State Sports Report

Braves great John Smoltz leads celebrity golf tournament

by News services, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Braves great John Smoltz passed Mardy Fish, the favorite and leader the first two days, for the third-round lead in the inaugural Diamond Resorts Tournament of Champions celebrity division Saturday in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Smoltz scored 39 points for a Modified Stableford total of 116 at 6,375-yard Tranquilo Golf Club at Four Seasons.

Morehouse up to No. 3 in NABC poll

by Staff reports, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Morehouse College men’s basketball team moved up to No. 3 in the National Association of Basketball Coaches Top 25 this week, a jump of four spots. Morehouse (13-1) got 358 points in the NABC poll. The No. 3 ranking is the highest ever by Morehouse in the poll. Morehouse trails only No. 1 Bellarmine (Ky.) No. 2 Northwest Missouri State.

Trevor Lawrence says attributed quote about White House visit is fake

by AJC Sports

While the trip was “awesome,” Trevor Lawrence did not call the fast-food spread offered by President Trump during Clemson’s visit Monday the “best meal we ever had.” A widely circulated social media meme attributed Lawrence to the quote: “President Trump got all our favorite foods, it was the best meal we ever had.

2019 Masters field at near record low

by AJC Sports

The 2019 Masters Tournament field stands at 80 players and is likely to stay well below 100 when play starts Thursday, April 11 at Augusta National Golf Club. Last year’s field of 87 players was the smallest in 21 years. The Masters hasn’t broken 100 since 103 players teed up in 1966. The 2015 Masters field came closest with 98 qualifiers.

Simonds’ last-second layup pushes Georgia State to victory

by Parker Johnson, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Down one point with 5.5 seconds to go and needing to go the length of the court, everybody at GSU Sports Arena knew who was getting the ball for Georgia State. D’Marcus Simonds didn’t shy away. The reigning Sun Belt Player of the Year got the ball at half court and went head down to the hoop.

Valdosta State football coach leaving to lead South Florida offense

by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Valdosta State head football coach Kerwin Bell has accepted the offensive coordinator position at the University of South Florida, the school announced Thursday. Bell guided the Blazers to their first undefeated season (14-0) in 2018, and their fourth national championship since 2004.

Simonds leads Georgia State past Louisiana-Lafayette

by Kelsey Russo, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Junior D’Marcus Simonds, Georgia State’s leading scorer, struggled with his 3-point shot for a majority of the game, but responded late to lead Panthers to an 89-76 victory against Louisiana-Lafayette on Thursday night at the GSU Sports Arena. Simonds was 2-for-7 in 3-point shooting, but finished 9-for-24 overall and made 5 of 8 free throws to end the night with 21 points.

Georgia State’s D’Marcus Simonds brings talent, maturity to court

by Kelsey Russo, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

When D’Marcus Simonds was 10 years old, he already had experimented playing football and baseball. He picked up a third sport, basketball, and ran with it. Then in eighth grade, Simonds said knew he wanted to play either college basketball or football. He just had to pick which sport. “I was really good at football. I was really good at basketball,” Simonds said.

Hunter: ‘We can’t win games without Malik Benlevi’

by Parker Johnson, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

For a program that plays under the shadows of Turner Field and the Olympic torch, not to mention the handful of basketball programs across the state that shade its light, it comes as little surprise that the heartbeat of Georgia State’s basketball team is a player who has been counted out far too often.

Georgia State opens conference play with two wins in Texas

by Staff reports, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Malik Benlevi scored 22 points to lead the Georgia State men’s basketball team to a 73-69 victory over host Texas State in a Sun Belt Conference game Saturday night. Georgia State (11-4, 2-0 Sun Belt) won for the sixth time in the past seven games. Benlevi was 8 of 13 from the field, including 5 of 8 from 3-point range, with seven rebounds.

Two quarterbacks among Kennesaw State signees

by JuliaKate E. Culpepper, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Kennesaw State signed 20 recruits Wednesday on the December edition of national signing day, including quarterback Xavier Shepherd from Nashville, Tenn. Shepherd, 6-foot, 190 pounds, started at quarterback at Pearl-Cohn High School for three seasons and recorded 5,485 passing yards, 1,778 rushing yards and 52 touchdowns during his high school career.

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Georgia State focuses on trenches, defense on early signing day

by Gabriel Burns, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Thirteen players made up Shawn Elliott’s second early-signing day class at Georgia State. He’s tasked with restoring the program to its success from his first season, when the Panthers won their first bowl game, after going a disappointing 2-10 last season. “I think we met some needs,” Elliott said.

Georgia Southern wins bowl game with field goal as time expires

by Staff writer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tyler Bass kicked a 40-yard field goal as time expired to give Georgia Southern a 23-21 victory over Eastern Michigan in the Camellia Bowl on Saturday night in Montgomery, Ala. Shai Werts kept the winning drive alive with a 29-yard scramble on fourth-and-10. Bass came on for his third field goal after Wesley Fields' two runs pushed Georgia Southern (10-3) 7 yards closer.

Valdosta State football team wins Division II national championship

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Ninety-six points were scored in the NCAA Division II championship game Saturday. Two points that weren't scored made the difference. Rogan Wells tied the championship record with five touchdown passes and Valdosta State won its fourth national title with a 49-47 victory over Ferris State in McKinney, Texas.

Morehouse standouts play in All-Star games Saturday

by Special to the AJC, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Morehouse College standouts Ryan Edwards and Antonio Johnson will play in the FAF D1-FCS Senior Scout Bowl Saturday while Kamari Jones-Hunter will participate in the FAF D2 Senior Bowl.Edwards, a tight end, earned All-SIAC first-team honors. He led conference tight ends with 17 catches, 202 receiving yards and four touchdowns.

Atlanta United 2 moves games from Gwinnett to Cobb in 2019

by Doug Roberson, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Atlanta United 2 will play its home games in the 2019 USL season at Fifth Third Bank on the campus of Kennesaw State. Atlanta United announced the site on Friday. Atlanta United 2 played its home games during the 2018 season at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville.

Weekend Predictions bowl bonanza: Picks for Georgia, Georgia Tech and all 37 other games

by Michael Cunningham

The Falcons will beat the Cardinals on Sunday, but won’t cover the 9 1/2-point spread. With that out of the way, Weekend Predictions can move on to more important matters. It’s college football bowl season! There are 40 FBS bowl games this season, including the College Football Playoff national championship game. Forget those lame people who say that’s too many.

College football bowl gifts, 2018-19 edition

by AJC Sports

Bowl games are measured by the swag they give out as much as the matchup. The NCAA allows bowl games to award up to $550 in gifts to 125 members of each participating school. (Additionally, schools and conferences can award participants up $400 for postseason play.) This year’s most gifted gifts, according to Sports Business Journal, are electronics.

Georgia State pushes for consistency ahead of conference stretch

by Maghen Moore

A second consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament is Georgia State basketball coach Ron Hunter’s goal this season. To get there, his team will need to find consistency. “We played great against Georgia,” Hunter said. “We played great against Alabama, then we don’t play that well against Liberty. Or we don’t play that well at Montana.

Kennesaw State season again ends in quarterfinals

by Stan Awtrey, For the AJC

There were moments during his postgame news conference Saturday when Kennesaw State coach Brian Bohannon struggled to keep his emotions in check, especially when referring to the program’s so-called “OG’s,” the guys who have been with him since the program began in 2014.

Photos: Kennesaw State loses in quarterfinals

by Staff writer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Bohannon pleads for support against South Dakota State

by JuliaKate E. Culpepper, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It’s no secret that attendance at Kennesaw State football games has declined since the program’s inception in 2015. Despite the low turnout at games, the Owls have won all but one game this season and advanced to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs for the second year in a row, where they will face South Dakota State at 2 p.m. Saturday at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.

Georgia State scores dramatic upset of Alabama

by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Malik Benlevi hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to lift Georgia State to an 83-80 upset win over Alabama Tuesday. Georgia State overcame a 21-point halftime deficit, capped by the dramatic basket. Georgia State (6-3) trailed 55-33 with 18:57 to play before mounting the comeback that included holding Alabama (5-3) without a field goal for more than nine minutes.

Kennesaw State ekes out second-round victory

by Stan Awtrey, For the AJC

Kennesaw State avoided the costly mistake on a rainy Saturday and remained alive in the NCAA FCS playoffs. The No. 2-ranked Owls wound up winning the second-half battle for field position and took advantage of a late mistake by No. 12 Wofford, which set up a late 30-yard field goal by Justin Thompson to give the Owls a 13-10 win in the second round of playoffs at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.

Kennesaw State’s triple option hopes to outlast Wofford’s

by JuliaKate E. Culpepper, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

May the best triple-option team win. After a first-round bye, Kennesaw State will host Wofford in the second round of the FCS playoffs at 2 p.m. Saturday at Fifth Third Bank Stadium. While the two offenses will look similar, as both run the triple option, Kennesaw State coach Brian Bohannon was quick to point out the differences.

Elliott pushes Georgia State to find edge in offseason

by Maghen Moore

Georgia State coach Shawn Elliott plans to push his Panthers to find their edge this offseason. An edge, being a quality or factor that gives superiority over close rivals or competitors, is something the Panthers lacked as the team finished 2-10 overall and 1-7 in Sun Belt play.

Photos: Bulldogs cruise past Kennesaw State in basketball

by Staff writer, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

5 things to know about Georgia State’s loss to Georgia Southern

by Maghen Moore

Georgia State lost to Georgia Southern 35-14 on Saturday, marking the Panthers’ first loss to the Eagles since 2014. Here are five things to know about the Panthers’ loss: The Panthers’ defense was able to hold Georgia Southern in the first quarter, allowing no points in the first quarter for the first time all season.

Kennesaw State uses first-round bye to recover after 5-OT win

by JuliaKate E. Culpepper, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

After playing a full game and five overtime periods Saturday against Jacksonville State at SunTrust Park, Kennesaw State earned a much deserved bye week entering the FCS playoffs. Kennesaw State earned the No. 4 seed, a first-round bye and home-field advantage for the second round in this year’s playoff.

Georgia State beats UGA by 24, and it was no upset

by Mark Bradley, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

It’s not as if Georgia State had never beaten Georgia before. It did in back-to-back seasons, first in Athens on Nov. 17, 2000, then again in the Georgia Dome a year later. Neither of those victories were buzzer-beaters: Lefty Driesell’s Panthers won the first by 12 points, the second by five.

Georgia State, Georgia Southern rivalry began with a sign

by Maghen Moore

Georgia State players believe the Georgia State-Georgia Southern rivalry began with a postgame sign in 2014. Although Georgia Southern is only about 200 miles away, the Panthers and the Eagles have met only four times. Georgia State leads the series 3-1, dating to the first meeting in 2014.

5 observations from Kennesaw State’s five-OT win over Jacksonville State

by JuliaKate E. Culpepper, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Kennesaw State finished the regular season unbeaten by FCS opponents after a 60-52 five-overtime win over Jacksonville State on Saturday at SunTrust Park.

Georgia State punter named Ray Guy Award semifinalist

by Maghen Moore

Georgia State punter Brandon Wright was named one of 10 semifinalists for the Ray Guy Award, presented to college football’s most outstanding punter. Wright is the first Georgia State player to be a semifinalist for any major college football award. The punter ranks third in the nation in gross and net punting, averaging 48.6 yards a punt and a net of 43.12 yards.

Owls remember challenge of Jacksonville State defense entering SunTrust Park game

by JuliaKate E. Culpepper, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Kennesaw State coach Brian Bohannon thinks Jacksonville State is without a doubt the best team the Owls have faced in program history. In last season’s game in Jacksonville, Ala., the Owls — who averaged 30 points last season — were limited to 17 points by the constricting Gamecocks defense in a narrow KSU victory.

Georgia State men’s soccer wins Sun Belt, advances to NCAA Tournament

by Maghen Moore

Georgia State men’s soccer team won its first-ever Sun Belt regular season and conference tournament title on Sunday and advanced to the 2018 Division I Men’s College Cup. The Panthers’ first-round NCAA Tournament match is tonight at Charlotte. Georgia State claimed the title after defeating Georgia Southern 4-2 in the deciding match.

Georgia State punter becoming game-changer for Panthers

by Maghen Moore

Georgia State punter and placekicker Brandon Wright is becoming a game-changer for the Panthers on special teams. Wright ranks third in the nation in average yards per punt with 48.6 yards, helping Georgia State sit third nationally in net punting, entering Saturday’s game at Appalachian State (2:30 p.m.; ESPN-plus, online only).

Owls’ defense playing with confidence after shutout

by JuliaKate E. Culpepper, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Kennesaw State’s defense was questioned for its inexperience as the season began in August. Three months later, the unit proved that despite losing several key starters, it’s still capable of competing for back-to-back Big South championships. In the Owls’ 49-point shutout against Campbell on Saturday, Kennesaw State limited Campbell to a season-low of 129 yards.

Family says Braves, MLB knew guardrails were unsafe before fan’s fatal fall

by Bill Rankin, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

When New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez strode to the plate, Greg Murrey rose to do what thousands of other fans were doing at Turner Field: lustily boo the controversial superstar. But Murrey never had the chance. From his second-row seat in the upper deck, the 60-year-old grandfather lost his balance, toppling forward through the front-row seats.

Georgia State offensive lineman finds motivation after loss

by Maghen Moore

Georgia State left tackle Hunter Atkinson found motivation on the field after a loss off the field. The 6-foot-5, 295-pound tackle saw his grandmother, JoAnn Jones, in the stands at every football game he played in during his career at West Hall High School. However, when he started his career with Georgia State in 2015, it was different.

State of our hoops: At least Georgia State looks good

by Mark Bradley, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The college basketball season begins this week in earnest, not that we around here would much notice. Georgia State, which made the NCAA tournament in 2015 and 2018, was the unanimous choice of the Sun Belt head coaches to repeat as conference champs, which means, among other things, that Ron Hunter voted for his team.

Redesigned Bobby Jones Golf Course opens in Atlanta

by Todd C. Duncan

It’s time to tee it up again at the famed Bobby Jones Golf Course in Atlanta. On Monday, the redesigned course opened to the public following a two-year effort by the Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation.

Five things to know about Georgia State’s loss to Texas State

by Maghen Moore

Georgia State lost to Texas State 40-31 on Saturday,giving the Panthers their fourth consecutive loss. Here are five things to know about the game: Georgia State collected 153 yards on the ground in the first half. Quarterback Dan Ellington led the team with 84 yards in 11 carries.

Southern Cal, Auburn win East Lake Cup titles

by Chris Vivlamore, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The University of Southern California women and Auburn University men claimed the 2018 East Lake Cup on Wednesday to conclude the three-day event. Second-seeded USC defeated top-seeded Stanford, 3-2, in the championship match for the women. Fourth-seeded Auburn took down third-seeded Alabama, 4-1, in the championship for the men.

Campbell’s Daniel Smith poses challenge to Kennesaw State

by JuliaKate E. Culpepper, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

If healthy enough to play in Saturday’s matchup at Kennesaw State, Campbell quarterback Daniel Smith’s arm and mobility could pose a unique challenge to the Owls’ young defense. While on a two-game losing streak, Campbell (5-3, 0-2 Atlantic Sun Conference) has outscored opponents 232-175, averaging 29 points through eight games.

Georgia State begins must-win four-game stretch against Texas State

by Maghen Moore

Georgia State enters November –– and the last four games of the season –– with a must-win mentality as the Panthers need four wins to become bowl-eligible. A tough non-conference start to the season left the Panthers with just one win before starting an eight-game Sun Belt conference stretch.

5 things to know about Georgia State’s loss to Coastal Carolina

by Maghen Moore

Georgia State fell short in its third consecutive Sun Belt contest Saturday, losing 37-34 to Coastal Carolina. Here are five things to know about the game: Although their handoffs appeared cleaner, the Panthers struggled to move the ball on the ground in the first half. Georgia State had just 49 rushing yards in 16 attempts compared with Coastal Carolina’s 147 yards.

Georgia State’s Malik Benlevi embracing position change for senior season

by JuliaKate E. Culpepper, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia State coach Ron Hunter knows most players would balk at the challenge of changing positions during their senior season — Malik Benlevi didn’t.

Georgia State improving handoffs after costly miscues

by Maghen Moore

Georgia State looks to improve its running game and quarterback-running back exchanges ahead of its conference matchup against Coastal Carolina on Saturday. In its past two games, Georgia State averaged only 119.5 rushing yards compared with its opponents’ 306.5 average. Quarterback Dan Ellington leads the Panthers in rushing yards, with 322 through seven games.

Georgia State turnovers costly in loss to Arkansas State

by Maghen Moore

Georgia State’s two first-half turnovers proved costly in a 51-35 loss to

Georgia State tightening up run game for second half of season

by Maghen Moore

Coming off its bye week, Georgia State hopes to utilize a better run game in its last six games of the season.

North Carolina A&T repeats as Celebration Bowl champs

by Jaylon Thompson, For the AJC

North Carolina A&T continued its Celebration Bowl dominance by defeating Alcorn State 24-22 on Saturday in a rematch of the inaugural game in 2015. The Aggies improved to 10-2 overall and won their third HBCU national title in the past four seasons. The also retained their Celebration Bowl title after defeating Grambling State last season.

Celebration Bowl: How to watch, what to know about Saturday’s game

by David Wellham, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

If the trend continues, the Celebration Bowl may soon need a new name -- the “N.C. A&T Bowl.” The fourth Celebration Bowl kicks off at noon Saturday (TV: ABC, on WSB Channel 2 Action News) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and North Carolina A&T will make its third appearance in the game. The Aggies won the game in 2015 and last year.

Emory wins Division III volleyball national title

by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Emory won its second-ever volleyball national title on Saturday. Emory defeated No. 1-ranked Calvin College for the NCAA Division III championship. Emory won 3-0, taking the sets 25-22, 25-16, 25-12. Senior Karissa Dzurik led Emory with 13 kills and sophomore Leah Saunders and freshman Tara Martin each contributed eight kills.

Georgia State suffers first loss in Sun Belt play

by Maghen Moore

On the road for a Thursday night Sun Belt Conference TV game, Georgia State’s offense sputtered in a 37-20 loss at Troy. Until two late touchdowns, Georgia State struggled to move the ball, finishing four of its 11 drives with a punt and two with a turnover.

Kennesaw State emphasizes finishes after Samford’s late touchdown

by JuliaKate E. Culpepper, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Overall, Kennesaw State coach Brian Bohannon was proud of the step forward his team took in Saturday’s tight game against Samford.

Georgia State freshmen lead record-breaking rushing offense

by Maghen Moore

Georgia State’s running game continues to improve as the team gets deeper into its schedule, breaking program records in the process. The Panthers broke the previous program record of most rushing yards in a game Saturday against Louisiana-Monroe, rushing for 308 yards. The previous record was 301 rushing yards in 2011 against Campbell.

Kennesaw State return man Isaac Foster sees benefit of redshirt season

by JuliaKate E. Culpepper, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Redshirt freshman Isaac Foster looked like a lightning bolt as he returned a kick 100 yards for a touchdown Saturday in his yellow-and-black Kennesaw State uniform during the Owls’ home opener against Alabama State. After the game, Kennesaw State coach Brian Bohannon was still grinning thinking about Foster’s speed.

Kennesaw State announces kickoff time for SunTrust Park game

by JuliaKate E. Culpepper, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Kennesaw State’s matchup with Jacksonville State at SunTrust Park will kick off at 3 p.m. Nov. 17, KSU announced Wednesday. Tickets for the final game of the Owls’ regular season are on sale through Ticketmaster and start at $20. Premium seating is available starting at $95. The Owls (2-1) host Clark Atlanta on Saturday at Fifth Third Bank Stadium.

Kennesaw State tops Tennessee Tech for first win

by JuliaKate E. Culpepper, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Kennesaw State secured its first win of the season Thursday night, beating Tennessee Tech 49-10 in Cookeville, Tenn. Although quarterback Chandler Burks finished the game with 91 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, Kennesaw State running back Darnell Holland was responsible for the play of the game.

Kennesaw State maintains Top 10 ranking despite season-opening loss

by AJC Sports

Following an opening week loss to Georgia State, the Kennesaw State Owls remain in the top 10 of both FCS national polls released Monday. The Owls check in at No. 7 in the STATS FCS Top 25 and land at No. 8 in the AFCA Coaches Top 25 Poll after dropping a 24-20 heartbreaker at Georgia State — their first FBS opponent in program history.

Prairie View upends North Carolina Central in MEAC/SWAC Challenge

by Jaylon Thompson, For the AJC

The MEAC/SWAC Challenge returned for its 13th season in a new location and with new foes vying for bragging rights. After years playing in different cities, the annual game moved to Georgia State Stadium as the North Carolina Central Eagles squared off against the Prairie View A&M Panthers.

Dan Ellington’s late-game efforts lead Georgia State to victory in season opener

by Maghen Moore

Georgia State starting quarterback Dan Ellington found momentum late in the season opener to push Georgia State to a 24-20 victory against Kennesaw State on Thursday night at Georgia State Stadium. Georgia State’s final opportunity to score came on a drive that began with 2:01 left in the game.

Georgia State names Dan Ellington starting quarterback for season opener

by Maghen Moore

Georgia State head coach Shawn Elliott announced Tuesday that junior college transfer Dan Ellington will be the starting quarterback for the season opener. “He’s going to take the field the first snap, so we’ll see how he does,” Elliott said. “He’s had a good camp.

Kennesaw State extends Brian Bohannon through 2023

by JuliaKate E. Culpepper, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Kennesaw State University announced Monday that football coach Brian Bohannon’s contract has been extended through the 2023 season. In this third season as coach, Bohannon led the Owls to a 12-2 record, a Big South championship and the FCS quarterfinals last year.

Ga. university breach risks health, personal information of 417,000

by Matt Kempner

A breach of email accounts at Augusta University Health may have exposed sensitive health and personal information of about 417,000 people, including patients around Georgia, the university reported Thursday.

Georgia State’s Elliott hopes to gain clarity, leadership on offense

by Maghen Moore

Georgia State coach Shawn Elliott had a record-setting first season with the Panthers, leading the team to its first bowl win in program history and a 7-5 record. Elliott’s successful season –– concluding with a Cure Bowl victory over Western Kentucky –– sets the bar high for his second season with the Panthers.

Why a small change in law could create danger for students

by Ty Tagami, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A dozen words have stirred panic among the people responsible for keeping Georgia children safe when they’re going to and from school. A phrase that state lawmakers inserted into a 15-page traffic measure in the waning days of this year’s legislative session will muddy the law about stopping for school buses while they’re loading and unloading, school officials warn.

Georgia college, town reflect Hispanic growth and prosperity

by Eric Stirgus, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Dalton State College student Bryan Lopez is part of a school team that will, as part of its many duties, recruit students across the state line in Tennessee this fall. Lopez, 22, an aspiring dentist who came with his family from Guatemala when he was 12, will stress to his target audience — Hispanics — that this college is the place for them.

Ex-Brinks employee convicted of conspiring to rob armored trucks

by Chelsea Prince, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Federal prosecutors say a former Brinks employee used his knowledge of armored truck routes and drivers to orchestrate two Savannah-area heists. Victor Natson, 27, worked for Brinks, Inc. for two years before he conspired with a convicted gang member and that man’s cousin to pull off the robberies in October 2016 and January 2017, according to the office of Bobby L. Christine, U.S.

Another Georgia school district joins the movement to arm teachers

by Arlinda Smith Broady, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The Fannin County Board of Education approved arming teachers Thursday, becoming the second system in the state to make that move. The county is on the Tennessee border. It’s 3,212 students and faculty of 179 are dispersed among three elementary schools, a middle school and a high school.

Georgia school district to allow teachers to carry guns

by Arlinda Smith Broady, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

A school district near Macon is looking to become Georgia’s first one to let some teachers and other personnel bring guns to school.

George Lynch ready to lead Clark Atlanta as new basketball coach

by Gabriel Burns, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Clark Atlanta had success with its last NBA-player-turned-coach. So much that it had to try again. The Panthers introduced George Lynch as their men’s basketball coach Monday. Lynch, a 12-year NBA veteran and North Carolina standout, was coaching with the Grand Rapids Drive, the Detroit Pistons’ G-League affiliate, last season.

Georgia students gain in reading scores, but still lag U.S.; Atlanta has race gap

by Ty Tagami , John Perry , The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia students are getting better at reading in eighth grade, where fast-rising scores are approaching the national average, according to the latest results from the nation’s report card for schools. Both Georgia and the nation as a whole still have a long way to go before all students are scoring at a “proficient” level, though.

5 observations from Georgia State’s spring game

by Gabriel Burns

The Panthers held their first spring game at Georgia State Stadium on Saturday, with Blue defeating White 59-35. “It was a very entertaining game,” coach Shawn Elliott said. “A lot of good catches. Offense moved the ball quite well up and down the field. They played with great effort, came out of it healthy, clean.” Here are five observations from the game: 1.

Kennesaw State defense outduels offense in spring game

by Gabriel Burns

Kennesaw State, coming off the best season in school history (12-2), held its spring game Friday night. The defense defeated the offense 35-34 in a brief three-quarter affair. Here are five observations from the scrimmage: 1. Dorian Miles is a mismatch nightmare Miles had only two catches in the first half, but he made the most of both – and should’ve had a few more.

Georgia State getting physical, searching for new leaders in spring practices

by Gabriel Burns

A year in, the physicality that Shawn Elliott preaches is well-established. Elliott arrived at Georgia State with mild fanfare, taking over a relatively young program that had been to one bowl game and didn’t register on Georgia’s football-packed scale. He immediately made strides to change that.

Georgia State has potential upset formula vs. Cincinnati

by Gabriel Burns, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Georgia State rode the 3-ball to a conference championship and berth in the NCAA tournament. It’s banking on it again to pull a major upset against No. 2-seed Cincinnati on Friday in Nashville. The Panthers are heavy underdogs as a 15-seed, and they’re hoping to find the same magic that propelled them past third-seeded Baylor as a 14-seed in 2015.