Region 5-AAA runners up
Rockmart teams head to state tournament, Cedartown teams knocked out following Region 5-AAA tournament
CARROLLTON – Seasons came to an end for two Polk County teams, and continued for two others as basketball continues for the Rockmart Yellow Jackets and closes for the Cedartown Bulldogs.
The Rockmart Yellow Jackets (8-18, 5-6 Region 5-AAA) made a run through the Region 5-AAA tournament to the championship game, but came up short on Saturday in a 61-41 loss to the Callaway Cavaliers (18-3, 11-0 Region 5-AAA.)
The Jackets finished with a second seed placement in the Class AAA tournament after they were unable to keep up with a trio of scoring threats from Earnest Patillo with 21 points, and Dre Martin and Braylon Sanders with 14 points a piece for the Cavaliers. Rockmart’s Morgan Sims put up 17 points in the game to lead scoring for the Jackets.
Rockmart is still waiting to find out who their opponent will be in the Class AAA playoffs, but will host in the first round.
In the consolation game earlier in the day Saturday in Carrollton, Pepperell fell 73-67 to the hosting Central Lions. The Dragons (14-10, 7-4 Region 5-AAA) were led in scoring by Austin Strickland who had a 18 point game, Tucker Wells with 16 points and Malech Wilson with 11 points. Central’s Lamar Daniel put up 31 points in the win.
In the girls championship game Saturday, It came down the final seconds at Central-Carroll High School, but Haralson County was able to hold off Pepperell and maintain a undefeated streak through Region 5-AAA with a final win in the tournament’s championship game Saturday.
Pepperell’s Madison Wilder scored 19 and Jesse Burkhalter 17 in a game the Lady Dragons initially commanded in the first half, but the Haralson County Lady Rebels’ scored 38 points in the second half for the win.
Tori Causey scored 11 and Alexis Boykin 10 - they went 15 and 12 respectively in the game overall - in the third and fourth quarters to combine and drive the Lady Rebels onto their latest win and moves to 26-1 on the season and go perfect in Region 5-AAA at 11-0.
The Lady Dragons with their second place finish in the region will host Jefferson on Feb. 16. Haralson County will have Jackson County at home as well.
In the consolation game earlier in the day, Rockmart fell to Callaway in a 47-43 loss. The Lady Jackets were headed by Clara Delgado with 16 points and Kalisha Printup with 12 on the afternoon.
A fourth seed Rockmart will be traveling to face a to be determined opponent in the Class AAA girls basketball tournament.
Here’s briefs from throughout the tournament from last week, including those from the Pepperell Dragons:
Rockmart 56, Pepperell 53 OT
Rockmart will have a chance as region champs after an overtime win over Pepperell in the 5-AAA tournament on Friday night at Central-Carroll.
The win guaranteed the Yellow Jackets (817, 6-5 Region 5-AAA) a second seed spot in the state tournament, with Pepperell (14-9, 7-4 Region 5-AAA) clinching the third seed after the Dragons fell in a three point loss in the final seconds of the game as Bronson Garner landed a final pair of foul shots and the Jackets win.
Garner ended the night with 20 points, going double digits in the scorebook on the night along with Rockmart’s Maurice Smith.
Pepperell’s Austin Strickland landed 24 points for the Dragons. Tucker Wells hit 19 points and Tae Hammond 11.
Pepperell 45, Callaway 42
The Pepperell Lady Dragons are headed to a shot at the Region championship, but they’ll face a one-loss Haralson County Lady Rebels in the attempt.
The win clinched at least a second seed in the state tournament for AAA girls basketball.
Madison Wilder scored 20 and Leah Rowell 10 in the Lady Dragons’ 45-43 win over Callaway (1010, 7-4 Region 5-AAA.)
Haralson County 76, Rockmart 44
Rockmart will take a fourth seed spot in the AAA state tournament after the Lady Jackets fell to Haralson County, 76-44.
The Lady Rebels (24-1, 11-0 Region 5-AAA) were led by a trio of shooters on the night, headed up by Tori Causey with 20 points, followed by Alexis Boykin with 16 and Jada Ross with 14.
Rockmart’s Clara Delgado ended the night with 16, and Kalisha Printup with 12.
Central 45, Cedartown 25
The Cedartown Bulldogs got knocked out of state playoff contention and the Region 5- AAA tournament with a 20-point loss on Wednesday to host Central, 45-25.
Lions lead scorer Hason Smith put up 13 points in the win, along with a 11 point performance for Emmanuel Bullock. The Bulldogs were lead on the court by Tyrell Pace with 11 points.
Cedartown finished their season 9-14 overall, and with a 4-7 record in region play.
Rockmart 60, Cedartown 46
A final showdown between Polk County rivals turned into a big win for the Rockmart Lady Yellow Jackets (1115, 5-6 Region 5-AAA) on Wednesday, and allowed them to advance in the region tournament.
Rockmart grabbed and held onto a double digit lead early over their rival Cedartown Lady Bulldogs (10-13, 47 Region 5-AAA) in a 60-46 final. Lady Jackets Tova Kleinschmitt put up 24 points in the midweek performance, followed by Clara Delgado with 12, and Kalisha Printup and Kaleigh Robinson grabbing 10 points each.
Cedartown’s Tia Covington put up 16 points for the night for the Lady Bulldogs, and Tamara Beeman shot for 11 of her own.