Tuesday hoops roundup: Canes move into second place in region
The Cartersville boys moved into second place in Region 5-AAAA Tuesday night with a road win at Central-Carroll, but the Cartersville girls, Adairsville girls and boys, and the Excel Christian Academy boys all dropped region contests.
CARTERSVILLE BOYS 79, CENTRAL-CARROLL 63
The Hurricanes stormed to an early lead Tuesday night at Central-Carroll and never trailed in a 79-63 Region 5-AAAA win.
The win also moved Cartersville into sole possession of second place in the region standings with four games remaining in the 2018-19 regular season. Cartersville took a 16-7 lead after one quarter Tuesday and led 41-25 at halftime before pushing their advantage to 59-39 heading into the fourth quarter. Perignon Dyer scored 18 points to lead the Canes. Austin Cauffman (photo) and Amarai Orr also reached double figures with 12 and 11 points. Isaac Gridley scored nine for Cartersville. Kolbe Benham and Marquail Coaxum knocked down eight point apiece. Micah Tart scored six. Raylin Royal finished with four points, while Tyriek Hammock and Taywuan Johnson added two and one. Dallas Clayton and Omari Glenn led Central (7-14, 2-6) with 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Cartersville (11-10, 5-3) has now won three straight and plays at LaGrange Friday night at 7:30 p.m. before hosting region-leading Sandy Creek Saturday at 4:30 p.m. at The Storm Center.
CENTRAL-CARROLL 43, CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 28
The Lady Canes struggled to score in the first quarter Tuesday night at Central-Carroll and never recovered in a 43-28 Region 5-AAAA loss to the Lady Lions. Central led 14-2 after one quarter, 27-10 at halftime, and 39-21 after three quarters on their way to a 15-point win.
Nyah Houston led all scorers in the game with 23 for the Lions. Janae Jackson had 12 points.
A’mya Davis (photo) scored all seven of her points in the second half to lead Cartersville. Lehla Thomas added six for the Lady Canes.
Central-Carroll improved to 14-5 on the season and evened its region record at 4-4. Cartersville (10-10, 2-6) travels to LaGrange Friday for a 6 p.m. tip and will host region-leading and 10th-ranked Sandy Creek Saturday at 3 p.m.
CALHOUN 69, ADAIRSVILLE BOYS 58
The Adairsville boys fell behind early and trailed by 14 at halftime before a furious third quarter rally put the Tigers up by one going into the final period. Unfortunately for Adairsville, they were outscored 24-12 over the final eight minutes in a 69-58 Region 6-AAA loss at Calhoun.
Calhoun had leads of 16-6 after one quarter and the Yellow Jackets were ahead 35-21 at the intermission. Adairsville led 46-45 after three quarters.
Gage Maffetone and Davis Allen led Calhoun with 21 and 19 points, respectively.
Mason Boswell paced Adairsville with 21 points. Gaven Crunkelton knocked down 12 points. Malachi Gardner (photo) had eight. Denarous Johnson finished with six, while Connor Crunkelton and Savaun Henderson added five points each. Calhoun moved to 12-8 on the season and is now 9-4 in region play.
Adairsville (7-15, 5-8) hosts Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe Friday night.
CALHOUN 54, ADAIRSVILLE GIRLS 52 The Adairsville girls dropped a heartbreaker Tuesday night at Calhoun after battling their rivals in Region 6-AAA to the very end.
Calhoun led 14-7 after one quarter and 20-19 at halftime before extending their lead to 38-33 by the end of the third quarter. The Lady Tigers stayed close throughout, however, before falling 54-52. Lyndi Dae Davis led Calhoun with 15 points. Emily Sorrow and Ashlyn Brzozaski scored nine and eight points for the Jackets. Coriana McDaniel came off the Adairsville bench to lead the Lady Tigers with 14 points. Havyn Isaac (file photo) had 13. Nakiyah Washington finished with 11 and Ji’Leyah Mitchell added seven points.
Calhoun improved to 4-14 on the year and 3-9 in Region 6-AAA. Adairsville (4-18, 1-12) hosts Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe Friday night at 7 p.m.
GORDON LEE 64, EXCEL CHRISTIAN BOYS 28
Wiley Hemming scored 30 points and Sam Norton added 13 as visiting Gordon Lee defeated Excel Christian Academy Tuesday night, 64-28. The Trojans improved to 11-9 for the season with their win. Gordon Lee is 6-4 in Region 6-A. Rayshawn Womack paced the host Eagles with 16 points. The Eagles have now dropped 12 of their last 13 games to slip to 4-17 on the year and 1-10 in region play. ECA plays at Mount Zion-Carroll Friday night at 6 p.m.
