Canes win Region 7-5A title by edging Calhoun, 60-58

With the game on the line and the score tied with 4.8 second remaining Friday night in the Region 7-5A title game at The Storm Center, Cartersville’s Kaden Baldwin took the ball end-to-end and was fouled on a driving layup. He then sank two free throws to help lift the Purple Hurricanes to a 60-58 win over Calhoun.

Cartersville led 15-10 after one quarter; 26-25 at halftime; and 45-42 at the end of the third quarter on the way to the Canes’ two-point win.

Ced McClinic scored a game-high 23 points for Cartersville. Baldwin followed with 12. Nas Bennett and Reed Ezell added 10 points each.

Makadan Griffin led Calhoun with 18 points. Landon Chattam contributed 16 and Emaree Winston 15 for the Yellow Jackets.

Calhoun (10-16) will host a Class 5A state tournament game next Tuesday or Wednesday (TBD) against the No. 3 seed from Region 6-5A, Greater Atlanta Christian.

Cartersville (14-13) will host North Springs, the No. 4 seed from Region 6-5A, in the state tournament’s opening round.

DALTON 59, CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 35

The Lady Canes fell behind early and were unable to recover Friday night as the top-seeded Dalton girls won the Region 7-5A championship game at The Storm Center, 59-35.

The Lady Catamounts led 15-4 after the opening eight minutes and held a 24-15 lead at halftime. Dalton extended the lead to 42-22 by the end of the third quarter.

Grace Ridley led Dalton with 19 points. Emma Hefner scored 15 and Kemara Washington added 10 points for the Catamounts.

Ansley Griffin was the top scorer for Cartersville with 11 points. Senai Camper followed with eight points and five rebounds. Nayel Camper contributed six points with eight boards and five assists. KK Arnold added six points and five rebounds.

Dalton (18-9) win the Region 7-5A championship and will host the No. 4 seed from Region 6-5A -- Northview -- on Tuesday or Wednesday (TBD) in the opening round of the Class 5A state tournament.

Cartersville (15-12) will host the No. 3 seed from Region 6-5A -- Cambridge -- on either Tuesday or Wednesday (TBD) in the first round of the state tournament.