Excel girls win in consolation round, Lady Canes edged in semifinals of North Paulding tourney

EXCEL CHRISTIAN GIRLS 57, PAULDING CO. 29

The Excel Christian Lady Eagles used a fast start Monday afternoon on their way to a 29-11 halftime advantage, then cruised to a 57-29 win over Paulding County in a consolation semifinal game at the North Paulding Better Basketball Christmas Classic.

Rylie Boston and Kalli Beth Scheff both reached double figures in scoring with 17 and 14, respectively, to lead Excel. Whitney Harris 9, Anna Lane Hattaway and Xena Enos 4, Brighton McCollum 3, Camilla Borkowsky, Bailey Cox and Lindsey Mauldin 2 each rounded out the Lady Eagles’ scoring.

Kemani Watson scored seven points and Desiree Williamson six points to lead Paulding County.

Excel improved to 6-5 for the season and will play again Tuesday at 1pm in the tournament fifth place game against Union Grove.

ALLATOONA GIRLS 40, CARTERSVILLE 38

The Lady Canes rallied from an eight point halftime deficit to the Lady Bucs, but came up just short in a narrow loss Monday in the semfinals of the North Paulding Better Basketball Christmas Classic at North Paulding High School.

Madison McKinney scored 10 points while India Reid added 9 points and pulled 13 rebounds for Cartersville. Kimera McClinic and Addie Smith scored six each.

Lauren Goodrum led Allatoona (3-4) with 12 points. Darby Pinkard scored seven. Jaylah Carr and Ann Madeleine Wilson added six point each for the Lady Buccaneers.

Cartersville (3-5) will play in the tournament’s third place game Tuesday at 4pm against Lassiter.