Tuesday's tourney hoops: Excel Christian Academy advances to GAPPS state title game

February 17, 2026

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

Damir McBride knocks down two of his 14 points as the Eagles defeated Sugar Hill Christian on Tuesday, 73-54.

The Excel Christian Academy boys basketball team defeated Sugar Hill Christian 73-54 on Tuesday at Gordon State College in Barnesville to advance to the GAPPS Class A state championship game.

The Eagles will now try to defend the Georgia Association of Private and Parochial Schools (GAPPS) Class A state title they won last season. 

Excel led 15-14 after a tight first quarter and held a 33-24 advantage at halftime. The Eagles took control in the third quarter, building a 24-point lead at 59-35 and holding on for a 19-point victory.

Jamari Gatson led ECA with 16 points. Damir McBride and Mason McKinney contributed 14 points, and Mier Bell added 10 points.

The Stallions were led in scoring by Colton Britt with 21 points. Gabriel Espin finished with 11 points, and Tyler Veugeler added 10.

Excel Christian (22-6) will play Promise Preparatory Academy of Dawsonville for the state championship on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. at Gordon State College. Promise Prep (19-5) defeated Praise Academy of Lithia Springs in the semifinals on Tuesday, 68-58.

Jamari Gatson (32) and Mason McKinney (1) combined for 30 points on Tuesday as Excel Christian Academy advanced to the GAPPS Class A state championship game. PHOTOS: Kohl Williams.

CASS GIRLS 61, CEDARTOWN 41

The Cass Lady Colonels secured a berth in the Class AAAA state tournament with a 61-41 win over Cedartown on Tuesday night in the Region 7-AAAA quarterfinals at Cartersville High School.

Cass led 28-20 at the intermission and maintained a 41-31 edge through three quarters. The Lady Colonels pulled away in the early part of the fourth quarter and secured a 20-point win.

Cadie Paez led Cass with 18 points. Yvonne Ellison followed with 15. Alyssa McDaniel scored 11 points, and Anizah Taylor added 10 points.

Hadlee Robinson paced the Bulldogs with 18 points. Kenzlei Boozer scored 12, and Myrikal Pace added 11 for Cedartown.

Cedartown’s season ended with a 9-16 record.

The Lady Colonels (12-12) will play tournament host Cartersville on Thursday at 4 p.m.

NORTHWEST WHITFIELD 69, ADAIRSVILLE BOYS 46

The Adairsville boys had their 2025-26 season come to a close on Tuesday night with a 69-46 loss at Northwest Whitfield. 

The host Bruins led 23-14 after one quarter and 37-22 at halftime en route to a 23-point victory.

Beau Bailey and Kyle Cummings led Northwest Whitfield with 16 and 10 points, respectively.

Chris Moore scored 10 for the Tigers. Elijah Pearson finished with nine points. Brooks Rutledge, Dredyn Bautista, and Lucas Poarch each contributed eight points.

Northwest Whitfield (16-8) advanced to play Heritage-Catoosa in the Region 7-AAA tournament semifinals on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.

Adairsville had its season end with a 5-22 mark.

DALTON vs. CASS BOYS  (late result to be added)