Lady Colonels advance, Cartersville boys drop opener at SMI Christmas Tourney

The Cass Lady Colonels defeated East Paulding 53-34 Thursday night in the opening round of the Carrollton SMI Christmas Tournament at Central-Carroll High School but the Cartersville boys dropped a 79-71 decision to East Paulding in their first-round matchup.

CASS GIRLS 53, EAST PAULDING 34

Despite scoring only two points in the second quarter Thursday evening, the Cass Lady Colonels defeated East Paulding in the opening round of the Carrollton SMI Christmas Tournament at Central-Carroll High School.

The Cass girls led 15-6 at the end of the first period but trailed 19-17 at halftime.

Cass regained the lead for good in the third quarter by outscoring the Lady Raiders 16-10 on their way to a 19-point win.

Kiana McDaniel scored 13 points, collected 10 rebounds, and made eight steals to lead the Lady Colonels. Olivia Woods followed with 12 points. Dariana Sosa and Mikaela Jackson posted eight points each. Nevaeh Woods finished with six points, 10 rebounds, and 10 steals. KK Evans contributed four points and Reese Howard added two.

Jaida Anderson and McKayla Mann scored eight points each for East Paulding (3-7)

Cass (7-1) plays Friday night in the semifinals at 7 p.m. against the Central-Carroll/Mt. Zion-Carroll winner.

EAST PAULDING 79, CARTERSVILLE BOYS 71

Romo Pace scored a game-high 24 points but the Hurricanes fell to East Paulding 79-71 in the first round of the Carrollton SMI Christmas Tournament at Central-Carroll High School.

The Raiders, who led at the end of each quarter, had four players reach double-digit scoring.

Carter Pengelly led East Paulding with 22 points. Norris Martinez scored 17. Jabryan Smith totaled 16 points and Taj Jordan added 13 for the Raiders who improved to 7-2.

DJ Cain scored nine points for Cartersville. Kaden Brown and Jamauri Brice finished with seven each. Monte Tolbert, Tyren Milner, and Jaylen Scott totaled six points each. Collin Fletcher added three for the Canes.

The Cartersville boys (1-3) will play Friday at 5:30 p.m. in the consolation bracket against the loser of Thursday’s Central-Carroll/Mt. Zion-Carroll matchup.