Bartow 10U boys win GRPA District 5 title; Bartow 10U, 12U girls advance
The Bartow County Parks and Recreation Department’s 10U boys basketball team defeated Smyrna 37-24 Tuesday night at the Edwards Park Community Center to win the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) District 5 championship.
The Bartow 10U boys victory completed a 4-0 run for the team through the district tournament. The locals had wins over Cartersville (61-7), Paulding County (54-5), and Whitfield County (36-26) on their way to the title game.
In the finals, Jeremy Dent led the Bartow scoring attack with 14 points. Jabari Burleson followed with six. Lance Tippett scored five. Jaylon Watkins had four. Christen McClendon and Drew Nida finished with three points each while Kaiden Kent added two.
The Bartow 10U boys and Smyrna will both advance to the GRPA State tournament that begins March 6 at the Tucker Recreation Center. All eight teams will play a single pool game for seeding purposes March 6 with the eight-team, single-elimination tournament concluding March 7.
BARTOW 10U GIRLS SECURE STATE TOURNAMENT BERTH
The Bartow 10U girls defeated Dalton 28-8 Tuesday night at the Edwards Park to secure a spot in the GRPA state tournament that begins March 6 at the same location.
Lakiaya Banks poured in 18 points to lead Bartow. Jabryanna Harris knocked down five, Rakhia Pace 3, and Kaymin Arrants added two points for the locals.
Bartow 10U girls will be one of three District 5 teams in the state tournament along with host Whitfield County and Rome-Floyd County.
The state tournament will begin Friday, March 6 with a pool game to determine seeding for Saturday’s single-elimination bracket. The Bartow 10U girls will face the District 2 champions in their pool game March 6 at 8:45 p.m.
BARTOW 12U GIRLS CLINCH SPOT IN DISTRICT FINALS
The Bartow County 12U girls basketball team defeated Powder Springs Tuesday evening 37-13 to reach the GRPA District 5 championship game in action at the Gilbreath Recreation Center in Lindale. Bartow will square off with Whitfield County Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. for the District 5 title at the same location. The winner will advance to the GRPA state tournament March 6-7 in Griffin. In Tuesday’s win, Bartow never trailed. The locals led 6-0 after one quarter, extended their lead to 18-5 by halftime, and continued their pressure in the second half for an eventual 24-point victory. Azariah Richards led a balanced Bartow 12U scoring attack with 10 points. Jayda Cothran and Summerlyn Smith posted nine points each. Abby George scored seven and Avari Golden added two points.
Youth and adult recreation basketball results presented by Trophy Showroom. All information is provided by the Cartersville Parks and Recreation Department, the Bartow County Parks and Recreation Department, and the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association.
