Canes tame Lions, Lady Canes edged in OT

The Cartersville boys jumped out to an 18-6 lead after one quarter and were up 39-22 by halftime on their way to a 69-57 Region 5-AAAA win over visiting Central-Carroll Saturday at The Storm Center.

Taywuan Johnson and Perignon Dyer shared scoring honors for the Hurricanes with 19 points apiece. Kolbe Benham followed with nine. Isaac Gridley (photo) returned to the Canes' lineup to contribute six points as did Amarai Orr. Robert Novak had four points. Marquail Coaxum and Micah Tart tossed in two points each while Austin Cauffman and Tyriek Hammock added one each for Cartersville. Dallas Clayton led the Lions with 24 points. Omen Glenn and Abrin Daniel added 10 each for Central-Carroll (5-10, 0-2).

Cartersville (7-7, 1-1) hosts LaGrange Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m. before traveling to Sandy Creek Friday and Chapel Hill Saturday.

CENTRAL-CARROLL 43, CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 36 (OT)

The Lady Canes battled back from a seven-point halftime deficit Saturday to send their game with Central-Carroll to overtime, but the visiting Lady Lions prevailed in the extra period, 43-36. Cartersville limited Central to only three points in the third quarter to pull within one point and tied the game at 34-all at the end of regulation. Central (12-1, 2-0) outscored Cartersville 9-2 in overtime. Cartersville (7-6, 0-2) entertains LaGrange Tuesday night at 6 p.m. before heading to Sandy Creek Friday night and Chapel Hill Saturday evening.

VILLA RICA 66, WOODLAND GIRLS 15 Class AAAAA’s top-ranked girls team, Villa Rica, got 21 points from DeAsia Merrill and 13 from Tee Windom in a one-sided win at Woodland Saturday.

Villa Rica (15-0, 6-0) led 21-2 after one quarter and were never threatened in the Region 7-AAAAA matchup. Madgie Robinson led Woodland with six points.

Woodland (1-13, 1-6) plays at East Paulding Tuesday at 6 p.m. and hosts Rome Friday with a 6 p.m. tip.

VILLA RICA 40, WOODLAND BOYS 36 Visiting Villa Rica edged Woodland Saturday 40-36 in a game that was close throughout. Woodland led 12-9 at the end of the first quarter before Villa Rica took a 21-20 advantage at halftime. The visiting, purple-clad Wildcats pushed their lead to 31-26 after three quarters and held off Woodland in the final eight minutes for a four-point Region 7-AAAAA win. Micah Hodges, Phillip Zachery, and Demarcus Blount each scored nine points to lead Villa Rica in the scoring column. Hunter Johnson had 12 points for Woodland. Dawson Wilkins and Justice Carter followed with seven each. D.J. Robinson and Jaylen Ballard both scored five points.