Wednesday's Daily News 'n Notes: Mercer men falll in opener; area all-state XC reps; Alum Update/Honor Roll
Wednesday's Central Georgia - and of interest to Central Georgia - news and notes, compiled from staff reports, email reports, the web, and social media.
St. John’s sharp in transition to pop Mercer
Some teams play better in season openers than others, and that was the case in St. John’s 109-79 win over Mercer in men’s basketball in Queens, N.Y.
The Bears struggled in transition defense and gave up 40 fast-break points, 36 more than they scored. The Red Storm also had 11 steals and 30 points on turnovers.
On the other hand, Mercer matched St. John’s with 16 assists and 35 bench points, and had two more second-chance points while being outrebounded by only one.
The Bears were without scorer Ross Cummings with an ankle injury. He is day to day.
Ethan Stair led the Bears with 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting, 3 of 8 on 3s, plus 10 rebounds. Luke Hamilton added 10 points and five rebounds in 24 minutes and Djordge Dimitrijevic 10 points in 18 minutes.
The Bears never led or were tied, and the Red Storm finally got on a run and doubled up Mercer 30-15 at the 11:02 mark of the first half.
The margin grew to 30 with 4:07 left, but Mercer closed the half with some juice and cut it to 59-38 at the break.
Mercer was within 16 inside the first four minutes of the second half, but the Red Storm slowly began to pull away.
Mercer welcomes Columbia International on Friday at 1 p.m. in the home opener, then hosts Kennesaw State on Monday and former Atlantic Sun rival Florida Gulf Coast on Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Coming Thursday
A look at Thursday night’s Mary Persons-Howard regions showdown, The Sports Report’s predictions for the week, latest statewide polls, Maxwell Ratings updates, and tentatively a combo high school/college/Loughdmouthings column.
The Latest Coverage.
Alumni Update/Honor Roll
Ex-Wilkinson County standout and namesake of Bud Dupree Way in Toomsboro is the AFC defensive player of the week after Pittsburgh’s 26-24 win over Indianapolis. …
GMC JC put 10 players on the All-Region men’s soccer team after taking the Region 17 title and getting a spot in the district championship.
Honor Roll
Mercer’s Hrindova earns SoCon golfer honors
Nearly a dozen Central Georgians make all-state XC team
Mary Persons’ Justin Wachtel headlines the Central Georgia representatives on the all-state cross country team chosen by the Georgia Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association and release on Twitter earlier this week.
Wachtel followed up his GHSA 4A boys state title over the weekend with the honor.
Bleckley County had four runners picked, two from the Class AA state championship girls team and two from the boys. Tristen Crosby and Austin Perez made it for the girls and Garrett Rogers and Luke Churchwell for the boys.
Katelyn Taylor made the Class A Public girls team for state champ ACE, and was joined by GMC’s Jada Warren.
Veterans’ Mackenzie Walls and Jones County’s Laney Doster made the 6A girls team. Mari Jablonski of Monticello made the AA girls team, too.
Around/About Central Georgia
Georgia College headed to regional cross country meet
Trinity Christian alum Quillian Holland helped the Bobcat men to an eighth-place finish in last year’s meet. The women, who finished sixth in the Peach Belt meet, are competing as well.
Scoreboard
College
Basketball
W-CGTC 61, Andrew College 54
M-Georgia State 104, Brewton-Parker 35
Volleyball
FVSU 3, Brewton-Parker 2 (26-24, 23-25, 22-25, 25-15, 15-13)
Mercer 3, Chattanooga 0 (25,20, 26-24, 25-20)
Peach State college football Report
UGA: Smart uses the ‘outside noise’ he criticizes
UGA: Tight ends getting some work
Tech: Peach County’s Jackson unselfishness
Tech: Collins still sees progress
Tech: Quietly eyeing 2020 (the season, not the election)
Falcons Report
Ryan + Brees= close game (usually)
Around/About Georgia
Tech men’s BKB: A big road win to start the year
Braves: Yessir, Sorok had him a season
United: Changes coming to the roster? Nagbe heading to Columbus?