Athletes Beyond Bartow: Updates on local collegiate and pro athletes
Most of Bartow's local college basketball athletes move into their final week of the regular season and prepare for post-season play while college softball and baseball begin to hit stride in the 2018 season — including the opening weekend for Division I. Meanwhile, local professional baseball players Sam Howard and Connor Justus prep for Spring Training while college wrestling, indoor track and field, swimming, tennis, and golf continue.
BASKETBALL
RYAN DAVIS — Francis Marion University (Jr., G, Cartersville HS)…Francis Marion has won its last five games and eight of its last nine as the Patriots have taken a two-game lead for third place in the Peach Belt Conference standings with just two left to play. Three of those five consecutive wins came last week — 101-84 over Young Harris, 80-65 over Augusta and 66-58 over Flagler. Davis shot 5-of-7 from the field against Young Harris Monday for 12 points, five rebounds and a steal. On Wednesday, he shot 5-of-10 in 30 minutes for 12 points, five assists and two steals. Davis had his worst performance of the week on Saturday, though, going 1-for-6 for four points with five assists, four rebounds and two steals in 31 minutes. For the season, he is averaging 10.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.3 steals in 25.8 minutes per game. FMU (18-7, 13-7) plays at UNC Pembroke Wednesday and hosts Georgia College Saturday.
KIMORA McCLINIC — Middle Georgia State University (Fr., G, Cartersville HS)…McClinic went a combined 0-for-5 from the field in two losses last week, but did go 3-for-4 from the free throw line Saturday against Martin Methodist. She also had three steals, two rebounds and a block in that game. MGSU (6-19, 3-12 Southern States Athletic Conference) host Auburn-Montgomery Monday and Faulkner University Thursday. The SSAC tournament begins Feb. 28 in Montgomery.
JANA MORNING — Berry College (Fr., G, Cass HS)… Morning started and scored 11 points with four rebounds, four assists and a steal in a win over Wesleyan Tuesday. She then had 12 points off the bench in 23 minutes on 4-of-7 shooting from the field with two rebounds, two steals and an assist in a win Saturday over Oglethorpe in the regular-season finale. Berry, 12-13 overall and the No. 4 seed in the Southern Athletic Association, will face 5th-seeded Centre College in the first round of the conference tournament on Friday. For the season, Morning is averaging 4.1 points in 19.4 minutes per game and has started 10 of her team’s 25. She’s also averaging 2.6 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
A.J. MOSBY — Alcorn State University (Sr., G, Cartersville HS)… With four regular-season games remaining before the SWAC tournament, Alcorn State picked up two blowout wins last week, the first Monday by a score of 84-52 against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, and the next by a score of 80-60 at Alabama A&M on Saturday. Mosby continues to play hyper-efficient basketball, scoring 22 points on 9-of-11 shooting from the field Monday and 20 points on 9-of-15 shooting Saturday. He added 10 rebounds, six assists, three steals and a block combined for the two games. Mosby is now averaging 14.8 points, 4.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals in 31.6 minutes per game, all while shooting 51.2 percent from the floor. ASU (10-17, 6-8 SWAC) plays at Alabama State Monday night and hosts Southern University Saturday.
GREG MURPHY — Young Harris College (Jr., F, Woodland HS)… Young Harris wasn’t all that competitive in three losses last week, but Murphy did have one good game Thursday against Lander. He scored 14 points in 21 minutes on 6-of-10 shooting with five rebounds. The other two games last week, Murphy scored a combined three points in 10 minutes. YHC (7-19, 6-14 Peach Belt Conference) hosts Georgia College Wednesday and plays at USC Aiken on Saturday.
JONATHAN PRITCHETT — Vermont Tech CC (Fr., G, Woodland HS)…Vermont Tech lost in the YSCC Elite 8 Tournament championship game Sunday after winning games in the first two rounds on Friday and Saturday. Pritchett played in all three, averaging about 15 minutes and scoring nine total points with seven combined rebounds. For the season, Pritchett averaged 2.2 points in 14.5 minutes, playing in 15 of his team’s 30 games.
ELIJAH ROBINSON — Emmanuel College (Sr., G/F, Excel Christian Acad.)…With one week to go in the regular season, Robinson is playing some of his best basketball of the season. Combined over two conference wins last week, he scored 30 points on 11-of-18 shooting with 13 rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Robinson is now averaging 14.2 points per game and has raised his shooting percentage above 50 percent. He also is averaging 7.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and over a block per game. Emmanuel (16-9, 10-5 Conference Carolinas) hosts North Greenville University Tuesday, travels to King (TN) University Wednesday, and entertains Erskine College Friday night.
DARIUS THROWER — Truett-McConnell University (Soph., G, Excel Christian Acad.)… Thrower went scoreless in two losses last week, only playing 21 minutes combined over the two games. Truett-McConnell (18-12, 10-10 AAC) is now finished with the regular season and will move on to the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament Wednesday in Kingsport, TN.
COREY TOBIN — Reinhardt University (Sr., G, Cartersville HS)… Reinhardt split two games last week to end the regular season. In the first game, Tobin scored seven points with four rebounds, three steals and an assist in a win over Truett-McConnell Wednesday. On Saturday, Tobin had five points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals in a loss at Montreat. Reinhardt (16-13, 11-9 AAC) finished in a four-way tie for third in conference play and plays in the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament this week in Kingsport, TN.
CARROD WATSON — University of North Georgia (Soph., F, Woodland HS)… Watson scored 11 points in 23 minutes with seven rebounds, a block and three steals during a loss to Clayton State Wednesday. It was his third-highest scoring game of his career and the most minutes he’s ever played for North Georgia, which has two games left before the Peach Belt Conference tournament. UNG (11-15, 9-11 PBC) travels to Lander University Wednesday and hosts Georgia Southwestern Saturday.
RUDY WINTERS — Columbus State University (Jr., G, Excel Christian Acad.)…Winters had his best week of the season. He averaged more than 20 points and seven rebounds in three games, helping the Cougars go 2-1. Columbus State has two games left in the regular season before the Peach Belt Conference tournament. The Cougars (8-15, 8-12) are tied for seventh in the conference standings, one game back of sixth-place North Georgia. They play at Flagler College Wednesday and host Clayton State Saturday afternoon. Winters is second on the team in scoring and rebounds, averaging 13.7 points and 5.1 boards per game.
PRO BASEBALL
SAM HOWARD — Colorado Rockies (5th year pro; Georgia Southern University; Cartersville HS)… named to the Rockies 40-man roster for 2018, Howard enters Spring Training this week with an outside shot at making the opening day roster. According to most Rockies’ analysts, however, he will return to AAA Albuquerque to continue preparations for his major league debut although he is projected as a contributor in the back half of Colorado’s rotation in the not-too-distant future.
CONNOR JUSTUS — Los Angeles Angels (3rd year pro; Georgia Tech; Cartersville HS)… Justus, who finished last season with Advanced Class A Inland Empire of the California League, was just on the outside-looking-in when the Angels announced their non-40-man roster invitees for 2018 Spring Training. The Angels will carry 69 players into the Cactus League in Tempe, AZ. Justus, 23, has been solid defensively and continues to seek greater consistency at the plate heading into 2018. L.A. Angels’ prospect analyst John Sickels has Justus just outside the current list of top twenty prospects and in the top five among Angels’ shortstops.
BASEBALL
BRANDON ALLEN — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., OF/P, Woodland HS)… walked twice and drove in a run last Tuesday in the Chargers’ 6-1 home loss to Cleveland State CC. GHC (7-4) hosts Lincoln Trail CC Monday, Shorter JV Thursday, and Sinclair CC (OH) in a three-game series Saturday and Sunday. All games at LakePoint in Emerson.
ELLIOTT ANDERSON — Auburn University (Soph., LHP, Cartersville HS)… allowed no runs on one hit and one walk in two innings of middle relief Sunday as the Tigers blanked Longwood 3-0. Auburn (3-0) hosts Georgia State Tuesday, Troy Wednesday, and a three-game series with Bryant University Friday through Sunday.
BAILEY CAMPBELL — Young Harris College (Fr., 1B/DH, Cass HS)… went 3-for-13 in four starts during the week with three RBI, five runs scored, and two walks. The highlight was a three-run homer Saturday in the first inning as the Mountain Lions beat visiting Lander University 10-3. YHC (5-5, 2-1 Peach Belt Conference) won three of four games last week winning at Lee University and taking two of three over conference-foe Lander. The Mountain Lions travel to Lenoir-Rhyne Tuesday and to Georgia College Friday through Sunday for a PBC series.
BRANDON ETHERIDGE — Limestone College (Sr., OF/P, Cass HS)… In six starts this past week, Etheridge was only 2-for-16 at the plate with a triple, two walks, and a run scored. The Saints went 2-4 with a win over Mars Hill and a doubleheader split with Long Island University-Post. Etheridge, starting in centerfield, had his average slip from .357 to .242 during the week. He has started all 12 games for Limestone. The Saints (6-6) host Erskine College to start Conference Carolinas play Friday through Sunday.
LANE GRIFFITH — University of West Georgia (Soph., C, Adairsville HS)… had a single, two walks, an RBI, reached on an error, was hit by a pitch, and scored twice at the Wolves blasted visiting Albany State Sunday 24-6 to go 3-0 for the week and continue their unbeaten streak. UWG had wins at Georgia College and a two-game home sweep of Albany State. The Wolves (10-0) play at Columbus State Wednesday and open Gulf South Conference play Saturday and Sunday with a three-game series against Mississippi College.
CODY JOHNSON — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., RHP, Cass HS)… appeared in two games this week for the Chargers working two innings. He allowed one unearned run on three hits with no walks and four strikeouts against Cleveland State CC and Lincoln Trail CC. GHC (7-4) hosts Lincoln Trail CC again Monday, Shorter JV Thursday, and Sinclair CC (OH) in a three-game series Saturday and Sunday. All games at LakePoint in Emerson.
SEAN McDERMOTT — Mercer University (Jr., 1B, Adairsville HS)… the junior transfer went 2-for-4 with a fourth-inning two-run homer, three RBI, and two runs scored in his debut with the Bears Friday. Mercer defeated visiting Bethune-Cookman 13-7 and eventually took two-of-three games in the weekend series. McDermott added a hit and one RBI in Sunday’s loss and started all three games. Mercer (2-1) hosts Florida A&M Tuesday and Wednesday and will entertain UNC-Asheville in a three-game series Friday through Sunday.
HARRISON OSBORN — Point University (Fr., RHP, Cartersville HS)… picked up his first collegiate pitching victory last Tuesday with a six inning effort in a 3-2 win over Clark-Atlanta University. Osborn allowed two earned runs on six hits with no walks. He fanned seven. In three appearances, he has a 3.72 ERA in 9.2 innings pitched. Point (6-4) hosts NAIA 18th-ranked University of Northwestern Ohio in a three-game set Friday and Saturday.
HUNTER REAID — Shorter University (Fr., C, Woodland HS)… started Sunday’s 5-3 loss to visiting Oakland City (IN) University going 1-for-3 with a walk. It was his second appearance and first start at catcher. The Hawks (5-6) host Clark-Atlanta University Tuesday afternoon before traveling to Union University (TN) Saturday and Sunday for a three-game Gulf South Conference series.
SAM SEAMAN — Gordon State CC (Fr., INF/OF, Adairsville HS)… started in left field and drove in a run with a sacrifice last Wednesday as the Highlanders won at LaGrange College JV, 10-5. Gordon State (5-8) plays at Cleveland State CC Tuesday before hosting a three-game series with Roane State (TN) CC Friday and Saturday.
TRISTIN SMITH — Young Harris College (Jr., Inf., Adairsville HS)… hit a two-run homer last Friday as the Mountain Lions blasted visiting Lander University, 13-0 in Peach Belt Conference action. Smith is 2-for-13 on the season with three starts and six appearances. YHC (5-5, 2-1) plays at Lenoir-Rhyne Tuesday and travels to Georgia College for a three-game series Friday through Sunday.
TYLER WASHINGTON — Young Harris College (Sr., OF, Adairsville HS)… went 3-for-9 in four starts this past week as the Mountain Lions won at Lee University and took two of three Peach Belt Conference games from visiting Lander University. Washington drove in a run, scored three times, was hit by a pitch twice, walked once, and had one sacrifice starting in the outfield. YHC (5-5, 2-1 PBC) travel to Lenoir-Rhyne Tuesday and to Georgia College Friday through Sunday for a conference series.
SOFTBALL
SIERRAH GANI — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., OF, Cass HS)… went 3-for-12 with a sacrifice and scored two runs this past weekend in five games in a tournament in Gulf Shores, AL where the Chargers went 2-3. GHC (10-7) plays a doubleheader at Enterprise State CC Tuesday and hosts Gordon State CC for a doubleheader Saturday to open Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association play.
CASSIDY HOWREN -- Reinhardt University (Jr., C, Adairsville HS)... Howren went 0-5 with a sacrifice bunt in a season-opening doubleheader against South Carolina Beaufort. Howren started at catcher in both games. The Eagles (2-0) host Bluefield College (VA) for a doubleheader Tuesday and will play Kentucky Christian, Freed-Hardeman, and Georgia Gwinnett College this weekend as they host the RU Invitational.
SYDNEY HODORFF -- LaGrange College (Jr., C, Woodland HS)... Hodorff came out the gates raking in four games last week to start the season. She went 2-for-6 with a walk and two RBIs in a doubleheader Wednesday against Belhaven. She really got hot Saturday, though, in a doubleheader against Judson. She went 4-for-5 with a double, two RBIs, a run scored and a walk in the two-game set. She played third base and batted fifth in each game. The Panthers (2-2) host Huntingdon College Thursday, Georgia Southwestern Saturday, and Agnes Scott Sunday in doubleheaders.
BRITTANY HUTH — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., IF, Cartersville HS)… saw action at shortstop in Saturday’s 6-1 loss to Gulf Coast State CC in Gulf Shores, AL. She did not have an official at bat. GHC (10-7) went 2-3 at the weekend tournament and plays a doubleheader at Enterprise State CC Tuesday before hosting Gordon State CC for a doubleheader Saturday. Saturday’s games open Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association play.
KAILAH RAIN -- Embry-Riddle University (Sr., OF, Cartersville HS)... Rain went 4-for-12 with four runs scored and an RBI in a three-game weekend series against Eckerd. The three games, all wins, opened play for Embry-Riddle in the Sunshine State Conference. Rain played right field and batted second in each game. She is hitting .357 on the year with six runs scored and four RBIs in eight games, 28 at bats. ERU (6-2, 3-0) entertains Adelphi University Wednesday in a doubleheader and Nova Southeastern Friday and Saturday in a three-game conference series.
TAYLOR WAITS -- Brewton-Parker College (Soph., OF, Cartersville HS)... Waits went 2-for-3 at the plate with an RBI in a loss to Coastal Georgia Thursday. BPC (1-5) travels to USC-Beaufort Monday, hosts Truett-McConnell Thursday, and travels to Emmanuel College Saturday.
ANNALYN YANTIS -- Samford University (Jr., P, Cartersville HS)... Yantis saw action in the circle during three of the five games Samford played last week in the Red and Black Tournament at the University of Georgia. She gave up exactly one run in all three outings, two against Winthrop and one against Evansville. Combined, she allowed three runs in eight innings, giving up 10 hits and nine walks with four strikeouts. So far this season, Yantis has pitched more than anyone on her team, 22.1 innings, and has pitched to a 5.33 ERA in eight appearances, two starts. Opponents have a .267 batting average against Yantis and she has struck out 15. Samford (1-9) hosts Troy Wednesday and will face Lipscomb and Indiana Saturday and Sunday in the Samford Invitational.
WRESTLING
EVAN COLE — Cumberland University (… went 0-2 at the Mid-South Conference Championships Saturday in the 149-pound division as the Phoenix placed sixth.
TENNIS
ERIC DUNLAP — Montreat College (Soph., Cass HS)… Dunlap has seen the court in one of Montreat’s first two matches to open the season. That came against Johnson C. Smith University on Thursday, and Dunlap and teammate Enrique Smalley won on Line 3 doubles, 8-2. Montreat (4-6) hosts Lees-McRae College Tuesday, Feb. 27.
PEYTON GOLLHOFER — Ball State University (Jr., Cartersville, GA; Laurel Springs Acad.)…Gollhofer’s Ball State team has gotten off to a 4-2 start to the season, while the Cartersville native has playing predominantly on Line 1 singles and Line 2 and 3 doubles. She has a 3-3 record this season in singles (2-2 on Line 1, 1-1 on Line 2), and a 7-1 record in doubles (3-1 on Line 2 and 4-0 on Line 3). Last week, Gollhofer lost on Line 2 singles (6-3, 6-4), but won on Line 3 doubles with partner Lilya Hadab (6-3) against Western Kentucky on Sunday. Friday against the University of Illinois at Chicago, Gollhofer won at No. 1 singles (6-2, 6-4) and teamed with Hadab to win at Line 3 singles (6-3). BSU plays at Youngstown State University Saturday.
TRACK & FIELD
MILES BEARDEN — Kansas State University (Sr., Cartersville, GA; Darlington HS)…Bearden finished tied for seventh in the high jump with a height of 6 feet, 6 inches at the 2018 Nebraska Tune-Up on Friday. The Wildcats travel to Ames, Iowa Friday and Saturday for the Big 12 Conference Championships.
TREVOR KNOWLES — Albion College (Fr., Woodland HS)…Knowles competed in three events in the 2018 Hillsdale Tune-Up Saturday in Hillsdale, Michigan. He placed fifth out of nine competitors in the triple jump with a distance of 40 feet, 8 1/4 inches; 14th out of 19 comeptitors in the long jump with a distance of 18 feet, 2 1/2 inches; and 26th out of 38 in the 200 with a time of 24.79 seconds. The Brits compete in the MIAA Indoor Championship Saturday in Angola, Indiana.
SWIMMING
ELISE HART — US Air Force Academy (Sr., Cartersville HS)… Air Force head coach Colleen Murphy said Hart had the “meet of her life” at the 2018 Mountain West Conference Championships in San Antonio, Texas, from Wednesday through Saturday. Highlighting her performance was a third-place finish out of 25 swimmers in the 100-yard butterfly with a time of 53.75 seconds. In her other individual races, Hart placed 12th in the 50 free with a time of 23.19 and 15th in the 100 backstroke with a time of 55.46. Hart also was a part of four relay teams. Her 200 free relay team placed fourth, her 200 medley relay team placed fifth, her 400 free relay team placed seventh and her 400 medley relay team placed ninth.
GOLF
MAGGIE ASHMORE — Augusta University (Sr., Kingston, GA; Heritage Golf Academy)… tied for 36th in the 66-player field at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic with rounds of 81-78-74 Feb. 11-13 at Rio Mar Country Club River Course in Rio Grande, PR. The Jaguars placed 8th of 11 teams in the event won by Arkansas. Augusta plays at the Moon Golf Invitational (hosted by University of Louisville) Monday and Tuesday at Duran Golf Club in Melbourne, FL.
