Canes play in national event this week at LakePoint

The Cartersville Hurricanes baseball team opens play in the annual Perfect Game High School Showdown at LakePoint in Emerson Thursday against the Montverde Academy (FL) Eagles at 3:35pm on Field 15. Some of the top high school baseball programs in the nation will participate in the event that runs through Saturday at LakePoint.

Parkview (GA) is the defending champion and the Panthers are back to defend their 2015 title. Title top contenders include: 3rd-ranked Oxford (Miss) HS (5-1), 7th-ranked Buford (Ga.) HS (3-1), 20th-ranked Gulliver Prep (Miami, Fla.) HS (8-2) and the Canes who are ranked No. 26.

Other top programs in the tournament include: Ballard HS (Louisville, KY); Hillgrove HS (Powder Springs, GA); Houston Co. HS (Warner Robins, GA); IMG Academy (Bradenton, FL); Magnolia Heights (Senatobia, MS); McEachern HS (Powder Springs, GA); Montverde Academy (Montverde, FL); Mountain View HS (Lawrenceville, GA); and Sparkman HS (Harvest, AL).

Other opening round games Thursday include:

3:35pm - F16 - McEachern vs. IMG Academy

3:35pm - F9 - Sparkman vs. Hillgrove

3:35pm - F14 - Buford vs. Ballard

3:35pm - F13 - Magnolia Heights vs. Houston County

6pm - F15 - Mountain View vs. Gulliver Prep

Second round games Thursday include:

6pm - F13 - Parkview vs. Magnolia Heights/Houston Co. winner 6pm - F14 - Buford/Ballard winner vs. Sparkman/Hillgrove winner

6pm - F16 - Oxford vs. McEachern/IMG winner

8:30pm - F15 - Cartersville/Montverde winner vs. Mtn. View/Gulliver Prep winner

The included championship bracket (courtesy Perfect Game) is for the single-elimination championship. All teams will play Friday and Saturday in either the title bracket or in consolation games.