Athletes Beyond Bartow: Updates on local collegiate and pro athletes with ties to Bartow County

January 6, 2025

The holiday season slowed down schedules for a while, but our local collegiate and professional athletes and their teams are rolling back into action as we move into 2025.

CHINA — CBA PRO BASKETBALL

ASHTON HAGANS — Xinjiang Flying Tigers (5th yr. pro; Cartersville native; University of Kentucky; Newton HS) … totaled 21 points with 25 assists, ten steals, and seven rebounds as the Flying Tigers lost to Shanxi this past Sunday 115-110, beat Sichuan 100-94 last Friday, and lost to Shandong 111-107 earlier in the week. Xinjiang (19-7) is in third place in the 20-team league standings. The Flying Tigers have games with Nanjing, Fujian, and Nanjing this week.

WRESTLING

JABRIL WILLIAMS — Midway University (Graduate Student, Cartersville HS) … went 3-1 and placed third in the 165-pound bracket this past Saturday at the Fairmont State University (WV) Open. Midway hosts Cumberland (TN) University on Wednesday night.

JAXON SMITH — University of Maryland (R-Jr., Woodland HS) …  ranked No. 10 as an individual in the 184-pound weight class, Smith defeated his Columbia opponent 7-4, topped his Lock Haven opponent 12-2 in a major decision, but lost a 4-3 decision to his Binghamton opponent in a tri-meet this past Sunday in Albany, New York. The Terrapins kick off Big Ten Conference action this weekend at Michigan on Friday and Michigan State on Sunday.

BASKETBALL

NA’YEL CAMPER — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … scored eight points and grabbed three rebounds with three steals and two assists as a starter this past Saturday in an 81-63 home win over Bluefield University (VA). The Lady Eagles (12-3, 7-1 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visit Johnson University (TN) on Tuesday night and host Kentucky Christian on Saturday afternoon,

ANSLEY GRIFFIN — North Carolina Wesleyan (Fr., Cartersville HS) … had one assist this past Saturday in the Battlin’ Bishops’ 72-38 blowout win at home over William Peace University (NC). Wesleyan (5-6, 2-2 USA South Athletic Conference) plays at Greensboro College on Tuesday and Meredith College on Saturday.

HALEY JOHNSON — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cass HS) … scored four points and collected four rebounds with two assists and one steal this past Saturday in an 81-63 home win over Bluefield University (VA). Reinhardt (12-3, 7-1 Appalachian Athletic Conference) travels to Johnson University (TN) on Tuesday night and hosts Kentucky Christian on Saturday afternoon.

T.J. PRINTUP — Tusculum University (So., Adairsville HS) … saw his first action of the season this past Saturday in a 73-70 home loss to Limestone University. Printup finished with seven points and five rebounds in 16 minutes off the Pioneers’ bench. Tusculum (3-10, 3-6 South Atlantic Conference) has conference games this week at Emory & Henry University (VA) and Anderson University (SC) on Wednesday and Saturday.

MEGAN SCHULTZ — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (Fr., Woodland HS) … had two rebounds and one assist this past Saturday in the Fillies’ 78-69 home loss to Thomas (GA) University. ABAC (5-10, 0-4 Southern States Athletic Conference) hosts the University of Mobile and Life University on Thursday and Saturday.

LONDAISHA SMITH — St. Andrews University (Sr., Cass HS) … scored 13 points with nine rebounds, two steals, and one assist this past Saturday in an 81-57 loss at Bryan College (TN). The Lady Knights (5-9, 2-6 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visit Columbia International University on Tuesday and host Johnson University (TN) on Thursday.

ALISSA WINTERS — Truett McConnell University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … grabbed eight rebounds and scored five points with four assists and two steals in the Bears’ 63-53 loss this past Saturday at Montreat College (NC). TMU (6-7, 4-4 Appalachian Athletic Conference) hosts Bryan College (TN) on Tuesday and the University of Pikeville on Saturday.