Canes edged at Marist in opening round

The Cartersville boys basketball team was eliminated from the Class AAAA State Tournament Saturday evening with a narrow 50-46 loss at Marist in Atlanta.

The Canes led 12-11 after one quarter, were tied at halftime 19-19, and led 35-33 heading to the final eight minutes, but the host War Eagles were able to take the contest by edging Cartersville 17-11 in the fourth quarter.

Joey O’Connor led three Marist players in double figures with 16 points. Kyle Hamilton and Whid Childs scored 10 points each. David Sever followed with nine points. Alex Spiegel and Colin McAluney added three points each for the War Eagles. Zach Roberts and Jake Mauldin rounded out the Marist total with two points apiece.

Jaylon Pugh dealt with early foul trouble in the first half, but scored 14 points to lead Cartersville before he fouled out in the fourth quarter. Perignon Dyer scored 10 points for the Canes. Trase Fezzia followed with nine points. T.J. Horton and JaCorey Johns added seven and six points, respectively.

Marist (16-11) -- the No. 3 seed from Region 7AAAA -- advances to the second round next Wednesday or Thursday where they will likely travel to Carver-Columbus. Carver is the region champion from 1AAAA, but must defeat Burke County — 4-seed from Region 3AAAA — to advance. A win by Burke County would mean a home game in the second round for Marist.

The Hurricanes season ends with a 20-7 record.