Athletes Beyond Bartow: Local women play in national championship games
March 18, 2024
Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com
NBA
ASHTON HAGANS — Portland Trailblazers (4th yr. pro; Cartersville native; Kentucky; Newton HS) … scored eight points with five rebounds and three assists in just over 22 minutes of playing time last Thursday in a 105-93 home loss to the New York Knicks. He did not participate in the Blazers’ 126-107 loss last Saturday to the New Orleans Pelicans. Hagans is on a two-way contract with Portland of the NBA and the NBA G League’s Rip City Remix.
BASKETBALL SUPER LEAGUE
A.J. MOSBY, JR. — Sudbury Five (6th year pro; Alcorn State; Cartersville HS) … The Five dropped a 125-123 decision this past Saturday at home to the Derby City Distillers with Mosby scoring 32 points. He also had six rebounds, three assists, and one steal. Sudbury (11-9) has lost three straight and slipped to fifth place in the league standings. Their next game is Saturday night at home against the Kitchener-Waterloo Titans.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
ZAYLAN CHANEY — Tallahassee CC (So., Cartersville resident, Legacy Academy) … scored eight points with six rebounds, one steal, and one assist in a 113-112 win Wednesday at Daytona State CC. He then finished with two points, five rebounds, three steals, two assists, and one blocked shot in a 73-68 loss last Friday at Chipola College.
JA’KA’YAH DRAUGHN — Chattanooga State CC (Fr., Cartersville HS) … saw action but did not record a stat line in the Tigers’ 54-52 win district tournament win over Walters State CC last Tuesday. Chattanooga State (31-1) plays in the NJCAA National Championship Tournament that begins Tuesday, March 26 in Casper, Wyoming. The Tigers, seeded 17th, face 16-seed Cochise College in the first round.
DiANTHONY HEATHCOCK — Columbia International University (Sr., Woodland HS) … scored 14 points with six rebounds and one assist on March 11 in the Rams’ 91-87 South Region semifinal loss to Paine College in the National Christian Colleges Athletic Association tournament. CIU finished the season with a 20-12 record. Heathcock started 30 games this season averaging 13.4 points and 8.4 rebounds. He led the Rams in blocked shots in his final three seasons and was second in steals.
KEARA McDANIEL — Toccoa Falls College (So., Cass HS) … saw action in all three games for the Screaming Eagles at the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division II National Championship Tournament at Crown College in Minneapolis, Minnesota. McDaniel totaled five points, seven rebounds, four assists, and one steal in wins over Great Lake Christian (78-59) and Pensacola Christian (62-51) plus the national championship game 79-70 loss to Simmons College (Ky.). McDaniel played in 25 games this season averaging 2.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. Toccoa Falls finished the season with a 20-7 record.
HALEY JOHNSON — Central Georgia Tech CC (So., Cass HS) … helped the Lady Titans reach the finals of their conference tournament last week with wins over Georgia Highlands and South Georgia Tech before falling to East Georgia State in the championship game. Johnson scored four points with four rebounds, three assists, and two steals vs. Georgia Highlands. She poured in 15 points with eight rebounds, four steals, and one assist against South Georgia Tech and finished with 10 points in the title game. She finished the year averaging 7.7 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. The Titans finished 17-15.
LONDAISHA SMITH — Salem University (Jr., Cass HS) … saw action in all three games in the tournament as the Tigers won the USCAA Division 1 Small College National Championship. Salem beat Maine-Fort Kent, Bryant & Stratton (NY), and Lyon College (Ark.) to take the crown. The Tigers, an NCAA D-II independent, finished the season with a 7-24 mark.
TENNIS
EMILY BUSH — Young Harris College (So., Cartersville HS) … was forced to retire from her Line 2 singles match against Drury University last Tuesday in an 0-4 team loss. She split the first two sets — winning 6-1 and falling 0-6 — before retiring. In an 0-7 loss to Columbus State on Saturday, March 10, she lost her Line 1 doubles match with teammate Meghna Mallath, 2-6, and fell in her Line 2 singles match, 1-6, 1-6. YHC also lost last Wednesday to Catawba College without Bush in the lineup. The Mountain Lions host Lee University on Tuesday before traveling to King University (Tenn.) and Lees-McRae College (Tenn.) on Friday and Saturday.
SYDNEY COPPOLA — Berry College (Fr., Cass HS) … won her Line 6 singles match 6-0, 6-0 as the Lady Vikings blanked Oglethorpe University last Wednesday in Atlanta 9-0. She also saw action at Line 5 singles on February 10 and lost to her Asbury opponent, 6-2, 0-6, 5-10, in a 3-6 team loss. Berry (7-3, 1-0 SAA) hosts Salisbury University on Tuesday and Christian Brothers University on Sunday.
EMILY SURCEY — Samford University (Jr., Cass HS) … won her Line 2 singles match last Friday, 6-1, 6-4, but lost her Line 2 doubles match with partner Grace Keller, 2-6, as the Bulldogs fell at home to Mercer 3-4. On Sunday, Surcey and Keller lost their Line 2 doubles set 5-7 and she dropped her Line 2 singles match 1-6, 1-6. The Bulldogs (3-10) host Western Kentucky on Friday and play at Wofford on Sunday.
TRACK AND FIELD
BILL ARCHER — University of Montevallo (Jr., Cartersville HS) … finished first in the 10k run with a time of 33:10.07 this past weekend in the Falcons’ Invitational. Montevallo will run this weekend in Atlanta at the Emory Thrills in the Hills meet.
DREW THAYER — University of Montevallo (Fr., Woodland HS) … placed fourth in the 3k steeplechase (10:30.68) this past weekend as the Falcons hosted their invitational. Montevallo will run this weekend in Atlanta at the Emory Thrills in the Hills meet.
GOLF
DALTON HENSON — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … carded a 54-hole, 219 total (74-69-76) to tie for 31st place at the Carey Collegiate Classic held March 11-12 on the par-71, 6,932-yard Canebrake Country Club in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The Eagles were seventh of 14 teams in the tournament won by Lindsey Wilson College.
JAKE LAWSON — Grand Canyon University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … played as an individual and tied for 63rd of 93 players at the GCU Invitational in Phoenix. Lawson shot 69-77-74. The Lopes placed second as a team (23-under-par) falling by one shot to Cal State-Fullerton. The next tournament for Grand Canyon is the Duck Invitational on March 25-26 in Eugene, Oregon.
CHANC WILLIS — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … finished tied for 26th following rounds of 73-72-73 (218) at the Carey Collegiate Classic held March 11-12 on the par-71, 6,932-yard Canebrake Country Club in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The Eagles were seventh of 14 teams in the tournament won by Lindsey Wilson College.
SOFTBALL
KILEY ARNOLD — University of West Alabama (Fr., Cartersville HS) … had one at-bat as a pinch hitter last Tuesday in a 5-1 home win over Georgia Southwestern. The Tigers went 3-2 for the week. UWA (17-11, 6-9 Gulf South Conference) will host West Georgia on Saturday and Sunday.
LAINEY BAKER — Union University (So., Woodland HS) … tossed a complete-game, four-hitter and struck out 13 this past Saturday to shutout visiting Shorter University, 4-0. She improved her pitching record to 6-4 on the season. Union swept the three-game series with Shorter and improved to 18-9 on the season and 10-5 in the Gulf South Conference. They host Harding University for two games on Tuesday before playing a three-game series at Auburn University Montgomery this weekend.
HAYLEE DISHMON — Georgia Highlands College (Fr., Cass HS) … went 6-for-12 last week with three walks, two RBIs, and five runs scored as the Chargers won three of four games. GHC split home games with East Georgia State and won twice at Andrew College. The Chargers (6-19, 3-3) play at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College on Friday and visit South Georgia State on Saturday.
ANSLEY EVANS — Reinhardt University (Jr., Woodland HS) … started four of six Eagles’ games last week and went 7-for-16 at the plate with a double, a triple, and one home run with four RBIs. Reinhardt won two games against Brenau, St. Andrews (NC), and Columbia (SCO. The Eagles (18-4, 8-0) host Georgia Gwinnett College on Tuesday, visit Bryan (Tenn.) on Friday, and play at Bluefield (Va.) on Saturday.
MEGAN GREGORY — Campbell University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … retired only one of six batters she faced last Saturday and was tagged with the pitching loss in a 6-5 loss to Towson University (Md.). Gregory allowed five runs (three earned) on three hits, one walk, and one hit batter. The Camels (12-14-1, 4-2 Coastal Athletic Association) won one of three games in the Towson series. They have a three-game conference series Friday through Sunday at Elon University (NC).
ANSLEY HIGHT — University of Southern Mississippi (Fr., Cass HS) … had one unsuccessful pinch-hitting appearance this past Saturday in a 7-3 home loss to Louisiana-Monroe. The Eagles (12-14, 1-2 Sun Belt Conference) play at Nicholls University on Wednesday and play a three-game conference series at Marshall University this weekend.
ALYSSA JARRETT — Piedmont University (Fr., Adairsville HS) … coming off the bench in both games, Jarrett went 2-for-4, scored one run, and drove in one run in a pair of one-sided wins this past Sunday at Berea College (Ky.). The Lions (6-11, 2-0 Collegiate Conference of the South) visit Agnes Scott College for a doubleheader on Friday and play two games on Sunday at Wesleyan College.
ERYN LEE — Reinhardt University (So., Cass HS) … started four games last week as the Eagles went 6-0. Lee was 1-for-13 and scored four runs. Reinhardt (18-4, 8-0) hosts Georgia Gwinnett College on Tuesday, visits Bryan (Tenn.) on Friday, and plays at Bluefield (Va.) on Saturday.
RACHAEL LEE — Gulf Coast State CC (So., Cass HS) … went 2-for-11 at the plate with two walks and two RBIs last week as the Commodores split two games with Rock Valley and beat Pensacola State CC twice. Tenth-ranked Gulf Coast (28-6, 2-0) plays two games at Chipola College on Wednesday and two at home against 2nd-ranked Northwest Florida State CC on Saturday.
AVA PERKINS — Lee University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … made two starts last week and went 1-for-6 at the plate with one walk, one run scored, and one stolen base in losses at Francis Marion University (SC) and at home against Auburn Montgomery University. The Flames (10-11, 6-6 Gulf South Conference) host Trevecca Nazarene University for two games on Wednesday and will face Christian Brothers University in a three-game home series on Friday and Saturday.
ALEXA VARNER — Shorter University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … went 1-for-8 with one walk and scored two runs in five Hawks’ losses last week against Delta State University and Union University (Tenn.). Her hit was a double last Wednesday at home against Delta State. Shorter (2-24, 1-14 Gulf South Conference) will try to snap a 15-game skid at home Tuesday against Emmanuel University. The Hawks will then host Mississippi College in a three-game series on Saturday and Sunday.
ALEXIS WOODS — Tennessee State University (Fr., Cass HS) … went 4-for-11 with one walk, two runs scored, and two RBIs last week in four starts. The Tigers were 4-1 for the week with a win at Morehead State, a home loss to South Dakota, and three home Ohio Valley Conference wins over Lindenwood University. TSU (14-11, 5-1) visits the University of North Alabama on Wednesday and plays a conference series on Saturday and Sunday at Southeast Missouri.
JENNA YOUNG — Covenant College (Fr., Adairsville HS) … made her first collegiate appearance but was unsuccessful in a pinch-hitting role last Tuesday as the Scots beat visiting Salem College 14-8. Covenant (3-11, 0-2) went 2-2 last week. The Scots wil host Birmingham-Southern College on Wednesday and 12th-ranked Belhaven University (Miss.) on Saturday.
BASEBALL
COLIN EATON — Gordon State College (So., Cartersville HS) … made a two-inning pitching start with no decision last Wednesday in an eventual 6-5 loss at Cleveland State CC. Eaton allowed no runs and two hits with one strikeout. He hit one of the seven batters faced. The Highlanders (14-12) play a four-game series this week with East Georgia College with a home game on Tuesday, a road game on Thursday, and a doubleheader at EGCC on Saturday.
GEOFFREY GORE — Coastal Alabama South CC (Fr., Cartersville HS) … made a fourth inning appearance last Tuesday and allowed four earned runs on two hits, two walks, and a hit batsmen in a 22-21 loss at Coastal Alabama North CC. The Coyotes (8-15, 6-2 ACCC) host Coastal Alabama North on Tuesday for a doubleheader and Chattahoochee Valley CC for two games on Thursday with a Saturday twin-bill at Chatt Valley on Saturday.
KENNY JINKS — Wheeling University (R-Sr., Woodland HS) … made a pitching start and was charged with the loss this past Sunday in a 10-0 home loss to West Virginia State. Jinks went 5-⅔ innings allowing four earned runs on nine hits and two walks. He struck out four. The Cardinals (9-7, 0-4 Mountain East Conference) host Ohio Dominican University on Wednesday, play a doubleheader at West Virginia Wesleyan College on Saturday, and visit Davis & Elkins College for two games on Sunday.
COLT McKIBBEN — Lee University (So., Cartersville HS) … was entered out of the bullpen to retire the final out of the fourth inning in an 8-2 home loss to Auburn Montgomery University. He allowed one earned run on two hits. The Flames (18-8, 8-4 Gulf South Conference) host the University of North Georgia on Tuesday and Christian Brothers University this Friday and Saturday for a three-game conference series.
SAM MELTON — Rockingham CC (So., Cartersville HS) … went 4-for-11 with three walks and two doubles in four games last week. He also scored two runs. The Eagles won two games with Southwest Virginia CC and lost three to Surry CC. Rockingham (10-18, 5-7 NJCAA D-III District 10) plays a doubleheader at Ferrum JV on Thursday and plays three games on Saturday and Sunday at home against New River CC.
DREW ROTHSCHILD — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (So., Cartersville HS) … went 1-for-2 with a walk, a double, one RBI, and one run scored last Tuesday in a 9-2 loss at Wallace-Dothan CC. The Stallions (8-14) play at Georgia Highlands on Tuesday before hosting the Chargers on Friday and Saturday for three more games.
TREY SCOTT — Alabama A&M University (Jr., Cass HS) … made a 3-⅔ inning relief appearance with no decision this past Sunday in a 15-5 home loss to Florida A&M. Scott allowed six runs (three earned) on six hits and five walks. He struck out five. The Bulldogs (2-16, 0-3 SWAC) visit UT-Martin on Tuesday and play a three-game conference series at Alabama State this weekend.
PHILLIP SCHILTZ — Coastal Alabama-South (Fr., Cartersville HS) … made a 2-⅔ inning appearance last Tuesday with no decision in an eventual 22-21 loss at Coastal Alabama-North. Schiltz allowed five runs (no earned runs) on five hits and one walk. He had one strikeout. Coastal-South (8-15, 6-2) hosts Coastal-North for a doubleheader on Tuesday and Chattahoochee Valley CC for two games on Thursday. The Coyotes will also play two games at Chatt Valley on Saturday.
HANK SMITH — Jacksonville State University (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … entered defensively but did not have a plate appearance last Tuesday in a 16-4 win at Alabama State. The Gamecocks (9-10) host Samford University on Tuesday and visit Louisiana Tech for a three-game, Conference USA series this weekend.
STEVEN SPELL — Young Harris College (Grad Student, Cass HS) … in five home games last week, he was 9-for-15 with two doubles, one homer, three walks, and seven RBIs. The Mountain Lions beat Lane College twice and Chowan University in three games. Spell was hit by a pitch and stole two bases. YHC (21-5, 9-3 Conference Carolinas) visits Carson-Newman University on Tuesday and plays a three-game series at Francis Marion University on Saturday and Sunday.
KADEN STEPHENSON — Piedmont University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … made three starts last week in the leadoff position as a designated hitter during a three-game, home-and-home series with Oglethorpe University. He went 3-for-14 at the plate with two doubles and three runs scored. The Lions won two of three games improving to 10-6. They host The College of Wooster on Wednesday and play a three-game series at Christopher Newport University on Friday through Sunday.
PRESTON WELCHEL — Cumberland University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … went 5-for-11 with two homers, one double, four walks, one HBP, three runs scored, and six RBIs as the Phoenix beat Milligan University and won one of three with Georgetown (Ky.) last week. Cumberland (16-10, 1-2) hosts 6th-ranked Tennessee Wesleyan on Tuesday before visiting Campbellsville University (Ky.) on Friday and Saturday for a three-game series.
COHEN WILBANKS — Georgia Gwinnett College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … in a start at Middle Georgia State and two at home against Talladega University Wilbanks was 5-for-11 with one walk, two doubles, and one run scored. The Grizzlies were 2-3 for the week. GGC (23-5) hosts Middle Georgia State on Tuesday and plays a three-game, home-and-home series with Brewton-Parker on Friday and Saturday.
JORDAN WILKIE — Augusta University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … appeared in three games last week off the bench in home games against Emmanuel University and Claflin University. Wilkie was 2-for-3 at the plate with two walks and one run scored. The Jaguars were 4-0 last week and improved to 16-11 and 6-3 in the Peach Belt Conference. Augusta hosts Newberry College on Tuesday before traveling to USC Beaufort for three games on Friday through Sunday.
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