SB Nation Atlanta: All Posts by Ethan Rothsteinhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46601/atlanta-fave.png2012-11-16T12:13:15-05:00https://atlanta.sbnation.com/authors/ethan-rothstein/rss2012-11-16T12:13:15-05:002012-11-16T12:13:15-05:00Lady Bulldogs sign three top recruits
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/NScusR5uPA6GhlGm8H_BNIV0704=/0x28:458x333/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/3378973/20120302_ajw_sq9_286.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Don McPeak-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Georgia Bulldogs women's basketball team secured three recruits, including the No. 16 player in the country on signing day Thursday.</p> <p>When the early signing period kicked off for the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/georgia-bulldogs" class="sbn-auto-link">Georgia Bulldogs</a>, they were faxed three letters of intent, including one from Samantha Glodis, the No. 16 player in the class according to ESPN. They also receiving letters from Sydney McCaskill, the No. 86 player in the class, and Halle Washington, a 6'3 forward.</p>
<p>The Georgia student newspaper, the Red and Black, <a href="http://www.redandblack.com/sports/georgia-women-s-basketball-adds-three-recruits-for--/article_13417c30-2fa0-11e2-9a93-001a4bcf6878.html">spoke with Bulldogs head coach Andy Landers</a> about his new class, sure to be valued additions to the program:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Georgia head coach Andy Landers said Glodis has the ability to become a "power player" in the post.</p>
<p>"She has a prototypical body for the position, runs well and has the ability to score from both inside and out," Landers said. "She is someone who I think has a bright future at Georgia."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Glodis is 6'3, plays power forward, and averaged a double-double for her high school team as a junior in West Palm Beach, Fla, according to the Red and Black. McCaskill is a point guard, also from Florida, and Washington, from Bossier City, La., is ESPN's No. 10 forward.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/11/16/3654264/georgia-lady-dogs-recruiting-halle-washingtonEthan Rothstein2012-11-16T11:44:51-05:002012-11-16T11:44:51-05:00Georgia Tech women land nation's No. 2 recruit
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5nwS_PY8249FzBxheWCKglLAEe4=/0x37:500x370/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/3376585/20120320_ajw_ad5_325.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark Dolejs-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The nation's No. 2 recruit, Kaela Davis, signed her National Letter of Intent to play for the Georgia Tech basketball team on Thursday.</p> <p>For the third consecutive year, the Georgia Tech women's basketball team has what's considered a top-20 recruiting class. This year, <a href="http://blogs.ajc.com/recruiting/2012/11/15/nations-no-2-ranked-recruit-signs-with-georgia-tech/?cxntfid=blogs_recruiting">it's headlined by the nation's No. 2 prospect</a>, Kaela Davis, a 6'1 guard from Buford, Ga. Davis played for prep powerhouse Norcross as a freshman before transferring to Buford, where she led her team to two consecutive state title games as a sophomore and junior, winning in 2011.</p>
<p>Davis certainly has a basketball pedigree, being the daughter of longtime NBA veteran Antonio Davis, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She was named a 2012-2013 preseason All-American by USA Today Sports.</p>
<p>In addition to Davis, the Yellow Jackets added 6-foot guard Donnaizha Fountain, the top-ranked player in Massachusetts, and 6-foot wing Gabrielle Holston from Birmingham, Ala.</p>
<p>After falling in the Sweet 16 to eventual undefeated national champion Baylor, the Yellow Jackets are clearly set to reload on talent and remain a contender in the ACC, up there with Duke, Maryland and North Carolina.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-tech-ncaab/2012/11/16/3654156/kaela-davis-signs-georgia-tech-basketballEthan Rothstein2012-11-16T11:21:01-05:002012-11-16T11:21:01-05:00Walk-on earns Georgia backup QB role
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lRbGXz6tDPxcQHz-U7ETkUfqPwA=/0x0:1000x667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/3375403/20120414_tjg_av3_366.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>When starting quarterback Aaron Murray left for one play in last week's game, it was walk-on Parker Welch who came in for the snap, not once-highly touted recruit Christian LeMay.</p> <p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/78599/aaron-murray" class="sbn-auto-link">Aaron Murray</a> is one of the better quarterbacks in the SEC, which means that <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-bulldogs" class="sbn-auto-link">Georgia Bulldogs</a> fans aren't constantly paying too much attention to the order of backups behind him.</p>
<p>However, when Murray was knocked around and had to come out for a play against Auburn last weekend, many around the Bulldogs were surprised when walk-on <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/113379/parker-welch" class="sbn-auto-link">Parker Welch</a> was the one to put on his helmet instead of <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/players/136434/christian-lemay" class="sbn-auto-link">Christian LeMay</a>, once a consensus four-star recruit.</p>
<p>The Macon Telegraph's Seth Emerson <a href="http://www.macon.com/2012/11/15/2251323/georgias-surprising-backup-quarterback.html#storylink=misearch">has the story</a> of why Welch, ahead of LeMay, was the one who got the call.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Why is Welch, a walk-on, ahead of Christian LeMay, a highly touted recruit two years ago, in the pecking order at the most important position?</p>
<p>"Parker had a little better handle of the offense, of what we're trying to do," offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo said. "Just learning and being able to function in what we do. It's a process for guys learning and feeling comfortable that those other 10 guys gotta believe him, and he's gotta believe in himself that he can run what we're doing."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Bobo went on to say that the competition for Murray's backup — Murray is fine and will start against Georgia Southern — is still up for grabs, and it may indeed be LeMay who comes in if things get out of hand against the Eagles.</p>
<p>LeMay joined the Bulldogs as a walk-on himself after a bumpy ending to his high school career, but he earned a scholarship and is considered the more talented of the two. However, Welch has clearly inspired his coaches with more confidence at this point in their careers.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/11/16/3654060/georgia-southern-vs-georgia-parker-welchEthan Rothstein2012-11-16T10:52:14-05:002012-11-16T10:52:14-05:00GSU vs. Georgia rekindles old high school rivalry
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/n_DyiXJr0Y27mZFjsAn71vHqUME=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/3373347/20120922_ajw_av3_366.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Daniel Shirey-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Georgia Southern safety J.J. Wilcox and Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones battled for the Georgia high school state title years ago. This Saturday, they face each other again on a much bigger stage.</p> <p>Georgia Southern, the sixth-ranked team in the Football Championship Subdivision, will try to pull off an upset of enormous proportions Saturday when they take on the No. 5 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-bulldogs" class="sbn-auto-link">Georgia Bulldogs</a>, winners of the SEC East already and one of the most talented teams in college football. For one GSU player, safety <a href="#" class="sbn-auto-link">J.J. Wilcox</a>, the game has a little extra meaning.</p>
<p>In <a href="http://www.statesboroherald.com/section/291/article/45729/">a terrific story by The Statesboro Herald</a>, Wilcox tells the story of when he, as a member of the Cairo High School football team, lost in the Georgia Class AAA high school championship game to Carter-Columbus, the alma mater of one Jarvis Jones, now an All-American candidate at linebacker for the Georgia Bulldogs. From the Herald's story:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>Jones has been on Wilcox's mind lately.</p>
<p>"He was a great ball player then and he's a great player now," Wilcox said, remembering the game in which his Cairo Syrupmakers lost the state title and scored their fewest points of the season. "Carver-Columbus won. Jarvis Jones won."</p>
<p>[...]</p>
<p>"Hopefully we can switch that around this year," he said.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>For the Eagles to pull off the upset, they would need something resembling a miracle. If they somehow do it, however, it would certainly be revenge for an old high school rivalry rekindled.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/11/16/3653858/georgia-southern-vs-georgia-jj-wilcoxEthan Rothstein2012-11-16T10:05:15-05:002012-11-16T10:05:15-05:00Bulldogs' inexperience leading to slow start
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/roG9g6wV0gKzNYnpnTnXDl6kXl0=/0x0:467x311/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/3369715/141033471.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Chris Graythen</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Georgia Bulldogs lost their second consecutive game to a mid-major Thursday night, but head coach Mark Fox said there's reason to be optimistic.</p> <p>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/georgia-bulldogs" class="sbn-auto-link">Georgia Bulldogs</a> were able to come back from a 4-point deficit to force overtime against Southern Miss in their Thursday night basketball game, but eventually fell in overtime, 62-60. It was the second consecutive loss for the Bulldogs (1-2) after they fell to Youngstown State by 12 points Monday, but Georgia head coach Mark Fox was encouraged by the team's improvement.</p>
<p>"There's so much to learn from this game and the thought that all of our freshman who I thought really hurt us the last time out were all better players today," he said in his postgame press conference. "We had a lot of opportunities out in front of us. We haven't played well out of the gate but we had a lot of opportunities in front of us. It's a game at a time, and with this group it's a day at a time."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/players/145393/kentavious-caldwell-pope" class="sbn-auto-link">Kentavious Caldwell-Pope</a> led the team with 17 points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals, but he shot a woeful 3-14 from behind the three-point line. While he was 4-5 from the free throw line, the rest of his teammates were a combined 7-16 from the stripe, which Fox pointed out as a key reason why the Bulldogs lost.</p>
<p>"What we have to recognize is that you can't leave 10 points at the foul line and get outrebounded like we did in the second half and win basketball games," Fox said. "I thought those were the two keys — second-half rebounding and our poor performance at the foul line."</p>
<p>The Bulldogs' next game will be a major challenge. They'll travel up to Brooklyn Monday night to take on the No. 1 team in the country, the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-basketball/teams/indiana-hoosiers" class="sbn-auto-link">Indiana Hoosiers</a>, at the Barclays Center.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-ncaab/2012/11/16/3653698/mark-fox-quotes-southern-miss-ugaEthan Rothstein2012-11-16T09:28:27-05:002012-11-16T09:28:27-05:00Jarvis Jones in running for major awards
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4P7_dzK050yCnEitBpOEMDMBRHs=/0x0:4000x2667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/3367775/20121029_kdl_sn8_323.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kevin Liles-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Georgia linebacker Jarvis Jones has been named a finalist for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy and the Lott IMPACT Trophy.</p> <p><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-bulldogs" class="sbn-auto-link">Georgia Bulldogs</a> outside linebacker Jarvis Jones has had a terrific season so far, and he's starting to close in on some of the nation's most highly coveted awards. Jones has been named one of five finalists for the Bronco Nagurski trophy, the school announced Thursday night, given annually to the nation's top defensive player.</p>
<p>Jones was also named a semifinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy — IMPACT is an acronym, in this case, that stands for Integrity, Maturity, Performance, Academics, Community and Tenacity — one of eight to be given the distinction. The finalists will be announced Nov. 28 and the award will be given out Dec. 9.</p>
<p>Despite missing two games due to injury this year, Jones has still run wild, especially in terms of getting after the quarterback. In just eight games, the junior has racked up 10.5 sacks, and even has an interception on top of that. He accumulated 57 total tackles as well. His signature performance had to be in the Bulldogs' huge win over Florida in the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, when he busted out for 13 tackles and 3 sacks in the Dawgs' 17-9 victory.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-ncaaf/2012/11/16/3653540/jarvis-jones-uga-football-national-awardsEthan Rothstein2012-11-16T09:02:41-05:002012-11-16T09:02:41-05:00Hawks-Kings kicks off full NBA weekend slate
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-XWmpvlafyClqPSO2PafPDETsa4=/0x310:2545x2007/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/3365953/156418655.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Ezra Shaw</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The schedule for the weekend in the NBA is filled with intriguing matchups, and the Hawks get things started with the final game of their West Coast road trip in Sacramento.</p> <p>The NBA weekends may not pull the ratings that football does until later in the season, but plenty of fun games are to be had, <a href="http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/schedules/weekly/today/?xid=sbnation" target="_blank">starting this weekend</a> with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.peachtreehoops.com/">Atlanta Hawks</a> wrapping up their four-game West Coast road trip with a game against the struggling <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sactownroyalty.com/">Sacramento Kings</a>, with tipoff at 10 p.m. ET.</p>
<p>The Hawks have dropped two out of their first three games on the trip — to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> and, more recently, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.goldenstateofmind.com/">Warriors</a> Wednesday night — while beating the Blazers on Monday. The Kings are 2-6 and still trying to find any semblance of an offensive game.</p>
<p>Another matchup viewers will want to tune in for Friday night is a game between the two teams in the league that have looked the best so far; the undefeated <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/">New York Knicks</a> visit the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Memphis Grizzlies</a> at 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. The Knicks are coming off their best win of the season, a comeback on the road against the previously 7-1 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.poundingtherock.com/">San Antonio Spurs</a>, to send their record to 6-0, while the Grizzlies have beaten the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hothothoops.com/">Heat</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Thunder</a> in the past seven days and look like serious contenders.</p>
<p>Starting Saturday, the nationally televised games will go out the window, but those with NBA League Pass won't want to miss <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Nuggets</a>-Spurs at 8:30 p.m. ET and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blogabull.com/">Bulls</a>-Clippers at 9 p.m. ET Saturday.</p>
<p>The Sunday fun starts early with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.indycornrows.com/">Pacers</a> against the Knicks in what's sure to be an electric Madison Square Garden at noon ET. Later on, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/">Rockets</a> will visit the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Lakers</a> at 9:30 p.m. ET in what's expected to be Mike D'Antoni's first game on the Lakers' sideline.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/hawks/2012/11/16/3653420/2012-nba-scheduleEthan Rothstein2012-11-10T12:02:57-05:002012-11-10T12:02:57-05:00David Ross signs with Red Sox, per report
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/mYN1JxG6PYJtp8uA_K3XgqQKKE8=/0x117:2857x2022/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/3010967/20120918_kkt_su8_127.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The former Atlanta Braves catcher has agreed to a two-year, $6.2 million deal with the Boston Red Sox, according to multiple reports.</p> <p>While the <a href="https://www.overthemonster.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Boston Red Sox</a> continue their search for a first baseman, they have shored up their backstop. According to <a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/boston-red-sox-catcher-david-ross-agree-to-two-year-deal-111012">multiple</a> <a href="https://go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&xs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnesn.com%2F2012%2F11%2Freport-red-sox-sign-catcher-david-ross-to-two-year-6-5-million-deal%2F&referrer=sbnation.com&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fatlanta.sbnation.com%2Fbraves%2F2012%2F11%2F10%2F3627374%2Fdavid-ross-contract-red-sox-braves" rel="sponsored nofollow noopener" target="_blank">reports</a>, the Red Sox and catcher <span>David Ross</span> have agreed to a two-year, $6.2 million contract. The news was<a href="http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/boston-red-sox-catcher-david-ross-agree-to-two-year-deal-111012"> first broken by FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal</a>, whose MLB source said the plan is for Ross to be "more than a backup but not a starter."</p>
<p>Ross, 35, played last year for the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Atlanta Braves</a> where he backed up <span>Brian McCann</span> and hit .256 with 9 home runs and 23 RBI in 179 at-bats. He played briefly for the Red Sox behind <span>Jason Varitek</span> in 2008, but only appeared in eight games. His best years are likely behind him, like when "Ross the Merciless" hit 21 home runs in 2006 on the <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cincinnati Reds</a>, but he's a veteran presence and, unlike most backup catchers, not a liability with the bat.</p>
<p>Ross will likely slot in behind <span>Jarrod Saltalamacchia</span> on the Red Sox' depth chart. Saltalamacchia hit 25 home runs last year in 405 at-bats, but hit just .222 and caught a Red Sox pitching staff that had a markedly unsuccessful year.</p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/braves/2012/11/10/3627374/david-ross-contract-red-sox-bravesEthan Rothstein2012-08-20T11:34:41-04:002012-08-20T11:34:41-04:00Augusta National Accepts Condoleezza Rice Among First Female Members
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/m-mhOhIhdi4t6-7rGOMPy3PHH_c=/0x0:599x399/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/577150/GYI0060133415.jpg" />
<figcaption>Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Condoleeza Rice and South Carolina businesswoman Darla Moore are the first two female members of Augusta National Golf Club, Chairman Billy Payne announced Monday.</p> <p>Augusta National Golf Club announced in a press release Monday that it will accept its first two female members, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and South Carolina businesswoman Darla Moore, this year. Chairman of Augusta and The Masters Tournament Billy Payne made the decision 10 years after former Chairman Hootie Johnson was brought under intense scrutiny for the club's exclusionary policy.</p>
<p>Payne called the decision "a significant and positive time" in the club's history, and Rice and Moore will have their first chance to play the most famous course in golf this fall.</p>
<p>"This is a joyous occasion as we enthusiastically welcome Secretary Condoleezza Rice and Darla Moore as members of Augusta National Golf Club," Payne said in a statement. "We are fortunate to consider many qualified candidates for membership at<span style="line-height: 9px;"> </span>Augusta National. Consideration with regard to any candidate is deliberate, held in strict confidence and always takes place over an extended period of time. The process for Condoleezza and Darla was no different. These accomplished women share our passion for the game of golf and both are well known and respected by our membership."</p>
<p>Despite the fact that the decision came a few decades late in many people's eyes, it's undoubtedly a banner day for equality in sports. Maybe sometime soon, Rice and Moore will have enough female playing partners for a foursome.</p>
<p><i>For all news and notes on the world of golf, be sure to check out <a href="http://sbnation.com/golf">SB Nation's golf hub</a>.</i></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/8/20/3255446/augusta-national-condoleeza-rice-female-membersEthan Rothstein2012-08-20T10:45:49-04:002012-08-20T10:45:49-04:00UGA Football 2012: Jarvis Jones Determined To Improve On Stellar 2011 Campaign
<figure>
<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ubtDnr9CNr48rmmnIJm0Y9_2y-Q=/0x26:400x293/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47828099/large_atlanta.sbnation.com.minimal.0.png" />
</figure>
<p>Georgia's outside linebacker Jarvis Jones, a transfer from USC, led the SEC in sacks in 2011, but,<a href="http://dogbytesonline.com/olb-jones-wants-be-better-build-off-his-2011-numbers-60358/"> according to a lengthy article in the Athens Banner-Herald</a>, he's been seemingly obsessed with improving, especially after being held without a sack in the SEC Championship game and the Outback Bowl.</p>
<p>The entire story is worth your time — especially if you like reading well-written preseason hype pieces — but the most interesting nugget is arguably what comes near the end of the piece, when Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham discussed Jones' work ethic — "He's working harder this year than last year," Grantham said —and what came after, when Jones talked about passing up the draft.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"They know I stayed to get better," Jones said. "They know I stayed to mature and become a better person outside of football. You get some people that are like, ‘I would have taken the money or I would have done this.' It ain't all about the money."</p>
</blockquote>
<p>As if Bulldog fans needed another reason to love Jarvis Jones.</p>
<p><i>For more on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="http://www.sbnation.com/ncaa-football/teams/georgia-bulldogs">Georgia Bulldogs</a>, head over to </i><a href="http://dawgsports.com/"><i>Dawg Sports</i></a><i>, and be sure to check out SB Nation's </i><a href="http://sbnation.com/ncaa-football"><i>dedicated NCAA Football hub</i>.</a></p>
https://atlanta.sbnation.com/2012/8/20/3255244/uga-football-2012-jarvis-jonesEthan Rothstein