Canes' playoff run ends with loss at Baldwin

The Cartersville High School boys basketball team had its state playoff run come to an end Wednesday night in Milledgeville with a 64-52 loss to the Baldwin Braves.

Baldwin -- who made a total of 10 three-pointers in the game -- led 17-13 after one quarter and held a 28-24 advantage at halftime. The Braves led by as many as ten points in the second quarter.

Brenden Robertson had seven of his 12 points in the first half and Torez Hicks had six in the first 16 minutes.

Perignon Dyer scored nine of his 11 points in the first half on a trio of three-pointers.

Baldwin took a six point lead after three quarters at 40-34 and the Braves pushed their lead to as much as 11 points with 2:23 remaining in the game.

The Hurricanes did not go away easily however.

Isaac Gridley buried a three-pointer with 1:36 remaining to pull Cartersville within six at 55-49, but that would be as close as the Canes would come.

Donte Justice and Rodney Walker led Baldwin (24-6) with 18 points each.

T.J. Horton led four Canes in double figures with 19 points. Jaylon Pugh finished with 12, Perignon Dyer scored 11, and Isaac Gridley added 10 points.

Baldwin advances to the Class AAAA Final Four Friday at Fort Valley State at 4 p.m. against St. Pius. St. Pius defeated Carver-Columbus 77-66 Wednesday night. Top-ranked Upson-Lee will face Sandy Creek in the other state semifinal Friday night at 8 p.m. -- also at Fort Valley State. Upson-Lee overpowered LaFayette 70-40 in the quarterfinals Wednesday. Sandy Creek topped Burke County 64-44.

Horton, Pugh, JKobe Orr, and Grant Harris are seniors who competed in their final game for the Canes. Cartersville’s season ends with a 21-7 record.