Northwest Georgia boys' teams all fall

Arkansas-SEMO Live Blog

Northwest Georgia boys' teams went 0-for-4 Saturday night in the second round of the GHSA basketball playoffs, the most heartbreaking defeat being Calhoun's 73-70 loss at home to Manchester.

The Yellow Jackets, playing a team ranked No. 1 in Class AA at one point in the season, were up 46-40 entering the final period but couldn't contain the three-headed scoring monster of Manchester's Hozell Campbell, Kevis Martin and Damien Turner.

"Things were going our way, but we made a few turnovers in the final quarter and it cost us," Calhoun coach Vince Layson said. "We gave up some easy layups off those turnovers, but we still had a shot to tie it with four seconds to go, but we turned it over. A lot of people didn't expect us to be in the game with that team, but we had our shot."

Campbell led the 24-4 winners with 24 points, with Martin adding 21 and Turner 20. Austin Byrd topped Calhoun, which ends its season at 18-6, with 21 points, and Greyson Arnold added 17.

Also in Class AA, Dade County fell on the road to Jordan, 97-79.

In Class AAA, North Murray lost a defensive battle at Woodward Academy, 48-39, to end its first season under coach Tim Ellis at 22-8.

"We got down 18 in the first half but cut it to five down the stretch, but we just couldn't catch up after a bad second quarter," said Ellis, whose team was just 6-for-16 from the free-throw line. "We got after them and the guys didn't give in. I'm proud of them for embracing me as their coach this year and for working their tails off."

Senior Zach Vess led the Mountaineers with 14 points, with Zach Sanford adding 10. Christian Harrison led Woodward with 10.

Also in Class AAA, Gordon Central fell at top-ranked Buford, 84-69.

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