Athletes Beyond Bartow: Hagans joins Trailblazers with 10-day contract

February 12, 2024

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

Ashton Hagans

Cartersville native Ashton Hagans recently signed a 10-day contract with the Portland Trailblazers and is filling in for the NBA club due to some team injuries and illnesses at the guard position. 

Hagans, who has been posting some excellent numbers in the NBA G League for Portland’s Rip City Remix affiliate, has already seen extended playing time for the Blazers.

NBA and NBA G LEAGUE

ASHTON HAGANS — Portland Trailblazers and Rip City Remix (4th yr. pro; Cartersville native; Kentucky; Newton HS) … recorded five points (2-4 FG, 0-1 3PT, 1-2 FT), two rebounds, four assists, one block, and one steal in 23 minutes during the Portland Trailblazers’ 93-84 loss to New Orleans this past Saturday. Injuries or illness to Malcolm Brogdon, Anfernee Simons, and Scoot Henderson forced Portland to activate Hagans with a 10-day deal. Last week in G League action, Hagans produced a double-double with 20 points and 11 assists last Tuesday in a 127-120 win at the Motor City Cruise. The Remix guard added five rebounds and a pair of steals. The Remix suffered a pair of losses this past Friday and Saturday at the Sioux Falls Skyforce. Portland (15-37) hosts the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday. Rip City (10-7) hosts the Indiana Wolves on Tuesday.

BASKETBALL SUPER LEAGUE

A.J. MOSBY, JR.— Sudbury Five (6th-year pro; Alcorn State; Cartersville HS) … scored 25 points with nine rebounds, seven assists, and one steal last Saturday in a 141-125 home loss to the London Lightning. The Five (6-5) play Tuesday at the Lightning and face the Windsor Express and the KW Titans on Thursday and Saturday in home games.

BASKETBALL

BRAXTON BENHAM — Berry College (Jr., Cass HS) … scored 15 points with six rebounds Sunday in a 93-86 home win over Sewanee. He also scored 10 points with four rebounds this past Friday in a 95-57 win over Centre College (Kentucky). He also totaled 10 assists and three steals in the two wins. The Vikings (15-9, 12-1 Southern Athletic Association) host Oglethorpe on Wednesday night, and the conference tournament begins on Sunday at higher seed campuses.

ZAYLAN CHANEY — Tallahassee CC (So., Cartersville resident; Legacy Academy) … in home losses last Wednesday and Saturday to Pensacola State CC and Chipola College, Chaney totaled 10 points, 21 rebounds, four assists, and two steals. The Eagles (16-9, 2-5) visit Gulf Coast State CC on Wednesday night.

JA’KA’YAH DRAUGHN — Chattanooga State CC (Fr., Cartersville HS) … totaled nine points, three assists, three rebounds, and one steal in wins last Wednesday at Motlow State CC and at home this past Saturday over Dyersburg State CC. CSCC (21-1, 11-1) hosts Roane State CC on Wednesday and visits Columbia State CC on Saturday.

JUSTICE HAYES — Point University (Jr., Cass HS) … scored eight points and had three rebounds last Thursday in a 70-66 loss at Blue Mountain Christian (Mississippi). Hayes also scored 11 points with one steal this past Saturday in a 94-62 home loss to Tennessee Southern. The Skyhawks (6-18, 0-16 Southern States Athletic Conference) visit Brewton-Parker College on Wednesday and entertain Faulkner University on Saturday.

DiANTHONY HEATHCOCK — Columbia International University (Sr., Woodland HS) … posted a pair of double-double performances last week as the Rams won at Reinhardt and won at home against Milligan. Heathcock had 11 points with 10 rebounds and one assist at Reinhardt. He followed with 16 points, 15 rebounds, two blocks, one assist, and one steal in their Milligan win. Columbia International (16-9, 15-6 Appalachian Athletic Conference) plays at the University of Pikeville on Wednesday.

HALEY JOHNSON — Central Georgia Tech CC (So., Cass HS) … totaled 16 points, four rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one blocked shot as the Titans lost 61-52 to East Georgia State CC and defeated Southern Crescent Tech CC 77-50. CGTCC (11-12, 8-4 GCAA) plays at Andrew College on Wednesday and hosts Georgia Highlands on Saturday.

KEARA McDANIEL — Toccoa Falls College (So., Cass HS) … scored five points with one rebound, one steal, and one assist this past Saturday in an 88-44 loss at Johnson & Wales University (North Carolina). McDaniel also saw action and had a pair of personal fouls but no other stat line as the Screamin’ Eagles lost at Pensacola Christian this past Thursday, 68-66. Toccoa Falls (16-5) visit Paine College on Wednesday and host Bob Jones University on Saturday.

T.J. PRINTUP — Tusculum University (R-Fr., Adairsville HS) … scored eight points with eight boards and three steals this past Saturday in an 83-76 home loss to Wingate. He also scored four points with three rebounds, two blocked shots, two steals, and one assist last Wednesday in a 70-68 victory at UVA-Wise. The Pioneers (10-11, 8-7 South Atlantic Conference) play at Carson-Newman on Wednesday.

WRESTLING

BRYCE KRESHO — Franklin & Marshall College (So., Cass HS) … finished second this past weekend at the Messiah Invitational in Mechanicsville, Pennsylvania in the 149-pound weight class. Kresho won 3-1 with two pins and one tech fall. His loss in the tournament finals was a 4-3 decision to Sean Seefeldt of the University of Pennsylvania. The Diplomats return to the mats this weekend at Mllersville University on Friday and at Drexel University on Saturday.

TYLER McKNIGHT — Davidson College (Fr., Cass HS) … dropped a 3-2 decision in his 149-pound bout this past Friday at Gardner-Webb in a 25-17 team loss. On Sunday, he lost a 4-1 decision as the Wildcats were topped by The Citadel 36-7. Davidson hosts Appalachian State on Thursday and wrestles at Virginia Military Institute on Friday

JAXON SMITH — University of Maryland (R-So., Woodland HS) … won his bout by technical fall (18-2, 3:59) on Sunday as the Terps defeated visiting Michigan State 28-15. Smith is the NCAA’s No. 5 ranked 197-pounder. Maryland wraps up its Big Ten schedule on the road at Rutgers on Friday.

TENNIS

EMILY BUSH — Young Harris College (So., Cartersville HS) … in a pair of team wins on Sunday, February 4 — 4-3 over Lincoln Memorial and 9-0 over the University of Virginia-Wise — Bush split her four matches. She and doubles partner Holly Ashford lost 3-6 at Line 2 facing LMU but she won at Line 1 with Meghna Mallath vs. Virginia-Wise 6-2. Bush lost her Line 1 singles match 3-6, 4-6 in the LMU win and won 4-6, 6-3 (10-5) at Line 2 against Virginia-Wise. The Mountain Lions (2-2) play on Tuesday at Reinhardt and will host West Georgia on Friday.

EMILY SURCEY — Samford University (Jr., Cass HS) … in a 4-3 team loss this past Saturday at home to Belmont, Surcey and partner Alexis Lopez lost their Line 1 doubles set 0-6. Surcey also fell at Line 2 singles, 3-6, 2-6. The Bulldogs (2-2) host Southern Mississippi on Monday at visit Memphis on Sunday afternoon.

BRYCE VAN ORDER — Piedmont University (Sr., Woodland HS) … the Lions beat Greenville College and Transylvania but lost to Ohio Northern this past weekend at the Transylvania Invitational in Lexington, Kentucky. Van Order won a pair of Line 2 singles matches and was 2-1 in doubles matches with partner Mike Porcelli. Piedmont heads to the North Carolina Challenge on Friday and Saturday to face Pfeiffer, Virginia Wesleyan, and Johnson & Wales.

at the Transylvania Invitational in Lexington, Kentucky

TRACK AND FIELD

BILL ARCHER — University of Montevallo (Jr., Cartersville HS) … finished 12th in the mile run (4:27.74) last Friday at the Samford Bulldog Invitational in Birmingham. The Gulf South Conference Indoor Championships are on Thursday and Friday at the Birmingham Crossplex.

NOAH BAER — Baldwin Wallace University (Fr., Woodland HS) … placed 10th in the pole vault event this past Saturday (4.05 meters / 13.29 feet) at the All-Ohio Indoor Championships in Westerville, Ohio. The Yellow Jackets are back in action on Friday at the Greater Cleveland Invitational.

DREW THAYER — University of Montevallo (Fr., Woodland HS) … placed 25th in the 800 meters (2:03.59) last Friday at the Samford Bulldog Invitational. The Gulf South Conference Indoor Championships are on Thursday and Friday in Birmingham.

GOLF

BLANE DAVIS — Georgia College (Sr., Cartersville HS) … shot rounds of 90-81-89—260 placing 78th while the Bobcats finished 15th of 15 teams at the Matlock Collegiate Classic last Monday and Tuesday in Lakeland, Florida. Florida Southern College won the event. Georgia College plays next at the Saint Leo Invitational on February 19-20 in Dade City, Florida.

SOFTBALL

KILEY ARNOLD — University of West Alabama (Fr., Cartersville HS) … made one unsuccessful pinch-hitting appearance this past weekend in the Tigers’ 16-4 win over Eckerd College at the Daytona Beach Invitational. UWA won five of six games at the tournament with their only loss coming to 10th-ranked Tampa. The Tigers also had a win over Tampa to go with victories over Embry-Riddle twice and Eckerd twice. West Alabama (8-2) begins Gulf South Conference play on Saturday and Sunday with a three-game series at Union University (Tennessee).

LAINEY BAKER — Union University (So., Woodland HS) … tossed three shutout innings and struck out eight on Saturday to pick up a pitching win over Columbus State. She was then tagged with the pitching loss following a 3-⅔ inning stint against Georgia College. On Saturday Baker allowed four earned runs on five hits and one walk. She fanned two. The Bulldogs went 3-1 at the Columbus State Classic by also defeating Lenior-Rhyne University and Tuskegee University. Union (5-3) will host the University of West Alabama in a three-game series Saturday and Sunday in Jackson.

HAYLEE DISHMON — Georgia Highlands CC (Fr., Cass HS) … in a pair of doubleheader losses last week to Snead State CC and Walters State CC, Dishmon was 2-for-11 at the plate including one walk and one RBI. She also had a stolen base. The Lady Chargers (2-7) host Vevil State CC on Wednesday and Cleveland State CC on Saturday.

MEGAN GREGORY — Campbell University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … made two short appearances this past Saturday against Syracuse and Bucknell but did not receive a pitching decision. In a 13-3 loss to Syracuse, she allowed four earned runs on five hits in 1-⅔ innings. In a 4-3 loss to Bucknell, Gregory retired all three batters faced in the sixth inning. On Sunday, she was a tough-luck pitching loser in a 2-0 loss to Coastal Carolina. Gregory went the distance allowing just one earned run on three hits and three walks in six innings in the circle. The Camels (0-5) play in the Marucci Classic in Raleigh this weekend where they will face NC State, UConn, and North Dakota State.

ANSLEY HIGHT — University of Southern Mississippi (Fr., Cass HS) … made one unsuccessful pinch-hitting appearance this past weekend in a 3-2 Eagles’ win over James Madison. Southern Miss finished 2-3 at the Jacksonville, Florida River City Leadoff Tournament. The Eagles host Missouri State for a three-game set this Saturday and Sunday.

SADYE JOHNSON — University of North Georgia (Jr., Adairsville HS) … made starts at catcher this past Friday and Saturday against West Georgia and Catawba as the Nighthawks hosted the Surf ’N Turf Classic in Dahlonega. Johnson threw out the only stolen base attempt against her but was 0-for-6 in her plate appearances. UNG, currently ranked No. 1 preseason in D-II, split two games with Catawba, beat West Georgia, and defeated Emmanuel College to finish 3-1 in the tournament. Now 8-1 on the season, North Georgia will host UNC Pembroke, Lenoir-Rhyne, and Lake Erie this Friday through Sunday in the UNG Leadoff Classic.

RACHAEL LEE — Gulf Coast State CC (So., Cass HS) … in four wins Friday and Saturday over Wallace State, LB Wallace, Southern Union State, and Northwest Shoals CC, Lee was 9-for-14 at the plate including three doubles, two triples, eight runs scored, 11 RBIs, and one stolen base. The Commodores (9-3) will play Mississippi Gulf Coast, East Central (Mississippi), Coastal Alabama-North, and Wallace State on Friday and Sunday at the Gulf Shores Coyote Classic.

HOPE SHORT — Shorter University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … was inserted at second base and was 0-for-1 at the plate this past Friday in a 4-2 loss to Miles College at the Huntsville Charger Chill Out. The Lady Hawks (1-4) begin Gulf South Conference play on Friday and Saturday with three games at home against Lee University.

ALEXA VARNER — Shorter University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … was 2-for-8 at the plate in the Hawks’ two losses last Friday in Huntsville to Lincoln Memorial and Miles. The Lady Hawks (1-4) begin Gulf South Conference play on Friday and Saturday with three games at home against Lee University.

ALEXIS WOODS — Tennessee State University (Fr., Cass HS) … utilized in a reserve role this past weekend at the Cowgirl Classic in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Woods was 0-for-4 but scored two runs as the Tigers lost to Tarleton, New Mexico, and McNeese but split two games with Lamar. TSU (1-4) will host the Roar City Invitational Friday through Sunday and will face Indiana State, Saint Louis, and Western Michigan.

BASEBALL

COLIN EATON -- Gordon State CC (So., Cartersville HS) ... pitched six shutout innings last Wednesday in a 13-0 home win over Cleveland State CC earning him GCAA Co-Pitcher of the Week honors. He allowed only two hits and one walk while striking out six. The Highlanders (4-3) host Chattanooga State on Monday, the Brewton Parker JV on Wednesday, and Chattanooga State on Saturday.

CAL GOSS — Lee University (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … faced three batters, retiring one with a flyout, as the Flames beat Mars Hill Sunday 10-9. Goss hit a batter and gave up one hit. Lee won two of three in the weekend series and improved to 5-2. The Flames host Young Harris College on Tuesday and play at Shorter University on Friday and Saturday in a three-game Gulf South Conference series.

COLT McKIBBON — Lee University (So., Cartersville HS) … made a two-inning appearance last Wednesday in a Flames 6-4 win over Lincoln Memorial University. He allowed one earned run on three hits and struck out three. On Sunday, McKibbon tossed 1-⅓ innings and allowed a pair of earned runs on two hit batsmen and one hit in Lee’s 10-9 win over Mars Hill University. The Flames host Young Harris College on Tuesday and play at Shorter University on Friday and Saturday in a three-game Gulf South Conference series.

DREW ROTHSCHILD — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (So., Cartersville HS) … was 1-for-5 at the plate last Wednesday in the Stallions’ 6-5 loss at Santa Fe College. ABAC (2-6) plays at College of Central Florida on Tuesday and has a three-game series at Pasco-Hernando State CC on Friday and Saturday.

SCOTTY SMITH — Covenant College (Jr., Woodland HS) … went 3-⅓ innings in a pitching start last Friday allowing one earned run on two hits and two walks with two strikeouts. He did not receive a decision but the Scots lost 10-6 to Alma College (Michigan). Covenant (1-2) won one game in the three-game series. The Scots host North Park University (Illinois) for a three-game set this Friday and Saturday.

STEVEN SPELL — Young Harris College (Grad student, Cass HS) … went 4-for-12 at the plate with a home run, four walks, and four runs scored as the Mountain Lions swept a three-game series at West Georgia. Spell has hit safely in all six games this season. YHC (6-0) plays at Lee University on Tuesday and has a three-game Peach Belt Conference series at Columbus State from Friday through Sunday.

PRESTON WELCHEL — Cumberland University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … went 3-for-6 with two walks, one run scored, and four RBIs as the Phoenix split two home games with 14th-ranked Indiana Wesleyan. Cumberland (1-5) plays at Reinhardt on Tuesday afternoon, hosts a doubleheader with Johnson University (Tennessee) on Friday, and entertains University of St. Francis (Illinois) with single games on Saturday and Sunday.

COHEN WILBANKS — Georgia Gwinnett College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … in starts against Missouri Baptist and William Carey (Mississippi) this past weekend, the Grizzlies catcher was 0-for-5 with one walk and one sacrifice. Georgia Gwinnett went 3-1 on a road trip beating Central Methodist (Missouri) and 10th-ranked Missouri Baptist in Sterlington, Louisiana. They then beat Talladega University but lost to 4th-ranked William Carey in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The Grizzlies (7-1) host Point Park (Pennsylvania) on Friday and Saturday with a single game against Toccoa Falls College on Saturday night.

JORDAN WILKIE — Augusta University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … in four games last week Wilkie was 1-for-10 with two walks, one RBI, and three runs scored. He also had one stolen base. The Jags lost to Erskine College last Tuesday and swept a three-game weekend series with Kentucky Wesleyan. Augusta (3-4) plays at Emmanuel on Tuesday before traveling to Melbourne, Florida for a three-game series at Florida Tech on Friday and Saturday.