MCDONOUGH — A second round loss to the eventual state runner-up spoiled Ware County’s bid for an elusive state title here at the 16-team Class 4A Dual championship at Ola High School.
The Region 1 champion Gators (33-7), who fell 60-14 to Woodland-Cartersville Friday, January 17, went on to post a Top 6 finish after being eliminated 52-21 by defending Class 4A champion Central-Carroll in the loser’s bracket semifinals Saturday, January 18.
Ware County opened tournament action Friday knocking off Eastside 40-33. Participating Saturday in the losers’ bracket, the Gators eliminated both Cambridge 54-23 and Harris County 41-33.
Cass, which won Class 5A in 2024, defeated Woodland-Cartersville 38-30 for its third championship in four seasons. Central-Carroll bested host Ola in the consolation finals.
Region 1 mate Perry went 1-2. Other teams competing were Lithonia, Pace Academy, Walnut Grove, Locust Grove, Westminster, St. Pius X and Drew.
Ware County was scheduled to host Appling County and Statesboro Tuesday, January 21 for Senior Night. The Gators close out the regular season Tuesday, January 28 visiting Bacon County.
First Round Gators...........................40 Eastside ........................33 Ware County survived in the opening match despite equally splitting the 14 matches.
The Gators held a 5-4 advantage in pin falls and won two matches by technical fall for the difference.
Notching pin wins were Jordan Maxwell (113 lbs., 37 seconds), Rodrigo Reyes (132; 4:00), Evan Thomas (138; 1:32), Jalen Hampton (215; 1:31) and Kyler Matthews (285; 1:04).
Winning by technical fall were Jaden McKelvin (144; 161) and Gunter Fore (175; 23-5).
Losing via pin were Stephen Valdez (106; 13 sec.), Ryan Tarver (120; 2:57), DaMarion Zanders (126; 2:44) and David Muchison (165; 1:08).
Falling by decision were Aaron Bennett (150; 2-1), Kayden Drury (157; 12-8) and Cameron Hambrick (190; 6-3).
Quarterfinals Woodland-Cartersville..60 Gators ...........................14 Powerhouse Woodland-Cartersville flexed its muscle capturing 11 of the 14 matches.
The Gators’ Stephen Valdez (106) recorded a 3-1 decision, Jordan Maxwell (113) notched a 17-0 technical fall and Jaden McKelvin (150; 2:15) posted a pin win.
Falling by pin were DaMarion Zanders (126; 1:55), Evan Thomas (138; 1:06), Aaron Bennett (144; 46 sec.), David Muchison (175; 1:07), Cameron Hambrick (190; 1:40) and Jalen Hampton (215; 1:40).
Losing by technical fall were Noah Paul (120; 22-6), Kayden Drury (157; 20-4), Gunter Fore (165; 17-2) and Kyler Matthews (285; 21-6). Rodrigo Reyes (132; 12-4) suffered a major decision setback.
Losers’ Bracket Second Round Gators ...........................54 Cambridge ....................23 Ware County won all nine matches with pins against Cambridge.
Posting pin wins were Stephen Valdez (106; 1:27), Jordan Maxwell (113; 5:27), DaMarion Zanders (126; 3:48), Rodrigo Reyes (132; 2:53), Aaron Bennett (144; 2:47), Jaden McKelvin (150; 3:31), Gunter Fore (165; 40 sec.), David Muchison (175; 2:32) and Kyler Matthews (285; 3:10).
Falling via pin were Ryan Tarver (120; 2:56) and Evan Thomas (138; 1:20).
Losing by technical fall were Charles Sams (157; 19-3) lost by technical fall. Falling by decision were Cameron Hambrick (190; 5-1) and Jalen Hampton (215; 14-13).
Losers’ Bracket Quarterfinals Gators ...........................41 Harris County ...............33 The Gators captured eight wins with six coming by pin fall in beating Harris County.
Notching pin wins were Stephen Valdez (106; 1:41), Jordan Maxwell (113; 5:22), DaMarion Zanders (126; 1:13), Jaden McKelvin (144; 1:34), Aaron Bennett (150; 2:23) and David Muchison (165; 1:13).
Winning by decision were Evan Thomas (138; 17-16) and Jalen Hampton (215; 5-3).
Suffering pin defeats were Ryan Tarver (120; 1:11), Gunter Fore (175; 1:16), Cameron Hambrick (190; 1:56) and Kyler Matthews (285; 1:04).
Rodrigo Reyes (132; 14-7) lost via decision and Ware County forfeited in 157-lb. weight class.
Losers’ Bracket Semifinals Central-Carroll..............52 Gators ...........................21 The defending champions won 10 of the 14 matchups against Ware County.
Posting pin wins were TJ Bullock (113; 54 sec.), David Muchison (165; 18 sec.) and Gunter Fore (175; 29 sec.). Charles Sams (157; 14-7) won via decision.
Falling by pin were Ryan Tarver (120; 1:06), Rodrigo Reyes (132; 53 sec.), Evan Thomas (138; 1:22), Jaden McKelvin (144; 1:47), Aaron Bennett (150; 4:49) and Jalen Hampton (215; 3:52).
Losing major decisions were Stephen Valdez (106; 10-2) and Kyler Matthews (285; 11-1).
DaMarion Zanders (126; 181) fell by technical fall with Cameron Hambrick (190) losing an 11-5 decision.
