From staff reports

The Central High School boys basketball team scored a 52-50 win at Cartersville in its sub-region opener on Friday.

The Lions (6-10, 1-0 Region 6B-AAA) overcame a 27-25 halftime deficit to lead by as much as 10 in the second half before holding on for the victory.

Sheldon Snelling hit two big free throws at end to ice the game.

Taylor Woods led Central with 14 points, and Jeffrey Gulley had 13 points and nine rebounds. Snelling had nine, and Trae Henderson poured in eight, as the Lions surpassed their win total from a season ago.

Cartersville girls 38, Central 28: Amanda Ake and Kelsye Holt each scored 11 in the Lady Lions’ road loss.

Haralson County girls 59, Cedartown 37: Ivory Smith (19 points, 11 rebounds) and Avery Horton (16 points, 12 rebounds) both posted double-doubles for the Rebelettes (8-7, 4-2 Region 6-AAA).

Northgate girls 61, Villa Rica 60: The Lady Wildcats lost a heartbreaker on a buzzer-beater in the home contest, as Sal Cosby (15 points), Jadechia Hill (11 points) and Victoria Brown (10 points) scored in double figures for Villa Rica.

Monroe Academy girls 36, Oak Mountain 33: Maggie McMichael (16 points) paced the Lady Warriors (8-7, 1-1), while Erica Perkins (12 points) also reached double figures.

Villa Rica boys 66, Northgate 38: Senior Craig Allen (13 points, 11 boards) led the Wildcats (9-6, 3-1 Region 5-AAAA), while freshman Lakeem Mincey (9 points) pitched in offensively. Villa Rica hit seven three-pointers in the win.

Oak Mountain boys 59, Monroe 50: Seth Houston connected on five first-quarter three-pointers en route to his game-high 33 points, while Matthew Gilleran (15 points) also posted double figures for the Warriors (5-7, 2-0).