Canes, Lady Canes drop Saturday contests

The Cartersville Purple Hurricanes completed play Saturday at the Carrollton SMI Christmas Tournament at Central-Carroll High School with a 57-43 loss to North Paulding.

The Canes, who finished 1-2 in the tournament, led 10-9 at the end of the first quarter but fell behind 25-16 by halftime. Cartersville narrowed the deficit to 38-33 by the end of the third quarter but was outscored 19-10 in the final period.

Ryan Williams scored a game-high 20 points to lead the Wolfpack. Nathan Rodrigues followed with 16 points for North Paulding.

Chandler Mathison led Cartersville with 11 points. Romo Pace finished with nine. Jaylen Scott scored six points. Tyren Milner and DJ Cain tossed in five each. Collin Fletcher contributed three points. Kaden Baldwin scored two. Jamauri Brice and Sam Wiedetz added one point each for the Hurricanes.

The Wolfpack improved to 5-6 on the season.

Cartersville (2-4) will play at the Pickens Holiday Tournament December 28-30 in Jasper. The Canes will open that tournament against the host Dragons on the 28th at 7 p.m.

PAULDING COUNTY 71, CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 59

The Cartersville Lady Canes lost a non-region decision Saturday afternoon at The Storm Center to visiting Paulding County, 71-59.

The win by Paulding earned a season split with Cartersville. The Lady Canes won at Paulding by four points on December 8.

Saturday, the Lady Patriots led at each quarter stop holding leads of 18-6, 35-25, and 57-45 at the end of the first three periods. Paulding County held on in the final eight minutes for a 12-point victory.

Alexus Wilson scored a game-high 19 points to lead Paulding County. Addison Fuller scored 16 for the Patriots while Arizona Smart and Jenue Lane added 13 points each.

Three Cartersville players reached double digits led by Ansley Griffin with 17. Senai Camper scored 13 and Zoe Casey finished with 11 points. KK Arnold contributed six. Jakayah Draughn scored five. Taff Bradley and Nayel Camper added four and three points, respectively.

Paulding County improved to 6-5 on the season.

Cartersville (4-2) will participate in the Carrollton High School Christmas Tournament Monday and Tuesday with games against Sandy Creek Monday at 2:30 p.m. and against Harris County Tuesday at 11:30 a.m.