Canes reach tourney finals; Lady Canes outlast Woodland
The Cartersville boys and girls both collected tournament victories Wednesday in early games at the Adairsville Ace Christmas Clash. The Hurricanes cruised to a 75-42 semifinal win over Rockmart, playing in a morning game scheduled to accommodate fans wanting to attend the Cartersville football state championship game in Atlanta. The Lady Canes won a nail biter over Woodland in the day's opening game, 39-36, to earn their first win of the year. In afternoon consolation round action, the Adairsville girls lost a 65-44 decision to Gordon Central.
CARTERSVILLE BOYS 75, ROCKMART 42
The Hurricanes raced to a 26-17 lead over Rockmart in the first quarter Wednesday in an Adairsville Ace Christmas Clash semifinal and added to their lead the rest of the way in a 33-point win. Cartersville led 45-30 at halftime and had built a 59-32 lead by the end of the third quarter.
Kam Callahan led the Canes’ offensive attack with 19 points. He was followed by Romo Pace with 16, Chaz Henderson with 10, and Robert Novak and Chandler Wise with eight points each.
Juan Whatley paced Rockmart (3-6) with 18 points. Sherman Davis added six.
Cartersville (3-2) advances to the tournament championship Thursday night at 8:30 p.m. The Canes will play the Adairsville/Calhoun winner.
CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 39, WOODLAND 36
In the opening consolation semifinal Wednesday morning at the Adairsville Ace Christmas Clash, the Cartersville girls earned their first win of the 2020-21 season with a come-from-behind victory over county rival Woodland, 39-36.
The Lady Cats led 15-10 after one quarter, 22-20 at halftime, and 30-27 after three quarters. But the Lady Canes outscored Woodland 12-6 in the final eight minutes to pick up their initial win. Freshman Ansley Griffen led Cartersville with 16 points. Lexie Henderson followed with seven. Taff Bradley finished with six points and seven rebounds. Sequoya McConnell gathered six boards and posted five points. Kierra Milline dished out six assists and scored two points. Ari Olotu added two points and Lehla Thomas added one point for the Lady Canes.
Jordan Thompson had a game-high 18 points for Woodland. Gracie Styles contributed eight. Reagan Weightman and Ansley Evans scored four points each. Dylynn Motes added two points for the Lady Cats.
Both teams will conclude play in the tournament Thursday.
Cartersville (1-5) will play in the consolation finals at 1 p.m. against Gordon Central. Woodland (1-8) will look to bounce back in the 7th place game at 10 a.m. against the Adairsville.
GORDON CENTRAL 65, ADAIRSVILLE GIRLS 44
In a consolation semifinal Wednesday afternoon in the Adairsville Ace Christmas Clash, the host Lady Tigers lost to Gordon Central, 65-44.
Gordon Central took an 18-8 lead after one quarter and never trailed. The Lady Warriors led 33-17 at halftime and 49-28 through three periods.
Brooke Wilson led Gordon Central (3-2) with 25 points.
Ya’Torrean Hale led Adairsville with 10 points. Alissa Winters and Autumn Henderson scored eight points each. Alyssa Jarrett added seven for the Lady Tigers.
Adairsville (2-9) will play in the seventh place game Thursday at 10 a.m. and will face a rematch with Woodland. The two local teams have split their first two meetings.
TEMPLE 69, WOODLAND BOYS 38
Reggie Boles scored 25 points and Tate Cole added 13 as Temple beat Woodland 69-38 in a consolation semifinal of the Adairsville Ace Christmas Clash Wednesday afternoon. Temple led 17-12 after one quarter; 35-20 at halftime; and 52-31 through three quarters.
K.J. Rogers led Woodland with 13 points.
Temple (5-4) will play in the consolation finals Thursday at 2:30 p.m. against the Excel/Mt. Paran winner.
Woodland (2-9) will play in the seventh place game Thursday at 11:30 a.m. against the ECA/Mt. Paran loser.
