Cartersville boys win RNT Holiday Festival

The Cartersville boys basketball team remained unbeaten and defeated Rome 40-28 to win the championship game of the 2017 Rome News-Tribune Holiday Festival.

T.J. Horton and Jaylon Pugh combined for 26 points to lead the Canes in the title game. Pugh finished with 14. Horton totaled 12. Isaac Gridley and Luke Schiltz added six and five points, respectively. Perignon Dyer scored two points and JKobe Orr added one.

Pugh (photo) was named tournament MVP, while Horton and Dyer were named to the All-Tournament team.

Cartersville led 10-7 after one quarter behind Schiltz’s five points, but trailed briefly in the second quarter before knotting the score at halftime, 21-21.

Horton scored the only five points posted in the third quarter as the Canes took a 26-21 advantage heading into the fourth quarter. From there, Cartersville outscored the Wolves 14-7 in the final period to win their first RNT Festival since claiming back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013.

Adam Anderson led Rome with eight points. Caleb Byrd and Rodney Sullivan chipped in six points apiece.

Rome slipped to 2-1 on the season with their first loss of the year.

Cartersville (6-0) plays host Allatoona Wednesday, December 27 in the opening round of the Lake City Classic at Allatoona High School. The Canes will play four games in four days at the Cobb County school.

Also on Friday night, the Rome Lady Wolves defeated Model 54-51 to win the Girls RNT Festival.