Former Woodland stars Henson and Smith open NCAA D-I Championships as high ranking seeds
March 17, 2025
Former Woodland High School wrestlers Caleb Henson and Jaxon Smith enter the 2025 NCAA Division I Championship as top seeds beginning Thursday in Philadelphia. A Virginia Tech junior, Henson is the No. 1 seed in the 149-pound weight class. Smith, a redshirt junior at the University of Maryland, is the No. 8 seed in the 184-pound division.
This week’s update includes pro basketball, MLB spring training, collegiate beach volleyball, tennis, golf, softball, and baseball highlights.
CHINA CBA — PRO BASKETBALL
ASHTON HAGANS — Xinjiang Flying Tigers (6th yr. pro; Cartersville native; University of Kentucky; Newton HS) … the Flying Tigers were 3-1 last week with Hagans, age 25, scoring a total of 33 points with 25 assists, 10 rebounds, and five steals. Xinjiang lost to Guangdong but defeated Shenzhen, Fujian, and Guangzhou. The Flying Tigers play Zhejiang on Tuesday and host Sichuan on Saturday. Xinjiang is 29-11 this season and currently in third place in the 20-team league.
MLB SPRING TRAINING
ANTHONY SEIGLER — Milwaukee Brewers organization (8th-yr. pro; Cartersville HS) … the 25-year-old infielder appeared as a pinch hitter on March 11, coaxed a walk, and played defensively at second base in a 9-7 win over the Chicago Cubs. This past Saturday, he was entered as a pinch runner and played second base in an 8-0 win over the Oakland Athletics.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
LAUREN LAWSON — University of South Carolina (So., Cartersville HS) .. paired with teammate Kristen Schenck and won their Line 5 match 21-14, 21-15 in the Gamecocks’ 5-0 win over College of Charleston this past Sunday at the Carolina Challenge in Columbia. The duo also paired for a 21-3, 21-11 victory in an extra match played in the Gamecocks 3-2 win last Saturday with UNC-Wilmington. For the season, Lawson is 5-1 in matches for USC. South Carolina (8-5) travels to Phoenix to play UTEP, Grand Canyon, Washington, and Arizona State on March 28-29 in the ASU/GCU Invitational.
TENNIS
EMILY BUSH — University of North Georgia (Jr., Cartersville HS) … in four team matches at the Scenic City Showcase in Chattanooga, Bush went 2-2 at Line 3 doubles with teammate Renata Morales. Bush also went 2-0 in Line 5 singles matches. UNG lost to Lee University and Catawba but defeated Lees-McRae and Belmont Abbey. The Nighthawks (9-4, 1-0 Peach Belt Conference) host 18th-ranked University of West Florida on Tuesday.
EMILY SURCEY — Samford University (Sr., Cass HS) … lost her Line 1 singles matches 2-6, 2-6 at College of Charleston and 4-6, 3-6 at Charleston Southern University as the Bulldogs lost 3-4 to Charleston and 0-4 to Charleston Southern on March 11 and 13. Samford (7-7) visits UNC Greensboro on Saturday and Western Carolina on Sunday.
BRYCE VAN ORDER — Piedmont University (Grad student, Woodland HS) … in action at the Orlando, Florida, Spring Break by USTA, Van Order lost 2-6, 2-6 at Line 2 in a 6-1 Lions’ win over Wheaton College (IL) on March 11. He lost 5-7, 2-6 at Line 2 in a 5-2 victory over Millsaps College (MS), and lost 6-7, 3-6 at Line 3 in a 1-6 team loss to Carthage College (WI) on March 12. As a team, Piedmont was 4-2 at the Orlando event. The Lions (9-5) host Maryville College (TN) on Saturday.
GOLF
BRODY TIDWELL — Georgia State University (So., Cartersville HS) … carded rounds of 70-76 (4-over-par) and tied for 28th as an individual as the Panthers finished fifth of 17 teams at The Surf Club Invitational hosted by Appalachian State University on March 10-11 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Georgia State is back in action at the Linger Longer Invitational on March 16-18, in Greesboro, Georgia.
WRESTLING
CALEB HENSON — Virginia Tech (Jr., Woodland HS) … Henson is the No. 1 seed in the 149-pound weight class when the NCAA Division I Championships begin Thursday in Philadelphia. He received the only first-round bye in the 31-man bracket.
JAXON SMITH — University of Maryland (R-Jr., Woodland HS) … Smith is the No. 8 seed in the 31-man, 184-pound weight class when the NCAA Division I Championships begin Thursday in Philadelphia.
BASKETBALL
CLAIRE DAVIS — Kennesaw State University (Jr., Cass HS) … scored three points and blocked one shot in the Owls’ 73-46 loss to Middle Tennessee State University in the Conference USA Tournament in Huntsville. KSU finished the year with a 13-18 record.
JA’KA’YAH DRAUGHN — Chattanooga State CC (So., Cartersville HS) … scored 11 points with four rebounds and three assists in a 60-55 win over Columbia State CC on March 10. She scored 17 points with one rebound, one steal, and one assist in a 58-49 loss to Walters State CC. Both games were at the NJCAA Region VII Tournament. The Tigers finished the season with a 21-11 record. They await the announcement of the NJCAA National Tournament bracket.
ZION HAYES — Weatherford College (Fr., Cass HS) … scored six points in the Coyotes’ 76-66 tournament loss to New Mexico Junior College. Weatherford was eliminated at the NJCAA Region V tournament in Waco, Texas. The Coyotes’ season ended with a 20-11 record.
SOFTBALL
KILEY ARNOLD — Shorter University (So., Cartersville HS) … went 0-for-2 at the plate in two starts at third base as the Hawks lost 8-2 and 7-6 on March 12 in a home doubleheader with Emmanuel University (GA). Shorter (4-17, 1-3 Conference Carolinas) has conference doubleheaders at UNC Pembroke on Friday and Francis Marion University (SC) on Saturday.
HAYLEE DISHMON — Georgia Highlands College (So., Cass HS) … went 2-for-3 with a double and one run scored, but the Chargers lost both games of a doubleheader this past Friday at Gordon State College. The Chargers (19-9, 0-2) visit Wallace State CC-Hanceville on Tuesday and host Georgia Military College on Saturday in doubleheaders.
PEYTON DORN — Brewton Parker College (Fr., Woodland HS) … made a six-inning pitching start and was tagged with the loss this past Saturday in a 3-0 home loss to Middle Georgia State. Dorn was also 0-for-2 at the plate as a hitter. She allowed one earned run on four hits and two walks in the circle. The Barons (9-12-1, 4-4) play Indiana University-South Bend and Dallas Christian College on Monday in the Space Coast Tournament in Cocoa Beach, Florida. They then play a doubleheader at Faulkner University (AL) on Friday afternoon.
MEGAN GREGORY — Campbell University (So., Adairsville HS) … made a five-inning pitching start and collected a win in the circle as the Fighting Camels beat North Carolina A&T this past Saturday 12-3. Gregory gave up three runs (two earned) on four hits, one walk, and one hit batsman. She struck out six. Campbell (18-7, 6-0 Coastal Athletic Association) visits Queens University (NC) for a doubleheader on Tuesday and travels to Towson University (MD) for a three-game conference series on Friday through Sunday.
ANSLEY HIGHT — Reinhardt University (So., Cass HS) … went 1-for-5 with a home run, two RBI, two walks, and scored two runs as the Eagles won 4-1 and 5-3 last Thursday at Columbia International University. Reinhardt (11-7, 8-4 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visits the University of Pikeville (KY) on Thursday and Kentucky Christian University on Saturday for AAC doubleheaders.
ALYSSA JARRETT — Piedmont University (So., Adairsville HS) … in two home starts against Asbury University (KY) last Friday, Jarrett was 1-for-4 with one sacrifice fly and one RBI. The Lions (11-9, 2-0 Collegiate Conference of the South) host conference doubleheaders on Saturday with Agnes Scott College and Sunday with Wesleyan College.
SADYE JOHNSON — University of North Georgia (Sr., Adairsville) … made plate appearances March 12 at home against Union University (TN) and last Saturday against Georgia Southwestern University. She was 0-for-1 with one walk. The Nighthawks (24-4, 9-0 Peach Belt Conference) have won 17 straight games. They play a doubleheader at Wingate University (NC) on Tuesday and travel to Flagler College (FL) for a three-game conference series on Saturday and Sunday.
ERYN LEE — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cass HS) … went 1-for-4 with four walks, scored two runs, and stole one base in two wins at Columbia International University last Thursday. The Eagles (11-7, 8-4 Appalachian Athletic Conference visit the University of Pikeville on Thursday and Kentucky Christian University on Saturday.
RACHAEL LEE — Valdosta State University (Jr., Cass HS) … the Blazers’ left fielder went 3-for-13 in a weekend series sweep at Delta State University. Lee had one homer, one double, one walk, two runs scored, and two RBI. Valdosta State (14-11, 10-4 Gulf South Conference) extended their seven-game win streak. They host the University of Montevallo (AL) for a three-game conference series on Saturday and Sunday.
AVA PERKINS — Lee University (So., Cartersville HS) … the Flames won two games at King University (TN) on March 12. They lost all three games of a home weekend series with Mississippi College. Perkins walked twice and scored a run but was 0-for-10 at the plate. Lee (16-12, 4-10 Gulf South Conference) hosts a three-game series with Christian Brothers University (TN) on Friday and Saturday.
ALEXIS WOODS — Tennessee State University (So., Cass HS) … in a home win over Bucknell on March 12 and a doubleheader split with Southern Indiana last Friday, the Tigers shortstop was 3-for-10 with one triple, one sacrifice hit, one run scored, and three RBI. Tennessee State (12-8, 3-2 Ohio Valley Conference) has a three-game conference series on Saturday and Sunday at Lindenwood University (MO).
BASEBALL
CURT BONNER — LaGrange College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … the Panthers’ left fielder went 5-for-13 with two doubles, three RBI, six runs scored, and was hit by a pitch in three wins last Thursday and Friday at home over Asbury University (KY). LaGrange (11-7, 3-0 Collegiate Conference of the South) visits 25th-ranked Emory University on Tuesday before hosting Covenant College for three conference games on Friday and Saturday.
HARRISON CHILDERS — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (So., Cartersville HS) … made a start at second base and went 1-for-4 at the plate in a 7-4 loss at Faulkner University (AL) last Friday. He also started both games of a doubleheader at Faulkner University (AL) last Sunday and was 1-for-4, scoring one run. ABAC (16-9, 8-7 Southern States Athletic Conference) faces Florida Memorial and Trinity Baptist College on Tuesday in Jacksonville before hosting a three-game SSAC series with Blue Mountain Christian University on Friday and Saturday.
CALEB DANIEL — Georgia Tech (Fr., Cartersville HS) … appeared in three games last week at home — wins over Georgia State and Pitt and a Sunday loss to Pitt. Daniel went 4-for-11 at the plate, including one home run, two RBI, two walks, one hit by pitch, and scored three runs. The Yellow Jackets (16-4, 4-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) host Gardner-Webb University on Tuesday and play a three-game ACC series at Notre Dame on Friday through Sunday.
MICAH EARWOOD — Southeastern University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … took the mound in the eighth inning last Thursday and pitched 3-⅓ innings with no decision in an eventual 11-7 win over Warner University (FL) in 13 innings. Earwood allowed no runs on three hits and two walks, facing 12 batters. The NAIA No. 1-ranked Fire (23-3, 2-2 The Sun Conference) has a four-game conference series with 7th-ranked Webber International University on Thursday through Saturday.
ELLIOTT EASTIN — Covenant College (R-So., Cartersville HS) … the Scots dropped two of three games at home with Huntingdon College this past Friday and Saturday, but Eastin was 6-for-10 at the plate with one walk and one run scored in three starts in center field. Covenant (10-6, 1-2 Collegiate Conference of the South) hosts Oglethorpe University on Tuesday and plays three games at LaGrange College on Friday and Saturday.
COLIN EATON — East Tennessee State University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … faced four batters in an 8-6 loss at the University of Georgia on March 11 and nine batters in a 5-4 home win over Longwood University this past Saturday. Eaton totaled 2-⅓ innings in the relief appearances and allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks. The Buccaneers (15-4) visit No. 1-ranked Tennessee on Tuesday and host Samford University on Friday through Sunday in the opening weekend of Southern Conference play.
RYAN FARR — Kentucky Christian University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … faced nine batters in a 1-⅓ inning relief appearance last Friday and a 5-0 loss at Tennessee Wesleyan University. Farr allowed two runs (one earned) on one hit and three walks. He struck out one and committed one error. The Crusaders (11-12, 2-10 Appalachian Athletic Conference) visit Alice Lloyd College (KY) on Wednesday before hosting a three-game AAC series with 11th-ranked Reinhardt University on Friday and Saturday.
DAVID JINKS — University of Maine-Augusta (Fr., Excel Christian Academy) … was the starting and winning pitcher in the second game and went 1-for-7 at the plate and scored one run in a doubleheader split this past Saturday against Maine-Presque Isle in Lynn, Massachusetts. On the mound, Jinks allowed one earned run on three hits and four walks in a seven-inning, complete game performance. He struck out four. The Moose (2-9) will play a doubleheader with Roxbury CC on Saturday in Franklin, Massachusetts.
COLT McKIBBEN — Lee University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … picked up his second win of the season with a seven-inning start this past Saturday at home against Mississippi College. McKibben did not allow a run on two hits with no walks and fanned six of 23 batters faced. He also retired the final out of the fifth inning on March 11 in a 2-0 victory at Carson-Newman University. The Flames (13-13, 6-9 Gulf South Conference) will host 20th-ranked Young Harris College on Tuesday before traveling to Memphis for a three-game conference series at Christian Brothers University on Friday and Saturday.
SAM MELTON — Guilford College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … went 1-for-3 with one RBI and scored two runs on March 11 in a 15-12 home win over Montclair State (NJ). He also made a seventh-inning pitching appearance in a 9-8 victory over Westminster College (PA). On the mound, Melton allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits with one strikeout and no decision. The Quakers (11-3, 2-2 Old Dominion Athletic Conference) host Greensboro College on Tuesday, Averett University on Wednesday, and visit the 4th-ranked University of Lynchburg (VA) on Saturday for a doubleheader.
LUKE MILLER — Columbus State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … went 2-for-4, including a home run, four RBI, one walk, and was hit by a pitch in a 14-2 win on March 11 at Auburn University Montgomery. This past weekend, Miller was 1-for-8 with a double, two walks, and scored two runs as the Cougars were swept in a three-game series at Lander University (SC). CSU (10-13, 2-7 Peach Belt Conference) visits Valdosta State University on Tuesday before hosting a three-game conference series with USC Aiken on Friday through Sunday.
AYDEN RAY — USC Lancaster (Fr., Woodland HS) … went 0-for-3 in a start at first base on March 12 at Francis Marion Univeristy JV and a 3-1 win. The Lancers (11-16, 6-6 NJCAA Region 10) host Southeastern-Whiteville on Wednesday and visit Gaston College for three games on Saturday and Sunday.
HANK SMITH — University of West Georgia (R-So., Cartersville HS) … made two starts at catcher last Friday and Saturday in home games against Queens University (NC). Smith was 1-for-6 at the plate with a triple, one walk, and one run scored. The Wolves (9-9, 1-2 Atlantic Sun Conference) host Georgia State University on Tuesday and travel to Fort Myers for a three-game conference series at Florida Gulf Coast University Friday through Sunday.
SCOTTY SMITH — Covenant College (Sr., Woodland HS) … made a four-inning start with no decision last Friday, facing 19 batters. He did not allow a run on four hits and three walks. Smith struck out three. The Scots (10-6, 1-2 Collegiate Conference of the South) will entertain Oglethorpe University on Tuesday and travel to LaGrange College for three conference games on Friday and Saturday.
PRESTON WELCHEL — Cumberland University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … went 4-for-16 in four games last week. The Phoenix lost at home to Tennessee Wesleyan University on March 11 and won two of three games at Lindsey Wilson College (KY) on Thursday and Friday. Welchel walked three times and was hit by one pitch. He scored six runs and drove in two. Cumberland (21-6-1, 2-1 Mid-South Conference) hosts Johnson University (TN) on Tuesday and Bethel University (TN) for three games on Friday and Saturday.
DAVIS WILLIAMS — University of West Georgia (R-So., Cartersville HS) … made a ninth-inning pitching appearance last Saturday in a 6-3 home win over Queens University. Williams did not allow a run on one hit and one walk with one strikeout. The Wolves (9-9, 1-2 Atlantic Sun Conference) host Georgia State University on Tuesday and travel to Fort Myers for a three-game conference series at Florida Gulf Coast University Friday through Sunday.
SAWYER WILSON — Columbus State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … made a two-inning start with no decision in the Cougars’ 14-2 victory on March 11 at Auburn University Montgomery. Wilson allowed two earned runs on three hits and one hit batsman. CSU (10-13, 2-7 Peach Belt Conference) visits Valdosta State University on Tuesday before hosting a three-game conference series with USC Aiken on Friday through Sunday.
Comments