Four from area reach GHSA state duals
Northwest Georgia will send four teams to next weekend’s GHSA state duals after the quartet qualified by winning preliminary events Saturday, including one underdog that went on the road to earn its spot in the championship round.
In Class A, Trion hosted a preliminary as a top-seeded area champion, and the Bulldogs earned maximum points while routing Athens Christian to secure a spot in the state event they will also host next Saturday. All of the state duals events will be held at predetermined school sites this year in an effort to reduce gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In AA, Area 7 winner Dade County used a big start to earn a spot in the eight-team field at Lamar County with a 49-30 win over Elbert County in Trenton. The Wolverines, who had a first-round bye in their three-team event, built a big lead against Elbert County before forfeiting the final four bouts with the win and state spot secure.
Sonoraville also wasn’t tested as the Phoenix rolled in a Class AAA preliminary at home with a pair of easy wins, allowing them to move on to state at Cherokee Bluff.
The one surprise among local teams advancing Saturday came at Pope, where No. 3 seed Dalton edged the hosts 39-38 to earn a spot in the AAAAAA state duals at Lassiter, which means the Catamounts will be returning to Marietta.
The other seven local teams who wrestled in this round, including AAAA preliminary host Northwest Whitfield, were eliminated from title contention. The Bruins, coming off a Region 7 title the weekend before, lost 44-17 to North Oconee in the final. Also in AAAA, Heritage defeated host Marist 52-24 in Atlanta before falling 54-21 to Flowery Branch in the final. Tate Thomas (106 pounds), Cayman Hughey (132) and heavyweight Braedon Oliver each went 2-0 for the Generals.
Calhoun went 1-1 in AAAAA, defeating Jackson of Atlanta 66-18 before losing to host Jackson County 39-36 with a state spot on the line. In AAA, North Murray, Coahulla Creek and Murray County each lost firstround matches, and in Class A, Gordon Lee fell to Wesleyan at Commerce, 51-27.
Trion, after a first-round bye Saturday, blasted Athens Christian 84-0 to get the chance to wrestle for a state duals championship at home, but coach Eric Brock’s squad will have a tougher task next weekend after all eight No. 1 seeds — including the Bulldogs — won the preliminaries in Class A.
“We haven’t gotten to wrestle as much this year due to COVID, so I tell our wrestlers to make the most out of every moment and they showed out today,” Brock said. “We have seven very good teams coming to our place next week for the state duals, and we’re excited about the opportunity.”
Sonoraville, seeking its first state duals championship after winning three consecutive traditional tournament state titles, downed Stephens County 58-18 in Saturday’s final after getting past West Hall 70-12.
Gavin Harper (182) and Jebb Knight (195) each went 2-0 with two pins, Logan Moore (126) had a pin and a technical fall and Colt Weaver (160) was 2-0 for the Phoenix, who totaled 14 pins in their two matches.
› In the TSSAA postseason, Class AAA’s first-ranked Cleveland Blue Raiders won their fourth straight Region 3 duals championship as they defeated rival Bradley Central 41-24 in the final inside Raider Arena.
Arlo Laxton and Jackson Bradford helped get Cleveland rolling with back-to-back pins at 120 and 126 to build a 20-6 lead. The Bears cut the deficit to 32-24, but they could not answer late as Tetoe Boyd landed a match-sealing victory for Cleveland at 182.
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
› Ensworth 70, Baylor 58: The Red Raiders trailed by just one possession with nearly two minutes left to play as their eight-game winning streak came to a close at home. Skyy Clark, who is committed to Kentucky, scored 34 points for Ensworth. Baylor (8-2) was led by guards Troy Boynton (18 points) and Al Peciulis (15).
› Calhoun 55, Sonoraville 28: The Yellow Jackets (9-8) handed Sonoraville its first loss in 17 games as Dylan Faulkner scored a game-high 24 points and Peyton Law added nine.
› Heritage 48, Ringgold 32: The Generals (11-5) downed their Catoosa County nonregion rivals as Cade Kiniry and Carson Palmer had 15 and nine points, respectively.
› Central 57, Signal Mountain 49: The Purple Pounders were 6-of-8 on free throws as they outscored the Eagles 12-4 in overtime for a District 6-AA home win Friday. Central (3-6, 3-3) received balanced scoring as Donovin Taylor-Wade, Kenneth Steward, Jaylin Teague and Jailon Jackson all finished in double figures. Signal Mountain senior Braeden Wolford led all with 14 points, while Zach Ottley scored 10 of his 11 in the second half.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
› Ringgold 53, Heritage 36: Rachel Lopez led the Lady Tigers (12-5) with 18 points, five steals and four assists as they won the nonregion Catoosa County rivalry game. Maggie Reed added 13 points and Riley Nayadley seven points and eight rebounds for Ringgold.
› Trion 48, Southeast Whitfield 31: The Lady Bulldogs improved to 13-3 with the nonregion win as I’ziah McCutchins scored 11 points and Summer Vaughn 10.