The 12U Bartow White softball all-star team captured the GRPA District 5 championship June 23 at Hamilton Crossing Park with an 11-5 victory over Rome/Floyd County in the finals. Bartow defeated Rome/Floyd County in the opening round, 11-4, and followed that with consecutive wins over Rockmart and Murray County to reach the championship round. The locals shutout Rockmart, 20-0 in only two innings, and defeated Rockmart, 17-7, to advance to the finals. Following their opening round loss, Rome/Floyd County won four straight games to earn a rematch in the finals with Bartow. With the district title, Bartow advances to the 2016 GRPA state championship tournament July 12-16 in Moultrie. They will open play in the double-elimination tournament against the East Point/Swainsboro winner on July 12 at 7pm at the Jim Buck Goff Complex.

The Cartersville Little League 11/12B team captured the GRPA District 5 championship Tuesday night with a 4-3 victory over Calhoun at Westside Park in Whitfield County. The district title advances Cartersville to the 2016 Georgia Recreation and Parks Association state tournament in Savannah July 12-16. Cartersville won four straight games to win the nine-team, double-elimination tournament. The locals had wins over Haralson County, 12-8, Calhoun, 10-3, and Milford, 9-4, to reach the championship round.

The 13U North Georgia Snipers won the 2016 Grand Slam World Series in Panama City, FL June 21-25. The Snipers, consisting of several local middle school players, went 6-0 on their way to the tournament title. Local players include: Taylor Elrod (South Central MS); Preston Godfrey and Carter Heath (Woodland MS); Blaine Ingram, Josh Jacobs, Hunter Lee, Kyle Miller and Nic Wallin (Cass MS); and Jayden Smith (Adairsville MS). The Snipers beat the Kennesaw Generals, 4-3, and the Northshore Pelicans (LA), 9-8, in pool play to earn a No. 3 seed in double-elimination bracket play. In the championship bracket, the Snipers beat the Winward Braves (Alpharetta), 4-3, the Morgan City Red Sox (LA), 10-0, and the Ohio Surge, 10-3. The Snipers then defeated the Ohio Surge 10-2 in a championship game rematch after the Surge worked back to the finals through the losers’ bracket. Heath led the Snipers’ offense going 10-for-16 in the event. Godfrey and Ingram followed with nine hits each. Lee totaled eight hits. Miller and Ashworth Middle School’s Sam Melton had six hits each, while Elrod and Smith finished with five and two hits, respectively. Smith also tossed a pair of shutout innings on the mound in the championship game. In the six tournament victories, Godfrey pitched eight innings and allowed two runs with 16 strikeouts, three saves and a win. Ingram threw 10 innings, allowed three runs with 12 strikeouts and three wins and picked up the title game win with four innings of work. Wallin pitched 10 innings, allowed three runs and had 15 strikeouts with two wins and Smith pitched a pair of shutout frames.

The Bartow County Recreation Department 10-and-under softball all-stars won the GRPA District 5 championship Tuesday night with a dominating 18-3 victory over Whitfield County. Bartow made short work of Whitfield County in the title game by scoring three runs or more in each of the first three frames. The locals then put the game away with a seven-run fourth inning that invoked the mercy, run-rule. Naxyria Roberts, Elizabeth Nelson, Harley Owens, and Taff Bradley were all 3-for-3 in the championship game to lead Bartow hitters. To reach the finals, Bartow defeated Whitfield County 22-13 and shutout Gilmer County, 8-0. Bartow trailed early in their first meeting with Whitfield County, but the Bartow offense took the lead for good with a seven-run, fifth inning. Nelson was a perfect 5-for-5 at the plate for Bartow as were Emma Hensley and Marly Pruitt who went 4-for-4 each. Roberts added a 4-for-5 performance. In the shutout win over Gilmer County, the locals played some of their best defense of the tournament. On offense, Heather Gilbert, Gabi Beccera, Meagan Griffith, Owens, and Hensley all had two hits apiece for Bartow. With the District 5 championship, Bartow now advances to the GRPA State Championships July 12-16 in Moultrie, Georgia. Tournament results provided by BCRD.

Cartersville native, Connor Justus, is off to a successful professional baseball start with the Orem (UT) Owlz of the Pioneer League. The former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket and Cartersville Hurricane has started three of the Owlz’ first four games at shortstop and has a .250 batting average with a walk and two RBIs in 12 official at-bats. Orem, who has played all four games on the road, lost its opener at Grand Junction (CO) but has now won three games in a row. The Los Angeles Angels’ Rookie League affiliate is now 3-1 and the Owlz are co-leaders of the Pioneer League’s South Division. Justus singled up the middle Tuesday night to give Orem a 4-3 lead in an eventual 7-4 win at Idaho Falls. He finished the night 1-for-3 with a a walk and a run batted in. On June 18, Justus drove in a run with a first inning groundout to second base during a 9-6 win at Grand Junction (CO). In his pro debut on June 17, Justus was 2-for-4 in a 7-6 loss at Grand Junction. He singled with a line drive to right field in his first plate appearance and had a ground ball single to center field in the top of the fourth. Justus has batted fifth in the Owlz' order in each of his starts. The Pioneer League is comprised of eight teams made up of mostly first and second year professional players. The eight teams are located in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, and Utah and represent the Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City Royals, and Los Angeles Dodgers. The rookie level league runs June through September and plays about 60 games. Other MiLB players with local ties to Cartersville and Bartow County: Grant DeBruin — Hagerstown Suns (Adairsville HS) After starting the year with the Washington Nationals’ Advanced Class A team in Potomac, DeBruin is now with the Class A Hagerstown Suns of the South Atlantic League. In 15 games and 52 official at bats with the two teams combined, he has a .173 batting average and five RBI. In a recent, four-game, home series against the Greenville (SC) Drive, DeBruin was 4-for-13 with a walk and two RBI. Dalton Geekie — Rome Braves (Georgia Highlands College) His most recent outing was a two inning stint June 18 in a 3-2 home win over the Greenville Grasshoppers. The Houston, TX native allowed a run on one hit and a walk and struck out two while on the mound in the sixth and seventh innings. Geekie is 2-2 on the season with a 5.81 ERA in 20 appearances. He has worked 31 innings, recorded 18 strikeouts, and opponents are hitting .231 against him. Sam Howard — Hartford Yard Goats (Cartersville HS) Recently promoted to Double-A Hartford, Howard made his third start for the Yard Goats June 21 in an 11-3 home loss to Richmond. Howard, who was moved to Hartford after a highly successful start to his year with the Modesto Nuts of the California League, struggled in 3 and 2/3 innings. He allowed 11 hits and a walk and was charged with eight runs (only three earned) in the loss. In 14 starts in 2016 at both Modesto and Hartford, Howard is 4-5 with a 2.64 ERA in 81 and 2/3 innings. He has 81 strikeouts and opponents are batting .222 against him. Donavan Tate — Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Cartersville HS) Remains on the disabled list for the Dodgers Advanced Class A affiliate in the California League. To check on these local players any time, use the 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' page of this web site to locate active links to each players statistics, schedules, results, and other team information.

Following the 2016 GHSA State Track and Field Championships for boys and girls, a few of the best marks for athletes in Bartow County have been updated. Congratulations to each of the local athletes who performed at the top in each event. Results include all meets reported by local high school coaches, including invitationals, region championship meets, state sectionals and finals. Updated '2016 Best in Bartow County' marks for the entire 2016 local high school track and field season. The top local high school track and field performances by event for the 2016 season. (Final, 2016) Use table slider toolbar to navigate to all events.

Despite a controversial ruling that cost him a one-stroke penalty on the fifth hole, Dustin Johnson won the 2016 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, PA with a 4-under total to captured the $1.8 million first place prize. The victory also gave Johnson his first-ever major championship after multiple narrow losses in majors. The Columbia, SC native turns 32 years old this week. Johnson finished three shots ahead of Jim Furyk, Scott Piercy, and Shane Lowry to win the 116th playing of America’s national open championship. Harris English was the top finisher among representatives of Cartersville Country Club’s Scott Hamilton Golf Academy. English, a former Georgia Bulldog and Sea Island, GA resident, fired 70-71 in the first two rounds to find himself within the top twenty heading to the final two rounds. The 26-year old remained in striking distance with a third round 72, but slipped to 76 in the final round for a 289 (+9) total to finish tied for 37th. Two other Scott Hamilton Golf Academy players, Chris Kirk (75-73) and Steven Bowditch (84-73), missed the 36-hole cut. A pair of former SHGA players, Rob Oppenheim and Kevin Kisner, made the cut at Oakmont and finished T37 and T49, respectively. Up next for Hamilton’s players on the PGA Tour will be the Quicken Loans National at historic Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, MD. SHGA players Russell Henley, Chris Kirk, Ben Martin, and Hudson Swafford are scheduled to compete in the event June 23-26. Scott Hamilton, Director of Golf at CCC, works with many accomplished professional golfers on the PGA Tour, PGA Champions Tour, LPGA, and other professional golf tours.

Harris English, one of the many players connected with Cartersville Country Club’s Scott Hamilton and the Scott Hamilton Golf Academy, is in contention at the 2016 U.S. Open. ______________ Competition in championship golf can be very unfair, and that is just one of the reasons why we love it. Oakmont County Club, host of the 2016 U.S. Open, is already arguably the world’s greatest test of golf and this week Mother Nature decided to factor in an additional twist. As if the 7,254 yard, par 70 layout and the pressure of a $10 million purse were not enough, soaking rains moved through the Pittsburgh area Thursday and made the assigned starting times almost as much a factor as the play of the competitors themselves. Typically, players face one 18-hole round per day and have one of their first two rounds assigned in the morning and one in the afternoon. That has not been the case this week. With the rain and lightning interruptions Thursday, United States Golf Association officials were forced to squeeze in play for the first two rounds across a three-day stretch forcing players to constantly adapt to changing course conditions. Many players did not finish their second rounds until Saturday afternoon while others played all 36 holes of their first two rounds in a single day on Friday. The rigorous course conditions of Oakmont and the mental toll of the weather-delayed schedule have already claimed some familiar names as victims. Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, Rickie Fowler, and Justin Rose were among the many fan favorites to miss the 36-hole cut and will not be around when Sunday’s championship trophy is awarded. 36-hole leader, Dustin Johnson, played both rounds Friday and fired 67-69 for a 4-under total and a one stroke lead over Andrew Landry. Four players are two shots back, including Sergio Garcia, Shane Lowery, Scott Piercy, and Gregory Bourdy. Jim Furyk, Lee Westwood, Daniel Summerhays, and Andrew Sullivan are the only other players heading to the final two rounds under par at 1-under. One of the players who works with Cartersville Country Club’s Scott Hamilton and the Scott Hamilton Golf Academy heads to the weekend in the top twenty. Harris English, opened with rounds of 70-71 and stood tied for 16th at 1-over par as the third round began Saturday afternoon. The Valdosta, GA born player, former Tennessee high school state champion, and former University of Georgia Bulldog tees off Saturday afternoon at 3:55pm just five shots off the lead. Two other Scott Hamilton Golf Academy players, Chris Kirk (75-73) and Steven Bowditch (84-73), missed the 36-hole cut. A pair of former SHGA players also made the U.S. Open cut. Kevin Kisner and Rob Oppenheim are 4-over moving to the final two rounds. See the SHGA bio for Harris English at this LINK Television coverage of the U.S. Open continues on FOX until 8pm Saturday and is available Sunday from 11am to conclusion around 7:30pm. The third round was scheduled to begin at 3pm Saturday and will likely be completed Sunday morning before the final round begins.

LakePoint Sporting Community in Emerson has a variety of registrations currently available for youth activities at their new indoor facility — LakePoint Champions Center. Current registrations include: LakePoint Basketball Shot Club for shooting skills is available in increments of 10 or 20 sessions beginning in August. LakePoint Basketball Skills Academy (individual skills) is available in increments of 10 or 20 sessions beginning in August. LakePoint Basketball Summer Camp is available for beginner, intermediate, and advanced players beginning June 20 through June 23. LakePoint Summer Sports Camp is available July 18-22. Please visit the LakePoint Sports web site for registration details and more information. http://leagues.bluesombrero.com/Default.aspx?tabid=974458

The 14U Bartow all-stars captured the Dizzy Dean District 3 Championship Monday night at Legion Field in Canton. Bartow won three straight games in the double-elimination tournament to claim the title. They defeated Hobgood Heat (13-3), North Cherokee (15-14), and the Sandy Plains Cougars (16-6) on their way to the championship. After an opening round win over the Hobgood Heat, Bartow found themselves trailing late against North Cherokee. The locals scored seven runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 15-14 lead and Tyler Strickland tossed a shutout seventh inning to preserve the win and advance Bartow to the championship round. In the finals, Bartow took an early lead and extended it to ten for a run-rule, five inning win. Wade Conduff and Strickland led the Bartow bats with six hits each as the locals batted .481 as a team during the tournament. Jayden Brown added five hits that included a triple and Dawson Hamby totaled four hits for Bartow, including a double and an inside-the-park home run. Trent Porter carried much of the workload on the mound for Bartow during the tournament. He worked 12 innings and totaled 15 strikeouts while picking up a pair of wins. Hamby pitched three innings and collected a pair of strikeouts. Strickland also worked two innings on the mound. The district tournament win qualifies the 14U Bartow all-stars for the state tournament that opens June 24 at Sandy Plains. NOTE: Report provided by BCRD.

The Bartow County 8-and-under softball all-star team bounced back from an opening round loss at the 2016 Dizzy Dean district tournament to capture the championship title with four consecutive wins June 11. Summerville edged Bartow 18-17 in an opening round game, but the title was won by Bartow with consecutive elimination round victories over Gordon County and Trion before knocking off Summerville twice in the championship round. Alana Carnes, Jordan Hammonds, Kate Self, and Darianna Sosa had three hits each for Bartow in the opening loss. In a 14-3 defeat of Gordon County, Carnes and Anna Grace Fraley were both 3-for-3. Hammonds, Haley Collum, and Self added two hits apiece. Bartow’s second win of the tournament was a 16-12 victory over Trion. Hammonds went 4-for-4 to lead Bartow. Kamryn Smith, Sadie Raughton, Reese Dumas, Carnes, and Fraley all had three hits. With the first two wins, Bartow reached the finals and a rematch with Summerville needing to win twice in the double-elimination event. Bartow edged Summerville in extra innings to force an additional championship round game. Tied 10-10 after the regulation six innings, Summerville scored twice in the top of the seventh before Bartow won by pushing across three runs in the bottom of the inning. Fraley drove home Elizabeth Hartsfield with the decisive run and a 13-12 win to force a second title matchup. Bartow used the momentum gained in the first game of the championship round to take Game 2 and the championship. The locals scored five runs in the first inning of the second title game and never looked back. Hammonds, Smith, Collum, and Fraley were the leading hitters for Bartow in the finale'. Bartow will host the Dizzy Dean softball state tournament beginning June 24. NOTE: Game reports provided by Bartow County Recreation Department.

As a sophomore last December, Cartersville High School quarterback Trevor Lawrence helped lead the Canes to a state championship and an undefeated season in a 10-0 shutout of the Buford Wolves in the Georgia Class AAAA title game at the Georgia Dome. Sunday, the 6-5, 200-pound signal caller returned to Georgia Dome and added 2016 Quarterback MVP honors to his accomplishments at the Rivals Underclassmen Challenge presented by Under Armour. (Photo: Rivals.com) The event attracted many of the top-rated high school football players in the country and Lawrence was able to once again impress most observers. As the top-rated overall prospect in the class of 2018, Lawrence continues to prepare for his junior season with the Hurricanes. Meanwhile, recognitions continue to accumulate as quickly as the speculations over his choice among college football suitors. Rob Cassidy, reporting for rivals.com, noted Lawrence’s arm strength and deep ball accuracy as his most impressive strengths. (For the complete report from Cassidy, please see: https://n.rivals.com/news/rivals-recap-underclassmen-challenge). It was those skills that separated the Canes’ QB from the pack to earn the MVP award. Other position MVPs at the Georgia Dome Sunday included running back James Cook (Miami Central High School, Miami, FL, 2018); wide receiver Devonta Jason (Landry-Walker High Schoo, New Orleans, LA , 2018, LSU commit); offensive lineman Clay Webb (Oxford High School, Oxford, AL, 2019); defensive lineman Greg Emerson (Northside High School, Jackson, TN, 2018); linebacker Alan Tisdale (Page High School, Greensboro, NC, 2018); and defensive back Devin Haney (Park Hill High School, Kansas City, MO, 2018) Lawrence grew up a little over an hour away from Neyland Stadium, home of the Tennessee Volunteers, so many have speculated all along that he will select the Knoxville school based on his childhood allegiance. Many of his more recent visits and comments have narrowed his selection to Clemson, Florida, or Georgia however. Only time will tell, but Lawrence has indicated his intention to make a decision prior to the beginning of the 2016 season. Meanwhile, Cartersville High School fans can look forward to two more seasons of his stellar prep performances. Please see Blake Alderman’s Sunday report on Rivals’ Inside the Gators (https://florida.n.rivals.com/news/florida-a-top-three-option-for-2018-five-star-quarterback-lawrence) For more, see Rusty Mansell’s report on Georgia 247 Sports. (http://georgia.247sports.com/Bolt/Trevor-Lawrence-closer-to-a-decision-45762347)