Canes survive nail-biter, Lady Canes edged on buzzer-beater at Cedartown

Jaylon Pugh scored 22 points and T.J. Horton nine as the Cartersville boys edged Cedartown Tuesday night to win their Region 5-AAAA opener on the road. The Canes led by one point at halftime (23-22) and after three quarters (34-33) before holding off the Bulldogs, 48-44.

Cedartown slipped to 6-5 overall and 0-1 in Region 5-AAAA.

Cartersville (9-2, 1-0) has home games Friday and Saturday at the Storm Center against Central-Carrollton and sixth-ranked LaGrange.

CEDARTOWN GIRLS 48, CARTERSVILLE 46

Lady Canes’ basketball coach Cindy Moore saw her team rally from a 15-point deficit only to fall on a buzzer-beater at Cedartown, 48-46.

“We made a great comeback, but they hit the shot at the end,” said Moore. “Free throws were crucial. We missed three in the last 40 seconds that could have extended our lead.”

Madison McKinney led the Lady Canes with 18 points. Camila Rodriguez scored 11 and Monica Motuba added eight points.

Cedartown improved to 5-6 overall and 1-0 in Region 5-AAAA.

Cartersville (6-6, 0-1) hosts Central-Carrollton Friday and LaGrange on Saturday at the Storm Center.