Athletes Beyond Bartow update for the week ending February 21

As the 2020-21 basketball season moves closer to conference championship play many other collegiate sports are just beginning to hit full stride. Several non-DI football conferences and soccer programs are playing games in a delayed start to their seasons at the same time softball, baseball, tennis, and track and field are beginning 2021 campaigns.

BASKETBALL

Jacquez Fountain (Albany Tech, So., Cass HS) — Fountain scored 15 points and pulled down seven rebounds in an 75-73 overtime loss Saturday at Central Georgia Tech.

Justice Hayes (South Georgia Tech, Fr., Cass HS) — Hayes buried a 3-pointer on his only shot attempt and secured a rebound in an 87-85 win Saturday at Georgia Highlands.

T.J. Horton (Georgia Highlands CC, Fr., Cartersville HS) — In an 87-72 win Thursday at South Georgia Tech, Horton racked up 14 points (6-of-9 shooting), four rebounds and two steals. He added three points, four boards and two steals in a loss in Saturday’s rematch.

DiAnthony Heathcock (Columbia International University, Fr., Woodland HS) — During an 83-74 win over Truett McConnell last Wednesday at home, Heathcock scored eight points on 4-of-5 shooting, with three rebounds and a block in 18 minutes.

Jana Morning (Berry College, Sr., Cass) HS — Morning dished out 17 total assists during a two-game home set with Birmingham Southern Friday and Saturday in Rome. In an 87-63 win Friday, Morning contributed five points, five rebounds and nine assists. In an 87-70 defeat Saturday, she finished with six points, four rebounds, eight assists and four steals.

Jaylon Pugh (Furman University, Jr., Cartersville HS) — In a pair of wins last week, Pugh saw 15 combined minutes but didn’t record any stats.

Josie Summerville (North Park University, Jr., Adairsville HS) — Summerville compiled 12 points and 19 rebounds across a trio fo wins last week. She posted two points and six rebounds in a 58-47 win Tuesday at Elmhurst; contributed five points and eight rebounds in a 66-52 victory Thursday at Augustana (Illinois); and chipped in five points and five rebounds in an 82-55 triumph against Augustana Saturday at home.

Alexis Ware (Piedmont College, So., Cass HS) — Ware started both games of a home-and-home series with Agnes Scott, helping Piedmont to a pair of resounding wins — 87-22 Friday at home and 84-33 Saturday in Decatur. She recorded 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block in Friday’s victory. The next day, she posted eight points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.

Nakiyah Washington (Piedmont College, So., Adairsville HS) — Coming off being named the conference’s player of the week, Washington went 9 for 15 from the field en route to 23 points in an 85-60 victory last Tuesday at Brevard. The former Adairsville star added nine rebounds, five steals, four assists and a block.

FOOTBALL

Hunter Hardin (Point University, Sr., Woodland HS) — Point’s starting left guard helped his team compile 378 total offensive yards in a 21-15 loss Saturday to Faulkner (Alabama).

Sean Holton (Davidson College, Sr., Cartersville HS) — In the Wildcats’ season opener, Holton recorded one solo tackle, as Davidson fell to Elon by a 26-23 final score Saturday on the road.

Matthew Surrett (Olivet Nazarene, Fr., Cartersville HS) — Surrett helped pave the way for a robust 519 yards of offense (313 passing, 206 rushing) in a 44-20 victory over Indiana Wesleyan Saturday at home.

Jake Walker (Furman Univeristy, Sr., Darlington HS / Cartersville resident) — Walker saw action but didn’t record any stats in Furman’s 35-7 rout of Western Carolina Saturday at home.

SOFTBALL

COLBI BALLARD — Shorter University (So., Cartersville HS)… made a start Sunday in right field and was 0-for-2. Her batting average dropped to .375 in three starts this season. The Hawks (2-5, 0-3) have a home doubleheader Wednesday with Young Harris College and travel to Columbus State Saturday for another Peach Belt Conference doubleheader.

PRESLY EDWARDS — Wesleyan College (So., Cartersville HS)… popped out to third base in her first plate appearance of the year last Tuesday. The game was a 6-0 loss to Mercer University. The Wolves finished the week 1-4 following a doubleheader split with Gordon State Sunday. Wesleyan (1-5) plays at Berry College Tuesday, hosts Middle Georgia State and Bluefield College Tuesday and Thursday, and travels to Fort Valley State Sunday.

BRIANNA HILL — Covenant College (Fr., Woodland HS)… made four plate appearances across three games at a Berry College doubleheader and at home against Centre College, but is still looking for her first collegiate hit. The Lady Scots (2-8) host Brenau in a doubleheader Thursday and Johnson University Saturday in a double dip.

BASEBALL

MASON BARNETT — Auburn University (So., Cartersville HS)… made his first collegiate weekend start Sunday and earned a 2-1 win by scattering three hits across four innings. On the mound against visiting Presbyterian College, he walked two, hit one batter, and fanned four without allowing a run. Auburn (3-0) will host games with Alabama A&M Tuesday and Wednesday before traveling to Round Rock, Texas for Round Rock Classic games against Oklahoma Friday, Baylor Saturday, and Texas A&M Sunday.

BAILEY CAMPBELL — Young Harris College (Jr., Cass HS)… the starting designated hitter for the Mountain Lions went 4-for-10 in the three-game series as YHC took two of three from Georgia Southwestern. Campbell was also hit by a pitch twice and scored a run in the series. Young Harris (2-1, 2-1) plays host to Tusculum College Tuesday afternoon and plays a three-game Peach Belt Conference series with visiting Francis Marion University Friday and Saturday.

JAKE GOOCH — Central Alabama CC (So., Cartersville HS)… had seven hits in five games this past week going 7-for-15 with a double, a walk, and five RBIs. He also scored four times as the Trojans won four games. CACC (8-4) swept a four-game series with Wallace State-Selma over the weekend but lost last Wednesday at Chatthoochee Valley. This week the Trojans have home-and-home doubleheaders Friday and Saturday with Gordon State.

LANE GRIFFITH — University of West Georgia (Sr., Adairsville HS)… was the starting backstop in two of three games over the weekend at home against 23rd-ranked University of Alabama-Huntsville. Griffith was 1-for-3 with a second inning RBI double in Saturday’s 5-2 win. He also finished 2-for-4 with a walk and one RBI in Sunday’s 20-16 loss to the Chargers. The Wolves (4-5, 4-5) travel to Delta State for a three-game, Gulf South Conference series Saturday and Sunday.

HUNTER HICE — Georgia College (R-So., Adairsville HS)… smacked a third inning, three-run home run in his first start with the 8th-ranked Bobcats Sunday. Hice also saw action in a pinch hitting role in Saturday’s win at Claflin University. Georgia College (3-0) hosts a three-game Peach Belt Conference series Friday and Saturday with University of North Georgia.

BRYCEN JONES — Central Alabama CC (Fr., Cartersville HS)… pitched the fourth inning and faced four batters without allowing a hit, walk, or run in last Wednesday’s 5-2 loss at Chattahoochee Valley CC. The Trojans (8-4) play a home-and-home doubleheader series with Gordon State Friday and Saturday.

LOGAN NELSON — Truett McConnell University (Fr., Cass HS)… in games last week against Columbia International, Georgia Gwinnett, and Lourdes University (OH), Nelson was 1-for-7 with a walk and a sacrifice. The Bears (7-4) host Montreat College (NC) Tuesday afternoon and will entertain Milligan University Friday and Saturday in a three-game Appalachian Athletic Conference series.

PRESTON WELCHEL — Coastal Alabama-Bay Minette CC (Fr., Cartersville HS)… saw action last Wednesday and Friday in the Sun Chiefs’ home losses to John A. Logan CC and Wallace State CC. Welchel was 1-for-4 at the plate in the two games with three walks and one RBI. Coastal (4-9) is in the midst of a seven game losing streak but will look to rebound in a home doubleheader with Gulf Coast State Tuesday. The Sun Chiefs also have games Friday and Saturday against Shelton State at Niceville, Florida, at Northwest Florida State, vs. Calhoun CC in Pensacola, Florida, and at Pensacola State CC.

SOCCER

Courtney Rhea (Berry College, Jr., Cartersville) — Rhea played the final 1 minute, 45 seconds of Berry’s season-opening 3-0 win against Piedmont Sunday away from home.

Russell Shealy (Syracuse University, R-So., Cartersville native) — Syracuse’s starting goalkeeper made three saves and played all 110 minutes of a 1-1 draw with Albany Friday on the road.

TENNIS

Houston Medlock (Piedmont College, Jr., Adairsville HS) — Piedmont lost matches by identical 7-2 scores Saturday and Sunday at Birmingham Southern. Medlock’s two days were also similar. He and his Line 2 doubles partner fell 8-3 both times, while Medlock also came up short on Line 1 singles Saturday (6-1, 6-3) and Sunday (6-1, 6-4).

Ashley Popham (Mercer University, Fr., Cartersville HS) — Without dropping a single game, Popham secured victories on Line 6 singles and Line 3 doubles in a 7-0 win over Georgia College Saturday at home. The next day, Mercer defeated Troy 5-2. Popham and her doubles partner Lauren Rich fell 6-1, while Popham, by herself, dropped a 6-3, 6-0 decision in singles play.

Bryce VanOrder (Piedmont College, Fr., Woodland HS) — In singles action, VanOrder dropped his Line 2 matches Saturday (6-4, 6-2) and Sunday (6-3, 6-0) at Birmingham Southern.

TRACK AND FIELD

Parker Breedlove (Reinhardt University, So., Cartersville HS) — Breedlove placed sixth in the 5000-meter run (16:16.95) and 11th in the 3000-meter run (9:14.35) during the Appalachian Athletic Conference Indoor Championships last week in Louisville, Kentucky.

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