Cass girls advance to Sweet Sixteen, Lady Canes fall in opening round

Londaisha Smith scored 18 points to lead four Cass players in double-figures Tuesday night. The Lady Colonels (25-1) defeated Grady 83-57 and will travel to Southwest DeKalb Friday night for a second round matchup.

The second-seeded Cass girls made easy work of visiting Grady Tuesday night in the opening round of the Class AAAAA state tournament, 83-57.

Cass led 37-24 at halftime and extended the lead to 62-40 by the end of the third quarter.

Londaisha Smith led Cass with a triple double performance that included 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 steals. Claire Davis followed with 15 points. Gracie Elkins and Mikaela Jackson scored 10 each as the Lady Colonels improved to 25-1.

Ariana Hames scored nine for Cass. Justice Bennett posted seven points. Haley Johnson contributed six. Tatianna Christian finished with four points. Makyera Baldwin and Raziyah Ware added two points each to round out the Lady Colonels' attack.

Sixth-ranked Cass will travel to Region 5-AAAAA champion and fourth-ranked Southwest DeKalb (18-6) Friday for a matchup in the Sweet Sixteen. The Panthers (19-6) routed Walnut Grove by a 78-30 final score Tuesday in their first round game.

NEW MANCHESTER 63, CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 31

Jamiya Moore finished with nine points Tuesday night in the Lady Canes' loss at New Manchester.

The Lady Canes fell behind early Tuesday night at Region 6-AAAAA champion New Manchester and never recovered in a 63-31 loss in the opening round of the Class 5A state tournament.

The hosting Lady Jaguars led 20-5 after one quarter and built a 30-15 advantage by halftime. New Manchester extended the lead to 49-23 by the end of the third quarter.

Azaria Robertson, Kharyssa Richardson, and Hannah Wright led a balanced New Manchester offense with 12 points each. Kamryn Bates added 11.

Jamiya Moore led Cartersville with nine points. Ansley Griffin scored six. Zoe Casey posted four points. Lehla Thomas and Ari Olotu finished with three points each. A.J. Davenport, Taff Bradley, and Kiera Milline added two points apiece for the Lady Canes.

New Manchester (23-3) advances to play the M.L. King / Greenbrier winner Friday in the second round.

Cartersville has its season end with a 7-16 record.