Athletes Beyond Bartow: Updates on more than three dozen local athletes across the nation

November 13, 2023

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

It is the cross-over season for 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' when the Fall sports begin to finish their seasons and the Winter sports begin.

This week's update includes more than three dozen local athletes and their contributions in pro football and basketball plus collegiate football, volleyball, golf, swimming, basketball, and wrestling.

NFL

TREVOR LAWRENCE — Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL; 3rd-yr. pro; QB; Clemson; Cartersville HS) … was 17-for-29 passing for 185 yards in a 34-3 home loss to the San Francisco 49ers this past Sunday. Lawrence was sacked five times and threw a pair of interceptions. He had two rushing attempts for seven yards. Jacksonville (6-3) hosts the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon. 

NBA G-LEAGUE 

ASHTON HAGANS — Rip City Remix (4th yr. pro; Cartersville native; Kentucky; Newton HS) … saw only brief action and had no stat line in one of two games last Friday and Saturday. Rip City won twice at the South Bay Lakers. Now 2-0, the Remix has games this week at the Ontario Clippers and at home (Friday and Saturday) against the Lakers and Clippers.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

KOLBE BENHAM — Marist College (R-So., Cartersville HS) … tied his season high of five tackles including four solo tackles in a 35-6 loss this past Saturday at Dayton. Marist (4-6, 4-4 Pioneer Football League) completes the regular season this Saturday at home against Bucknell.

HAYDEN CAGLE — Berry College (Jr., Cartersville HS) … the starting center for the Vikings’ offensive unit that produced 351 yards of total offense in a 36-12 win at home this past Saturday over Rhodes College. The Vikings (9-1, 7-1 Southern Athletic Association), ranked No. 23 nationally, were not selected for the NCAA D3 playoffs and their season ends.

ISAIAH CHANEY — Wake Forest University (R-Jr., Cartersville HS) … saw action this past Saturday but did not have a stat line in a 26-6 home loss to N.C. State. The Demon Deacons (4-6, 1-6 Atlantic Coast Conference) play at Notre Dame this Saturday.

COLLIN FLETCHER — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cartersville HS) … had three receptions for 51 yards in a 70-27 blowout win at home this past Saturday over Bluefield University (Virginia). He also had one rushing attempt for 14 yards. The 21st-ranked Eagles (8-2, 6-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) open the NAIA National Championship playoffs Saturday at St. Thomas (Florida).

TYWUN GORDON — College of Sequoias (So., Adairsville HS) … made two tackles and had one sack in the Giants’ 14-0 win this past Saturday at Contra Costa CC. College of Sequoias (5-5, 2-3 California Community College Athletic Association) became bowl eligible with the win.

JARVIS HICKS — University of North Carolina (R-Fr., Woodland HS) … did not see action this past Saturday in the Tar Heels’ 47-45 overtime win over Duke but was a late addition to last week’s (Nov. 4) participation list. Hicks saw his first collegiate action with the UNC offensive line that helped produce 594 total yards in a 59-7 home win over Campbell.

SHADRE HURST — Tulane University (R-Fr., Cartersville HS) … a starter on the Green Wave’s offensive line that helped produce 357 yards of total offense in a 24-22 home victory over Tulsa this past Saturday. 20th-ranked Tulane (9-1, 6-0 American Athletic Association) carries an eight-game win streak to play at Florida Atlantic this Saturday.

TYLER MARTIN — Berry College (So., Cass HS) … the offensive lineman was part of a unit that totaled 351 yards of total offense in a 36-12 win at home this past Saturday over Rhodes College. The 23rd-ranked Vikings (9-1, 7-1 Southern Athletic Association) finished as conference runner-up and did not receive an at-large bid for the national D3 playoffs.

DEVONTE ROSS — Troy University (So., Cartersville HS) … had four catches for 26 yards including a nine-yard touchdown this past Saturday in a 45-14 conference win at Louisiana-Monroe. He also had one kick return of 33 yards. The Trojans (8-2, 5-1 Sun Belt Conference) put their seven-game win streak on the line this Saturday when they host Louisiana.

COURTNEY SLOCUM — Mars Hill University (Sr., Adairsville HS) … was credited with one pass breakup in this past Saturday’s 21-14 home win over Newberry. Slocum finished his senior season with 14 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, a blocked kick, and three pass breakups. The Lions finished the year 8-2 with a 7-2 mark in the South Atlantic Conference.

EVAN SLOCUM — Wake Forest University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … made two tackles this past Saturday in the Demon Deacons’ 26-6 loss at home to N.C. State. Wake Forest (4-6, 1-6 ACC) visits Notre Dame this Saturday.

VOLLEYBALL

MADELYN ORTON — LaGrange College (So., Rydal resident, Cornerstone Prep) … had one service ace and five digs in a Collegiate Conference of the South tournament loss to Huntingdon in Birmingham last Tuesday. The Panthers’ season ends with a 4-21 record.

MEREDITH ORTON — LaGrange College (So., Rydal resident, Cornerstone Prep) … had five kills, one service ace, and ten digs in a Collegiate Conference of the South tournament loss to Huntingdon in Birmingham last Tuesday. The Panthers’ season ends with a 4-21 record.

MARIA PILIPOSYANS — Reinhardt University (So., Cass HS) … in two matches at the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament this past Friday and Saturday, Piliposyans had five kills and one block as the Eagles beat Truett-McConnell but lost to Columbia International. The outside hitter finished her sophomore season with 86 kills, 42 blocks, and 11 digs. Reinhardt finished the season with a 22-8 mark.

GOLF

DALTON HENSON — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … shot 78-78-75 as the Eagles finished fifth of nine teams November 6-7 at Barnsley Gardens Resort in Adairsville. Henson’s total was good for a T10 individual finish. Point University won the tournament. Reinhardt will return for the spring season in January.

CHANC WILLIS — Reinhardt University (Sr., Cartersville HS) … led his team and finished eighth place overall carding rounds of 74-80-76 as the Eagles finished fifth of nine teams playing at Barnsley Gardens Resort November 6-7. Reinhardt will return to action in late January.

SWIMMING

HARPER POWELL — Florida Tech (Jr., Adairsville HS) … in a tri-meet with Indian River State College and Keiser University last Wednesday, Powell was on the third place 200-yard freestyle relay team (1:40.10); placed fourth in the 50-yard freestyle (25.09); and was sixth in the 50-yard backstroke (28.79). The Panthers lost to IRSC 198-63 and to Keiser 174-87. Up next for FIT is the Panther Invite this Friday through Sunday in Melbourne.

BASKETBALL

BRAXTON BENHAM — Berry College (Jr., Cass HS) … scored 18 points with seven assists, four steals, and three rebounds in the Vikings’ 94-87 loss this past Saturday at Belhaven (Mississippi). Berry plays at Belmont University on Tuesday then plays at Southern Virginia on Friday night and either Roanoke College or Brooklyn College in Salem on Saturday.

ZAYLAN CHANEY — Tallahassee CC (So., Cartersville resident, Legacy Academy) … averaged nine points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block in the Eagles’ first three games — wins over Central Georgia Tech and Gordon State at home with a loss at South Georgia Tech. Tallahassee CC (2-1) plays at St. Petersburg College Friday night and hosts South Georgia Tech Monday night.

CLAIRE DAVIS — Palm Beach Atlantic University (So., Cass HS) … averaged nine points, seven rebounds, one block, and one steal as the Sailfish won 64-58 at West Florida and lost 72-64 at home to Valdosta State last Friday and Saturday. PBAU (1-1) hosts West Alabama this Saturday.

JA’KA’YAH DRAUGHN — Chattanooga State CC (Fr., Cartersville HS) … averaged four points, one rebound, and two assists as the Tigers opened the season with wins over Brenau JV and Milligan JV on November 1 and 9. CSCC (2-0) hosts Cleveland State CC on Wednesday and visits Jackson State CC on Saturday.

JUSTICE HAYES — Point University (Jr., Cass HS) … totaled nine points, 13 rebounds, two steals, and one assist as Point beat Southern University at New Orleans and Southeastern University this past Thursday and Saturday at home. The Skyhawks (5-1) play at Life University on Wednesday, at Dalton State on Saturday, and at West Georgia next Monday.

DiANTHONY HEATHCOCK — Columbia International University (Sr., Woodland HS) … in three starts last week, the Rams’ forward averaged nine points, nine rebounds, and one assist in a win over Bryan College (Tennessee), a win at St. Andrews University, and an exhibition loss at Presbyterian College. CIU (3-1, 2-0 Appalachian Athletic Conference) plays at UNC-Wilmington (exhibition) on Tuesday, at home against Truett McConnell University on Thursday, and at Tennessee Wesleyan University on Saturday.

HALEY JOHNSON — Central Georgia Tech CC (So., Cass HS) … averaged eight points, six rebounds, one assist, and one steal in three games last week. The Titans won at home over Brenau University JV but lost at Hillsborough CC and at St. Petersburg College. CGTCC (1-5) travels to Southern Union State CC on Wednesday night.

KEARA McDANIEL — Toccoa Falls College (So., Cass HS) … scored two points with one rebound and four assists Monday, November 6 in an 89-68 loss at Johnson University (Tennessee). She also scored two points with one rebound and three assists last Wednesday in an 84-48 home win over Warren Wilson College last Wednesday. Toccoa Falls (4-1) hosts Paine College on Tuesday, Trinity (Florida) on Friday, and Mississippi University for Women on Saturday.

T.J. PRINTUP — Tusculum University (R-Fr., Adairsville HS) … scored five points and collected seven rebounds last Friday in an 83-77 home win over Lander University. The Pioneers (1-0) visit USC-Aiken Wednesday and host 8th-ranked UNC-Pembroke on Saturday afternoon.

ABIGAIL TAYLOR — Centre College (So., Woodland HS) … did not score but had one blocked shot in the Colonels’ 69-27 win this past Saturday at Agnes Scott College. Centre (2-0) hosts the Colonel Classic Friday and Saturday and will play Averett and Warren Wilson.

LONDAISHA SMITH — Salem University (Jr., Cass HS) … totaled three points in losses Friday and Saturday to the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown and Winston-Salem University in games played in Frostburg, Maryland. The Tigers (0-2) play at Indiana University-Pennsylvania on Monday before hosting Seton Hill (Pennsylvania) on Wednesday and West Liberty University on Saturday.

WRESTLING

COLTON BISHOP — Reinhardt University (Jr., Woodland HS) … placed second in the 125-pound class at the Georgia Open hosted by Emmanuel College this past weekend. The Eagles have Montreat (North Carolina) and Southeastern (Florida) on the schedule this Friday and the Life University Open on Saturday.

CALEB HENSON — Virginia Tech (So., Woodland HS) … pinned his opponent from American University this past Saturday as the 5th-ranked Hokies won 39-4. He also defeated his Ohio State opponent, 10-5, last Friday but the 7th-ranked Buckeyes won the match 24-12. Virginia Tech visits Rutgers on Friday night and will participate in the Keystone Classic in Philadelphia on Sunday.

CADEN McCRARY — University of North Carolina (R-So., Woodland HS) … had a first-period pin against his 133-pound Buffalo opponent this past Saturday in a 32-7 team victory. He then lost to his Arizona State opponent in the same weight class but the Tar Heels edged the 16th-ranked Sun Devils, 22-16. McCrary also had earlier wins this season against individual opponents from Queens and Oregon State. UNC (4-1), ranked No. 25, faces Central Michigan and Illinois on Sunday afternoon in Champaign.

BRYCE KRESHO — Franklin & Marshall College (So., Cass HS) … had a win over his opponent from Hofstra this past Sunday at the Journeyman Collegiate Classic in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The Diplomats will be in action this weekend at the Shorty Hitchcock Memorial on Saturday in Millersville, Pennsylvania, and Sunday at the Keystone Classic in Philadelphia.

TYLER McKNIGHT — Davidson College (Fr., Cass HS) … lost his match at 149-pounds as the Wildcats were blanked by 10th-ranked Iowa State, 50-0. At the Southeast Open on November 4, McKnight placed second in the Freshman/Sophomore division and outscored his opponents 37-5 through the first four rounds to reach the finals. Next for Davidson is the Navy Classic in Annapolis, Maryland on Saturday.

JAXON SMITH — University of Maryland (So., Woodland HS) … went 1-1 and placed second in the 197-pound division of the Tiger Style Invitational this past Saturday in Kansas City. In a 30-7 win on November 2 over American University, Smith won his bout by technical fall. Maryland faces 15th-ranked Pittsburgh at home on Monday, November 20.

JABRIL WILLIAMS — Midway University (Jr., Cartersville HS) … had three wins in the 165-pound division at the Bob Del Rosa Ohio Open this past weekend in Cleveland to place sixth. On November 4 he was 2-2 at the Pepsi Patriot Open in Williamsburg, Kentucky. Midway wrestles Wednesday at the University of Montevallo and Saturday at Life University.