Athletes Beyond Bartow: Horton, Chargers lead GCAA standings

T.J. Horton

It is another sports cross-over time of year when the winter sports of wrestling, swimming, and basketball begin approaching their post-season playoffs while indoor track and field, baseball, and softball are launching new campaigns.

As a result, we have updates on six different collegiate and pro sports this week with Athletes Beyond Bartow. T.J. Horton and the Georgia Highlands College Chargers continue to hold down the top spot in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association mens basketball standings while Ashton Hagans and Toronto Raptors’ affiliate Raptors 905 is just one-half game out of the NBA G-League’s Eastern Conference lead.

WRESTLING

ANGEL BANDA — Reinhardt University (So., Adairsville HS) … finished second at the Cumberland University (Tenn.) Open. He finished the day 3-1 with his only loss coming in the 125-pound finals against Dennis McNeal of Brewton Parker College. RU wrestles at Truett McConnell University Saturday against the host Bears and Bluefield State (West Virginia).

PRO BASKETBALL

ASHTON HAGANS — Raptors 905 - NBA G-League (Cartersville native, University of Kentucky; Newton HS) … during a 2-1 week, Hagans totaled 24 points, 22 assists, eight steals, seven rebounds, and two blocked shots as Raptors 905 swept the Windy City Bulls Tuesday and Thursday 100-93 and 104-89 but lost to the visiting Delaware Blue Coats, 126-121. The Raptors (11-4) are in second place in the NBA G-League’s Eastern Conference trailing the Motor City Cruise by one-half game. The Ontario-based, Toronto Raptors affiliate plays at the Cleveland Charge Tuesday night and at the Delaware Blue Coats Saturday night.

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

JUSTICE HAYES — South Georgia Tech (So., Cass HS) … a starter for the Jets at guard, Hayes scored three points with two assists and two rebounds last Wednesday in a 73-71 loss at South Georgia CC. He then found foul trouble Saturday and played only 14 minutes with no points, two assists and one steal during an 86-65 blowout win over visiting Southern Crescent Tech. South Georgia Tech (14-10, 6-4 GCAA) is in third place in the conference with six regular season games to play. The Jets host Gordon College Wednesday night and travel to Albany Tech Saturday.

DiANTHONY HEATHCOCK — Columbia International University (So., Woodland HS) … totaled eight points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three blocked shots in a pair of road losses last week. The Rams lost 71-63 at Truett McConnell Thursday and 84-69 at Reinhardt Saturday. CIU (13-10, 9-9 Appalachian Athletic Conference) hosts Johnson University Tuesday, Tennessee Wesleyan Thursday, and travels to Truett McConnell Saturday.

T.J. HORTON — Georgia Highlands College (Fr., Cartersville HS) … a starting guard for the Chargers, Horton scored two points with three rebounds and three assists in the GHC's only game last week — a 74-65 win at Central Georgia Tech. Georgia Highlands (14-8, 7-1) is currently in first place in the GCAA and has conference games Monday at Gordon College, Wednesday at Southern Crescent Tech, and at home Saturday against Andrew College.

JAYLON PUGH — Furman University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … scored two points with one blocked shot and one steal last Wednesday in the Paladins’ 102-83 home win over The Citadel. Furman (17-8, 9-3 Southern Conference) plays at East Tennessee State Monday night and hosts conference leading Chattanooga Saturday afternoon.

JORDAN THOMPSON — Motlow State CC (Fr., Woodland HS) … scored nine points with three rebounds and one assist in a start Saturday at Southwest Tennessee CC. She also fouled out in the 74-53 loss. The Bucks (3-17, 2-9 TCCAA) host Cleveland State CC Wednesday and play at Jackson State CC Saturday.

JOSIE SUMMERVILLE — North Park University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … came off the bench to score 10 points, grab five rebounds, and make one steal during a 74-59 win over North Central University (Illinois) last Thursday. In a starting role Saturday, she scored two points with six rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one blocked shot but the Vikings lost at Augustana (Illinois) 55-46. NPU (14-6, 7-5 CCIW) plays at Illinois Wesleyan Wednesday and at Millikin University Saturday.

NAKIYAH WASHINGTON — Piedmont College (Jr., Adairsville HS) … scored 10 points and added one rebound, one assist, and one steal in the Lions’ 70-57 win last Tuesday at Brevard College. She also scored six points with four rebounds and one blocked shot in limited time during a 91-39 home win Saturday over Agnes Scott College. Piedmont also routed visiting Wesleyan College Sunday, 82-36, and Washington did not play. The Lions (19-3, 12-1 USA South Athletic Conference) have won 13 straight games heading into games this week at LaGrange College Wednesday and at Berea College (Kentucky) on Saturday.

TENNIS

ASHLEY POPHAM — Mercer University (So., Cartersville HS) … won her Line 6 singles match 6-1, 6-0 Sunday, January 30 as the Bears blanked Emmanuel College 7-0. Mercer (4-2) hosts Georgia State Friday afternoon.

CHRISTY TURNER — Coppin State University (Sr., Woodland HS) … last Thursday she teamed with Iva Jankovic at a Line 2 doubles loss and also dropped her Line 4 singles match in three sets to her Mount St. Mary’s (Maryland) opponent. The Eagles lost the match 6-1. Coppin State (0-2) returns to action Saturday, February 19 at Lafayette University.

TRACK AND FIELD

BILL ARCHER — University of Montevallo (Fr., Cartersville HS) … ran a leg for the fifth place 4000 meter men’s distance medley relay team and placed 19th (9:15.19) in the 3000 meter run at this past weekend’s East Tennessee State Buccaneer Indoor Invitational in Johnson City, Tennessee. Next up for the Falcons is the Gulf South Conference Indoor Championship February 15-16 in Birmingham.

TERRY BERDIN — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS) … placed 19th (7.40) in the 60 meter dash as the Eagles finished fourth at the Life University Indoor/Outdoor Invitational Sunday. Reinhardt is back in action Saturday at the Sewanee Indoor Invitational.

TREVOR KNOWLES — Albion University (Sr., Woodland HS) … placed third in the high jump and ran 20th in the 60 meter dash last Friday at the Concordia Red, White, and Blue Classic in Ypsilanti, Michigan. The Britons compete again Friday in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the WHAC vs. MIAA Challenge.

STEPHEN SMITH — Kennesaw State University (So, Cass HS) … placed 12th in pole vault at the 25-team USA Invitational inside the Birmingham CrossPlex Sunday. He and teammate AJ Johnson both cleared 4.62 meters (15’1.75”). The Owls have are in action Friday and Saturday at the Music City Challenge in Nashville at Vanderbilt University.

BASEBALL

BRYCEN JONES — University of West Georgia (Jr., Cartersville HS) … faced four batters Sunday in a sixth inning appearance against visiting Kentucky State. He allowed one earned run on two walks and a hit during a 20-2 Wolves win.

GARRETT MISHOE — University of West Georgia (So., Adairsville HS) … closed out the final inning of Sunday’s 20-2 win over Kentucky State. He allowed one hit and hit one batter but struck out a pair in a scoreless frame. West Georgia (3-0) plays at Emmanuel College Tuesday then makes a Florida swing Friday through Sunday to play Lynn University, Palm Beach Atlantic, and Nova Southeastern in the West Palm Beach area.

JORDAN WILKIE — Augusta University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … entered as a pinch hitter, went 0-for-2 with a walk, and played defensively at second base in the Jaguars’ two losses Saturday at Newberry College. Augusta (1-3) hosts Anderson University Tuesday and University of Virginia-Wise for a three-game series Saturday and Sunday.

SOFTBALL

BELLA CARNES — Georgia College (So., Woodland HS) … saw action Saturday against Carson-Newman as a pinch runner and had one pinch hit appearance Saturday against Florida Tech. She was also utilized as a pinch runner in Sunday’s loss to Emmanuel College. Georgia College (0-4) hosts North Greenville Saturday in a doubleheader.

ANSLEY EVANS — Reinhardt University (Fr., Woodland HS) … started at third base, walked, and scored a run in the Eagles 5-4 win Friday over Middle Georgia State. Reinhardt (1-1) lost the second game of that doubleheader, 16-8. The Eagles are scheduled to play six games Friday through Sunday at the Georgia Gwinnett College Tournament in Lawrenceville.

LAUREN McELHANEY — University of West Georgia (So., Cartersville HS) … was the starting catcher and finished 0-for-2 at the plate in the Wolves’ 12-2 loss Sunday afternoon to Lubbock Christian in a game played in the Gulf Shores Invitational. UWG (1-2) travels to Greenwood, South Carolina Saturday and Sunday for the Brianna Surrento Kickoff Classic.