The Daily Tribune News released its 2019 All-County Baseball Team Sunday with a trio of Cartersville players taking the Player, Hitter, and Pitcher of the Year slots. In total, twenty local players were recognized for their 2019 campaigns. PLAYER OF THE YEAR Preston Welchel, Sr., Cartersville HS, OF HITTER OF THE YEAR Josh Davis, Sr., Cartersville HS, Inf. PITCHER OF THE YEAR Mason Barnett, Sr., Cartersville HS ALL-COUNTY TEAM Ian Inaba, Sr., Cartersville HS Bryson Markley, Sr., Cass HS Logan Martin, Sr., Cartersville HS Gage Morris, Sr., Cartersville HS B.J. Roper, Sr., Adairsville HS Matt Shook, Soph., Cass HS Scotty Smith, Soph., Woodland HS Koby Stansel, Sr., Woodland HS Trace Still, Sr., Adairsville HS Bailey Ward, Sr., Woodland HS, Cohen Wilbanks, Sr., Cartersville HS HONORABLE MENTION Dallas Adams, Jr., Woodland HS Landon Ayers, Sr., Adairsville HS Blaine Ingram, Jr., Cass HS J.P. Martin, Sr., Cartersville HS Peyton Posey, Soph., Woodland HS Jordan Wilkie, Sr., Cartersville HS For details, please visit The Daily Tribune News

The Bartow County Little League and the Cartersville Little League were represented last weekend and early this week at the Georgia Little League Northwest Sectional Tournaments for Rookies (8U) and Sandlot (9U) levels. In the double-elimination Sandlot Division Tournament hosted by Cartersville Little League, the Bartow County Sandlot team finished third after falling to eventual runner-up Smyrna Red Tuesday night, 12-6. The Bartow team had a 10-6 elimination game win over Cartersville last Monday after falling Sunday in the opening round to Smyrna Red, 15-10. The Cartersville Sandlot team was narrowly defeated 6-4 by eventual champion Smyrna Blue in last Saturday’s opening round, but stayed alive Sunday with a one-sided 19-2 win over South Fulton. Smyrna Blue defeated Smyrna Red Wednesday for the Northwest Georgia Sectional Sandlot championship and advanced to the Georgia Rookie State Tournament July 14-16 in Warner Robins. The Cartersville Rookie Division team -- playing at Smyrna Little League -- dropped both of its games in that double-elimination tournament. Cartersville fell to eventual champion Smyrna Blue 13-5 in the locals’ opener and was outlasted by Smyrna Red 11-10 in their elimination game. The Cartersville Rookie team grabbed an early 3-0 lead in their opener and trailed only 6-4 through three innings, but Smyrna Blue scored seven times in the fourth inning to take control. In Game 2, the Cartersville Rookies raced to an early 6-1 lead, but Smyna Red scored six times in the bottom of the second and matched the locals in each of the following frames for a one-run win. Bartow County Little League did not have a team in the Rookie Division Northwest Georgia Sectional. Local highlights from the two tournaments and game capsules are listed below. Georgia Little League Northwest Georgia Sectional Rookie Division (8U) Smyrna Blue 13, Cartersville 5 Cartersville’s Will Groce was 3-for-3 including one double, one run scored, and one stolen base. Price Startup finished 2-for-3 with a double and one run scored. Colt Priest added a double and Walker Phillips contributed three stolen bases. Cartersville utilized four different pitchers in the loss — Startup, Priest, Phillips, and Easton Stephens. Smyrna Red 11, Cartersville 10 Cartersville managed only a pair of hits — one each from Colt Priest and Chris Parker — but battled and was either tied or ahead in every frame before suffering the one-run loss. The locals stayed in contention by taking advantage of a dozen walks and five Smyrna Red errors. Priest and Walker Phillips both added four stolen bases each to the offensive effort. Noah Leffew (3 IP, 8R, 6ER, 7H, 0BB, 3K) pitched the first three innings. Priest also pitched for Cartersville allowing three runs (two earned) on a pair of walks. Georgia Little League Northwest Georgia Sectional Sandlot Division (9U) Saturday, June 1 Smyrna Blue 6, Cartersville 4​​ Seven Cartersville players had one hit each including Brant Rutledge (double, RBI), Blake Genrich (RBI), Braden Slocumb (RBI), Asher Phillips, Dawson Ray River Wade, and Drake Bailey. Sunday, June 2 Smyrna Red 15, Bartow County 10 Bartow was paced by Nathaniel Jones’ 3-for-3 performance at the plate. Jones also scored three times with one RBI and a stolen base. Bryson Weaver (run, two stolen bases), Jackson Jarrett (run, stolen base, two RBI), and Huck Garlin (three runs, one stolen base) tossed in a pair of hits each. Hank Barfield (one run, one RBI), Dawson Warner (run scored), and Dustin Wallin added one hit apiece. Pitchers for Bartow were Alfredo Romo (0.1 IP, 6ER, 1H, 5BB) and Garlin (3.1 IP, 9R, 8ER, 10H, 2BB, 1K). Cartersville 19, South Fulton 2 Cartersville out hit South Fulton fifteen to one in a one-sided win. Eleven Cartersville players had at least one hit each including Avery Slye (2-for-2, 2 runs, 2 RBI, 2 stolen bases); Ramsey Dunn (2-for-3, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 2 stolen bases); Brody Jones (2-for-2, 2 runs, 1 RBI, 2 stolen bases); Braden Slocumb (2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI, 1 stolen base); Dawson Ray (double, 2 RBI, 1 stolen base); Blake Genrich (double, 2 runs, 1 RBI); Drake Bailey (double, 2 runs, 2 RBI); John Brady Nichols (triple, 2 runs, 2 RBI); Mason Davis (hit, 1 run); Brant Rutledge (hit, RBI); Asher Phillips (hit, 1 run); River Wade (1 run, 2 RBI). Dunn pitched all three innings for Cartersville allowing only two unearned runs on one hit with a pair of strikeouts. He did not issue a walk. Monday, June 3 Bartow County 10, Cartersville 6​​ Bryson Weaver picked up the pitching win for Bartow County with a complete game effort. He allowed four earned runs (six total) on six hits and three walks. Weaver fanned six. The Bartow offense posted four hits — one each from Huck Garlin (double, run scored), Jackson Johnson (one hit, two runs, two stolen bases), Mitchell Raughton (two runs, two RBI), and Alfredo Romo (double, run). Dawson Warner scored twice and stole a base. Nathaniel Jones scored a run and stole a base. Hank Barfield stole a base and Bryson Weaver added one run scored. Dawson Ray led Cartersville at the plate with a 3-for-3 performance that included a double, two runs, and a stolen base. Avery Slye (run, 2 RBI), Brant Rutledge (double, 3 RBI), and Mason Davis (double, RBI) added one hit each. Braden Slocumb contributed a run and stole a base. Blake Genrich scored one run. Pitchers for Cartersville included: Rutledge (0.2 IP, 4R, 3ER, 1H, 4BB), John Brady Nichols (1.2 IP, 2R, 0ER, 0H, 2BB, 5K), and Brody Jones (1.2 IP, 4R, 1ER, 3H, 1BB, 4K). Tuesday, June 4 Smyrna Red 12, Bartow County 6 Bartow got hits from Huck Garlin (run scored), Jackson Jarrett (triple, RBI, two runs), and Bryson Weaver (triple, 2 RBI, run). Nathaniel Jones scored a run and stole two bases. Dawson Warner stole a base and scored a run. Pitchers for Bartow included Mitchell Raughton (0.1 IP, 7ER, 2H, 4BB, 1K) and Jarrett (3 IP, 5ER, 7H, 4BB, 2K). 2019 Cartersville Rookie Roster: Blake Forstie, Will Groce, Bowen Hardy, Parker Huth, Noah Leffew, Cade McFarland, Cash Meadows, Chris Parker, Walker Phillips, Colt Priest, Kolston Privett, Price Startup, and Easton Stephens. Manager: Drew Startup. Assistant Coaches: Chris Huth and T.J. Leffew. 2019 Cartersville Sandlot Roster: Drake Bailey, Mason Davis, Ramsey Dunn, Blake Genrich, Brody Jones, Fisher Nelson, John Brady Nichols, Asher Phillips, Dawson Ray, Brant Rutledge, Braden Slocumb, Avery Slye, and River Wade. Manager: Nick Wade. Assistant Coaches: Clint Rutledge and Sam Bailey. 2019 Bartow County Sandlot Roster: Alfredo Romo, Bryce Patterson, Cooper Rampley, Dawson Warner, Dustin Wallin, Brody Lingerfelt, Isaiah Craig, Bryson Weaver, Nathaniel Jones, Jackson Jarrett, Hank Barfield, Mitchell Raughton, Kasey Jacobs, and Wyatt “Huck” Garlin. Manager: Kyle Barfield. Assistant Coaches: Brandon Jarrett and Heath Garlin. Little League results are provided to Bartow Sports Zone by Bartow County Little League and Cartersville Little League. The game data is shared by the leagues via GameChanger reports from the respective teams and/or leagues. Results and capsules are sponsored on Bartow Sports Zone by Play It Again Sports and CiCi's - Beyond Pizza, both located in the Cartersville Main Street - Cherokee Place Shopping Center.

The Bartow County Parks and Recreation Department is offering a youth volleyball camp June 17-21 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. each morning. The camp is for ages 7-14 and will be at the Houston Suggs Gymnasium at Hamilton Crossing Park. The camp fee is $75. Registration is available online at www.bartowga.org or call 770-387-5149 for more information.

USA Today Sports released its list of the nation's best quarterbacks Wednesday with former Cartersville High School signal caller Trevor Lawrence of Clemson University at the top of the list. For more on the story and the complete list of quarterbacks, visit USA Today Sports at this LINK.

Former Cass High standout Sierrah Gani concluded her Georgia Highlands career a few weeks back, but was recognized Tuesday at the national level for her outstanding sophomore season with the Chargers. Gani was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association’s All-South Region Second Team. At the end of her sophomore campaign, Gani announced that she would continue her academic career at nearby Kennesaw State University, but would not continue her athletic career. She was also a First Team Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association selection in the Chargers’ conference and was named to the All-Academic GCAA team as well. Gani hit for a .463 batting average this past season with a .500 on-base percentage and a .626 slugging percentage. She had 42 RBI and played in all 44 games.

The Cartersville High School volleyball program will host a youth camp for rising 3rd through 8th graders on July 25-26 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Camp details, registration information, and contact information for Canes’ volleyball coach Dutch Cothran are included below.

Cartersville High School baseball has two youth baseball camp sessions planned for this summer. Camp I will be June 26-28 and Camp II July 24-26. Both are scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon each day at the Cartersville Little League Fields. Details and registration information may be found below. Hurricanes' head coach Kyle Tucker may be reached via email at KyleT1035@gmail.com.

A pair of former left-handed pitchers from Cartersville High produced solid results for their respective teams this past week. At the collegiate level, Elliott Anderson earned a win in the Atlanta Regional on Friday to propel Auburn into the Super Regionals for the second consecutive year. A few notches up the rung in Triple-A, Sam Howard had arguably his best week of the season, thus far, working three scoreless outings in the span of six days. Both former Canes will look to build upon the success this coming week. Auburn will head to Chapel Hill to face North Carolina with a trip to Omaha and the College World Series on the line. Howard and his Albuquerque teammates will hope to turn things around during an upcoming road swing, which ironically includes a three-game set in Omaha. PRO BASEBALL SAM HOWARD -- Albuquerque Isotopes (6th yr. pro; LHP; Triple-A Pacific Coast League; Georgia Southern; Cartersville HS)... Howard made three scoreless appearances out of the bullpen this past week. His first showing was an abbreviated one last Monday, as he faced just two batters in the top of the ninth inning of a 12-5 loss. The first hitter reached before he retired the subsequent batter. Howard threw a clean eighth inning — with a pair of strikeouts — in a 7-5 win over Reno on Thursday. He came back two days later to toss 1 2/3 innings of relief, again against Reno. He gave up one hit and issued a walk but countered with two strikeouts to keep the Aces at bay in an 11-6 defeat. CONNOR JUSTUS -- Mobile BayBears (4th yr. pro; Inf.; Double-A Southern League; L.A. Angels' organization; Georgia Tech; Cartersville HS)... Justus saw his hitless streak continue through the duration of last week. The versatile defender hasn't had a hit since May 24. In nine games since then, Justus is 0-for-30 with three walks, two runs scored and two steals. His week started out well enough. Tuesday, he went 0-for-1 with a walk and a hit-by-pitch. The following day, Justus finished 0-for-3 but drew a walk to lead off the ninth. He came around to score on a two-run, go-ahead homer in a 2-1 win over Jacksonville. COLLEGE BASEBALL ELLIOTT ANDERSON -- Auburn University (Jr., LHP, Cartersville HS)... Anderson earned the win on the mound in the Atlanta Regional opener Friday afternoon, helping Auburn get its perfect weekend off on the right foot in a 16-7 win over Coastal Carolina. The left-hander entered a 2-2 game in the fifth inning. Anderson hit the first batter he faced, but he proceeded to retire eight of the next nine batters. In the meantime, the Tigers built a 9-2 lead. That's why it didn't hurt nearly as much when Anderson gave up consecutive walks and a three-run homer with one out in the seventh inning. The junior departed at that point, but Auburn maintained the lead to allow Anderson to improve his record 6-2 on the season. DEVIN WARNER -- Auburn University (Fr., Inf/OF, Cartersville HS)... Warner didn't see any action in the Atlanta Regional, as Auburn went 3-0 with a win over Coastal Carolina and a pair of victories over host Georgia Tech — the No. 3 national seed. Friday's win over the Chanticleers involved plenty of offensive fireworks in a 16-7 triumph. Saturday's matchup with the Yellow Jackets involved late drama. The Tigers scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth, including a three-run walk-off homer on an 0-2 pitch to reach the regional championship. Auburn held Georgia Tech to just three hits in a 4-1 win to move on to the Super Regionals for the second straight season. The Tigers will face 14th-seeded North Carolina in Chapel Hill this coming weekend in a best-of-three set for a spot in the College World Series.

Four Cartersville High School baseball players were selected for Class AAAA All-State honors by Georgia Dugout Preview. Senior pitcher Mason Barnett, senior second baseman Josh Davis, and senior center fielder Preston Welchel were named to the All-State First Team in Class AAAA. Senior pitcher Logan Martin was selected Honorable Mention All-State. The Hurricanes finished 28-6 in 2019, won Region 5-AAAA, and made the state quarterfinals in Class AAAA.

Former Excel Christian Academy standout and Columbus State University men's basketball player Rudy Winters has signed a professional contract with San Salvador, a member of Liga Superior, located in El Salvador. Winters, who played two seasons for the Cougars from 2016-18, will report immediately as San Salvador is in the midst of the 2019 Liga Superior schedule. "Rudy deserves this," said CSU men's basketball coach Robert Moore on csucougars.com. ”He never quit on his dream of becoming a professional basketball player and he now gets that chance to show his talents. I know for a fact that Rudy will continue to have that hunger to accomplish more and to make the Columbus State community proud wherever he goes,” Moore concluded. Current Excel coach Shannon Boatfield, who was a teacher at the school during Winters' time there, said it's great to see former Eagles be able to compete professionally. He also hopes it serves as a source of inspiration for his current and future players. “I do think that his success shows the current and future Eagles that players at Excel can move to the next levels,’” Boatfield said. “Excel can still be the right foundation in your sport to help you accomplish dreams.” With Winters’ signing, 12 former Columbus State University Cougars have inked pro deals over the last six seasons while 14 former CSU student-athletes making it to pro teams since the summer of 2010. Winters' time at CSU was cut short after appearing in just five games in his junior season due to injury, but the wing showed his skills over 23 games in 2017-18 averaging 13.7 points on a 45.5 percent shooting clip from the floor for the Cougars. He showed his ability to knock down the three making twenty from beyond the arch while also chipping in 4.8 rebounds per game.

Kyle Gollhofer, a 2019 graduate of Woodland High School, was named the 2018-19 Atlanta-Journal Constitution High School Player of the Year for wrestling across all classifications this week. Gollhofer went undefeated his senior season (52-0) and won his fourth individual state title, becoming the first wrestler in Bartow County history to accomplish the feat. The University of Northern Iowa signee also helped lead the Wildcats to team state championships in both the team duals and traditional formats in 2018-19. Gollhofer won the Class AAAAA individual championship in the 120-pound weight class as a senior. He was also a 120-pound state champion as a junior. His sophomore season state title came in the 113-pound division and was a 106-pound champion his freshman year. Gollhofer is ranked the No. 4 senior prospect nationally in the 120 division, according to IntermatWrestle.com.

Coach Mike Tobin of Cartersville High School boys basketball will host the Take It To The Hoop Basketball Camp of Champions June 17-19 at the CHS Storm Center. The Camp is for Grades 1-9 and will run from 8 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. each day. The cost is $65 and includes a camp t-shirt. Please see the additional information below which includes contact information for Coach Tobin.