It’s official, the Cartersville High School basketball team is the king of comebacks. Even when being down 51-39 at one point during the fourth, the Canes were relentless in their pursuit of a win. With help from the fans in the packed Storm Center, Cartersville made a roaring comeback, winning 59-57.

The Canes kept the game close in the first. Offensive rebounds helped both teams early, but Madison County senior Tre Walker made the most difference by shutting down Cartersville’s electric senior Perignon Dyer. With good defense by Madison County in the first, the Canes entered the second down 15-10.

Madison County came out hot in the second, playing good defense and shooting well. Cartersville dug themselves into a hole, by committing many fouls and turing the ball over way too much. Madison County capitalized off of the CHS mistakes and increased their lead to twelve, but the Canes came storming back and cut the lead to six. Cartersville went into the locker room down 29-23.

The Canes caught fire on offense in the third to tie the game at 34. After some questionable calls, Madison County went on a 13-3 run to take a 47-37 lead heading into the fourth.

Then the magic happened

The Canes, while down double digits with a few minutes left in the game, clamped up on defense and the comeback began. They had been behind many times this season, so this situation did not faze them.

With 8.8 seconds left Perignon Dyer went up for a layup and got fouled. He made the free throw to put the Canes up two. However, Cartersville, excited about the madness taking place, received a technical after a player ran onto the court.

This meant Madison County would shoot two free throws and get possession of the ball. The biggest shot of the season might cause the Canes to be done for.

With the Storm Center rocking, the Red Raiders missed both free throws and turned the ball over on the ensuing play. They had an opportunity to tie the game or win it, and came up short.

Isaac Gridley led the Canes with 17 points, Dyer scored 14, and sophomores Amarai Orr and Kolbe Benham both scored 10 points.

Come support the Canes as they move on to play West Hall on Thursday night at 7. We need the Storm Center rocking again!