8U Bartow Blue wins Calhoun pre-district tourney

The Bartow County Recreation Department’s 8U Bartow Blue boys basketball team won a pre-district invitational tournament in Calhoun this past weekend by sweeping the round-robin competition.

Bartow Blue defeated Calhoun, Bartow White, and Pickens County to win the tournament.

A 34-17 victory over Pickens was one of the title clinching wins.

Bartow Blue broke open a tight game in the fourth quarter by outscoring Pickens 19-4 in the period.

Pickens led 7-5 after one quarter, but Bartow Blue regained a halftime advantage 10-9 and led after three quarter, 15-13.

Jakez Baldwin led Bartow Blue with 12 points. Christian Teasley scored eight points, Kyron McClendon six, Jabary Burleson four, Tavaris Burleson two, and Jeremy Dent scored two points.

Other members of the Bartow Blue team include: Eli Pearson, Brody Varner, Jayden Daise, and Nasier Bennett.

The Georgia Parks and Recreation Department (GRPA) District 5 tournament begins Friday at the Houston Suggs Youth Facility at Hamilton Crossing Park.

Bartow Blue opens the District 5 tournament at 8pm Friday against Cobb County. Bartow White is also in the tournament and will face Rome in the first round at 1:30pm on Saturday. The tournament continues through Thursday, February 23.

The Bartow County Recreation Department is also hosting the District 5 10U boys tournament on the same dates. Bartow County will be represented by two teams in that event also.