and two RBI. Cole Crawford (double, two RBI), Cooper Reynolds (sac fly, two RBI), David Vargas (sac fly, RBI), Nolan Elrod (double, RBI), Clint Hosea (double, RBI), Harris Turner (double, RBI), and Gianni Gandy (double, RBI) each added one hit. In Game 2, Elrod started on the mound, struck out nine, and allowed just one hit. Wyatt Earwood struck out two to close out a scoreless sixth inning. The Canes led 5-0 through three innings, added two runs in the fifth, and put the game away with an eight-run sixth inning. Crawford paced the Canes’ bats with three hits, including a home run and four RBI. Vargas (double, RBI) and Logan (double) followed with two hits each. Elrod (two RBI), Reynolds (double, two RBI), Kent Gresham (double, RBI), and Hosea each added one hit. M.L. King finished the year with a 14-10 record. Cartersville (25-7) will host the Ware County/Walnut Grove series winner in the Sweet Sixteen round. The best-of-three series will begin with a doubleheader on April 29.