Athletes Beyond Bartow: A weekly update on local athletes nationwide and worldwide
January 14, 2025
This week’s update is for athletes with local connections nationwide and worldwide at the collegiate and pro level.
CHINA — CBA PRO BASKETBALL
ASHTON HAGANS — Xinjiang Flying Tigers (5th yr. pro; Cartersville native; University of Kentucky; Newton HS) … in losses last week to Fujian and Nanjing, Hagans totaled 14 points, 18 assists, eight rebounds, and two steals. Xinjiang (20-9) has slipped to fifth place in the 20-team pro league. The Flying Tigers play at Jiangsu and host Guangzhou this week.
WRESTLING
ANGEL BANDA — Reinhardt University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … went 3-1 in bouts wrestling at 125 pounds and 133 pounds as the Eagles finished third at the NAIA Virginia Duals this past weekend in Hampton, Virginia. Banda had a pair of tech fall wins and one win by pin. Reinhardt defeated Davis & Elkins College (WV), Johns Hopkins University (MD), and Ferrum College (VA). The tournament loss was to the eventual champion, Kutztown University (PA). The Eagles return to the mat Thursday at the Emmanuel University Duals. They will also participate in the Southeastern University Open on Saturday in Lakeland, Florida.
LEE CAMP — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cass HS) … went 3-0 in his bouts as the Eagles finished third at the NAIA Virginia Duals. Camp recorded 125-pound wins in Reinhardt’s victory over Johns Hopkins and loss to Kutztown. He added a major decision win at 133 pounds in the Eagles’ third-place match victory over Ferrum. Reinhardt wrestles at the Emmanuel University Duals on Thursday and the Southeastern University Open on Saturday.
KYLE GOLLHOFER — University of Northern Iowa (Sr., Woodland HS) … lost a 4-2 decision in his 125-pound bout, but the 7th-ranked Panthers defeated 14th-ranked South Dakota State 31-3 this past Saturday to win the NWCA National Dual Meet Championship in Cedar Falls, Iowa. UNI also defeated Sacred Heart, Ohio University, and Northern Colorado in the tournament. The Panthers travel to Tempe, Arizona to face Arizona State on Friday and will participate in the Iowa State Cyclone Open on Sunday.
BRYCE KRESHO — Franklin & Marshal College (Jr., Cass HS) … went 4-1 in his 141-pound bouts and placed fifth this past weekend at the David Lehman Open hosted by the Diplomats, where 23 D-I schools were represented. Kresho’s wins were against Kent State, Harvard, American University, and Long Island opponents. Franklin & Marshall hosts an EIWA conference dual on Saturday against Binghamton.
TYLER-XAVIER McKNIGHT — Davidson College (So., Cass HS) … went 5-3 on January 5-6 in the 149-pound bracket at the 23-team Chattanooga Southern Scuffle to place sixth. McKnight and teammate Tyson Sherlock became the first Wildcats in seven seasons to place at the tournament. The team scored 30.5 points at the Scuffle to register a new program best in that event. McKnight is now 20-7 this season. The Wildcats will host the Davidson Duals on Saturday.
EAIDEN NEAL — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … dropped his only bout at 133 pounds in a team win over Davis & Elkins this past weekend at the Virginia Duals in Hampton. The Eagles went 3-1 as a team to place third. Reinhardt heads to the Emmanuel University Duals on Thursday and will participate in the Southeastern University Open on Saturday.
JAXON SMITH — University of Maryland (R-Jr., Woodland HS) … won his 184-pound bout Saturday as the visiting Terrapins upset 10th-ranked Michigan in Ann Arbor, 19-18, on criteria. Smith, ranked 11th nationally as an individual, won a 4-1 decision in his bout. On Sunday, he pinned his opponent at Michigan State in the first period as the Terps toppled the Spartans 27-11. Maryland, now 2-0 in the Big Ten, hosts Wisconsin on Friday night.
ANETRA WITHERSPOON — Life University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … the Eagles won the 2025 NWCA National Duals this past weekend with wins over Missouri Baptist University, Campbellsville University (KY), University of Providence (MT), and Grand View University (IA). Witherspoon won her only 207-pound bout in Life’s 48-0 victory over Missouri Baptist. The Eagles host Lindsey Wilson College (KY) and Presbyterian College on Wednesday.
BASKETBALL
BRAXTON BENHAM — Berry College (Sr., Cass HS) … scored 23 points with eight assists, six rebounds, and two steals last Thursday in an 81-78 home loss to Sewanee-University of the South (TN). This past Sunday, Benham finished with three points, eight assists, five rebounds, four steals, and one blocked shot in a 91-68 home victory over Centre College (KY). The Vikings (8-7, 1-1 Southern Athletic Association) host Oglethorpe University on Wednesday and travel to Millsaps College (MS) for a Saturday conference tilt.
NA’YEL CAMPER — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … scored two points and added two steals and one assist Tuesday, January 7, in a 67-59 win at Johnson University (TN). Reinhardt (13-3, 9-1 Appalachian Athletic Conference) plays at Brenau University on Wednesday and plays Montreat College (NC) on the campus of UNC-Asheville on Saturday.
CLAIRE DAVIS — Kennesaw State University (Jr., Cass HS) … did not have stat lines but saw brief floor time last Thursday and Saturday in the Owls’ home losses to Middle Tennessee (59-47) and Western Kentucky (72-62). KSU (5-9, 0-3 Conference USA) seeks to snap a four-game skid Thursday at Sam Houston. The Owls also play at Louisiana Tech on Saturday.
JA’KA’YAH DRAUGHN — Chattanooga State CC (So., Cartersville HS) … scored nine points with four assists, two rebounds, and two steals on Wednesday, January 8 in a 66-39 home win over Motlow State CC. The Tigers (10-5, 6-1 Tennessee Community College Athletic Association) play at Dyersburg State CC on Saturday.
ANSLEY GRIFFIN — North Carolina Wesleyan (Fr., Cartersville HS) … did not have stat lines but saw brief action in the Bishops’ wins at Greensboro College on January 7 and Meredith Colege this past Sunday. North Carolina Wesleyan (7-6, 4-2 USA South Athletic Conference) hosts Methodist University on Wednesday night and Pfeiffer University on Saturday.
ZION HAYES — Weatherford College (Fr., Cass HS) … collected three rebounds in losses to Collin County CC on January 8 and at McLennan CC this past Sunday. The Coyotes (7-7, 0-2 North Texas Junior College Conference) visit Hill College on Wednesday and host Southwestern Christian College on Saturday.
ZYON HEATH — LaGrange College (Fr., Woodland HS) … saw action in a 96-65 road loss on January 7 at Belhaven University. Heath had two rebounds and two assists. The Panthers (4-11, 0-3) host Maryville College (TN) and Asbury University (KY) this weekend.
HALEY JOHNSON — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cass HS) … grabbed four rebounds and added one assist and one point Tuesday, Jan. 7, in the Lady Eagles’ 67-59 win at Johnson University (TN). Reinhardt (13-3, 9-1 Appalachian Athletic Conference) plays at Brenau University on Wednesday and plays Montreat College (NC) on the campus of UNC-Asheville on Saturday.
MEGAN SCHULTZ — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (Fr., Woodland HS) … collected two rebounds last Thursday (Jan. 9) in a 79-54 home loss to the University of Mobile. The Fillies (5-11, 0-5 Southern States Athletic Conference) host Tennessee Southern on Thursday and Blue Mountain Christian on Saturday.
LONDAISHA SMITH — St. Andrews University (Sr., Cass HS) … totaled 24 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, four steals, and one blocked shot as the Lady Knights won at Columbia International University but lost at home to Johnson University (TN) last week. St. Andrews (6-10, 3-7 Appalachian Athletic Conference) hosts Winston Salem State on Monday, visits Truett McConnell University on Wednesday, and entertains Bluefield University (VA) on Saturday.
ALISSA WINTERS — Truett McConnell University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … scored four points with one rebound and one assist on January 7 in a 52-49 Lady Bears’ home win over Bryan College (TN). She added six points, four rebounds, and one steal on Monday in a 43-32 victory at Toccoa Falls College. TMU (8-7, 5-4 Appalachian Athletic Conference) hosts St. Andrews University on Wednesday and plays at Johnson University (TN) on Saturday.
