Staff Report
COLUMBUS — Pierce County’s trek to the 16-team Class AA dual state tournament here at the Columbus Convention and Trade Center was short-circuited with two quick losses.
The Area 3 secondseed Bears were beaten 77-6 by eventual state runner-up Lovett in the opening round Friday, January 17. They fell 43-33 to Pike County in the losers’ bracket opening round later in the evening.
Area 3 champion Cook finished third with Union County placing fourth. Columbus and Sonoraville rounded out the top six schools.
Rockmart won its fourth consecutive title (two in AAA, two in AA). Other teams competing were Columbia, Morgan County, Jordan, Coahulla Creek, Rutland, East Jackson, Ringgold, Sonoarville and Glenn Hills.
First Round Lovett.................77 Bears ...................6
Lovett overpowered the Bears winning 13 of the 14 matches with nine coming by pin.
Cooper Davis (144 lbs.; 5:59) had the lone victory with a pin.
Losing by pin were Caden Sloan (113; 13 seconds), Gregory Sallet (120; 4:39), Samuel Thompson (126; 1:55), Roy Carter (138; 38 sec.), Elijah Dixon (150; 1:14), Cameron Tyre (157; 38 sec.), Corran Johnson (165; 19 sec.), Greyson Sikes (175; 16 sec.) and David Lyons (215; 2:26) Andrew Watkins (132; 17-0) lost by technical fall. PCHS forfeited in the 106lb. class, 190-lb. class and 285-lb. class.
Losers’ Bracket Pike County...........43 Bears.....................33 Pike County took advantage of two forfeit wins being the difference in ousting the Bears.
Notching pin wins were Samuel Thompson (132; 4:37) and Cameron Tyre (165; 5:21).
Winning by technical fall were Gregory Sallet (120; 17-1), Andrew Watkins (138; 15-0), David Lyons (215; 20-4). Cooper Davis (144) won by forfeit.
Suffering pin losses were Caden Sloan (113; 44 sec.), Ralph Williams (150; 1:08), Corran Johnson (175; 1:04) and Greyson Sikes (190; 1:50).
Landon Taylor (126; 10-0) lost via a major decision with Elijah Dixon (157; 6-3) losing a decision. The Bears forfeited at 106 and 285.
