Athletes Beyond Bartow: Beasley, Falcons upset 49ers; Lawrence receives Heisman Trophy votes
Former Adairsville star and Clemson All-American Vic Beasley Jr. finished with five tackles and a sack Sunday in the Atlanta Falcons road upset of the San Francisco 49ers. His on the field success came in the same week former Cartersville High School quarterback Trevor Lawrence finished seventh in the 2019 Heisman Trophy voting. Meanwhile, several local basketball athletes made their mark on hardwoods across the nation and world.
NFL
VIC BEASLEY JR. — Atlanta Falcons (5th yr. pro; OLB; Clemson; Adairsville HS)… had five total tackles including a sack Sunday as the Falcons upset the San Francisco 49ers 29-22. Atlanta rallied for a touchdown with 0:02 remaining in the game to take a 23-22 lead and then scored on the ensuing kickoff by picking up a loose ball in the end zone during the 49ers’ multiple lateral return attempt. The loss knocked San Francisco (11-3) out of the top seed in the NFC for now. Beasley now has 26 total tackles, seven sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles this season. Atlanta (5-9) plays its final home game of the season Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium by hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Falcons will wrap up the season December 29 at Tampa Bay.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
TREVOR LAWRENCE — Clemson University (So., QB, Cartersville HS)… Lawrence finished seventh in Heisman Trophy voting results Saturday night, but he did manage to receive three first-place votes. LSU’s Joe Burrow was the runaway winner ahead of Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts and Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. Lawrence will help lead No. 3 Clemson (13-0) into the College Football Playoff semifinals at the Fiesta Bowl December 28 against Ohio State (13-0). Lawrence has 3,172 yards through the air with 34 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also has seven rushing touchdowns and 317 yards on the ground. He is 24-0 as a starter at Clemson.
PRO BASKETBALL
ELIJAH ROBINSON — Atenas (Argentina National League ) (2nd year pro; Emmanuel College; Excel Christian Academy)… a starting swingman, Robinson scored 12 points with three rebounds, two assists, and blocked one shot in his team’s 94-90 loss last Monday (Dec. 9). Atenas (2-5) plays Bahia Basket Monday (Dec. 16) and hosts Argentino Thursday. COLLEGE BASKETBALL JACQUEZ FOUNTAIN — Albany Tech (Fr., G/F, Cass HS)… scored a team-high 28 points with two rebounds but the Titans lost 76-70 at Florida Gateway College last Tuesday. Albany Tech also lost Thursday at Tallahassee CC but Fountain did not play. The Titans (7-6) resume their schedule January 2 at Southern Crescent Tech as both teams begin Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association play. ASHTON HAGANS — University of Kentucky (So., G, Cartersville, GA, Newton HS)… finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and two steals in the Wildcats’ 67-53 win Saturday over visiting Georgia Tech. Hagans is averaging 13.7 points and 4.2 rebounds through Kentucky’s first nine games. The 8th-ranked Wildcats (8-1) put their six game win streak on the line Wednesday night against Utah at the Las Vegas Neon Hoops Showcase. They then play Ohio State Saturday afternoon in the CBS Sports Classic also in Las Vegas.
WHITNEY HARRIS — Toccoa Falls College (So., G, Woodland HS)… scored nine points and blocked one shot last Friday in the Screaming Eagles’ 61-55 home win over Trinity Baptist College (FL). Toccoa Falls (4-11) travels to New Port Richey, Florida Monday to play at Trinity College of Florida and will play at Florida College Tuesday.
CORIANA McDANIEL — Andrew College (Fr., G, Adairsville HS)… scored seven points on 2-of-6 shooting from the floor in the Tigers’ 91-47 loss last Wednesday at Georgia Highlands College. Andrew (3-11, 1-5 GCAA) returns to action January 4 when they host Chattahoochee Valley CC.
KYLA MICHIENZI — Piedmont College (R-Fr., G, Cass HS)… came off the bench Saturday to score 13 points, collect four rebounds, block one shot, and contribute two steals and a blocked shot but the Lions lost to Huntingdon College in Montgomery, 65-55. Piedmont (6-4, 3-1 USA South Athletic Conference) is on the West Coast to play at University of Redlands (CA) Monday night and at University of LaVerne (CA) Tuesday night.
JAYLON PUGH — Furman University (So., G, Cartersville HS)… scored nine points and grabbed four rebounds as Furman beat visiting North Greenville 90-65 last Wednesday. Pugh also played seven minutes and dished out one assist Saturday night in an 80-73 home win over Winthrop. The Paladins (10-3) travel to Mercer Friday night for their Southern Conference opener in Macon. JOSIE SUMMERVILLE — North Park University (So., F, Adairsville HS)… scored three points and collected three rebounds with a blocked shot in the Vikings’ only game of the week Saturday at Wheaton College (IL) — a 71-58 win. North Park (8-0, 3-0) travels to Orlando, Florida this week to play 4th-ranked Hope College Wednesday and Finlandia University Thursday at the Orlando Magic’s practice facility. DARIUS THROWER — Truett-McConnell University (Sr., G, Excel Christian Academy) … scored seven points, grabbed four rebounds, and added three assists and a steal in the Bears’ 84-60 loss at Union College (KY) last Wednesday night. Thrower then scored 16 points off the bench Saturday in a 93-83 home loss to Allen University (SC). He added three rebounds and two steals in Saturday’s loss. TMU (6-6, 2-6 Appalachian Athletic Conference) tries to snap a four-game losing streak Tuesday at Webber International University (FL) and will play an exhibition at NCAA D-II Embry-Riddle University Thursday night. ALEXIS WARE — Piedmont College (Fr., F, Cass HS)… did not score but did grab four rebounds and made one steal in 11 minutes of playing time Saturday during the Lions’ 65-55 loss at Huntingdon College. Piedmont (6-4, 3-1 USA South Athletic Conference) is on the West Coast to play at University of Redlands (CA) Monday night and at University of LaVerne (CA) Tuesday night. NAKIYAH WASHINGTON — Piedmont College (Fr., F, Adairsville HS)… the Lions’ starting forward led her team in scoring again Saturday with 19 points. She also finished with a double-double by collecting 11 rebounds. Washington added a blocked shot but Piedmont lost to conference foe Huntingdon College. Through 10 games in her first college season, Washington is averaging 14.9 points and 8.3 rebounds. Piedmont (6-4, 3-1 USA South Athletic Conference) is on the West Coast to play at University of Redlands (CA) Monday night and at University of LaVerne (CA) Tuesday night. CARROD WATSON — University of North Georgia (R-Sr., F, Woodland HS)… collected six rebounds and scored five points with one assist in Sunday’s 81-76 home Peach Belt Conference loss to USC-Aiken. The Nighthawks (5-4, 0-1) play at Francis Marion University Thursday night and at UNC-Pembroke Saturday afternoon in a pair of conference tilts.
