Getting into the rhythm

The tourney’s most recent additions advance to the boys’ semifinals.

Whether returning to the tournament field or making its debut, the newest boys’ teams in the Rome News-Tribune/Seven Hills Rotary Christmas Tournament have earned their way into this year’s semifinals.

Cartersville, which won back-to-back Gold Ball Trophies in 2012 and 2013, defeated last year’s champion Calhoun 65-53 at Georgia Highlands College on Tuesday night to advance to the semis after not being in the tournament for three years.

Meanwhile, Sonoraville made a second-half turnaround against Darlington to win 60-43 and move them into tonight’s semifinals in the Phoenix’s first year in the tournament.

Both the boys’ and girls’ semifinals will be played tonight.

Here is a closer look at Wednesday’s games:

Sonoraville boys 60, Darlington 43

Early momentum from Darlington didn’t last in the Tigers’ first game of the tournament as Sonoraville soared back

in the final two periods Wednesday to win 60-43.

Wil Walraven led the comeback for the Phoenix as the senior accounted for a game-high 28 points, which included four 3-pointers and going 6-of7 from the free throw line.

“It was a good total team effort I thought. Our kids played well,” Sonoraville coach Brent Mashburn said.

“Wil had a great night. Offensively, he’s a good player. I thought that as a group we played well on the defensive end of the floor, and that was the difference in my mind.”

from B1

The first half of the game skewed in Darlington’s favor as the Tigers led until the very end of the opening 16 minutes. Sonoraville changed the momentum as they blocked a Darlington shot and Landon Jones completed the turnover by scoring on the other end to tie the game at 23-all going into halftime.

Sonoraville (9-0) took the newfound energy and played a strong second half. Walraven had 15 of his points in the final two periods, and Jones accounted for six of his 13 total points.

Darlington (3-3) was led by Sam Tackeberry (who scored in every quarter) and JD Hull, both with 12 points.

Sonoraville marches on to the semis to play Rome tonight at 7 p.m. at Berry while Darlington faces Calhoun in a consolation game at 4 p.m.

Steven Eckhoff / RN-T Darlington’s Andrew Land (24) and Tate Ratledge (50) foul Sonoraville’s Trenton Daniel as he shoots the ball during a Christmas Tournament game Wednesday at Georgia Highlands.

Steven Eckhoff / RN-T Cartersville’s Jaylon Pugh (11) goes up to defend a shot by Calhoun’s Davis Allen on Wednesday.