Updated local GHSA region basketball standings (per GHSA, December 14, 2017)

The Cass Lady Colonels routed East Paulding Wednesday night in Dallas, 89-49. Cass led 20-13 after one quarter, 45-22 at the intermission, and 70-42 through three periods. Payton Stoddard led thirteen Lady Colonels in the scoring column with 15 points. Lyric Curtis also reached double figures with 11. Alexis Ware totaled nine points, followed by seven each from Kyler Trouten and Ariana Hames. Kyla Michienzi, Sharia Wade, Amber Brittian, and Brianna Stephenson scored six points each. Damia Simpson posted four points. Aaliyah Curtis and Londaisha Smith added two points apiece. Kimberlyn Black and Alex Boydstone led East Paulding with 15 and 13 points, respectively. The Lady Raiders are now 1-4 overall and 0-3 in Region 7-AAAAA. Cass (3-1, 2-1) opens play in the Central-Carroll Christmas Tournament Thursday at 4 p.m. against Mt. Zion-Carroll. The tournament continues with games on Friday and Saturday. CASS BOYS 69, EAST PAULDING 55 The Colonels broke open a tight game Wednesday night in the fourth quarter by outscoring the host Raiders 21-6 in the final eight minutes on their way to a 69-55 victory at East Paulding. Cass utilized a balanced scoring attack with four players reaching double figures. Justice Hayes led the Colonels with 16 points. He was followed by Carter Hedden with 14, Mark Chester with 13, and Ashton Burley with 12 points. Steven Spell added six points. Markeldrick Powell and Ethan Carter scored five and three points, respectively. East Paulding led 19-17 after one period and held a 34-33 advantage at halftime. The Raiders also carried a 49-48 edge into the fourth quarter before the Colonels rallied. Azer Tidor led East Paulding with 17 points. Silas Johson scored 15 and Dominic Burnam 10 for the Raiders (1-4, 0-3 Region 7-AAAAA) Cass (4-2, 2-1) plays Saturday at the Champions Center in the LakePoint Classic at 3 p.m. The Colonels will face Lithia Springs in the first of four boys games. The LakePoint Classic will also include Lassiter vs. North Paulding at 4:30 p.m., North Cobb Christian vs. Paulding County at 6 p.m., and McCallie (TN) vs. Allatoona at 7:30 p.m.

The Adairsville girls basketball team fell behind early, rallied to eventually take a one-point lead in the fourth quarter, but eventually succumbed to visiting Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe Tuesday night, 57-48. The Lady Tigers trailed 17-9 after one quarter, 28-25 at halftime, and 39-38 after three quarters before taking a brief lead in the final period. Macey Gregg led the Lady Warriors with 33 points, but it was Milijah Williams’ two late three-pointers that put LFO ahead for good. Williams finished with 14 points. Nakiyah Washington and Havyn Isaac led Adairsville with 13 points each. Josie Summerville followed with nine points. Breeana Wilson totaled six and Jilleyah Mitchell scored three points. Aaliyah Applin and Lori Cimino added two points each. “This was our best effort of the season by far,” noted Lady Tigers head coach Michael Roberson. “I’m looking forward to Friday to see how we follow it up.” Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe improved to 4-3 on the season and 1-1 in Region 6-AAA. The Lady Tigers (1-7, 0-3) host Bremen Friday at 7 p.m. LAKEVIEW-FT. OGLETHORPE BOYS 55, ADAIRSVILLE 48 The visiting Warriors had three players to score in double figures in a Region 6-AAA win at Adairsville Tuesday night. Jacob King led Lakeview-Ft. Oglethorpe with 16 points, followed by Andrew Brock with 11 and Ruddy Ware with 10 points. LFO led 20-13 after one quarter and 31-17 at halftime. The Warriors held a 41-28 edge after three quarters. Hunter Hice led the Tigers with 16 points. Cody Henderson scored 11. Gaven Crunkelton totaled eight points for Adairsville, followed by Savaun Henderson with six, Jonathan Jarrett three, and Mason Boswell two points. Grayson Dailey and Jesse O’Kelley added one point apiece. LFO improved to 3-5 overall and 3-0 in Region 6-AAA. Adairsville (1-8, 0-4) hosts Bremen Friday night.

With only six GHSA football state championship games remaining this weekend before the end of calendar year 2017, Fall sports competitions for the 2017-18 school year are nearing completion. The upcoming holiday break allows for a time to reflect on the competitions for the first part of the school year. The Regions Bank GADA Directors Cup recognizes athletic departments in all GHSA classifications who have excelled and shown superior performance. The scoring structure awards points for twenty-five GHSA sports utilizing each school’s eight highest scoring sports for each gender with co-ed sports categorized based on majority number of participants. The Fall season includes seven of the twenty-five sports (girls cross country, boys cross country, softball, cheerleading, co-ed cheerleading, volleyball, and football). Following, is a look at the Georgia Athletic Directors Association’s Directors Cup standings presented for GHSA regions involving local schools. Rome leads the nine schools in Region 7-5A with at least 280 points and is in the top five in the classification led currently by McIntosh, Starr’s Mill, and Buford. Rome will accumulate either 90 or 100 points this weekend following the Wolves’ Class 5A state championship football game. Woodland is third in Region 7-5A with 225 points. Cass is seventh with 57 points. Woodland has 90 points for girls cross country, 80 for co-ed cheerleading, 30 for boys cross country, and 25 for softball. The Wildcats are 12th in Class 5A. Cass scored its 57 points in cheerleading and the Colonels are 40th in the 5A classification. Chapel Hill leads the seven schools in Region 5-4A with 303 points and is fifth in the classification currently led by Marist, St. Pius X, and West Laurens. Cartersville is 13th in Class 4A and second in Region 5-4A. The Hurricanes have 273 points with 70 points for volleyball, 69 for cheerleading, 53 for football, 45 for girls cross country, and 36 for boys cross country. Region 6-3A is led by Calhoun which is also the top school in Class AAA with 483 points. North Hall and Westminster are currently second and third behind the Yellow Jackets in the classification. Adairsville is eighth in their region with 110 points — 85 for cheerleading and 25 for football. The Tigers are 26th in their classification. The other current classification leaders are Gordon Lee (1A), Armuchee (2A), Harrison (6A), and South Forsyth (7A).

CHICAGO (December 11, 2017) — In its 33rd year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, today announced Trevor Lawrence of Cartersville High School as its 2017-18 Gatorade Georgia Football Player of the Year. Lawrence is the first Gatorade Georgia Football Player of the Year to be chosen from Cartersville High School. The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Lawrence as Georgia’s best high school football player. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Football Player of the Year award to be announced in December, Lawrence joins an elite alumni association of state award-winners in 12 sports, including Mitchell Trubisky (2012-13, Mentor High School, Ohio), Greg Olsen (2002-03, Wayne Hills High School, N.J.), Matthew Stafford (2005-06 Highland Park High School, Texas), Harrison Smith (2006-07 Knoxville Catholic High School, Tenn.), Latavius Murray (2007-08, Onondaga High School, N.Y.), Brock Osweiler (2008-09, Flathead High School, Mont.) and Leonard Fournette (2014-15 & 2012-13, St. Augustine High School, La.). The 6-foot-5, 215-pound senior quarterback passed for 3,296 yards and 41 touchdowns this past season, leading the Purple Hurricanes to an 11-1 record and the second round of the Class AAAA state tournament. The state’s returning Gatorade Football Player of the Year, Lawrence completed 177 of 256 passes and was intercepted just once. A three-time First Team All-State honoree, he broke the state career passing records for both yards (13,908) and touchdowns (161) and has been selected to play in the 2018 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Lawrence is ranked as the nation’s No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2018 by Rivals.com. A devoted member of his church community and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Lawrence has volunteered locally on behalf of his school’s peer-leadership program and Challenger Football youth team. “Lawrence is a kid who is calm under pressure, never gets rattled and makes all the plays,” said Doyle Kelley, head coach at Cedartown High. “It’s unbelievable the throws that he makes. You have to see him to believe it; he’s just a phenomenal football player.” Lawrence has maintained a 4.06 GPA in the classroom. He has verbally committed to play football on scholarship at Clemson University in the fall of 2018. The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by the Gatorade Player of the Year Selection Committee, which work with top sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of accomplished, veteran prep sports journalists to determine the state winners in each sport. Two-time winner Lawrence joins Gatorade Georgia Football Players of the Year Jake Fromm (2015-16, Houston County High School), A.J. Gray (2014-15, Washington County High School), Deshaun Watson (2013-14, Gainesville High School), Taylor Lamb (2012-13, Calhoun High School), Kenyan Drake (2011–12, Hillgrove High School), Brian Randolph (2010-11, Kell High School), and Hutson Mason (2009-10, Lassiter High School) among the state’s list of former award winners. As a Gatorade Player of the Year, Lawrence will be able to select a national or local youth sports organization to receive a grant as part of the Gatorade Play It Forward program. Every Gatorade Player of the Year state winner receives a $1,000 grant to donate and will have the opportunity to enter for an additional $10,000 spotlight grant by writing a brief essay explaining why their selected organization deserves additional support. 12 spotlight grants – one for each sport – will be announced throughout the year. To keep up to date on the latest happenings, become a fan of Gatorade Player of the Year on Facebook and follow the conversation on Twitter #GatoradePOY. For more on the Gatorade Player of the Year program, including nomination information, a complete list of past winners and the announcement of the Gatorade National Player of the Year, visit http://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/.

This week's update for our local pro and college athletes from Cartersville and Bartow County. NFL VIC BEASLEY -- Atlanta Falcons (3rd yr. pro; OLB Clemson University; Adairsville HS)... had one solo tackle in Atlanta's 20-17 win last Thursday night over New Orleans. Beasley now has 25 tackles, four sacks, one pass defended, and one forced fumble in 2017 for the Falcons. The Falcons (8-5) play at Tampa Bay next Monday night. BASKETBALL KIMORA McCLINIC — Middle Georgia State University (Fr., G, Cartersville HS)… started and scored six points on a pair of 3-pointers last Monday night in an 87-78 loss at Life University. She also grabbed six rebounds with two assists and a steal in the game. MGSU (3-6) hosts Blue Mountain College Monday night and William Carey University Wednesday. JANA MORNING — Berry College (Fr., G, Cass HS)… scored two points, collected a pair of rebounds, and added one assist in 13 minutes off the Lady Vikings’ bench Saturday in a 66-65 win at Covenant College. Berry (3-4) plays its next game Saturday at LaGrange College. A.J. MOSBY — Alcorn State University (Sr., G, Cartersville HS)… scored 10 points, grabbed five rebounds, dished a pair of assists, and blocked one shot in the Braves’ 78-58 loss at Iowa State Sunday night. Alcorn State (2-8) host Fisk University Tuesday night. DARIUS THROWER — Truett-McConnell University (Soph., G, Excel Christian Acad.)… made one three-pointer and grabbed two rebounds in 11 minutes off the bench last Wednesday in the Bears’ 75-73 home conference win over Point University. TMU (10-2, 5-2 Appalachian Athletic Conference) hosts Toccoa Falls College Tuesday before hosting Calvary University, Cincinnati Christian, and Florida College in a holiday tournament this weekend. COREY TOBIN — Reinhardt University (Sr., G, Cartersville HS)… started both games and scored 15 points as the Eagles lost at Bryan College (TN) last Wednesday and defeated Bluefield College (VA) on Saturday. Tobin added 14 rebounds, six assists, and one steal in the two games. Reinhardt (8-6, 3-3 Appalachian Athletic Conference) is off until January 2 when they host a conference game with Tennessee Wesleyan University. CARROD WATSON — University of North Georgia (Soph., F/C, Woodland HS)… grabbed five rebounds, scored one point with one block and one steal in the Nighthawks’ 95-62 exhibition game loss at Mississippi State Saturday. UNG (2-5, 0-1 Peach Belt Conference) plays PBC foe Flagler College this Saturday. HAKEEM WINTERS — Point University (Jr., F, Cartersville HS)… scored five points with one rebound in a 75-73 loss last Wednesday at Truett-McConnell. Point (3-12, 0-8 Appalachian Athletic Conference) also had a two-point home loss to Milligan (TN) this past Saturday. The Skyhawks have an exhibition game at Georgia State University Tuesday night, play at Berry College Wednesday night, and play an exhibition game at The Citadel Saturday afternoon. WRESTLING JERMEL LEWIS — Emmanuel College (Jr., 184 wt. class, Woodland HS)… dropped a 12-11 decision to Jordan Garlow of Coker College in a 21-11 dual meet loss last Friday. Emmanuel also had a dual match win last week over Truett-McConnell. The Lions travel to the Mid-West Classic in Indianapolis this Saturday and Sunday.

The Woodland High School wrestling team completed the Danny Bryan Invitational in Kissimmee, FL Saturday accumulating three individual champions. Caden McCrary (113-pounds), Kyle Gollhofer (120-pounds), and Cody Cochran (160-pounds) won their respective weight divisions in the traditional format (individual brackets by weight class) tournament. Woodland coach Adrian Tramutola also identified Gavin Nix (120), Caleb Jones (126), and Jalen Hudson (195) as Wildcats with outstanding performances at the tournament. Next for the Wildcats will be the McCallie High School (Chattanooga, TN) Invitational this Friday and Saturday (Dec. 15-16).

The Cass High School wrestling team made a late run Wednesday, but came up short against visiting North Hall on the Colonels’ senior night, 42-30. Cass trailed the Trojans by a large margin early, but narrowed the gap to 36-30 going into the final match. Seniors and defending state champions Tripp Breeden and Seven Richards pinned their opponents early in the match. Senior teammate Tyler Pilcher also picked up a win. First-year wrestler and senior Tyrese Dawson was also honored with Breeden, Richards, and Pilcher prior to the match. North Hall, with one of the top programs in Class AAA, took their lead in the middle portion of the match. The Trojans took advantage of four Cass forfeits, a pair of pins, and one other decision. For the Colonels, Pilcher, Kameron DePasquale, Kendall Arnold, Noah Hoffmeier, and Rett Moore added victories down the stretch, but it was not enough to overcome the early lead built by the Trojans. Cass wrestles Thursday, Dec. 14 at Adairsville and will travel to the Chattanooga-McCallie Invitational December 15.

The Cass High School swimming team won a tri-match Tuesday night over Southeast Whitfield and Dawson County at the Adairsville High School pool. Cass finished with 187 team points, followed by Southeast Whitfield (155) and Dawson County (70). Event Winners for Cass: — Boys 200-yd medley relay: Solon Harris, Noah Arnold, Eli Wilhoit, Griffin Howard (2:13.85) — Girls 200-yd medley relay: Tatiana Getz, Hannah Johnson, Kaya Smith, Morgan Hughes (2:39.89) — Boys 200 yd free: Noah Arnold (2:38.45) — Boys 50 yd free: Griffin Howard (26.59) — Girls 50 yd free: Charlotte Sturgeon (32.07) — Boys 100 yd free: Eli Wilhoit (1:00.58) — Girls 100 yd free: Kaya Smith (1:16.05) — Girls 500 yd free: Tatiana Getz (7:32.19) — Boys 200 yd free relay: Griffin Howard, Emanuel Vega, Blake Evans, Eli Wilhoit (1:53.51) — Girls 200 yd free relay: Tatiana Getz, Macy Wright, Anna Padgett, Morgan Hughes (2:19.84) — Girls 100 yd backstroke: Macy Wright (1:38.50) — Girls 400 yd free relay: Tatiana Getz, Anna Padgett, Morgan Hughes, Kaya Smith (5:31.50) The Colonels host Coahulla Creek Saturday at the Adairsville High School facility.

CASS BOYS 60, PAULDING CO. 50 The Colonels trailed 25-24 at halftime Tuesday night but ran past the visiting Patriots 22-9 in the third quarter to take a 47-33 lead after three quarters on their way to a 10-point Region 7-AAAAA victory. Ashton Burley and Mark Chester led Cass with 13 points each. Ethan Carter tossed in 11. Paulding slipped to 3-3 overall and 0-2 in region play. Cass (3-2, 1-1) travels to East Paulding Saturday night. CASS GIRLS 63, PAULDING CO. 39 The Lady Colonels grabbed a 10-point lead in the first eight minutes and never looked back on their way to a commanding 63-39 region win Tuesday night over visiting Paulding County. Cass led 21-11 after one quarter, 33-18 at halftime, and 57-29 after three periods. Chanel Clemmons led the Lady Colonels with 16 points. Sharia Wade and Payton Stoddard also reached double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Lyric Curtis scored eight points for Cass, followed by Kyla Michienzi with six, Amber Brittian five, Londaisha Smith, Aaliyah Curtis, and Kyler Trouten two each, and Alexis Ware with one point. Paulding County falls to 0-6 overall and 0-2 in region play with the loss. Cass (2-1, 1-1 Region 7-AAAAA) plays at East Paulding Friday night. Tip is scheduled for 6 p.m. NORTH MURRAY GIRLS 77, ADAIRSVILLE 41 The 10th-ranked Lady Mountaineers took a 20-point lead by halftime and cruised to a 77-41 win over visiting Adairsville Tuesday night in Chatsworth. North Murray had three players in double figures in scoring and improved to 8-1 overall and 2-0 in Region 6-AAA. Josie Summerville scored a dozen of her team-leading 14 points in the first half for the Lady Tigers and also grabbed double-digit rebounds. She was followed by Breeana Wilson with six points, Nakiyah Washington five, Loriana McDaniel, Havyn Isaac, and Alexa Varner with four points each, Aaliyah Applin contributed three points, and Lori Cimino added two. Adairsville (1-6, 0-2) hosts Murray County Friday night with tip scheduled for 7 p.m. NORTH MURRAY BOYS 57, ADAIRSVILLE 53 The Adairsville Tigers led for much of the night, but ultimately fell at North Murray Tuesday 57-53 in a Region 6-AAA tilt. Adairsville led 16-9 after one period, 28-25 at halftime, and 40-38 after three periods. Hunter Hice scored 13 points to lead the Tigers. Gaven Crunkleton also reached double figures with 12 points. Mason Boswell contributed nine, Jesse O’Kelley seven, Cody Henderson six, Grayson Dailey, Ethan Belcher, and Savaun Henderson added two points each. The Mountaineers are now 1-6 overall and 1-1 in Region 6-AAA Adairsville (1-6, 0-2) hosts Murray County Friday night. CARROLLTON BOYS 62, WOODLAND 46 The visiting Wildcats hung tough at Carrollton Tuesday night, but were outscored 22-11 in the fourth quarter as they suffered a 62-46 loss. Woodland led 12-11 after one quarter, trailed 26-21 at half, and were down 40-35 after three quarters, before falling by 16. Ricky Rodriquez had a game-high 14 points for the Trojans. Melvin Edwards and Marcellous Lockett followed with 13 and 11 points, respectively. Hunter Johnson led Woodland with 11 points. Justice Carter and Connor Gallagher contributed eight apiece. Jaylen Ballard and Charles Norman scored seven. Dawson Wilkins and DJ Robinson added two point each, and RJ Beaubrun scored one point for the Wildcats. Carrollton improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in Region 7-AAAAA play. Woodland (1-5, 0-2) hosts Paulding County Friday night and Villa Rica on Saturday. CARROLLTON GIRLS 81, WOODLAND 25 Taylor Brown, De’mauri Flournay, and Elexus Bell combined for 53 of the Class 5A 3rd-ranked Lady Trojans points as Carrollton downed visiting Woodland 81-25 Tuesday night. Whitney Harris led Woodland with 22 points. Morgan Cooper scored two and Nickiah Metcalf added one point for the Lady Cats. Carrollton improved to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in Region 7-AAAAA. Woodland (1-3, 0-2) hosts Paulding County Friday night at 6 p.m. and Villa Rica Saturday for a 3 p.m. tip.

Despite missing five regulars from their starting lineup, the Adairsville wrestling team won the Westminster Duals Saturday. The Tigers recorded wins over Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe 45-36, Pace Academy 51-23, and host Westminster 45-36 to reach the tournament semifinals. Adairsville then edged Pace 39-38 to reach the finals where they defeated Heritage 46-36. Five Tigers were undefeated on the day, including Angel Banda (106 pounds), Joseph Pacheco (132), Nic Jackson (170), Bryce Burgess (182) and Austin Jackson (220). Adairsville travels to Armuchee Thursday to face the host Indians, Sonoraville and Rockmart. CARTERSVILLE COMPETES AT CHATTOOGA DUALS Cartersville wrestling suffered losses to Gordon Lee 48-34, Chattooga 53-18, Arab (AL) 68-9, and Armuchee 48-27 Saturday at the Chattooga Duals in Summerville. Canes’ senior Jonathan de la Cruz lost for the first time all season, falling 1-0 to a former state champion in the Armuchee match. He did finish the day 3-1. Junior Desmond Winters also had a 3-1 day for the Hurricanes. Cartersville travels to the Northside-Columbus Duals this Saturday. WOODLAND FOURTH AT MOUNTAIN VIEW DUALS Woodland wrestling finished fourth at the Mountain View Duals this past Saturday in Lawrenceville. The Wildcats won their pool before falling to North Hall by three points, Bradley by four, and Mountain View by three points. Coach Adrian Tramutola credited solid performances from Demarcus Williams, Gavin Nix, Cody Cochran, Kyle Gollhofer, and Caden McCrary. Woodland travels to Kissimmee, FL this weekend for the Danny Bryan Invitational which annually hosts some of the best teams in the Southeast.

The 2017 football season continues for post-season participants and the 2017-18 college basketball and wrestling seasons are in full stride. Here is how athletes with local connections fared this past week. NFL VIC BEASLEY -- Atlanta Falcons (3rd yr. pro; Clemson University; Adairsville HS)... recorded five solo tackles Sunday in the Falcons’ 14-9 home loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Atlanta (7-5) hosts the division leading New Orleans Saints Thursday night. COLLEGE FOOTBALL DeANDRE APPLIN — Georgia State University (Jr., DB, Adairsville HS)… had four tackles this past Saturday in the Panthers’ 24-10 home loss to Idaho. He completed the regular season 44 tackles, 2.5 for loss, three pass break ups, one forced fumble and one interception. He is fifth on the team in tackles. Georgia State (6-5, 5-3 Sun Belt Conference) will play Western Kentucky December 16 at 2:30 p.m. in the AutoNation Cure Bowl in Orlando on the CBS Sports Network. TREVOR CARLTON — Reinhardt University (Jr., LB, Cartersville HS)… accounted for seven tackles Saturday in the Eagles’ NAIA national semifinal win over Southern Oregon in double-overtime 37-34 in Waleska. Carlton now has 39 total tackles, 5.5 for loss, one sack, one pass break up, and one fumble recovery this season. Reinhardt (12-0) will play University of St. Francis (IN) in the NAIA National Championship Game Saturday night, December 16 in Daytona Beach, FL. MARCUS CHILDERS — Northern Illinois University (R-Fr., QB, Adairsville HS)… Childers was named the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year last week in a conference media release. He is the first NIU player to win the league's Freshman of the Year trophy since NIU rejoined the MAC in 1997, and just the third Huskie all-time to win the award as quarterbacks. After entering the Kent State game in the first quarter, Childers led NIU to a 6-2 MAC mark. He accounted for almost 1,900 yards of total offense (1,440 passing and 454 rushing) and accounted for 20 touchdowns (15 passing, five rushing). He led NIU in rushing TDs and had a 3:1 touchdowns to interceptions ratio while completing 57.3 percent of his passes (137-of-239). The Huskies did not play this past weekend but learned their bowl game and opponent. NIU (8-4) will take on the Duke Blue Devils (6-6) in the Quick Lane Bowl on Tuesday, December 26 at Ford Field in Detroit. TRASE FEZZIA -- Ellsworth CC (Fr., DB, Cartersville HS)... recorded a pair of solo tackles and fielded one kick in the Panthers' 55-14 win over Northland Community and Technical College in the Graphic Edge Bowl in Cedar Falls, IA. Fezzia had two interceptions, 15 tackles, and over 300 yards in kick return yards as Ellsworth finished 4-8. GABE GRIDLEY -- ASA-Brooklyn CC (Soph., P, Cartersville HS)... punted twice for a 72-yard total in the Avengers' 28-23 win over Mesa College in the Valley of the Sun Bowl. Both of his punts were downed inside the 20 yard line. He finished the year with a 39.2 yards-per-punt average on 39 kicks. He had eight punts downed inside the 20 yard line. ASA-Brooklyn finished the 2017 season with a 9-1 mark. LUCAS JOHNSON — Georgia State University (Jr., OL, Cass HS)… was part of the offensive line rotation for the Panthers Saturday during a 24-10 home loss to Idaho. Johnson has been a part-time starter for GSU during the 2017 season. Georgia State (6-5, 5-3 Sun Belt Conference) will play Western Kentucky December 16 at 2:30 p.m. in the AutoNation Cure Bowl in Orlando on the CBS Sports Network. EMMANUEL JONES — Colorado State University (Fr., LB, Woodland HS)… completed the regular season with 35 total tackles (16 solo). He had six tackles for loss, two sacks, and one quarterback hurry. The Rams (7-5, 5-3 Mountain West Conference) will face Conference USA foe Marshall (7-5, 4-4) in the Gildan New Mexico Bowl on Saturday, December 16. The game will be a 4:30 p.m. ET kickoff televised by ESPN. RODNEY MITCHELL — Coastal Carolina University (Sr., OL, Cartersville HS)… was part of the offensive line rotation as the Chanticleers defeated visiting Georgia Southern Saturday, 28-17. Coastal finished the season 3-9 overall and 2-6 in the Sun Belt Conference. Mitchell completed his degree in recreation and sports management prior to the season and is pursuing a second degree in communication. TORRIAN SCRUTCHINS -- Ellsworth CC (Fr., DL, Cartersville HS)... recorded a pair of sacks for a total of 18 yards in losses as Ellsworth defeated Northland Community & Technical College last Saturday in the Graphic Edge Bowl in Cedar Falls, IA. Scrutchins completed his season with 16 tackles and three sacks. SHELBY TOWNSEND JR. — Georgia Southern University (R-Jr., DL, Woodland HS)… saw playing time in the Eagles’ loss at Coastal Carolina last Saturday. GSU finished the year 2-10 and 2-6 in the Sun Belt Conference. JAKE WALKER — Furman University (Fr., TE, Cartersville, GA, Darlington HS)… saw playing time and was targeted once in the first quarter Saturday during the Paladins’ 28-10 FCS playoff loss at Wofford in Spartanburg, SC. The loss ended Furman’s season with an 8-5 record. Walker played in all 13 games as a freshman and caught six passes for 91 yards. BASKETBALL RYAN DAVIS — Francis Marion University (Jr., G, Cartersville HS)… scored 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in an 88-76 conference win at North Georgia Saturday. He also made three steals and had a pair of assists. Davis was named the Patriots Student-Athlete of the Week. FMU (5-0) plays next at Mount Olive December 13. KIMORA McCLINIC -- Middle Georgia State University (Fr., G, Cartersville HS)... had three points and two assists in eight minutes during a 72-47 win over Voorhees (SC) last Tuesday. She also entered as a reserve Thursday in a 72-56 loss to Faulkner (AL), totaling six points with a pair of rebounds in 17 minutes. JANA MORNING — Berry College (Fr., G, Cass HS)… scored one point and had one rebound in seven minutes during a 73-47 loss at Oglethorpe last Friday. The Lady Vikings (2-4) play at Covenant College Saturday. A.J. MOSBY — Alcorn State University (Sr., G, Cartersville HS)… scored 19 points with eight rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block in an 81-65 loss at Tulane last Friday. He followed that with nine points, seven assists, six rebounds, and three steals in an 89-50 home win Saturday over Rust College. The Braves (2-7) play at Iowa State Sunday. DARIUS THROWER — Truett McConnell University (Soph., G, Excel Christian Acad.)… saw action in all three of the Bears’ games last week scoring four points with two rebounds and one assist in a 73-71 overtime win at St. Andrews (NC) last Friday. TMU (9-2, 4-2 AAC) also had Appalachian Athletic Conference wins last Tuesday at Tennessee Wesleyan and Saturday at home over Union College (KY). The Bears host Point University Wednesday night. COREY TOBIN — Reinhardt University (Sr., G, Cartersville HS)… scored 18 points with four rebounds and one assist last Thursday during a 95-91 home loss to Allen University (SC) last Wednesday. He added five points, four rebounds, three assists, and one steal in a 70-68 loss at Union College (KY) Friday. Tobin then scored seven points with seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals in a 107-76 loss at Winthrop on Saturday. Reinhardt (7-5, 2-2 AAC) plays at Bryan College (TN) Wednesday and will host Bluefield College (VA) Saturday. CARROD WATSON — University of North Georgia (F/C, Woodland HS)… scored eight points and collected a pair of rebounds Saturday in an 88-76 conference, home loss to Francis Marion University. UNG (2-5, 0-1 Peach Belt Conference) plays an exhibition at Mississippi State this Saturday afternoon. HAKEEM WINTERS — Point University (Jr., F, Cartersville HS)… grabbed two rebounds with three blocks, two assists, and one steal but did not score last Monday in an 83-80 home loss to Voorhees (SC). He scored five points with one rebound and three blocks in a 70-56 home loss to Bryan College (TN) on Friday. Winters added one point and one assist Saturday in a 108-81 loss at 19th-ranked Montreat College (NC). He started all three games as the Skyhawks slipped to 3-10 overall and 0-6 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference. Point plays at Truett-McConnell Wednesday and host Milligan College Saturday. RUDY WINTERS — Columbus State University (R-Jr., G/F, Excel Christian Acad.)… scored 10 points, grabbed two rebounds, made one steal, and had one assist in the Cougars’ 98-63 home Peach Belt Conference win Saturday over Lander. CSU (1-3, 1-0) is off until Sunday, December 17 at UNC-Pembroke. WRESTLING EVAN COLE -- Cumberland University, Sr., Cartersville HS)... Cole won his first match at the Indiana Little State Duals over the weekend, posting a 3-2 decision over Joliet’s Andrew Bonner. He then lost by technical fall to Indiana Tech’s Chase Hack and was pinned by Indiana Tech’s Dylan Stocker, ending his tournament. Cumberland returns to the mats Saturday, December 16 at the Smokey Mountain Duals in Pigeon Forge, TN. JAKE HUFFINE — University of Tennessee-Chattanooga (Jr., 133 wt. class, Woodland HS)… dropped a major decision in a match Saturday night against 6th-ranked N.C. State. The Mocs (2-2, 2-0 Southern Conference) face 2nd-ranked Ohio State on Sunday, December 17 at The Cooler in Alpharetta, GA. UTC will then grapple with Ohio University the next day at home. JERMEL LEWIS -- Emmanuel College (Jr., 181 Wt., Class, Woodland HS)... defeated Anthony Toineeta of Queens 11-6 for the Lions' only win of the match Sunday at the Newberry Duals. Earlier, he had a 6-4 loss to Bellarmine's Mitch Rusch and a 13-5 major decision loss to Paul Rallis of East Stroudsburg. Emmanuel hits the mats again Tuesday at Truett-McConnell and at Coker (SC) Friday night. HUNTER QUINN — Emmanuel College (Soph., 157 wt. class, Cass HS)… defeated Naftali Horowitz of Queens University in an 11-5 decision Sunday afternoon as part of a 24-18 team victory at the Newberry Duals. Emmanuel was 1-3 at the weekend tournament with losses to East Stroudsburg (PA), Bellarmine (KY), and Life University (GA). The Eagles travel to Truett-McConnell Tuesday night and Coker on Friday.