Hurricanes, Lady Canes win at Rockmart; Colonels drop home game to Rome

Cartersville’s Jaylen Scott made a layup off an inbound pass from Romo Pace with 1.5 seconds remaining Saturday to lift the Hurricanes to a 65-64 non-region win at Rockmart.

The Yellow Jackets missed a desperation shot from near mid-court as time expired.

The Canes led 35-26 at halftime and held a 56-44 lead heading into the fourth quarter but a rally by Rockmart in the final quarter set up the late-game drama.

Tyler Crumley finished with 24 points for Rockmart. Dennis Sims followed with 14 and Tristan Anderson added 12 for the Yellow Jackets (10-9).

Pace led Cartersville with 13 points. Parnel Gamble scored 10. Scott finished with nine points. Monte Tolbert contributed eight while Cedric McClinic and Kaden Baldwin added seven points apiece for the Purple Hurricanes.

The Cartersville boys (8-9, 1-3 in Region 7-5A) carry a two-game win streak into Tuesday’s 7:30 p.m. region game at 3rd-ranked Hiram.

CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 79, ROCKMART 35

The Lady Canes won for the sixth time in their last seven games Saturday afternoon collecting a 79-35 non-region victory at Rockmart.

Cartersville led 17-8 at the end of the first quarter; 33-15 at halftime; and 54-29 through three quarters on their way to a 44-point win.

Ansley Griffin scored 14 points to lead the Lady Canes. Campbell Rogers followed with 12. Senai Camper and Taff Bradley finished with 11 points each. Jakayah Draughn contributed nine points. KK Arnold chipped in with eight. Nayel Camper posted seven points. Layne Callan tossed in four points. Jakya Garnigan and Miley Jo Williams added two points and one point, respectively.

Emma Hindor led Rockmart (5-14) with 13 points.

Cartersville (12-4, 3-1 Region 7-5A) returns to region play Tuesday at 3rd-ranked Hiram.

ROME 86, CASS BOYS 72

The visiting Class 6A Rome Wolves built a big first-half lead Saturday night at Cass and held off the Colonels in the second half for an 86-72 non-region win.

Rome led 28-20 after one quarter and 51-31 at the intermission. The Wolves were up 67-46 by the end of the third period.

“We came out really flat tonight and Rome was better prepared to play,” said Cass head coach Kevin Cunningham. “We got down big and fought all the way back but it wasn’t enough. Rome closed better than we did. Hopefully, with a little rest, we can right the ship and be ready for Woodland.”

Both teams had five players to reach double-digit scoring.

Braxton Wade led Rome (12-9) with 19 points. Jonathan Heath scored 18 for the Wolves. Jamie Williams finished with 14. Cameron Keith and Darnel Collins added 12 points each.

Jayden Foster led Cass with 16 points. Jakai Baldwin and Sacovie White contributed 13 points each. KJ Rogers and Devin Henderson added 10 apiece for the Colonels.

Cass (8-10, 2-2 Region 7-5A) returns to region action Tuesday night at Woodland. The girls' game will tip at 6 p.m. with the boys to follow.