Athletes Beyond Bartow: Fields wins at opening meet, hoops standouts shine
We may be experiencing some colder temperatures, but our college and pro Athletes Beyond Bartow are continuing to contribute some "hot" performances in January. Basketball continues to dominate the season but the winter sports of wrestling and swimming are also in mid-season this time of year. Even a handful of local athletes have started their spring sports campaigns with track meets and tennis.
That means college softball along with college and professional baseball are not far behind and -- as always -- we will keep you updated on the progress of our locals.
Here is the update for the week ending Sunday, January 20.
TRACK AND FIELD
SPENCER FIELDS — Rhodes College (Sr., Kingston, GA, Darlington HS)… won the men’s 3,000 meter run Sunday in 8:40.99 at the season-opening Emory Crossplex Invitational in Birmingham. Fields finished 1.62 seconds ahead of Lee University’s Ben Tabor in a field of 40 runners. The Lynx finished 7th of 31 teams. Rhodes competes again this Friday at the Arkansas State Invitational in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
ANNA HIGHTOWER — Georgia Tech (Sr., Cartersville HS)… the Jackets’ pole vaulter tied for 10th Saturday in a field of 31 competitors at the Vanderbilt Invitational in Nashville with a vault of 3.69m or 12 feet, 1.25 inches. Next for Georgia Tech is a trip to Clemson for the Bob Pollock Invitational.
SWIMMING
JORDAN BALDWIN — Life University (Fr., Woodland HS)… swam the third leg of Life’s 400 yard freestyle relay B-team that finished seventh and was 12th in the 100 yard breaststroke Saturday at the University of the Cumberlands Triple Dual with U of C, Lees-McRae College, and Bethel University. Life lost to LMC but defeated Bethel. Baldwin also competed in the 100 yard backstroke, but was disqualified. Next for Life is the Mid-South Conference Championships January 30-February 1 in Georgetown, KY.
KATIE LAWHORN — Life University (So., Adairsville HS)… placed 13th in the 50 yard freestyle Saturday (30.38) as the Runnin’ Eagles competed at the University of the Cumberlands with the hosts, Bethel University, and Lees-McRae College. Life travels to Georgetown College (KY) January 30-February 1 for the Mid-South Conference Championships.
DAWSON McCLURE — Life University (Fr., Woodland HS)… finished fifth in the 50 yard freestyle (23.76), eighth (1:07.16) in the 100 yard breaststroke, and was a member of Life’s seventh place 400-yard freestyle relay B-team Saturday at the University of the Cumberlands Triple Duals. Up next, Life travels to Georgetown College (KY) January 30-February 1 for the Mid-South Conference Championships.
WRESTLING
JAKE HUFFINE — Chattanooga (Jr., 133-lb. wt. class, Woodland HS)… won by major decision Sunday over Hunter Starner (10-0) as the Mocs defeated VMI 32-8 in a Southern Conference home match. Chattanooga will host Davidson next Sunday afternoon.
PRO BASKETBALL
A.J. MOSBY — Northern Arizona Suns (1st yr. pro; NBA G-League; G; Alcorn State; Cartersville HS)… scored two points in three minutes of playing time Tuesday during a 106-92 win at the Canton Charge. It was his first playing time since scoring three points with a rebound and one assist on January 6 in a home 113-105 loss to Sioux Falls. Mosby has made seven appearances and is averaging three points and one rebound. The Suns (6-24) have a home game Tuesday against the Salt Lake City Stars before traveling Friday and Saturday to the Texas Legends and the Oklahoma City Blue.
ELIJAH ROBINSON — Villa San Martin (1st yr. pro; Argentine League; Emmanuel College; Excel Christian Academy)… scored 20 points, collected four rebounds, and had one assist in his team’s 93-80 home loss Saturday to division-leading Hindu Club. Villa San Martin (10-7) is tied for second place in the Northern Conference’s North Division. They play at Santiago Del Estero Independiente Wednesday and host Obera Tennis Club Saturday.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
MARK CHESTER — Georgia Northwestern Tech (Fr., G, Cass HS)… had nine points and eight rebounds in an 81-67 loss Friday night at Emory-Oxford College. The Bobcats (3-10) host Campbellsville University-Somerset Tuesday night in Rossville and will play in the Welch College Flames Classic Friday and Saturday in Gallatin, Tennessee.
RYAN DAVIS — Francis Marion University (Sr., G, Cartersville HS)… Davis played all 40 minutes, scored 21 points, collected nine rebounds and doled out three assists in a 93-83 Peach Belt Conference win Wednesday night at Lander University. He then scored 16 points with nine boards, two steals, and three assists in a 72-69 win Saturday over Georgia Southwestern. FMU (11-2, 7-1) hosts Columbus State Monday afternoon and Augusta Wednesday night before traveling to Flagler College Saturday. All three games are against conference foes.
ASHTON HAGANS — University of Kentucky (Fr., G, Cartersville native; Newton HS)… scored a career-high 23 points last Tuesday in the Wildcats’ 69-49 blowout win at Georgia. He added five rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Saturday, Hagans finished with six points, seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals in an 82-80 win at Auburn. Kentucky (14-3, 4-1 SEC) hosts Mississippi State Tuesday night and Kansas Saturday night as part of the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.
WHITNEY HARRIS — Toccoa Falls College (Fr., G, Woodland HS)… failed to score, but had two rebounds and two assists Saturday in a 72-37 loss to Johnson University. She also scored three points and had one assist Thursday in an 86-40 loss at Webber International (FL). Toccoa Falls College (1-14) plays at Bob Jones University (SC) Tuesday, at Pensacola Christian (FL) Friday, and at Trinity Baptist College (FL) Saturday.
KIMORA McCLINIC — Middle Georgia State (So., G, Cartersville HS)… averaged 13 minutes of playing time and totaled three points, two rebounds, and one assist as the Knights split games at Florida College and Brewton Parker. McClinic has appeared in 14 games this season. MGSU (6-10, 2-7 Southern States Athletic Conference) hits the road for three conference games this week. The Knights play at Faulkner University (AL) Monday night, at Blue Mountain College (MS) Thursday, and at Bethel University (TN) Saturday afternoon.
JANA MORNING — Berry College (So., G, Cass HS)… scored a career high 30 points Friday night in a 69-64 win at Hendrix College (AR). Morning nailed seven three-pointers, grabbed two rebounds, and added one steal in the Southern Athletic Association victory. She scored 10 points with seven rebounds, two assists, and four steals as Berry beat Centre College (KY) last Tuesday and scored 18 points with eight rebounds Sunday in another Southern Athletic Association win at Rhodes College, 81-70. Berry (7-11, 3-4) hosts Hendrix and Rhodes this Friday and Sunday.
JONATHAN PRITCHETT — Vermont Tech CC (So., G, Woodland HS)… came off the bench and averaged over 24 minutes per game in three wins this past week as the Knights extended their six-game win streak. Tuesday, Pritchett scored 10 points with six assists, four rebounds, and two steals as the Knights defeated Maine-Machias CC 88-79. Friday, he scored eight points and had eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals in a 95-59 blowout of Central Maine CC. Saturday, he scored three points with three rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block as the Knights beat Maine-Augusta 87-71. Vermont Tech (15-6, 8-2 Yankee Small College Conference) plays all three games on the road this week traveling to New Hampshire Tech Tuesday, at Maine-Machias Saturday, and at Unity CC Sunday.
JOSIE SUMMERVILLE — North Park University (Fr., F, Adairsville HS)… in a start Saturday at Wheaton College (IL), Summerville played 24 minutes, scored two points, and grabbed seven rebounds during a 62-57 loss. The Vikings (7-11, 3-6 Collegiate Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) travel to Illinois Wesleyan Wednesday night and host North Central College (IL) Saturday.
DARIUS THROWER — Truett McConnell University (Jr., G, Excel Christian Academy)… scored five points and had one rebound in 12 minutes of playing time Saturday during a Bears’ 103-57 win over visiting Regent University (VA). He also played 21 minutes, scoring two points with one rebound and two steals last Wednesday in a home loss to NAIA 9th-ranked Union College (KY). TMU (11-9, 6-8) has a pair of Appalachian Athletic Conference games this week at Montreat College (NC) Wednesday and at Bluefield College (VA) Saturday
CARROD WATSON — University of North Georgia (R-Jr., F, Woodland HS)… scored three points and had three rebounds with two assists in a 128-91 loss Wednesday at Young Harris College. He also saw abbreviated playing time Saturday in an 85-73 loss at Augusta University. The Nighthawks (6-8, 1-7 Peach Belt Conference) play at Flagler College Monday afternoon, host Clayton State University Wednesday night, and travel to Georgia College Saturday afternoon.
TENNIS
PEYTON GOLLHOFER — Ball State University (Sr., Cartersville, GA, Laurel Springs Academy)… won her singles and doubles matches Monday as the Cardinals blanked visiting University of Dayton 7-0. Gollhofer defeated Natalie Allen of Dayton 6-3, 6-0 at Line 4 singles and paired with Isabelle Dohanics at Line 3 doubles to win 6-3 over Mary Brascia/Emily Zargham. Ball State travels to University of Louisville Friday and is at Northern Kentucky Saturday.
