Athletes Beyond Bartow: Updates for basketball, softball, and baseball
On the college hardwood this week, former Cartersville standout Ryan Davis continued a solid senior season and has Francis Marion in contention for a national Top 25 spot. Bartow County native Ashton Hagans of the Kentucky Wildcats set a personal career high for assists against Mississippi State Saturday and former Lady Colonel Jana Morning and her Berry Vikings remained on a hot streak. Meanwhile, Elijah Robinson had a big week for his team in the Argentine League.
On the softball diamond, former Cass standout Sierrah Gani continued her hot start at the plate for Georgia Highlands College and a pair of college baseball locals also had big weeks.
Bailey Campbell who prepped at Cass had a huge game for Young Harris and former Cartersville Hurricane pitcher Harrison Osborn won his second game in as many starts for Point University.
NOTE: Other winter and spring sport 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' for this week will be updated in a separate article.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
MARK CHESTER — Georgia Northwestern Tech CC (Fr., G, Cass HS)… scored six points in a 93-56 win last Tuesday over The Crown College (TN). He also contributed eight points Friday in an 88-62 home loss to Emory-Oxford College. GNTCC (5-15) hosts Georgia Gwinnett College Tuesday night and plays next Saturday afternoon at West Georgia Tech CC.
RYAN DAVIS — Francis Marion University (Sr., G, Cartersville HS)… the Patriots starting guard played all but seven minutes of FMU’s two wins this week. He contributed six points, four rebounds, one assist, and two steals in a 92-89 win at 4th-ranked USC-Aiken. He also had 13 points, six boards, two steals, and an assist Saturday in a 107-98 home win over Clayton State. Davis has started all 20 games this season and is averaging 15.5 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. The Patriots (16-4, 12-3 Peach Belt Conference) have been just outside the Top 25 all season, but could move into the NCAA D-II national rankings this week. They host Lander University Wednesday night and travel to University of North Georgia Saturday afternoon.
ASHTON HAGANS — University of Kentucky (Fr., G, Cartersville, GA; Newton HS) … totaled 10 points, four rebounds, 13 assists, and four steals in a pair of SEC wins this week. The 5th-ranked Wildcats beat South Carolina at home Tuesday and edged Mississippi State 71-68 on the road Saturday. Hagans averaged over 30 minutes in the two games and his nine assists at Mississippi State was a career high. Kentucky (20-3, 9-1 Southeastern Conference) has won 10 straight heading into Tuesday night’s home game with 21st-ranked LSU and Saturday night’s tilt with No. 1 Tennessee.
WHITNEY HARRIS — Toccoa Falls College (Fr., G, Woodland HS)… scored six points and grabbed three rebounds Saturday in a 74-53 loss at USCAA 4th-ranked Johnson & Wales University (NC). She also finished with three points, two steals, and one rebound Thursday night in a 78-26 loss at Covenant College. TFC (3-23) stays in North Carolina for a Monday night game at Warren Wilson College before hosting Pensacola Christian College (FL) Friday. The Screaming Eagles will then participate in the National Christian College Athletic Association South Region Tournament in Pensacola, Florida starting February 21.
CARTER HEDDEN — Hocking CC (Fr., G, Cass HS)… scored six points with two assists and one steal last Wednesday in a 112-69 home loss to Edison State CC. The Hawks also dropped a 106-52 decision at home Saturday to Cuyahoga CC. Hocking (7-16, 3-10 NJCAA D-3 Region 10) travels to Sinclair CC Wednesday night and has a divisional game at Owens CC Saturday afternoon.
KIMORA McCLINIC — Middle Georgia State University (So., G, Cartersville HS)… had a total of nine points and seven rebounds in two games this past week, both home losses. The Knights fell to William Carey University 76-55 and Loyola-Louisiana 82-70. MGSU (7-15, 3-12 Southern States Athletic Conference) host Faulkner (AL) Monday night before traveling to University of Mobile Thursday and Stillman College Saturday.
JANA MORNING — Berry College (So., G, Cass HS)… led four Vikings in double figures with 22 points Friday night as Berry won at University of the South 87-80. She added eight assists, four rebounds, and a steal in the win. Then on Sunday, Morning played all but two minutes and scored 12 points with seven rebounds and an assist during a 47-40 win at Centre College (KY). Berry has now reeled off nine straight wins and sits at 13-11 overall and 9-4 in conference action. That is good enough for third place in the Southern Athletic Association with one game remaining in the regular season Saturday at Oglethorpe University in Atlanta. The SAA tournament begins February 22 at campus sites.
JONATHAN PRITCHETT — Vermont Tech CC (So., G, Woodland HS)… provided a spark for the Knights Saturday in a 74-70 home win over Southern Maine CC. Pritchett came in off the bench to knock down 10 points, dish three assists, and grab two rebounds. VTCC (20-8, 12-3 Yankee Small College Conference) also won Sunday at Paul Smith’s College. Pritchett scored two points, collected three rebounds with three assists and two steals. The Knights wrap up the regular season Tuesday night with a home game against Green Mountain College.
JAYLON PUGH — Furman University (Fr., G, Cartersville HS)… made his only shot attempt — a three-pointer — in just two minutes of playing time off the bench Thursday night in the Paladins’ 64-45 win at Western Carolina. He then made his only field goal attempt Saturday in a three-minute appearance as Furman routed East Tennessee State 91-61. Furman (20-5, 9-4 Southern Conference) continues to receives Top 25 votes and plays UNC-Greensboro at home Thursday night before entertaining Virginia Military Saturday.
JOSIE SUMMERVILLE — North Park University (Fr., F, Adairsville HS)… started the Vikings only game this week, a 63-51 home loss to Carthage College (WI). In 29 minutes of playing time, Summerville grabbed 11 rebounds and scored seven points. She also added two blocks, two steals, and one assist. NPU (8-15, 4-10 CCIW) hosts Elmhurst College Wednesday night and travels to Millikin University (IL) Saturday.
DARIUS THROWER — Truett McConnell University (Jr., G, Excel Christian Academy)… in three games this past week, Thrower averaged 11 minutes off the bench scoring just over four points. He also grabbed a pair of rebounds and had one assist with one steal. The Bears lost at home to Milligan College 75-68, but won a home matchup with St. Andrews University (NC) 78-73 and a road contest at Tennessee Wesleyan University 83-70. TMU (14-12, 9-11 Appalachian Athletic Conference) plays games this week at Allen University (SC) Tuesday, at Bryan College (TN) Thursday, and at home against Reinhardt University Saturday night. The AAC Tournament begins February 21 in Kingsport, Tennessee.
CARROD WATSON — University of North Georgia (R-Jr., F, Woodland HS)… made a pair of brief appearances at Columbus State Wednesday in an 86-76 loss and at USC-Aiken Saturday during a 92-75 loss. Watson made his only shot attempt — a three-pointer at Columbus State — and had one assist at USC-Aiken. UNG (8-13, 3-12 Peach Belt Conference) entertains Young Harris College Wednesday night, Francis Marion University Saturday afternoon, and UNC-Pembroke Sunday.
PRO BASKETBALL
ELIJAH ROBINSON — Club Atletico Villa San Martin (1st yr. pro; Argentine League; F; Emmanuel College; Excel Christian Academy)… In a pair of narrow home wins this past week, Robinson totaled 32 points, 16 rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Villa San Martin beat Atletico Echague Parana 89-88 and outlasted Union de Santa Fe 85-83. Villa San Martin (14-8) remains in third place in the Northern Conference North Division with road games Monday at Olimpico Ceres and Wednesday at Sportivo America.
SOFTBALL
SARAH FOX — Agnes Scott College (Fr., Inf., Cass HS)… starting at shortstop, Fox was 3-for-6 at the plate including a triple, two runs scored, two RBIs, and a stolen base as the Scotties lost twice to Brenau College Sunday. ASC (0-2) hosts doubleheaders Friday and Sunday against Point University and West Georgia Tech CC.
SIERRAH GANI — Georgia Highlands CC (So., 2B, Cass HS)… went 12-for-15 (.800) with nine RBIs, two doubles, a triple, and a stolen base as the Chargers defeated Spartanburg Methodist and Harford CC Saturday but lost games Sunday to Calhoun CC and Cleveland State CC. Gani was also perfect defensively with no errors. She was named GCAA Player of the Week by the conference office. GHC (5-5) will play eight games this Friday through Sunday at the Sun Chief Classic in Gulf Shores, AL.
HANNAH KNAPP — Talladega College (Jr., OF, Adairsville HS)… was 0-for-4 with a walk in two games reported this weekend from the Auburn University Montgomery tournament. The Tornadoes (0-3) had three shutout losses — two to AUM and one the Brewton Parker College. Talladega hosts a doubleheader with Tennessee Wesleyan Tuesday and plays at Blue Mountain College (MS) Friday.
PARIS POSTON — Columbus State University (Fr., OF, Cartersville HS)… went 0-for-4 in a 6-2 Cougars loss at North Greenville University Friday and walked in a pinch hitting appearance Saturday during a 5-2 loss at Limestone College. CSU (0-3) will host the Cougar Classic this Friday and Saturday and will square off against Albany State, Embry-Riddle University, and Union University (TN).
HANNAH TODD — Kansas University (So., P, Cartersville HS)… made a pair of appearances Friday and Saturday at the Kajikawa Classic hosted by Arizona State University. Todd yielded eight earned runs on nine hits and eight walks in five innings of work Friday against 25th-ranked Oregon during a 14-5 loss. She then recorded one out and allowed a pair of earned runs on three walks and a hit batter in a 14-6 loss to 12th-ranked Arizona State. The Jayhawks (0-5) will seek their first win of the season this weekend at the Diamond 9 Citrus Blossom Invitational in Kissimmee, FL where they will face UMass, Iowa, Providence, Bethune-Cookman, and Missouri. TAYLOR WAITS — Brewton Parker College (Jr., OF, Cartersville HS)… went 0-for-3 in a pair of games Friday afternoon and Saturday in a 10-2 loss to Spring Hill College and an 8-0 loss to AUM at the Auburn University Montgomery Invitational. BPC also had a 9-0 win over Talladega College (no individual stats available) and a 10-2 loss to Montreat College (NC) in the event. The Barons (2-4) play at Thomas University Monday and at USC-Beaufort Saturday. ANNALYN YANTIS — Samford University (Sr., P, Cartersville HS)… made a pair of appearances in the circle this past weekend totaling nine innings. Yantis allowed five earned runs on eight hits and one walk while fanning three in an 8-0 loss at McNesse State. She also tossed six innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits and two walks during a 5-0 loss at home to Campbell University. She struck out five. The Bulldogs (1-4) host a doubleheader with North Alabama Wednesday and will also host the Samford Classic this weekend where they will face Depaul, Georgia State, and Eastern Illinois in a five-game schedule.
BASEBALL
LEVI AYERS — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., RHP, Cartersville HS)… made a one inning appearance last Wednesday during a 17-3 home win over Brewton Parker College. He did not allow a hit or a run while recording one walk and one strikeout. Ayers also made a one inning appearance in the ninth inning Sunday during a 10-3 loss to Walters State CC. He did not allow a run while issuing one walk and recording one strike out. GHC (8-3) plays a doubleheader Monday at LaGrange College and will host a three-game set with Lincoln Trail CC Friday and Saturday at LakePoint.
BAILEY CAMPBELL — Young Harris College (So., 1B, Cass HS)… went 4-for-5 with a pair of doubles and three RBI last Wednesday at Anderson University as the Mountain Lions won 13-10 in 14 innings. He also was hit by a pitch in that game to reach base five times. Campbell then went 0-for-6 in first two games of a three-game set at Shorter University over the weekend — an 8-3 loss Friday and a 2-1 win Saturday. YHC (3-4) hosts Tusculum University Tuesday afternoon before opening the Peach Belt Conference schedule at Lander Friday through Sunday.
CARRINGTON EVANS — Augusta University (R-So., OF, Cartersville HS)… had a tough week at the plate going 0-for-7 in two starts and a pinch-hitting appearance. Augusta won a home game with Anderson University (SC) Wednesday, but was swept in a three-game series with conference foe Francis Marion Saturday and Sunday. The Jaguars (3-4) host 40th-ranked UNC-Pembroke in a three-game Peach Belt Conference series this Friday through Sunday.
LANE GRIFFITH — University of West Georgia (Jr., C, Adairsville HS)… went 1-for-3 and scored a run Sunday as the Wolves took a second game in their three-game home series with Bellarmine University (KY). UWG (2-5) hosts Georgia College Wednesday and Shorter University in a three-game Gulf South Conference series Friday through Sunday.
HARRISON OSBORN — Point University (So., RHP, Cartersville HS)… tossed six innings and picked up the win Saturday as the Skyhawks won at NCAA D-II Auburn-Montgomery, 13-8. Osborne allowed only one earned run (3 total) on five hits and three walks. He fanned three and improved to 2-0 on the season with a 2.38 ERA. Point (7-1) hosts West Alabama in a doubleheader Tuesday before traveling to University of Mobile for a three-game series Friday and Saturday.
TRISTIN SMITH — Young Harris College (Sr., Inf., Adairsville HS)… made an appearance as a pinch hitter and played second base while going 2-for-4 with a run scored in last Wednesday’s 13-10 win at Anderson University (SC). He then started at second base Friday and was 0-for-2 in an 8-3 loss at Shorter University. The Mountain Lions (3-4) host Tusculum University Tuesday afternoon before opening their Peach Belt Conference schedule at Lander University Friday through Sunday.
TYLER WASHINGTON — Young Harris College (Sr., OF, Adairsville HS)… started in left field and went 1-for-4 with a run scored Saturday in a 9-5 loss at Shorter University. He also made an unsuccessful pinch hitting appearance last Wednesday at Anderson University in a Mountain Lions win. Young Harris (3-4) entertains Tusculum University Tuesday prior to starting their Peach Belt Conference campaign Friday through Sunday at Lander University.
