Athletes Beyond Bartow: Benham remains on the Bevo Francis Award list and set a scoring record at Berry
February 24, 2025
Athletes Beyond Bartow is a weekly overview of the achievements of local athletes competing at professional and collegiate levels nationwide.
GYMNASTICS
ABIGAIL BUNCH — Rhode Island College (Jr., Cass HS) … tied for fourth on the uneven bars with a 9.375 score and was fifteenth on the balance beam with a 9.550 as the Anchorwomen won a tri-meet over Southern Connecticut State University and Springfield College on Sunday in Springfield, Massachusetts. RIC's final regular season meet is on Sunday in Providence at Brown University.
WRESTLING
ANGEL BANDA — Reinhardt University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … reached the 125-pound division finals of the Appalachian Athletic Conference Championships this past weekend at Life University in Marietta and qualified for the NAIA National Tournament March 6-8 in Wichita, Kansas. Banda and teammate Lee Camp did not wrestle in the championship match since both qualified for the national tournament. Banda was named conference champion and Camp runner-up.
LEE CAMP — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cass HS) … qualified for the NAIA National Championship Tournament in Wichita, Kansas, on March 6-8 by reaching the 125-pound weight class title match of the Appalachian Athletic Conference this past weekend at Life University in Marietta. Camp and Reinhardt teammate Angel Banda did not wrestle in the finals since both had qualified for the national tournament. Camp was also named the AAC Freshman of the Year.
CALEB HENSON — Virginia Tech (Jr., Woodland HS) … Henson, nationally ranked No. 1 in the 149-pound weight class, defeated his opponent 5-1 as the 10th-ranked Hokies defeated the 7th-ranked NC State Wolfpack last Friday in Blacksburg to gain of share of the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season title. Virginia Tech (9-2, 5-1) will be in the ACC Championships on March 9 at Duke.
TYLER-XAVIER McKNIGHT — Davidson College (So., Cass HS) … won his first career tournament this past Sunday by sweeping four consecutive bouts to capture the 149-pound division of the Davidson Wildcat Open. In his four bouts, McKnight recorded a tech fall, two decisions, and a pin in the first 98 seconds of the final. The Wildcats will compete next in the Southern Conference Championships on March 7-8 in Asheville, North Carolina.
JAXON SMITH — University of Maryland (R-Jr., Woodland HS) … won his 184-pound bout by a 14-4 major decision last Friday in the Terrapins’ 23-13 win at Drexel University. Smith is ranked 11th nationally in his weight class. Maryland heads to the Big Ten Conference Championships on March 8-9, hosted by Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.
BASKETBALL
BRAXTON BENHAM — Berry College (Sr., Cass HS) … remains one of the Top 50 Players to watch for the Bevo Francis Award by Small College Basketball after the list was cut in half since mid-January. The award goes to the top players in NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, USCAA, and NCCAA. Benham, a 6-1 senior, is averaging almost 23 points and five rebounds per game with 138 assists and 55 steals. He recently became the Vikings’ all-time leading scorer in Berry’s NCAA Division III era. Berry will host the Southern Athletic Association conference tournament and Oglethorpe University on Friday at 5 p.m. in the semifinals. The conference title game is slated for Saturday at 5 p.m.
NA’YEL CAMPER — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … totaled four points, two assists, two rebounds, and one steal in wins last week at home over Truett McConnell University 78-66 and at Columbia College (SC) 70-59. The Eagles (21-7) are seeded third in the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament and will face sixth-seeded Bryan College in the quarterfinals on Thursday in Kingsport, Tennessee. The tournament continues through Saturday.
JA’KA’YAH DRAUGHN — Chattanooga State CC (So., Cartersville HS) … totaled 15 points, three rebounds, three assists, and one steal in the Tigers’ one-sided wins last Thursday at Motlow State CC and home this past Saturday over Dyersburg State CC. Chattanooga State (17-10, 12-6 Tennessee Community College Athletic Association) visits Roane State CC on Wednesday and hosts Columbia State CC on Saturday.
ANSLEY GRIFFIN — North Carolina Wesleyan (Fr., Cartersville HS) … saw action in a home loss to Brevard College (74-67) and a win at Salem College (72-45) this past weekend. She totaled three points, one steal, and one rebound. The Battlin’ Bishops (15-8, 12-4 USA South Athletic Conference) are the No. 3 seed in the conference tournament that begins on Tuesday in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The Bishops play sixth-seeded Meridith College (NC) on Tuesday in the quarterfinals.
ZION HAYES — Weatherford College (Fr., Cass HS) … scored 11 points and had three rebounds this past Saturday in a 73-62 home loss to Temple College. The Coyotes (17-9, 8-5 North Texas Junior College Conference) host Grayson College on Wednesday and travel to Cisco College on Saturday.
HALEY JOHNSON — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cass HS) … has made three consecutive starts and totaled eight points, seven rebounds, two steals, and one assist in two wins last week. The Eagles beat visiting Truett McConnell University 78-66 and won at Columbia College (SC) 70-59. Third-seeded Reinhardt (21-7, 17-5 Appalachian Athletic Conference) plays in the conference tournament quarterfinals against sixth-seeded Bryan College on Thursday in Kingsport, Tennessee.
KEARA McDaniel — Toccoa Falls College (Jr., Cass HS) … scored seven points with three assists, two rebounds, and one steal on February 18 in a 79-56 home win over Warren Wilson College (KY). This past Saturday, she had three rebounds, one assist, and one steal in a 65-64 loss at Clinton College (SC). The Screamin’ Eagles (13-12) are ranked No. 5 and await their seeding and placement in the National Christian College Athletic Association postseason.
TJ PRINTUP — Tusculum University (So., Adairsville HS) … in losses last week at Mars Hill University and at Newberry College, Printup totaled 13 rebounds, six points, and one blocked shot. The Pioneers (6-20, 6-16 South Atlantic Conference) host UVA-Wise on Wednesday and Anderson University (SC) on Saturday.
MEGAN SCHULTZ — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (Fr., Woodland HS) … saw brief action last week with no stat line in the Fillies’ losses to Brewton-Parker College and at Thomas University. ABAC finished the season 5-22 overall and 0-16 in the Southern States Athletic Conference in their transition season from JUCO to NAIA.
LONDAISHA SMITH — St. Andrews University (Sr., Cass HS) … in two games last week, Smith totaled 41 points, ten rebounds, six steals, three assists, and two blocked shots. The Knights won 72-68 at home over Montreat College (NC) and lost 81-64 at Bluefield University (VA). St. Andrews (11-18, 7-15 Appalachian Athletic Conference) did not qualify for the tournament. Smith averaged 13.5 points and six rebounds per game in her senior season.
ALISSA WINTERS — Truett McConnell University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … the Bears suffered losses last week to the University of Pikeville (KY), Reinhardt University, and Tennessee Wesleyan University. Winters totaled seven points, six rebounds, five steals, and three assists. TMU (12-16, 9-13 Appalachian Athletic Conference) is the No. 9 seed in the AAC Tournament and plays eighth-seeded Columbia College on Wednesday in the opening round. The tournament continues through Saturday.
TRACK AND FIELD
JOE WOMACK — Furman University (Fr., Cartersville resident, Darlington HS) … finished 20th (51.93) in the 400-meter dash last Saturday at the University of South Carolina Invitational. Next for the Paladins is the Southern Conference Indoor Championship in Lexington, Virginia, on Friday and Saturday.
TENNIS
EMILY BUSH — University of North Georgia (Jr., Cartersville HS) … at the ITA Indoor Championship in Indianapolis, Bush was on the losing end of three Line 3 doubles sets with partners Carolina Reis and Victoria Niox-Chateau as the Nighthawks finished 1-2 against three top ten ranked teams. Each of her singles matches went unfinished. UNG beat 7th-ranked Flagler College in the quarterfinals, lost to 5th-ranked Midwestern State in the semifinals, and lost to 3rd-ranked Embry-Riddle in the Third Place Match. North Georgia visits Augusta University on Sunday in Peach Belt Conference action.
EMILY SURCEY — Samford University (Sr., Cass HS) … lost her Line 1 singles match 6-3, 6-3 and dropped a 7-6 Line 1 doubles set with partner Sara Erenda this past Sunday as the Bulldogs lost to visiting University of South Alabama 4-1. Samford (6-3) plays at Western Kentucky on Wednesday and hosts Troy University on Friday.
BRYCE VAN ORDER — Piedmont University (Grad student, Woodland HS) … the Lions lost to Rhodes College 4-2 and Hendrix College (AR) 4-3 this past weekend in matches in Memphis. Van Order dropped a Line 2 singles match 6-0, 6-2 against Rhodes and a Line 3 singles match 6-2, 6-4 against Hendrix. He was also on the short end of Line 3 doubles sets with partners Rohan Kavali and Connor Phelps. Piedmont hosts Truett McConnell University on Thursday.
SOFTBALL
KILEY ARNOLD — Shorter University (So., Cartersville HS) … went 2-for-8 with two doubles, one walk, four RBI, and two runs scored last week in two losses at Columbus State University and two home wins over Wesleyan College. Shorter (4-10) hosts Carson-Newman University for a doubleheader on Monday.
HAYLEE DISHMON — Georgia Highlands College (So., Cass HS) … went 11-for-20 at the plate with one home run, one triple, one walk, and 12 RBI last week as the Chargers swept a doubleheader over Cleveland State CC and swept a four-game home series with USC Union. Dishmon also stole five bases in the six games. GHC (17-1) has won 13 straight and will host Calhoun CC on Tuesday and Chattanooga State CC on Friday in doubleheaders.
PEYTON DORN — Brewton Parker College (Fr., Woodland HS) … made an appearance at third base and was 0-for-1 in a 10-2 win at Point University this past Saturday. The Barons (8-7-1, 3-1 Southern States Athletic Conference) host Thomas University (GA) for a conference doubleheader on Saturday.
MEGAN GREGORY — Campbell University (So., Adairsville HS) … pitched 9-⅔ innings with no decision last Friday in an eventual 8-5 loss to Fairfield University at the Georgia Southern University GATA Classic. Gregory scattered eight hits and one walk and did not allow an earned run in the extra innings game. She struck out 12. At the same tournament last Saturday against the hosts, she allowed one earned run on three hits and two walks in 5-⅔ innings with no decision in the circle. Gregory fanned two. The Camels (9-5) finished 2-3 in Statesboro with a win over Fairfield and Oakland University (MI). Campbell plays a doubleheader at NC State on Wednesday and has a three-game home series with North Carolina Central on Friday and Saturday.
ANSLEY HIGHT — Reinhardt University (So., Cass HS) … went 3-for-7 with two doubles and one RBI during a doubleheader split on February 17 at Middle Georgia State. The Eagles (3-1, 2-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) have doubleheaders this week with Georgia Gwinnett College, Spartanburg Methodist, Montreat College, Union Commonwealth University (KY), and Middle Georgia State.
ERYN LEE — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cass HS) … went 1-for-3 and had two stolen bases in a 5-0 loss on February 17 at Middle Georgia State. The Eagles also won the second game of that doubleheader. Reinhardt (3-1, 2-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visits Georgia Gwinnett College on Tuesday, hosts Spartanburg Methodist on Wednesday, travels to Montreat College (NC) on Thursday, hosts Union Commonwealth University (KY) on Saturday, and entertains Middle Georgia State on Sunday.
RACHAEL LEE — Valdosta State University (Jr., Cass HS) … went 3-for-10 and was hit by a pitch as the Blazers went 1-2 at home this past weekend against Trevecca Nazarene University. Lee scored three runs and stole one base in the series. VSU (6-10, 2-3 Gulf South Conference) has a three-game conference series on Saturday and Sunday at Alabama-Huntsville.
AVA PERKINS — Lee University (So., Cartersville HS) … went 2-for-7 with three walks, one solo home run, and scored three runs as the Flames won two of three home games this past weekend against Alabama-Huntsville. Lee (9-4, 2-3 Gulf South Conference) hosts Lincoln Memorial University for two games on Wednesday and plays a three-game conference series on Friday and Saturday at Auburn University-Montgomery.
BASEBALL
ROWAN BILLINGS — Berry College (So., Woodland HS) … pitched the fifth inning this past Saturday with no decision in a Vikings’ 17-9 win at Pfeiffer University (NC). Billings allowed no runs on one hit and one walk, facing five batters. Berry (7-3) went 3-0 last Thursday through Sunday at the D-III Showcase in Kannapolis, North Carolina, with additional wins over Swarthmore College (PA) and Susquehanna University (PA). The Vikings play a three-game home series against Belhaven University (MS) on Friday and Saturday.
CURT BONNER — LaGrange College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … went 5-for-15 at the plate in three starts this past weekend against visiting Endicott College (MA) as the Panthers picked up one win. Bonner had one homer, triple, and walk and was hit by one pitch. He scored four runs. LaGrange (4-5) hosts Emory University on Tuesday night and has a three-game home series with North Carolina Wesleyan University on Saturday and Sunday.
HARRISON CHILDERS — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (So., Cartersville HS) … made four starts at second base and went 7-for-18 in a home victory over Thomas University, three games at Brewton-Parker College, and two wins. Childers had one home run, two doubles, and scored four runs. The Stallions (9-5, 3-3 Southern States Athletic Conference) play a doubleheader on Tuesday at Paine College and will host the University of Mobile for a three-game series on Friday and Saturday.
CALEB DANIEL — Georgia Tech (Fr., Cartersville HS) … went 4-for-12 at the plate in two starts at second base and one in left field this past weekend as the Yellow Jackets won two of three against Marshall with one game remaining in the series on Monday afternoon. Daniel had two doubles and was hit by one pitch. Georgia Tech (6-1) hosts the University of West Georgia on Wednesday and a three-game series with Western Michigan University on Friday through Sunday.
ELLIOTT EASTIN — Covenant College (R-So., Cartersville HS) … went 5-for-14 with two doubles, four RBI, and two runs scored this past weekend in a three-game home sweep of the College of Wooster (OH). The Scots (5-1) will host Bob Jones University (SC) for three games on Friday and Saturday.
COLIN EATON — East Tennessee State University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … picked up a pitching win with a 1-⅓ inning appearance this past Saturday as the Buccaneers beat Miami (OH) 2-1. Eaton retired all four batters he faced and struck out three. ETSU (5-2) hosts Appalachian State on Tuesday and will play Siena University (NY) and Binghamton University (NY) for two games each on Friday through Sunday.
GEOFFREY GORE — Bevil State CC (So., Cartersville HS) … retired the final out of the third inning and the first out of the fourth inning last Friday with no decision in an 8-6 loss at Coastal Alabama-North. Gore allowed three runs (one earned) on two hits and one walk. The Bears (4-8, 2-2 Alabama Community College Conference) host East Central CC on Monday, a doubleheader with Wallace-Dothan CC on Thursday, and travel to Wallace-Dothan for two games on Saturday.
RYAN JOHNSON — Georgia Tech (Fr., Cartersville HS) … struck out the only two batters he faced in the ninth inning to close out an 11-6 win over visiting Marshall University on Sunday. The Yellow Jackets wrapped up their four-game series with the Thundering Herd on Monday and will host West Georgia on Wednesday before a home three-game weekend series with Western Michigan.
COLT McKIBBEN — Lee University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … earned a three-inning save this past Saturday in a 5-0 home win over Alabama-Huntsville. He did not allow a run or a hit but did issue one base on balls. The Flames (9-5, 3-3 Gulf South Conference) visit North Greenville University on Tuesday and will play a three-game conference series on Friday and Saturday at Auburn University Montgomery.
SAM MELTON — Guilford College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … picked up a pitching win with a two-inning relief appearance on February 18 as the Quakers beat visiting Southern Virginia 13-8. Melton retired six of eight batters faced in the sixth and seventh innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out one. Guilford (4-0) visits Pfeiffer University (NC) on Tuesday, William Peace University (NC) on Wednesday, and has a doubleheader at Brevard College (NC) on Saturday.
LUKE MILLER — Columbus State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … went 3-for-6 with one RBI on February 18 in a 9-8 extra innings home win over Valdosta State University. The Cougars (5-5) host Middle Georgia State on Tuesday, Albany State University on Wednesday, and the University of North Georgia for a series on Friday through Sunday.
TREY SCOTT — Alabama A&M University (Sr., Cass HS) … made a four-inning start with no decision this past Saturday in a 7-4 loss to Grambling State in Vero Beach, Florida. He faced one batter in the fifth inning and was lifted with the score tied 3-3. Scott yielded one earned run on two hits, five walks, and one hit batsman. He struck out three of the 20 batters faced. The Bulldogs (2-5) play at the University of Memphis on Tuesday and visit Atlanta on Friday through Sunday for a three-game series at Georgia State University.
HANK SMITH — University of West Georgia (R-So., Cartersville HS) … went 2-for-3 in a start at catcher this past Saturday during a 4-2 home loss to Ohio University. The Wolves (4-2) visit Georgia Tech on Wednesday and will host Eastern Kentucky and Mississippi Valley State on Saturday and Sunday.
SCOTTY SMITH — Covenant College (Sr., Woodland HS) … made a five-inning start and earned his second pitching victory of the season this past Saturday in an 8-4 home win over the College of Wooster (OH). Smith allowed three earned runs on three hits, two walks, and two hit batsmen. He struck out four. The Scots (5-1) host Bob Jones University for a three-game series on Friday and Saturday.
PRESTON WELCHEL — Cumberland University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … in a win at Tennessee Southern on February 18 and a three-game series sweep this past weekend at Spartanburg Methodist, Welchel was 9-for-18 at the plate. He had one homer, double, five walks, and was hit by a pitch. The outfielder/DH had nine RBI and scored seven runs. The Phoenix (10-3-1) host Tennessee Southern on Tuesday and four games with Michigan Dearborn University on Saturday and Sunday.
