SPORTS BRIEFS: Westover-Dougherty basketball moved to ASU’s HPER Gym

Westover-Dougherty doubleheader moved

The basketball doubleheader between Westover and Dougherty scheduled for Friday has been moved to Albany State’s HPER Gym on the East Campus.

The doubleheader is slated for a 6 p.m. girls start. It was originally scheduled to take place at Dougherty.

Albany Tech hosting tournament

The Titans Holiday Classic junior college basketball tournament will take place Friday and Saturday in Albany.

Friday’s games will take place at Albany State’s West Campus Arena. The Albany Tech women are scheduled to play twice that day, taking on Andrew at 2 p.m. and following up at 6 p.m. against West Georgia Tech. Central Georgia Tech’s men face Southern Crescent at 4 p.m., while the Albany Tech men conclude Friday’s play at 8 p.m. against Summerhill Prep.

Saturday’s games will take place at Albany State’s East Campus HPER Gym. Albany Tech’s women start things at noon against Southern Crescent. Central Georgia Tech and Summerhill Prep meet at 2 p.m., with Albany Tech’s men wrapping things up at 4 p.m. against Southern Crescent.

Soliday, Lewis honored in region awards

Americus-Sumter head coach Erik Soliday was named the GHSA Region 1-4A Coach of the Year in awards announced Thursday, while Panthers running back Kobe Lewis was named Co-Player of the Year alongside Hardaway’s Marco Lee.

Soliday and Lewis led Americus-Sumter to the Region 1-4A title and a second-round playoff appearance.

First-team offensive honorees from Americus-Sumter were quarterback Kierston Harvey, receiver Braelin Williams and offensive lineman Malcolm Mercer. Westover lineman Gyasi Revills and punter Collins Giovingo also were named to the first-team offensive list.

First-team defensive selections from Americus-Sumter were defensive back Jakhari White, linebacker Mikal Douglas and lineman Keonta Holley. Westover honorees were defensive back Jaron Moore, linebacker Timothy Allen and lineman Adam Martin.

Braves trade Johnson to Angels

The Los Angeles Angels acquired right-handed reliever Jim Johnson from the Atlanta Braves on Thursday in exchange for minor league pitcher Justin Kelly.

The Angels also received an unspecified amount toward their international pool space.

Johnson converted 22-of-31 opportunities last season for the Braves. The 34-year-old New York native posted a 6-3 mark with a 5.56 ERA in 61 appearances in 2017.

Johnson owns a 33-43 record with a 3.79 ERA in 612 career appearances for the Baltimore Orioles, Oakland Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers and Braves. His 176 saves rank seventh among active pitchers, trailing only Craig Kimbrel (291), Kenley Jansen (230), Aroldis Chapman (204), Joakim Soria (204), Greg Holland (186) and Mark Melancon (179).

Kelly, who is a 24-year-old left-hander, posted a 6-4 mark with a 3.35 ERA in 25 games spread over five levels of the Angels’ system last season.

Tennessee motors past Mercer

Sophomore forward Grant Williams scored 21 points to help Tennessee roll to an 84-60 victory over Mercer on Wednesday night in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sophomore guard Jordan Bowden 16 of his season-best 18 points in the first half for the Volunteers, who shot 55.6 percent from the field. Junior forward Admiral Schofield had 10 points for Tennessee (5-1).

Senior guard Jordan Strawberry scored a season-best 20 points for the Bears (5-3). Sophomore guard Ethan Stair added 11 points for Mercer, which shot 37.8 percent from the field.