Athletes Beyond Bartow: Beasley, Falcons dismiss 49ers to maintain division lead

Performances of local athletes with ties to Cartersville and Bartow County competing at the collegiate and professional level. With many collegiate programs taking a brief winter break for the holidays, there were still some impressive local contributions.

NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

VIC BEASLEY, JR. -- Atlanta Falcons (2nd year pro; Clemson University) . . . Adairsville native and former Clemson Tiger, Vic Beasley, Jr. added another sack to his NFL-leading 14.5 total in the Atlanta Falcons’ 41-13 home win Sunday over the San Francisco 49ers. Beasley has 35 total tackles, six forced fumbles, and has defended two passes in the Falcons’ first 14 games. Beasley is two sacks away from tying John Abraham for the single-season franchise record. Atlanta (9-5) leads the Tampa Bay Buccaneers by one game with games remaining at the Carolina Panthers Christmas Eve and at home against New Orleans on New Year’s Day. The Falcons are currently the third-seed in the NFC. WRESTLING

EVAN COLE — Cumberland University (Jr., Cartersville HS). . . went 2-2 at the 38th annual University of Indianapolis Midwest Classic in the 149-lb. weight class to place tied for ninth in a 32-man bracket. Cumberland returns to the mats January 4-5 at the NWCA National Duals in Fort Wayne, IN.

SAMMY ROSARIO — Cumberland University (Sr., Cass HS) . . . (photo right) finished with a 3-3 record at the University of Indianapolis Midwest Classic to place eighth in the 32-man, 133-lb. weight class. Cumberland wrestles next at the NWCA National Duals in Fort Wayne, IN January 4-5.

BASKETBALL

A.J. MOSBY — Alcorn State (Jr., Cartersville HS). . . (photo left) scored 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the floor including four three-pointers in a 74-50 loss at Georgia Tech Sunday. Mosby, a starter that played 32 minutes, also grabbed three rebounds and had three assists and one blocked shot for the Braves. Alcorn State (2-7) will look to snap a five-game losing streak Tuesday at Grand Canyon University and will host Rust College Thursday afternoon.

ADRIAN RODGERS — Malbas Oresund (Swedish Pro; Cartersville native; Southern University). . . scored 14 points with three steals, three assists, and five rebounds in a 94-55 loss Friday to Norrkiping. Malbas Oresund (1-12) plays BC LF Lulea Tuesday at home and travels to face Boras December 30.

HAKEEM WINTERS — Point University (Soph., Cartersville HS). . . scored three points with three rebounds, one steal, and one assist off the bench in a 114-52 loss against Troy University at the Dothan Civic Center. He scored 12 points and grabbed six rebounds as a starter in an 88-68 loss to Nova Southeastern University at a tournament in Melbourne, FL Sunday. He also added three assists and a steal. Point (2-11) plays tourney host Florida Tech Monday night.