Athletes Beyond Bartow -- Hardin scores TD in final game; Mosby makes Shreveport debut

Playing in his final collegiate game for Point, Woodland graduate Hunter Hardin created a memory that will last well beyond his playing days.

A starting left guard for the Skyhawks, Hardin got to carry the football — not once, but twice. His second rushing attempt resulted in a 2-yard #BigManTouchdown.

In the pro ranks, former Cartersville High hoops star A.J. Mosby debuted for the Shreveport Mavericks of The Basketball League. Shreveport played its first two games Friday and Saturday on the road, but Mosby made a great first impression on the Mavericks faithful, scoring a total of 53 points over the weekend.

Elsewhere, ex-Adairsville High standout Lane Griffith went 5-for-10 with a double, a home run, three runs scored and four RBIs in a three-game sweep; Lindsey Bonner, a former Canes golfer, placed runner-up in a tournament Monday; and Woodland product Trevor Knowles racked up four total top-three finishes in his final home meet.

SOFTBALL

Skylar Chappell (Cottey College, So., Woodland HS)… homered, scored twice, and drove in three runs in a doubleheader Monday at Ecclesia College. The Comets (22-6) play at Science & Arts (Oklahoma) Thursday and will host Sterling (Kansas) in a doubleheader Sunday.

Brianna Hill (Covenant, Fr., Woodland HS)… was 0-for-5 at Brevard last Wednesday as the Scots split a doubleheader. A pair of games scheduled with LaGrange on Saturday were canceled. Covenant (16-14, 5-3) hosts Piedmont in a doubleheader Saturday.

PRO BASEBALL

Sam Howard (Pittsburgh Pirates, 8th-year pro; Cartersville HS)… was called on with one out in the sixth inning Sunday and a man on first. He retired all three batters he faced, striking out two. The Pirates went on to beat the Cubs, 7-1. In five appearances this season, Howard has worked four innings and has a 1-1 record. He has recorded seven strikeouts with opponents hitting for a .154 average against him.

COLLEGE BASEBALL

Levi Ayers (Young Harris, So., Cartersville HS)… pitched in the final inning Sunday of an 11-8 home loss to 24th-ranked North Georgia. Ayers was entered with the Mountain Lions trailing 10-8 with a runner on first base. He walked a batter and allowed a hit that drove in the inherited runner. After an infield error, Ayers got a strikeout and a ground ball double play to end the frame. It was his seventh appearance of the season. Young Harris (18-10, 16-8) has a home Peach Belt Conference series with USC-Aiken Saturday and Sunday.

Mason Barnett (Auburn, So., Cartersville HS)… worked the fourth and fifth innings of the Tigers’ 19-10 home loss Sunday to 4th-ranked Mississippi State. The right-hander faced 10 batters allowing two earned runs on four hits. He struck out one. Auburn (12-16, 1-11 SEC) plays at Georgia Tech Tuesday and at rival Alabama Thursday through Saturday in a three game series.

Clifton Dempsey (Toccoa Falls, Sr., Cartersville HS)… went 1-for-4 with two RBIs last Tuesday in a 16-3 loss at Georgia Gwinnett. The Screaming Eagles (11-16) had a three-game series in Jacksonville vs. Trinity Baptist canceled last weekend but will return to the diamond Friday and Saturday in a three-game set at Bob Jones University.

Jake Gooch (Central Alabama CC, Fr., Cartersville HS)… was 2-for-4 with two RBIs last Tuesday in a 6-4 home win over Chattahoochee Valley. The Trojans play at Chattahoochee Valley Wednesday and have a four game series with Snead State Thursday and Saturday.

Lane Griffith (West Georgia, Sr., Adairsville HS)… went 5-for-10 with a double, a home run, three runs scored, and four RBIs in a three game conference series with visiting Union University Sunday and Monday. The Wolves travel to 19th-ranked Valdosta State for a three game series Saturday and Sunday.

Kenny Jinks (Shorter, So., Woodland HS)… was utilized to retire the final two outs in Saturday’s 11-6 win at 3rd-ranked Lee University. He allowed no runs and one hit with one strikeout in the appearance but was not eligible for a save. The 24th-ranked Hawks will likely move up in the rankings after winning two of three Gulf South Conference games at Lee. Shorter (21-9, 18-9) has its next three game conference series Friday and Saturday at Alabama-Huntsville.

Brycen Jones (Central Alabama CC, Fr., Cartersville HS)… pitched the fifth and sixth innings last Tuesday allowing no runs on two hits with three strikeouts as the Trojans defeated Chattahoochee Valley CC 6-4. CACC (19-19, 7-9) plays at Chattahoochee Valley Wednesday and has a four game series with Snead State Thursday and Saturday.

Logan Nelson (Truett McConnell, Fr., Cass HS)… went 1-for-5 with a walk and scored two runs in one start and three game appearances last week. Nelson’s start was at Kentucky Christian where the Bears swept a three-game series. He also was entered and had single at-bats in a doubleheader last Wednesday at Union College (Kentucky). TMU (20-15, 10-10 Appalachian Athletic Conference) hosts Bob Jones University Tuesday and St. Andrews University (North Carolina) Friday and Saturday in a three game conference series.

Preston Welchel (Coastal Alabama - Bay Minette, Fr., Cartersville HS)… finished 2-for-7 with a double and two RBIs Thursday in a home doubleheader loss to Coastal Alabama-Monroeville. In 37 games played, Welchel has a .275 batting average with two home runs and 21 RBIs. The Sun Chiefs (16-27, 8-12) play a four game series with Coastal Alabama-Brewton Thursday and Saturday.

Jordan Wilkie (Augusta, Fr., Cartersville HS)… made a pinch hit appearance and played some second base in Friday’s 10-1 loss at USC-Aiken. The Jaguars won one of three games in the series and play a non-conference game at Erskine Wednesday. Augusta (5-22, 4-21 Peach Belt Conference) will also host new conference member Claflin Friday and Saturday in a three game set.

Zach Wilson (Penn State-Greater Allegheny, Fr., Woodland HS)… went 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs scored, and three RBIs in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader with PSU-Fayette. His team won 14-1 in five innings to complete a sweep. PSU-Greater Allegheny (9-4) hosts Penn State-Beaver Tuesday followed by a four game series with Penn State-Du Bois over the weekend.

PRO BASKETBALL

A.J. Mosby (Shreveport Mavericks; Cartersville HS) — Competing in the opening weekend of The Basketball League season, Mosby racked up a team-high 32 points on 12-of-18 shooting from the floor (3-for-6 3PT), while adding six assists and five rebounds, in a 97-93 triumph Saturday at Dallas. Mosby also paced Shreveport with 21 points during a 112-101 loss Friday at Little Rock.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Justice Hayes (South Georgia Tech Fr., Cass HS) — Hayes recorded a rebound in a Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association quarterfinal win over Southern Crescent Tech. He saw time in a semifinal loss to South Georgia.

Jacquez Fountain (Albany Tech So., Cass HS) — After receiving an all-region nod last week, Fountain posted a 16-point, 14-rebound double-double in an overtime defeat against Central Georgia Tech in the GCAA quarterfinals.

T.J. Horton (Georgia Highlands Fr., Cartersville HS) — In a loss to East Georgia in the GCAA quarterfinals, Horton scored six points and pulled down two rebounds.

FOOTBALL

Hunter Hardin (Point Sr., Woodland HS) — A starting offensive lineman, Hardin carried the ball twice for 2 yards each, with the second resulting in a touchdown as time expired in the first quarter of Point’s season finale Saturday at St. Andrews (North Carolina). Hardin’s score helped tie the game at 7-apiece, but the home team pulled away for a 62-20 win.

Sean Holton (Davidson Sr., Cartersville HS) — Holton fair caught a kickoff during a 29-24 loss Saturday at Presbyterian.

Jacob Potter (Kennesaw State Jr., Adairsville HS) — Competing for a Big South championship in the regular-season finale, Potter served as the long snapper in a 42-17 defeat Saturday at Monmouth.

John Scifers (Incarnate Word Grad. Transfer, Woodland HS) — In a high-scoring affair, Scifers registered three touchbacks among nine kickoffs, averaging 56.7 yards per boot, in a 49-47 loss to Northwestern State Saturday at home.

Jake Walker (Furman Sr., Cartersville native, Darlington HS) — Walker saw action but didn’t record any receptions during a 26-7 defeat Saturday at The Citadel.

GOLF

Lindsey Bonner (York Sr., Cartersville HS) — Bonner shot a one-over 74 to finish runner-up — one strike back of the champion — Monday at the Spartan Invite hosted by York College. Because she was playing as an individual, Bonner’s score didn’t contribute to York’s A team. Even still, the Spartans managed to win their fifth straight tournament title to begin the season, winding up four shots ahead of Stevenson at the Country Club of York.

TENNIS

Blake Bottegal (Shorter Jr., Woodland HS) — Bottegal and his Line 3 doubles partner fell 6-0 during a 7-0 loss last Wednesday at West Alabama.

Connor Gunnell (Shorter Fr., Woodland HS) — During the loss to West Alabama, Gunnell dropped his Line 6 singles match by a 6-0, 6-0 score.

Houston Medlock (Piedmont Jr., Adairsville HS) — Medlock came out on the short end of singles (6-1, 6-0) and doubles (8-3) action in a 5-4 defeat last Wednesday versus Covenant at home.

Ashley Popham (Mercer Fr., Cartersville HS) — Popham dropped an 8-3 decision on Line 6 singles in a SoCon match Thursday at Furman.

Bryce VanOrder (Piedmont Fr., Woodland HS) — Despite coming up short as a team, VanOrder emerged victorious on Line 2 singles against Covenant, earning a 6-3, 6-4 win.

TRACK AND FIELD

Parker Breedlove (Reinhardt So., Cartersville HS) — Competing in the 5000-meter race, Breedlove placed 31st Friday during the Berry Field Day Invitational in Floyd County.

Trevor Knowles (Albion Sr., Woodland HS) — Knowles put together a remarkable all-around performance to help the Britons finish first overall during a senior day meet Friday at home. In addition to helping the 4x100-meter relay team earn a victory, Knowles placed second in the long and triple jump events, while coming in third in the high jump.

VOLLEYBALL

Nedu Evans (Augusta So., Cartersville HS) — Evans contributed a total of eight kills, five digs and two block assists, as Augusta went 3-0 last week with wins over USC Aiken, Lander and Young Harris.

-- Nicholas Sullivan of The Daily Tribune News contributed to this report.