Athletes Beyond Bartow: Weekly review of local collegiate and pro athletes

This week’s review of college and pro local athletes includes the conclusion of the college football season, indoor track and field and swimming along with pro and college basketball.

TREVOR LAWRENCE — Clemson University (So., QB, Cartersville HS)… Lawrence ran for a first quarter touchdown and was 18-for-37 for 234 yards passing in the Tigers’ national championship game loss to LSU last Monday in New Orleans, 42-25. He also completed a two-point conversion pass to Amari Rodgers in the third quarter that narrowed the LSU lead to 28-25 at the time. Lawrence also finished the night with 10 rushes for 49 yards. For the season, he threw for 3,665 yards and 36 touchdowns and added 563 rushing yards with nine touchdowns. Clemson finished the season 14-1 and played in its second straight championship game after winning the title with Lawrence as a freshman starter. TRACK AND FIELD TERRY BERDIN — Reinhardt University (So., Cartersville HS)… placed 16th in 7.19 in the finals of the Emory Crossplex Showdown Sunday in Birmingham. The Reinhardt men finished third in the 14-team event. The next meet for the Eagles will be the Tiger Indoor Invitational at Sewanee, Tennessee. DEMYA BRYAN — Piedmont College (Fr., Cartersville HS)… finished 34th Sunday in 8.67 during a qualifying heat at the Emory Crossplex Showdown in Birmingham. The time did not qualify for the finals. Next for the Lions is the JDL Flat is Fast Invitational Saturday and Sunday in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. PARKER BREEDLOVE — Reinhardt University (Fr., Cartersville HS)… placed 16th in 16:58.96 in the 5000 meter run Sunday at the Emory Crossplex Showdown in Birmingham. The Eagles finished third of 14 teams at the meet. The next meet for the Eagles will be the Tiger Indoor Invitational at Sewanee, Tennessee. STEPHEN SMITH — Kennesaw State University (Fr., Pole Vault, Cass HS)… placed third by clearing 4.45m (14’8”) Saturday at the Clemson Invitational. Junior teammate Jack Rhea won the event at 4.75m (15’7”). Next for the Owls on the indoor schedule is the Liberty Kickoff in Lynchburg, Virginia Friday and Saturday. SWIMMING RYLEE MOSS — Old Dominion University (Fr., Adairsville HS)… was part of the winning 400-yard medley relay team (3:56.96) and placed third in the 200-yard butterfly (2:10.26) Saturday in a 195-91 home win over North Florida and a 207-61 win over VMI. ODU competes this Saturday in West Point, New York against Army, American, and George Mason. PRO BASKETBALL ELIJAH ROBINSON — Atenas Cordoba (3rd yr. pro; Argentina-La Liga; Emmanuel College; Excel Christian Academy)… scored 10 points and collected six rebounds in a 72-68 win Friday over Libertad Sunchales. On Sunday, Robinson scored three points and had nine rebounds in an 80-73 loss to La Union Formosa. Atenas (5-9) hosts Libertad Sunchales next Sunday. COLLEGE BASKETBALL JACQUEZ FOUNTAIN — Albany Tech (Fr., G, Cass HS)… scored a game-high 27 points, grabbed six rebounds, and had one block and one assist in Saturday’s 96-82 loss at Georgia Highlands CC. The Titans also had a 76-62 win at home Wednesday over Andrew CC, but boxscore information was not available. Albany Tech (12-7, 5-1 Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association) has a conference game this Saturday at South Georgia Tech. ASHTON HAGANS — University of Kentucky (So., G, Cartersville native, Newton HS)… scored 13 points, collected six rebounds, and had six assists and a steal Saturday in a 73-66 win at Arkansas. Hagans also scored 13 points with seven assists, four boards, and one steal in a loss last Wednesday at South Carolina. The 10th-ranked Wildcats host Georgia Tuesday and travel to Texas Tech Saturday night for a matchup in the Big 12/SEC Challenge. WHITNEY HARRIS — Toccoa Falls College (So., G, Woodland HS)… scored nine points with four steals and three rebounds Saturday in an 89-65 loss at Johnson University (FL). She also scored three points and had two rebounds Friday in a 77-63 loss at Florida College. The Screamin’ Eagles (5-13) travel to Greenville to face Bob Jones University Tuesday and head to Jacksonville Saturday afternoon to play at Trinity Baptist College. CARTER HEDDEN — Hocking CC (So., G, Cass HS)… had one assist in a brief appearance Saturday during an 87-80 loss at Owens CC. The Hawks also lost Wednesday at home to Edison State CC 86-73. Hocking (10-7, 0-4) hosts Southern State CC Monday night, travels to Ohio Christian University JV Wednesday, at Cuyahoga CC Saturday afternoon, and entertains University of Rio Grande JV Sunday afternoon. KYLA MICHIENZI — Piedmont College (Fr., G, Cass HS)… totaled 13 points with three rebounds, two assists, and a steal in both games this past week. Piedmont won at LaGrange 59-49 last Tuesday and beat Agnes Scott 73-35 Friday night. This week, the Lions (10-8, 6-3) host Brevard College Wednesday night and travel to Covenant College Saturday afternoon for a pair of USA South Athletic Conference games. JANA MORNING — Berry College (Jr., G, Cass HS)… scored 17 points Sunday and added five rebounds, five assists, and two steals as the Vikings beat Millsaps College 51-28. Morning also had five rebounds and three assists while scoring nine points Friday in a 66-54 home win over Birmingham-Southern College. Berry (10-8, 4-3 Southern Athletic Association) return the trips to Birmingham-Southern and Millsaps this Friday night at Sunday afternoon. JAYLON PUGH — Furman University (So., G, Cartersville HS)… only received one minute of playing time Friday night and missed his only three-point shot attempt in the Paladins’ 66-52 loss at Wofford. Furman also beat visiting Western Carolina Wednesday night 83-79 in Southern Conference play. The Paladins (15-5, 5-2) host Samford Wednesday night before traveling to The Citadel Saturday afternoon. DARIUS THROWER — Truett-McConnell University (Sr., G, Excel Christian Academy)… scored 16 points last Wednesday at Point University in the Bears’ 86-70 loss. He added one steal and one rebound. In a 74-63 loss to visiting Bluefield College Saturday, Thrower scored 11 points with a pair of rebounds, a block, and an assist. TMU (6-14, 2-13 Appalachian Athletic Conference) plays at Bryan College Wednesday and hosts Milligan Saturday afternoon. ALEXIS WARE — Piedmont College (Fr., F, Cass HS)… scored two points, grabbed three boards, and made one steal last Friday night in the Lady Lions’ 73-35 win at Ages Scott College. Piedmont (10-8, 6-3 USA South Athletic Conference) entertains Brevard College Wednesday night and make the trip to Lookout Mountain to face Covenant College Saturday afternoon. Both games are conference tilts. NAKIYAH WASHINGTON — Piedmont College (Fr., F, Adairsville HS)… in wins over LaGrange and Agnes Scott last week, Washington totaled 12 points, six rebounds, one assist, and one steal. The Lady Lions (10-8, 6-3) have USA South Athletic Conference games Wednesday night at home against Brevard College and on the road at Covenant College Saturday afternoon. CARROD WATSON — University of North Georgia (Sr., F, Woodland HS)… grabbed five rebounds and scored two points with one assist last Wednesday in an 80-65 home win over Columbus State University. He then had four rebounds and one steal Saturday in a 96-82 loss at Lander University. The Nighthawks (8-8, 3-5 Peach Belt Conference) play at Augusta University Wednesday night and entertain Clayton State University Saturday afternoon.