Athletes Beyond Bartow: NFL season ends for Lawrence; collegiate wrestling and basketball action heats up

December 17, 2024

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

NFL

TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL, 4th-yr. pro; Clemson; Cartersville HS) … the No. 1 overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft was placed on the Jaguar's injured reserve list last week, meaning he will miss at least four games, which began this past Sunday. That would make the 25-year-old signal caller potentially eligible to return for the season finale, but Jacksonville coach Doug Pederson stated last week that Lawrence would not return this season. Lawrence was placed in concussion protocol following a late hit in the Jags’ game with the Houston Texans. Before that, he was dealing with a sprain in his non-throwing shoulder, which will be surgically repaired. In his absence, Mac Jones has taken over the No. 1 quarterback spot for Jacksonville. Jacksonville (3-11) lost the Houston game on Dec. 1, won at Tennessee on Dec. 8, and lost at home to the New York Jets this past Sunday.

Trevor Lawrence stats:

Career: 60 games (all starts); 1,288 of 2,034 passing (63.3%); 13,815 yards with 69 touchdowns and 46 interceptions; 22-38 record as a starter; 112 sacks; 231 carries for 1,083 yards and 14 touchdowns; 36 fumbles.

2024 season: 10 games (all starts); 172 of 284 passing (60.6%); 2,045 yards with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions; 2-8 record as a starter; 18 sacks; 26 carries for 119 yards and three touchdowns; 3 fumbles.

CHINA — CBA PRO BASKETBALL

ASHTON HAGANS — Xinjiang Flying Tigers (5th yr. pro; Cartersville native; University of Kentucky; Newton HS) … the 25-year-old point guard totaled 22 points, ten rebounds, 17 assists, eight steals, and one blocked shot in wins last week over the Liaoning Flying Leopards and the Jilin Northeast Tigers. Xinjiang (13-3) is currently in second place in the 20-team league and plays the Tianjin Ronggang Pioneers, the Shandong Heroes, and the Shanxi Loongs this week.

BASKETBALL

BRAXTON BENHAM — Berry College (Sr., Cass HS) … totaled 45 points with 14 rebounds, 12 assists, five steals, and two blocked shots last weekend as the Vikings split games at the LaGrange College tournament. Berry lost to East Texas Baptist but defeated Greensboro College. The Vikings (5-4) host Belhaven University on Thursday and Earlham College on Saturday.

NA’YEL CAMPER — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … in starts and wins at Columbia International University (S.C.) and home against St. Thomas (Fla.) last week, Camper totaled three rebounds and three steals. The Lady Eagles (11-3, 6-1 Appalachian Athletic Conference) return to action on Dec. 31 in an exhibition at the University of North Georgia.

JA’KA’YAH DRAUGHN — Chattanooga State CC (So., Cartersville HS) … totaled 11 points with five assists, three rebounds, one blocked shot, and one steal last week as the Lady Tigers won at Gadsden State CC but lost at Wallace State-Hanceville CC. Chattanooga State (9-3, 5-1 TCCAA) will face St. Petersburg CC, Northeast Mississippi CC, and Shelton State CC at the Lady Jets Holiday Classic at South Georgia Tech CC in Americus on Dec. 29-31.

ANSLEY GRIFFIN — North Carolina Wesleyan (Fr., Cartersville HS) … had one rebound on Dec. 9 in a 92-59 loss at Christopher Newport University and had one steal last Sunday in a 70-65 loss to visiting Piedmont University. The Battlin’ Bishops (4-6, 1-2 USA South Athletic Conference) return to action Jan. 4 at home against William Peace University.

ZION HAYES — Weatherford CC (Fr., Cass HS) … scored two points with one rebound on Dec. 10 in a 97-91 win at Howard CC. The Coyotes also had a 97-57 win this past Saturday at Dallas College Cedar Valley. Weatherford (6-5) returns to action on Jan. 4 in a home game with Paris Junior College.

HALEY JOHNSON — Reinhardt University (Jr., Cass HS) … totaled nine rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one point in wins last week at Columbia International University (S.C.) and home over St. Thomas University (Fla.). Reinhardt (11-3, 6-1 Appalachian Athletic Conference) has an exhibition game at the University of North Georgia on Dec. 31.

MEGAN SCHULTZ — Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (Fr., Woodland HS) … had two rebounds this past Saturday in the Fillies’ 82-39 loss at Coastal Georgia. ABAC (5-8, 0-2 Southern States Athletic Conference) plays at Brewton-Parker College on Tuesday.

LONDAISHA SMITH — St. Andrews University (Sr., Cass HS) … recorded a double-double last Friday with 12 points, ten rebounds, two assists, and one steal in a 50-48 home win over St. Thomas University (Fla.). The Lady Knights host Milligan (Tenn.) on Monday night.

WRESTLING

ANGEL BANDA — Reinhart University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … won his 133-pound bout by pin in a 49-5 team win over Rochester Christian University at the Rocky Top Duals in Gatlinburg, Tennessee last Saturday.

LEE CAMP — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cass HS) … won bouts at 125 pounds in the Eagles’ team wins over the University of Rio Grande (Ohio) and Rochester Christian University last Saturday at the Rocky Top Duals in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

KYLE GOLLHOFER — University of Northern Iowa (R-Sr., Woodland HS) … lost his bout at 125 pounds, but the Panthers defeated Nebraska-Kearney this past Saturday 35-8. UNI (3-0 in duals) returns to action on Dec. 29-30 at the Soldier Salute in Coralville, Iowa.

QUESTAPHA LEWIS — Midway University (Sr., Woodland HS) … finished 1-3 in his four bouts at 133 pounds this past Saturday at the Rocky Top Duals in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The Eagles won three of four duals. Midway returns to action on January 3 in a Rio Grande University (Ohio) conference dual.

TYLER-XAVIER McKNIGHT — Davidson College (So. Cass HS) … won his 149-pound bout 11-4, but the Wildcats lost 25-9 this past Sunday to visiting American University. Davidson competes at the Wilkes Open on Friday in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.

JORDAN MITCHELL — Life University (Graduate Student, Cass HS) … went 1-1 in two bouts at the 141-pound weight class this past Saturday at the Rocky Top Duals in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. He defeated his Midway University opponent in a 48-6 team win and lost to his Cumberlands (Ky.) opponent in a 25-10 Runnin’ Eagles loss. Life hosts Montreat College (NC) on Tuesday and will compete at the Battle in the Bluegrass on Friday in Williamsburg, Kentucky.

EAIDEN NEAL — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … won his bout by technical fall at 133 pounds in the Eagles’ team victory over University of Pikeville (Ky.) last Saturday at the Rocky Top Duals in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

JABRIL WILLIAMS — Midway University (Graduate Student, Cartersville HS) … won his bout at 165 pounds in a 48-6 team loss to Life University this past Saturday at the Rocky Top Duals in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. He also had individual losses in team wins over Andrew College and Brewton-Parker. Midway returns to action on January 3 in a Rio Grande University (Ohio) conference dual.