February 17, 2025 It is a cross-over period in college sports with basketball and wrestling nearing or entering their post-season action while the Spring sports are in the early days of their schedules. In this week’s edition of Athletes Beyond Bartow, more than fifty local athletes are recognized for their contributions in seven sports across the nation for the week ending February 16. PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS JASON BOHN — PGA Tour Champions (34 yr. pro; Alabama; Cartersville CC member) …  carded rounds of 77-78-73 and tied for 72nd place this past weekend at the Chubb Classic in Naples, Florida at Tiburon Golf Club. The next event on the tour is the Cologuard Classic in Tucson, Arizona on March 7-9. BASKETBALL BRAXTON BENHAM — Berry College (Sr., Cass HS) … scored 25 points with six assists, five rebounds, one steal, and one blocked shot this past Sunday in an 89-72 home win over Millsaps College (MS). On Wednesday, February 12, he scored 22 points and had six assists, two rebounds and one steal in a 98-90 loss to Oglethorpe University in Atlanta. The Vikings (17-8, 10-2 Southern Athletic Association) begin play in the conference championship tournament on Friday, February 28 at home. NA’YEL CAMPER — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … totaled one point, four rebounds, one steal, and one assist as the Eagles lost 82-70 at Bryan College (TN) on February 12 and won 75-55 at St. Andrews University (NC) this past Saturday. Reinhardt (19-7, 15-5 Appalachian Athletic Conference) hosts Truett McConnell on Wednesday and visits Columbia College (SC) on Saturday. CLAIRE DAVIS — Kennesaw State University (Jr., Cass HS) … scored five points with two rebounds and one blocked shot on February 13 in the Owls’ 79-72 home win over Louisiana Tech. Davis also saw playing time with no stat line this past Saturday in a 65-53 home loss to Sam Houston. Kennesaw State (9-15, 4-9 Conference USA) plays at UTEP on Thursday night and New Mexico State on Saturday. JA’KA’YAH DRAUGHN — Chattanooga State CC (So., Cartersville HS) … scored nine points with two assists, one rebound, and one steal in the Tigers’ 63-57 loss February 12 at Walters State CC. Chattanooga State (15-10, 10-6 Tennessee Community College Athletic Association) travels to Motlow State CC on Wednesday and hosts Dyersburg State CC on Saturday. ZION HAYES — Weatherford College (Fr, Cass HS) … totaled 12 points with four rebounds, three assists, and one steal in a 56-53 home loss to McLennan CC February 12 and an 80-42 win this past Saturday over Hill College. The Coyotes (16-8, 7-4 North Texas Junior College Conference) travel to Southwestern Christian College on Wednesday and host Temple College on Saturday afternoon. HALEY JOHNSON — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cass HS) … scored 12 points with four rebounds and one assist in an 82-70 loss February 12 at Bryan College (TN). Johnson also scored six points with one rebound and one steal this past Saturday in a 75-55 win at St. Andrews University (NC). The Eagles (19-7, 15-5) host Truett McConnell on Wednesday and play at Columbia College (SC) on Saturday. KEARA McDANIEL — Toccoa Falls College (Jr., Cass HS) … scored two points and added two assists, one rebound, and one steal February 10 in a 75-57 loss at Pensacola Christian. The Screamin’ Eagles also beat visiting Regents University last Friday 70-59 but statistics were not available. TJ PRINTUP — Tusculum University (So., Adairsville HS) … scored eight points Febraury 12 with nine rebounds, one assist, and one blocked shot in the Pioneers’ 90-88 home win in overtime over Carson-Newman University. Tusculum (6-18, 6-14 South Atlantic Conference) visits Mars Hill University on Wednesday and Newberry College on Saturday. MEGAN SCHULTZ — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (Fr., Woodland HS) … saw action in all three of the Fillies’ games last week scoring two points with six rebounds in road losses at Middle Georgia State, Point University, and Life University. ABAC (5-19, 0-13 Southern States Athletic Conference) hosts Life on Monday and Brewton-Parker College on Thursday before visiting Thomas University on Saturday afternoon. LONDAISHA SMITH — St. Andrews University (Sr., Cass HS) … totaled 19 points, 13 rebounds, five steals, and four assists in a 50-48 loss at Brenau University (GA) February 12 and a 75-55 home loss to Reinhardt University this past Saturday. The Knights (10-17, 6-14 Appalachian Athletic Conference) host Montreat College (NC) on Wednesday and visit Bluefield University (VA) on Saturday afternoon. ALISSA WINTERS — Truett McConnell University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … scored three points with three assists and one rebound this past Saturday in an 88-61 home loss to Milligan University. The Bears (12-13, 9-10 Appalachian Athletic Conference) host the University of Pikeville on Monday and travel to Reinhardt University and Tennessee Wesleyan University on Wednesday and Saturday. WRESTLING KYLE GOLLHOFER — University of Northern Iowa (Sr., Woodland HS) … won his 125-pound bout by pin as the fourth-ranked Panthers defeated 14th-ranked Iowa State 26-10. UNI (13-1) visits the University of Wisconsin on Friday night. CALEB HENSON — Virginia Tech (Jr., Woodland HS) … Henson, the top-ranked 149-pound grappler in the country, won a 4-1 decision last Friday in the Hokies’ 28-9 home win over Pittsburgh. Tenth-ranked Virginia Tech hosts NC State on Friday. CHAMP HIGDON — Lander University (So., Woodland HS) … won a 6-3 decision in his 285-pound bout in the Bearcats’ 42-8 win on Tuesday, February 11 at Shorter University. Twelfth-ranked Lander (15-4, 9-0 Conference Carolinas) also won the conference duals championship on Sunday. BRYCE KRESHO — Franklin & Marshall College (Jr., Cass HS) … won his 141-pound bout by pin this past Sunday in a 25-15 win over Millersville University. The Diplomats host the F&M Invitational on Sunday. TYLER-XAVIER McKNIGHT — Davidson College (So., Cass HS) … won an 11-6 decision in his 149-pound bout as the Wildcats beat visiting VMI 21-16 last Friday. He also lost an 11-5 decision in a 52-0 loss to Appalachian State. Davidson will host the Wildcat Open on Sunday. JAXON SMITH — University of Maryland (R-Jr., Woodland HS) … currently ranked 11th in the 184-pound weight class, Smith won his bout by technical fall (21-6) but the Terrapins lost last Friday at Purdue. Maryland travels to Philadelphia on Friday to face Drexel University. JABRIL WILLIAMS — Midway University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … went 1-3 and placed eighth in the 165-pound bracket of the Mid-South Conference Championship this past weekend in Bowling Green, Kentucky. TENNIS EMILY BUSH — University of North Georgia (Jr., Cartersville HS) … won her Line 6 singles match 1-6, 6-3, 10-4 and partnered with teammate Carolina Reis for a 6-2 win at Line 3 doubles as the Nighthawks won at Auburn Montgomery 6-1. UNG (4-0) is ranked No. 6 in the nation. The Nighthawks play at Newberry College (SC) on Monday and will face 7th-ranked Flagler in the first of three matches at the ITA Indoor Championship in Indianapolis on Friday and Saturday. EMILY SURCEY — Samford University (Sr., Cass HS) … won her Line 1 singles match 7-5, 7-6 and won at Line 1 doubles with partner Sara Erenda 6-4 as the Bulldogs earned a 4-2 home win over UAB last Wednesday. Samford visits Western Kentucky on Wednesday and hosts South Alabama on Sunday. GYMNASTICS ABIGAIL BUNCH — Rhode Island College (Jr., Cass HS) … placed 12th on the apparatus and scored 9.050 on the uneven bars as the Anchorwomen won a home tri-meet this past Saturday over SUNY-Cortland and Springfield College (MA). Rhode Island College heads to the Springfield College Tri-Meet on Sunday which will include Southern Connecticut State University. TRACK AND FIELD HAYDEN CAGLE — Berry College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … placed 14th in the weight throw (11.84m) and 18th in the shot put (11.72m) at the Samford Bulldog Open in Birmingham this past Saturday. The Southern Athletic Association Indoor Championships are February 28-March 1. ANDY FORSYTH — Berry College (Fr., Woodland HS) … finished 13th (4:28.44) in the one mile run at the Samford Bulldog Open in Birmingham last Saturday. The Southern Athletic Association Indoor Championships are February 28-March 1. ERIC TOVIAVE — Belmont University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … placed 23rd (8.55) in the 60 meter dash and 40th in the 400 meter run this past weekend at the Vanderbilt University Music City Challenge. Up next for the Bruins is the Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Championships March 2-3 in Chicago. GOLF BUCK BRUMLOW — University of Georgia (Sr., Cartersville HS) … tied for ninth overall and helped Georgia to a sixth place finish February 10-12 at the Puerto Rico Classic. Brumlow shot 70-66-71 (9-under-par) on the par-72, 7,152-yard Grand Reserve Golf Course Club in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. Purdue won the 15-team tournament followed by Ole Miss, South Carolina, LSU, and Oklahoma. Next for the Bulldogs is the Southern Highlands Collegiate on March 2-4 in Las Vegas. SOFTBALL KILEY ARNOLD — Shorter University (So., Cartersville HS) … made a start at third base in a game last Friday at USC Beaufort and was 0-for-2 at the plate in an 11-0 loss. The Hawks were 0-4 at the Sand Shark Invitational in Hardeeville, South Carolina over the past weekend. Shorter (2-8) has a doubleheader Tuesday at Columbus State University and hosts Wesleyan College for two games on Saturday. HAYLEE DISHMON — Georgia Highlands College (So., Cass HS) … went 4-for-4 with a triple, five walks, and five runs scored this past weekend as the Chargers swept visiting USC Sumter in a four game series. Dishmon also stole five bases. GHC (11-1) hosts Cleveland State CC on Tuesday and entertains USC Union for a four game series on Friday and Saturday. PEYTON DORN — Brewton-Parker College (Fr., Woodland HS) … retired four of five batters and had one strikeout in a relief appearance this past Saturday with no decision in a 6-3 home loss to Truett-McConnell University. The Lady Barons (5-6-1) open Southern States Athletic Conference play Friday in a doubleheader at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and Saturday at Point University. MEGAN GREGORY — Campbell University (So., Adairsville HS) … made a one-inning relief appearance with no decision last Friday in the Camels’ 9-5 home win over Lafayette University. Gregory allowed three runs (no earned runs) on one hit and four walks. She struck out one of eight batters faced. Campbell (7-2) plays in the GATA Challenge in Statesboro this weekend where the Camels will face Fairfield University (CT), Oakland University (MI), and host Georgia Southern Universitiy. ANSLEY HIGHT — Reinhardt University (So., Cass HS) … went 3-for-5 including a triple, two runs scored and five RBI in the Eagles two wins last Friday over St. Andrews University (NC). Hight also stole two bases. Reinhardt (2-0) has six doubleheaders on the schedule this week including road trips to Middle Georgia State, Georgia Gwinnett College, and Montreat College (NC) on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. The Eagles host Spartanburg Methodist, Union Commonwealth Universitiy (KY), and Middle Georgia State on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. ALYSSA JARRETT — Piedmont University (So., Adairsville HS) … made an unsuccessful pinch hitting appearance in the sixth inning last Friday during the Lions’ 3-2 home win over Mount Saint Joseph University (OH). Piedmont (1-1) hosts Alma College for a doubleheader on Monday and will play six different opponents in Columbus, Georgia on Friday through Sunday at the NFCA Leadoff Classic. SADYE JOHNSON — University of North Georgia (Sr., Adairsville HS) … hit a solo home run in a sixth-inning pinch-hitting appearance last Thursday during an 8-0 home win over Emmanuel University (GA) in the Gold City Classic. The third-ranked Nighthawks (8-4) play at the University of Alabama-Huntsville on Wednesday and host a doubleheader on Saturday with Saginaw Valley State (MI). ERYN LEE — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cass HS) … went 4-for-5 with one triple, one walk, one sacrifice hit, four runs scored, and two stolen bases in last Friday’s home doubleheader sweep of St. Andrews University (NC) 9-1 and 10-2. Reinhardt (2-0) has six doubleheaders on the schedule this week including road trips to Middle Georgia State, Georgia Gwinnett College, and Montreat College (NC) on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. The Eagles host Spartanburg Methodist, Union Commonwealth Universitiy (KY), and Middle Georgia State on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday. RACHAEL LEE — Valdosta State University (Jr., Cass HS) … the leadoff hitting center fielder went 3-for-8 with two RBI, four runs scored, one hit by pitch, and three stolen bases last Friday in a doubleheader split at Union University (TN). The Blazers (5-8, 1-1 Gulf South Conference) host Trevecca Nazarene for a three-game conference series on Saturday and Sunday. AVA PERKINS — Lee University (So., Cartersville HS) … in starts at second base was 2-for-6 with one walk, one run scored, and one stolen base in the Flames’ two conference losses last Friday at Delta State University. Lee (7-3, 0-2 Gulf South Conference) hosts a doubleheader with Tusculum University on Wednesday and a three-game conference series with the University of Alabama-Huntsville on Saturday and Sunday. ALEXIS WOODS — Tennessee State University (So., Cass HS) … a starter at shortstop, Woods was 0-for-5 with two walks last weekend as the Tigers had wins over Mercer and Quinnipiac, but lost to Illinois hosting the Roar City Invitational in Nashville. TSU (4-4) visits Belmont University on Wednesday and will play five games Friday through Sunday in the Wofford University Invitational facing North Dakota, Buffalo, and the host Bulldogs.  BASEBALL DREW BILLINGS — Trinity Baptist College (Jr., Woodland HS) … picked up his fifth save of the season by closing out the final four outs last Friday of a 4-2 win over Southeastern Baptist College. Billings allowed one hit, hit one batter, and struck out one. The Eagles (8-4, 5-1 NCCAA) hosts New College of Florida for a three-game series on Friday and Saturday. CURT BONNER — LaGrange College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … made a start at first base last Friday in a home win over Pfeiffer University and appeared as DH Sunday in a win over Berry College. Bonner was 0-for-4 at the plate in those two games with three walks and one RBI. The Panthers (3-3) host a three-game home series with 3rd-ranked Endicott College on Saturday and Sunday. HARRISON CHILDERS — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (So., Cartersville HS) … went 2-for-10 with one walk, two hit by pitch, and one RBI in four games last week. The Stallions lost February 11 at Middle Georgia State and won one of three home games over the weekend with William Carey University (MS). ABAC (6-4, 1-2 Southern States Athletic Conference) hosts Thomas University (GA) on Tuesday and visits Brewton-Parker College for a three-game conference series Friday and Saturday. MICAH EARWOOD — Southeastern University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … made a two inning, no-decision appearance last Saturday in an eventual 10-inning 13-9 win over the University of Saint Francis (IN). Earwood allowed one earned run on one hit, one walk, and one hit batsman. He struck out three of nine batters faced in the eighth and ninth innings. The Fire (12-0) will host doubleheaders with Embry-Riddle University (AZ) on Friday and Saturday. ELLIOTT EASTIN — Covenant College (R-So., Cartersville HS) … made three starts in center field and went 3-for-9 at the plate as the Scots went 2-1 last weekend against visiting Greenville University (IL). Eastin walked once and had one sacrifice fly with one RBI in the series. Covenant (2-1) hosts The College of Wooster (OH) for a three-game set on Friday and Saturday. COLIN EATON — East Tennessee State University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … earned his first save of the season last Saturday with a scoreless 1-⅔ inning performance during a 6-2 victory over visiting Northern Kentucky. Eaton entered with two outs in the eighth inning, allowed one hit, and struck out four of six batters faced. The Buccaneers (3-0) play at Virginia Tech on Tuesday before hosting a three-game series with Miami University (OH) on Friday through Sunday. RYAN FARR — Kentucky Christian University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … made a fourth inning pitching appearance February 8 at the University of Minnesota-Morris and allowed one earned run on three hits retiring one batter by strikeout. He added one unsuccessful pinch hitting appearance in the second game of a doubleheader. The Crusaders (5-1) have a three-game series at Milligan University (TN) on Friday and Saturday. COLT McKIBBEN — Lee University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … pitched the final 2-⅓ innings with no decision in a relief appearance last Friday in the Flames’ 3-0 loss at Delta State University. Lee (5-5, 0-3 Gulf South Conference) hosts Carson-Newman University on Tuesday and three games with the University of Alabama-Huntsville on Friday and Saturday. LUKE MILLER — Columbus State University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … started two and appeared in all three games at Barry University last weekend. Miller was 2-for-9 at the plate, including one double, one hit by pitch, one run, and two RBI. The Cougars won the final game in the series. CSU (4-5) hosts Valdosta State University on Tuesday in the Cougars only game this week. AYDEN RAY — USC Lancaster (Fr., Woodland HS) … made a start at DH last Friday and went 0-for-2 at the plate in a 3-2 win at Rockingham CC. The Lancers (3-8) play doubleheaders Friday and Sunday at Rockingham CC. TREY SCOTT — Alabama A&M University (Sr., Cass HS) … was the opening day starter and worked 4-⅓ innings but was tagged with the loss in a 10-8 final last Friday against Prarie View A&M University at the Cactus Jack HBCU Classic in Houston. Scott allowed three earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out seven. The Bulldogs (1-2) visit UAB on Tuesday and will face Prarie View A&M, Grambling State, and Florida A&M this weekend at the MLB Andre Dawson Classic in Vero Beach, Florida. HANK SMITH — University of West Georgia (R-So., Cartersville HS) … made a start at catcher this past Saturday in an 11-10 win at the University of New Orleans. Smith was 0-for-3 at the plate. The Wolves (2-1) host Ohio University for a three-game series on Friday through Sunday in Carrollton. SCOTTY SMITH — Covenant College (Sr., Woodland HS) … made a scoreless five-inning pitching start and picked up his first win of the season last Friday as the Scots beat visiting Greenville University (IL) 9-3. Smith allowed three hits and no walks. Covenant (2-1) hosts The College of Wooster (OH) for a three-game series on Friday and Saturday. PRESTON WELCHEL — Cumberland University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … went 0-for-5 with one walk and one RBI in a home doubleheader split last Friday with Indiana Tech. The Phoenix (6-3-1) visit UT Southern on Tuesday and play a three-game series at Spartanburg Methodist College on Saturday and Sunday. DAVIS WILLIAMS — University of West Georgia (R-So., Cartersville HS) … pitched the seventh inning of last Saturday’s 11-10 home win over the University of New Orleans and received no decision. He allowed two earned runs on three hits and had two strikeouts. The Wolves (2-1) host Ohio University for a three-game series on Friday through Sunday. SAWYER WILSON — Columbus State Universitiy (Fr., Cartersville HS) … pitched the seventh inning with no decision last Saturday in a 7-3 loss at Barry University. Wilson allowed two earned runs on three hits and one walk. The Cougars (4-5) host Valdosta State on Tuesday.

February 14, 2025 Friday’s tournament action for local high school teams: GAPPS Class A State Quarterfinals EXCEL CHRISTIAN BOYS 91, PRAISE ACADEMY 65 The Eagles cruised to an easy 91-65 win over Praise Academy Friday night and advanced to the GAPPS Class A Final Four. Evan Chappell, Kaiyu Huffman, and Carter May scored 18 points to lead Excel Christian. The Eagles led 22-14 after one quarter, 55-26 at halftime, and 80-50 at the end of the third quarter. Hunter Ivey led the Lions in the scoring column with 24 points. Daniel Foote and Josh Ridge added 13 for Praise Academy (12-14). Excel Christian (18-8) will play Trinity Prep (14-10) of Loganville in the state semifinals on Tuesday at Gordon College in Barnesville. Region 7-AAA Semifinals ADAIRSVILLE BOYS 62, NORTHWEST WHITFIELD 50 The Adairsville Tigers advanced to a region championship game for the fourth straight year with a 62-50 win over the Northwest Whitfield Bruins at Calhoun High School. The Tigers led 22-11 after one period and 29-21 at halftime. Adairsville extended that lead to 50-35 by the end of the third quarter and held on for a 12-point victory. Xavious Nalls poured in 30 points for the Tigers. Ben Abernathy followed with 13 points, and Tre Winters scored eight points. Akendris Douglas led the Bruins with 16 points. Caden Ramsey scored 10 for Northwest Whitfield (18-7). On Saturday, Adairsville (17-9) will play Calhoun for the Region 7-AAA championship. The host Yellow Jackets (18-3) beat LaFayette on Friday night 57-27 in the other region semifinal. Region 7-AAAA Championship Game DALTON 54, CARTERSVILLE GIRLS 32 The seventh-ranked Dalton Lady Catamounts split regular season games with the Lady Canes but won the region tournament championship game Friday night at Allatoona 54-32. Aubriyana Camp led Dalton with 21 points. Jolie Wingfield contributed 12, and Wisdom Kent added eight for the Lady Catamounts. Dalton led 16-8 after one quarter, 25-15 at the intermission, and 41-23 at the end of the third period. Senai Camper scored nine points and grabbed six rebounds for Cartersville. KK Arnold finished with eight points, five boards, and four assists. Jayda Cothran contributed six points and four rebounds. Zoe McCurry and Trinity Montgomery added four points each. Both teams will host Class AAAA State Tournament first-round games on Tuesday.  Dalton (24-3) will host Westminster (13-12). Cartersville (17-9) will entertain Cambridge (9-16). Region 7-AAAA Third Place Game CARTERSVILLE BOYS 66, CEDARTOWN 59 The Purple Hurricanes held off a pesky Cedartown Bulldogs team Friday at Allatoona High School in the third-place game of the Region 7-AAAA tournament for a 66-59 win. Nas Bennett led four Canes in double figures with 20 points. He also had seven rebounds and four assists. Wyatt Thomason contributed a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Kaden Baldwin scored 12 points with five steals, and Will Bishop scored 11 for Cartersville. Cedartown (15-14) will be a 4-seed on Wednesday and play a first-round state tournament game at Westminster (17-6). Cartersville (17-11) advances as a 3-seed and will visit Kell (20-7) on Wednesday. Region 7-AAAA Third Place Game CASS GIRLS 56, HIRAM 44 The Lady Colonels avenged two regular-season losses to the Hiram Lady Hornets by winning the Region 7-AAAA tournament third-place game on Friday afternoon, 56-44, at Allatoona High School. Cass traded buckets with the Hornets for most of the first three quarters. The Lady Colonels led 14-5 after one period but trailed 24-20 at halftime. Cass regained the lead 38-35 by the end of the third quarter and outscored Hiram 18-9 in the fourth quarter for a 12-point win. T'nasia Nance and Taylor Crawford led Hiram with 14 and 13 points, respectively. KK Evans scored 16 points for the Lady Colonels. Darianna Sosa followed with 15. Anizah Taylor contributed 10 points, and Cadie Paez added eight. Cass (13-14) will open the Class AAAA State Tournament on Tuesday at Blessed Trinity (9-15). Hiram (12-15) travels to Kell (21-5) on Tuesday to open the state tournament.

February 16, 2025 The Georgia Highlands Chargers completed a four-game series sweep of visiting Lincoln Trail College on Saturday by winning both games of a doubleheader at Bentley Field. The Chargers won 11-9 and 10-0, outscoring the Statesmen 29-12 in the four-game set. Georgia Highlands trailed 7-2 in the middle of the fifth inning of Game 1 but plated eight runs in the bottom of the inning to pull out a two-run victory. William Homan (0.2 IP, 0R, 0H) retired two outs in the sixth inning to collect the pitching win. Jackson Greer struck out the side in the top of the seventh to earn a save. Grayson Godbee produced three hits in the opener, including a solo home run and three RBI. Andrew Bishop also had three hits with three RBI. Kensky Thomas (RBI) and Ryan Martin (RBI) added one hit. Tyler Phillips and Caden Marcos (sac fly) contributed one RBI. In Saturday's second game, GHC pitchers Brodie Chestnutt (5 IP, 0R, 3H, 2BB, 6K) and Reece Robertson (1 IP, 0R, 1K) blanked the Statesmen. Thomas had two hits and two RBI, along with two walks. Ian Fullerton hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the first inning, and Thomas smacked a solo shot in the fifth to finish with two RBIs. Ali Banks (triple, RBI), Heath Whitlock (triple, two RBI), Emiliano Dominguez (two RBI), and Bishop added one hit. The Chargers (10-1) host USC Salkehatchie for two games on Tuesday starting at noon and will host Macomb CC and Wabash Valley College on Saturday and Sunday.

February 16, 2025 Georgia Highlands softball completed a series sweep of USC Sumter on Saturday by winning both games of a doubleheader at Carol Brown Field, 13-0 and 10-8. Maci Andrews pitched a complete game, allowing only one hit in a shutout during the first game. She issued two walks and recorded five strikeouts.  Ahmani Green drove in four runs on a second-inning home run and a fourth-inning double. Cayden Warren also had two hits, including a double and one RBI in Saturday’s opener. Cass product Haylee Dishmon (triple, two RBI), Athens Hudson (double, RBI), and Abbey Yates (RBI) added one hit. Emma Darrow produced three hits, including two singles, an inside-the-park home run, and three RBI in the Chargers’ second win of the day. Dishmon, Emmalee Freeman (RBI), Ally Graden (RBI), Abbi Hall, and Yates collected two hits. Mary Catherine Kimball and Green (RBI) added one hit. Hannah Mounce (2 IP, 3R, 0ER, 3H, 1BB, 1K) picked up the pitching win in Game 2 in relief of starter Hayden Joyner (2 IP, 5ER, 6H). Hudson (3 IP, 0R, 2H, 1BB, 2K) closed out the final three innings in the circle. The Chargers (11-1) extended their current win streak to seven games. They host Cleveland State CC for a doubleheader on Tuesday at 1 p.m. and will host USC Union for four games on Friday and Saturday.

February 16, 2025 Cartersville golfer R.B. Clyburn finished tied for ninth this past Thursday through Saturday at the 70th annual Gasparilla Invitational. The tournament is an elite mid-amateur event hosted by Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club in Tampa, Florida on its 6,300-yard, par 70 layout. Mid-amateur events are for players 25 years or older. Scott Turner of Stuart, Florida, won the Gasparilla title with a 4-under-par total of 206. He carded rounds of 68-69-69 and finished one shot ahead of Californian Steele Dewald and William Davenport, the 2024 Florida Mid-Am Player of the Year. Clyburn fired rounds of 69-73-69 for a 1-over-par 211 total. “It’s the middle of my basketball refereeing season,” said Clyburn on Saturday. “I haven’t played very much golf, so I am pretty pleased with my results. I thought the course played tough.” Clyburn, 35, is a Division I men’s basketball official who also referees other NCAA, NAIA, and occasionally high school levels. He is a member of Cartersville Country Club.

February 16, 2025 Cartersville Hurricanes baseball dropped its 2025 opener on Saturday to Rabun Gap-Nacoochee at Pickens High School in Jasper, 4-1. Three Eagles’ pitchers combined to limit the Canes to just three hits and kept Cartersville off the scoreboard until the bottom of the sixth when David Vargas coaxed a bases loaded walk to force in a run. Aiden Kitchings (5 IP, 0R, 2H, 6BB, 7K) made the pitching start for Rabun Gap. Malcolm Lingler (1 IP, 1ER, 1H, 1BB, 2K) and Max Doninger (1 IP, 1K) also pitched for the Eagles. The Eagles took advantage of a walk and three consecutive singles to score two runs in the fourth inning. A hit batsman, a walk, and an error led to two runs for Rabun Gap in the fifth. Julez Pratt had two hits for Cartersville. Tristan McKibben had the only other Canes’ hit and reached base two other times on walks. Cartersville utilized four pitchers in the contest. Starter Avery Shiflett (2 IP, 0R, 0H, 1BB, 5K) fanned five of nine batters faced. Nate Russell (1.1 IP, 2ER, 4H, 1BB, 3K), Logan Shrewsbury (2.2 IP, 2R, 0ER, 0H, 1BB, 3K), and Maddox Frazier (1 IP, 0R, 3H, 1K) also pitched. The Canes will look to bounce back Tuesday at home against Alexander at 1 p.m.

February 16, 2025 The Cass Colonels won the GHSA Class AAAA State Traditional Wrestling Championship after winning the State Dual Championship in January. Cass has seven state titles in wrestling since 2006. The Cass Colonels’ wrestling team backed up its State Duals Championship in January with a 2025 Class AAAA State Traditional Tournament Championship this past weekend at the Macon Centreplex. Cass had competitors reach the State Finals Tournament in twelve of the fourteen weight classes, and nine of those qualifiers reached the podium. Cass senior Hunter Barrett won an individual state title in the 120-pound weight class and senior teammate Aiden Piatt captured the 144-pound division. Both Colonels won four bouts to claim championships in the 16-man State Finals brackets. The Colonels completed the tournament with 186 points. They were 26.5 points ahead of runner-up Central-Carroll and 43 points ahead of third place Woodland. Ola and Eastside rounded out the top five teams in Class AAAA. Cartersville finished 20th with 37.5 points. Three Cass grapplers earned state runner-up finishes with narrow losses in their state championship bouts. They were each 3-1 in their respective weight divisions. Freshman Hayden Trimm (106 pounds) lost 10-8 in his state title bout. Junior Mason Tompkins (175) dropped a 4-1 decision, and senior Kirecg Roe (190) was edged 7-6 in the finals. Other Colonels reaching the podium included Luka Jensen (third at 132, 4-1), David Jewell (fourth at 150, 3-2), Ethan Harrington (fifth at 157, 4-2), and John Abernathy (sixth at 285, 3-3). Codey Dean (215, 2-2), Gavin Walker (113, 1-2), and Rowdy Duck (138, 1-2) added Cass team points in the tournament. With this title, Cass has state traditional championships in 2006, 2022, and 2025 and state dual championships in 2008, 2022, 2024, and 2025. Zachary Wallace captured the 165-pound individual title for Woodland, while Wildcats Paul Lanier (157, 3-1) and John Gill (215, 3-1) finished state runner-up. Other Wildcat wrestlers reaching the podium included Adrian Zapata (126, 5-1, third place), Nick Weathersbee (106, 4-2, fourth place), Dylan Couey (138, 3-2, fifth place), Owen Jones (190, 4-2, fifth place), and Nathan Cates (132, 3-3, sixth place). Cartersville senior Talan Nix (150) went 4-1 and placed third in his weight class. In Class AAA, Adairsville’s Jett Johnson finished as state runner-up in the 285-pound division. Johnson won three straight bouts before falling in the finals. He scored 22 bracket points and single-handedly had the Tigers 25th in the AAA state tournament. In the GHSA Girls State Championships, Adairsville sophomore Jaylee Long was state runner-up in the 100-pound division. She won two bouts by pin and one by 5-0 decision to reach the title bout.

February 15, 2025 Xavious Nalls scored 19 points Saturday in the Region 7-AAA Championship game. The Adairsville Tigers battled with the Calhoun Yellow Jackets Saturday night for the Region 7-AAA tournament championship but came up short 61-48. The two teams had split games during the regular season, with each team winning on the road. Calhoun won the rubber game Saturday night at home for the region title, and both teams are expected to host first-round games in the Class AAA State Tournament, which begins on Wednesday. Calhoun led 14-9 after one period Saturday and pushed their lead to eight in the second quarter. Adairsville narrowed that margin late in the second period, and a Tre Winters dunk at the buzzer sent the Tigers to the intermission trailing 27-25. Tre Winters scored 12 points Saturday in the region title game. In the second half, the Yellow Jackets surged again and maintained a six to ten-point lead throughout most of the final two quarters. Calhoun led 43-36 at the end of the third period en route to a 13-point win. Trace Hawkins and Blake Hammett scored 16 points each to lead Calhoun. Trey Perkins tossed in 10 points, and Jaxon Moore added nine for the Jackets. Xavious Nalls led Adairsville with 19 points. Tre Winters followed with 12. Jamarian Pullum scored eight points. Tyrek Hames contributed six points, and Ben Abernathy scored three for the Tigers. Adairsville (17-10) and Calhoun (19-3) await their first-round opponents when the GHSA Post-Season Rankings for the Class AAA public schools are released on Sunday.

February 15, 2025 The Cartersville High School riflery team recently placed third in the Area 10 Championship Meet and earned the right to host a GHSA first-round playoff match on February 24. The Cartersville Rifles finished the regular season with an 11-3 record in head-to-head matches. Lucy Evans and Maggie Sheffield were both named to the All-Area Team. Evans was the top shooter in all three positions in Area 10. She has also qualified as an individual for the State Championship Meet.

February 15, 2025 Georgia Highlands College baseball won both games of a Friday doubleheader with Lincoln Trail College at Robert Bentley Field in Cartersville but in very different fashions. The Chargers built an early 5-0 lead in Game 1 and held on to win 7-3, but battled the Statesmen for seven innings and managed only two hits to escape with a 1-0 victory in the nightcap. Ryan Martin doubled and homered with two RBI in Game 1 to pace the GHC attack.  Andrew Arnold (5 IP, 3ER, 4H, 1BB, 5K) made the pitching start and collected the win on the mound. Jackson Greer (1 IP, 1K) and William Homan (1 IP, 2K, Save) worked scoreless frames to close the game. Kenton Collier, Anthony Miller, Kenskey Thomas, Heath Whitlock, Grayson Godbee (RBI), and Andrew Bishop (two RBI) added one hit. In the Chargers’ Game 2 win, Max Eichenberger scattered five hits with eight strikeouts across the first five innings while keeping Lincoln Trail off the scoreboard. Gavin Webster (1 IP, 0R, 0H), and Hunter Ward (1 IP, 0R, 1H, 1BB, 1K, Save) kept the Statesmen off the board in the final two innings. Joe Johnson coaxed a one-out walk in the bottom of the fifth inning and later scored the game’s only run on an infield error off the bat of Ali Banks. Emiliano Dominguez had the only two GHC base hits in the game. Georgia Highlands (8-1) and Lincoln Trail (1-5) continue their series on Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at noon.

February 14, 2025 On Wednesday night, the Georgia Highlands College men's basketball team got back into the win column with a 91-58 victory over the Gordon State College Highlanders 91-58 in Rome. The GHC win snapped a three-game skid. The Chargers led 40-25 at the intermission and outscored Gordon 51-33 in the second half. They also shot 50 percent from the field and 34 percent from beyond the arc. Marquin Thompson (South Gwinnett HS) led the Chargers with 26 points. Cameron Baldwin (Allatoona HS) contributed five blocked shots. Georgia Highlands (13-8, 5-4 GCAA) has conference road games Saturday at Andrew College and Sunday at Albany Tech.

February 15, 2025 Georgia Highlands softball made it nine wins in the first ten games of the 2025 campaign Friday with a doubleheader sweep of visiting USC Sumter. The Chargers won 10-2 and 8-2 to make the current streak of wins five straight. In Game 1, GHC scored three times in the bottom of the first inning. After the Fire Ants narrowed the margin to 3-2, the Chargers posted seven runs over the subsequent two frames to put the game away in five innings. Grace Kendrick and Hayden Joyner shared the pitching duties in the first game and combined to scatter seven hits and one walk. The duo allowed just one earned run, and Kendrick had three strikeouts. Georgia Highlands started quickly again in Game 2, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning. USC Sumter scored two runs in the top of the fifth to cut the Chargers’ lead to 5-2 but would get no closer.  Maci Andrews and Ahmani Green shared time in the pitching circle in Game 2. The Chargers’ hurlers allowed five hits and six walks but no earned runs with six strikeouts. Emma Darrow had four hits and one RBI in the Friday doubleheader for the Chargers. Cayden Warren (two RBI) and Haylee Dishmon (triple, RBI) finished with three hits. Athens Hudson hit a pair of two-run homers, and Green totaled two hits, including a triple and one RBI. Mary Catherine Kimball (RBI), Faith Gauthier (RBI), Abbey Yates (RBI), Abbi Hall, and Andrews added one hit. Georgia Highlands (9-1) and USC Sumter (0-5) complete their series with a Saturday doubleheader at Carol Brown Field scheduled for 1 p.m.