Thursday's Central Georgia Daily News 'n Notes: Roquan Smith, Falcons, Braves, Hawks, MGSU, signings, Honor Roll

Thursday's Central Georgia - and of interest to Central Georgia - news and notes, compiled from staff reports, email reports, the web, and social media.

Macon County has the NFL's No. 8 draft pick

          Macon County grad and former Georgia Bulldog Roquan Smith went eighth to the Chicago Bears, where he'll joining another Central Georgian.

          In This Week's Coverage.

Falcons relive past, draft Alabama receiver

          A few days after Julio Jones sparked great fear by deleting his Falcons' social media references, Atlanta drafted who some believe makes Jones expendable, Calvin Ridley of Alabama.

          He spent a year with Steve Sarkisian.

Acuna hits a homer, Freeman adds quality day in Braves win

          The hyperventilating continues after Ronald Acuna had three hits and a homer in Atlanta's win over Cincinnati.

          Freddie Freeman had three doubles to help Sean Newcomb to the win.

Help wanted: Atlanta Hawks head coach

          Atlanta G.M. Travis Schlenk talks to the media about the coaching situation.

College Baseball: Middle Georgia State powers way to win

          Middle Georgia State belted three homers and beat Brewton-Parker 5-4 in 10 innings.

The playoff scoreboard and schedule are posted

This week's signings

          Dodge County standouts Nick Cummings and DeMarcus Caines signed Thursday to play basketball at South Georgia Technical College in Americus.

          SGTC went 20-12 last year in the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association, and tied for second. ...

          West Laurens infielder and pitcher Guy Anderberg has signed with Georgia Southwestern of the Peach Belt Conference.

This week's honor roll

          After his headline performance against Florida, Mercer reliever Robert Broom has been added to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association's stopper of the year midseason watch list for the second straight year.

          Broom, a junior from Gordon Lee, is 8-1 with a 1.33 ERA and 84 strikeouts in 54.1 innings. ...

          Former Stratford standout Mary Wilson Avant is having a season with Georgia, and is the latest SEC softball pitcher of the week.

          Avant went 3-0, allowing only 1 run i 18 innings against USC Upstate, and Kentucky. She whiffed a season-high eight againt UK with no walks.

          She is 7-1 i 67.2 innings with 60 strikeouts and a .72 ERA. ...

          Middle Georgia State's Margaret Simmons is the latest Southern States Athletic Conference player of the week.

          The freshman from Dodge County batted .350 with 3 HRs in 3 straight games, including a walk-off homer, helping the Knights to a 5-1 record. It's her second honor of the season.