Canes, Wildcats fall in Rome Tourney games
The Cartersville boys basketball team lost a semifinal matchup with Rome 67-52 Wednesday evening at Georgia Highlands College as part of the 65th annual Rome Holiday Tournament. The Canes reached the semifinals by knocking off Coosa on Monday 75-72, but the Class 5A Wolves pulled away in the second half Wednesday to reach the tournament’s championship game Thursday night at Berry College. Rome led 17-16 after one quarter and held a 32-26 advantage at the intermission. The Wolves extended their lead to 47-38 after three quarters and went on to prevail by 15.
Caleb Byrd led all scorers in the game with 31 points for Rome. Jaylen Nelson and Justin Ingram also reached double figures for the Wolves with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Rome (5-3) will face either Model or Darlington in the tournament finals Thursday night at 8:30 p.m. at Berry College. Senior Perignon Dyer led Cartersville in the scoring column with 14 points. He was followed by Kolbe Benham with 11. Other contributors were Micah Tart with seven, Marqual Coaxum and Amarai Orr with five, Manny Hayes with four, Jaylin Garnigan and Robert Novak with three each. Cartersville (2-5) will play in the third place game Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Berry College against the Model/Darlington semifinal loser from Wednesday night. Then the Hurricanes will host Calhoun in their home opener Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at The Storm Center.
COOSA 66, WOODLAND BOYS 62
Playing in a consolation game of the 65th Rome Holiday Tournament Wednesday afternoon at Georgia Highlands College, Woodland was edged by Coosa 66-62. The Wildcats held a 17-14 lead after one quarter and the two teams were tied at the intermission, but Coosa took a 51-34 lead in the third quarter. Woodland came back to challenge in the final quarter, but the Eagles held on for a four point win. Kenan Dixon led Coosa (5-4) with 16 points. Sean Brown followed with 12. Hunter Johnson had a game-high 23 points to lead Woodland. He was followed by Dawson Wilkins with 15, Jaylen Ballard with 11, Peyton Roberts with nine, and Justice Carter wtih four points.
Woodland (3-9) lost its sixth straight after a 3-3 start to the year. The Wildcats will return to the hardwoods December 27 at Cartersville.
