Lady Canes, Hurricanes, and Colonels advance at Region 7-5A tournament; secure state tourney berths
- Staff
- Feb 14, 2023
- 4 min read
The Cartersville girls and boys basketball teams secured state tournament berths Monday night with first-round region tournament wins over Cass and Dalton, respectively.
The Cass boys also punched their ticket to the state playoffs with a first-round tournament win over Woodland.
CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 53, CASS 46
The Lady Canes won a back-and-forth tilt with rival Cass Monday night, 53-46, in the first round of the Region 7-5A tournament in Calhoun.
Cartersville led 19-9 after one quarter and 28-21 at halftime before Cass stormed back to carry a 39-34 lead into the fourth quarter. The Lady Canes surged back ahead in the final quarter, outscoring the Lady Colonels 19-7 for a seven-point win.
Ansley Griffin and Nayel Camper led Cartersville with 12 points each. Campbell Rogers followed with 10. Taff Bradley and KK Arnold finished with seven and six points, respectively.
Olivia Woods led Cass with 14 points. Kiana McDaniel scored 12. Nevaeh Woods contributed eight points and KK Evans added seven for the Lady Colonels in their loss.
With their win, Cartersville (16-8) advances to the Region 7-5A semifinals Wednesday night to play No. 1-seed Calhoun on the Lady Jackets’ home floor. The win also locks in a state playoff berth for the Lady Canes who can earn a home state playoff game with a win over Calhoun.
Cass has its season end with a 14-11 record.
CARTERSVILLE BOYS 74, DALTON 67
The Purple Hurricanes rallied in the second half Monday night for a come-from-behind win over Dalton, 74-67, in the opening round of the Region 7-5A tournament at Calhoun High School.
The Catamounts led Cartersville 19-13 after one quarter and 41-27 at halftime before the Canes surged to the lead in the third quarter.
Cartersville outscored Dalton 24-7 in the third quarter and held on in the final period for a seven-point win. For the Canes, it was their third win in their last four games.
Ced McClinic led the Canes with 17 points. Romo Pace followed with 14. Parnel Gamble contributed 13 points and Jaylen Scott scored 11. DJ Cain tossed in eight points. Kaden Baldwin had five. Tyren Milner chipped in four points and Collin Fletcher added two.
Eli Burt led the Catamounts with 21 points. Chaz Ramsey scored 16 and Kobi Cooper added 14 points in Dalton’s loss.
With their victory, Cartersville (12-14) advances to the Region 7-5A semifinals Wednesday night to play top-seeded and 3rd-ranked Hiram. The Canes also secure a state playoff berth next week and would host a first-round state tournament game with a win Wednesday night.
Dalton’s season ends with a 16-9 mark.
CASS BOYS 52, WOODLAND 49
For the second time in four nights, the Cass Colonels fended off a severe challenge from the Woodland Wildcats.
Cass edged Woodland 56-54 last Friday night in both teams’ final regular season game and the final region standings pitted the same two teams against one another in the first round of the Region 7-5A tournament Monday night in Calhoun.
This time Woodland carried a seven-point lead into the final eight minutes but the Colonels' full-court pressure generated their offense in the fourth quarter for a come-from-behind win.
Woodland led 14-8 after the first quarter before Cass grabbed a 26-23 lead at the intermission. The Wildcats outscored the Colonels 16-6 in the third quarter to take a 39-32 advantage but Cass would rally in the final period.
The Colonels won the fourth quarter 20-10 to escape with a three-point win, 52-49.
Sacovie White scored 14 points to pace the Colonels. KJ Rogers and Jayden Foster finished with eight points each. Jelani Hames scored seven. Jakai Baldwin contributed six points. Devin Henderson pitched in five points and Kevin Henderson added two for Cass.
Brelace Williams led the Wildcats with a game-high 22 points. Isaiah Livsey posted 16 points and Zyon Heath added six points for Woodland.
"We were down nine in the fourth quarter and just came back and found a way to win," said Colonels' head coach Kevin Cunningham. "I'm so proud of these guys and the way they battled to find a way to win. Hopefully, we can stay motivated and find a way to beat Calhoun."
With their victory, Cass (13-12) moves into the Region 7-5A semifinals Wednesday against host Calhoun. The win also guarantees a state tournament berth for the Colonels next week. Cass can secure a home, state playoff game with a win Wednesday over the Yellow Jackets.
Woodland has its season come to an end with a 2-24 record.
DALTON 59, WOODLAND GIRLS 23
Emma Hefner and Grace Ridley scored 12 points each Monday afternoon to help lead Dalton over the Woodland girls, 59-23, in the opening round of the Region 7-5A tournament in Calhoun.
Dalton built a 33-9 lead by halftime and was not threatened.
Morgan Echols scored eight points for the Lady Cats. Megan Schultz tossed in six and Indya Coaxum added five points for Woodland.
Dalton advances to the semifinals Wednesday to play Hiram.
Woodland’s season ends with a 2-24 record.
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