South-Carolina
Five questions for South Carolina football, Shane Beamer ahead of 2024 preseason practices
South Carolina football’s Shane Beamer at SEC Media Days 2024
Coach Shane Beamer along with South Carolina football players Luke Doty and Debo Williams answer questions at SEC Media Day 2024 in Dallas, Texas
COLUMBIA — South Carolina football players practice Friday and officially begin the start of preparations for the 2024 season.
Shane Beamer begins his fourth year as coach of the Gamecocks with new offensive talent and veteran leaders on defense. After a 5-7 season last year, South Carolina’s expectations from the outside in the new 16-team SEC aren’t sky high as the Gamecocks were picked to finish 13th in the media’s preseason poll.
Now, with redshirt freshman LaNorris Sellers as the new quarterback, a transfer-filled roster and position battles to be settled, South Carolina begins its pursuit of a winning season. Here are five of our biggest questions that might be answered during preseason.
Who will be the starting wide receiver for South Carolina?
Beamer didn’t talk much about wide receivers during SEC Media Days. He just briefly mentioned how the Gamecocks are without Xavier Legette, who was drafted by the Carolina Panthers, after leading the team in receiving yards with 1,255 and seven touchdowns in 2023. Antwane L. “Juice” Wells Jr., who had 928 receiving yards in 2022, transferred to Ole Miss.
Jared Brown, Ahmari Huggins-Bruce, Gage Larvadain, Dalevon Campbell and Vandrevius Jacobs are the five new transfer receivers, who are in a position battle with freshman Mazeo Bennett and sophomore Tyshawn Russell.
In the spring game, Russell and Bennett combined for 42 receiving yards but as of right now, there isn’t an obvious choice to replace Legette.
Does Robby Ashford still have a shot at QB1?
When Beamer named Sellers the starting quarterback in May, he was careful with his wording and made it clear that it was still a position to compete for in August. He complimented Robby Ashford and made it clear that if Sellers didn’t work for it, it could be taken away.
Ashford, a redshirt senior, transferred to South Carolina from Auburn with two years of eligibility remaining and while he’s much older than Sellers, he has less experience playing for the Gamecocks.
While it’s almost certain Sellers will take the field in the season opener on Aug. 31 against Old Dominion, Beamer’s wording begs the question of what Ashford’s role will look like in practices and how many reps he’ll take as quarterback in August.
South Carolina football’s kicker battle
Quarterback and wide receiver aren’t the only position battles this season. The Gamecocks also lost kicker Mitch Jeter, who transferred to Notre Dame.
In the spring game, freshman Mason Love was the punter for Team Black and sixth-year player Alex Herrera kicked field goals, and are two of Beamer’s best options.
Other options included redshirt freshman Peyton Argent, who kicked for Team Garnet in the spring, redshirt sophomore Daniel Lester and redshirt junior William Joyce.
What happens if Rocket Sanders gets injured again?
The run game this season is expected to be all Rocket Sanders, a senior who transferred from Arkansas. Sanders battled a knee injury and torn labrum in 2023 and only played six games. Beamer praised his rehab process and said he’s ready to go, but with so much pressure on Sanders to carry the offense, do the Gamecocks have a backup plan?
How much can the offensive line improve from last year?
South Carolina’s offensive line was riddled by injuries last year, and with a new quarterback who can run and throw the ball, Sellers will need maximum protection.
TICKETS: How to buy South Carolina football tickets? See prices for games on 2024 schedule
With the freshman trio of Kam Pringle, Blake Franks, and Josiah Thompson and veterans Jakai Moore and Vershon Lee, the Gamecocks have great potential but will need to continue to improve to face some of the best defenses in the SEC like Alabama and LSU.
Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin
South-Carolina
South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for March 8, 2026
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at March 8, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from March 8 drawing
Evening: 3-3-3, FB: 1
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from March 8 drawing
Evening: 7-8-0-4, FB: 1
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from March 8 drawing
Evening: 01
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from March 8 drawing
06-10-14-29-34
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:
For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.
Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.
SC Education Lottery
P.O. Box 11039
Columbia, SC 29211-1039
For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.
Columbia Claims Center
1303 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.
For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.
When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.
South-Carolina
South Carolina women’s basketball vs. Texas live: SEC final highlights
South Carolina, Dawn Staley head to 2026 SEC Tournament in Greenville
Hundreds of fans showed up to the Grand Bohemian Lodge on March 6 to cheer on Dawn Staley and SC women’s basketball ahead of the 2026 SEC Tournament.
For the second straight season, South Carolina and Texas will meet in the SEC Tournament Championship in Greenville, South Carolina.
Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks and Vic Schaefer’s Longhorns will matchup on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, ESPN) in the title game.
South Carolina advanced by beating LSU in the semifinals behind 22 points from Raven Johnson. Texas was powered by 31 points from Madison Booker in its semifinal victory over Ole Miss.
The Gamecocks and Longhorns split regular season meetings, with each game decided by a single possession. Texas won a non-conference clash in Las Vegas by two points, while South Carolina took a three-point victory at home in Columbia.
Staley has had Schaefer’s number in the postseason though, as she’s 8-0 all-time against him in March and April. That record includes wins for the Gamecocks over the Longhorns in the SEC title game and Final Four last year.
The Longhorns are out to an early double-digit lead over the Gamecocks at the end of the first quarter behind 13 points from Justice Carlton, who is shooting 6-of-7 from the floor.
Texas opened the game with a 14-0 run before South Carolina coach Dawn Staley called a timeout at the 6:47 mark. Ta’Niya Latson swished a 3-pointer on a Raven Johnson assist out of that break, but couldn’t piece together a meaningful run to dent the Longhorns’ lead.
The Longhorns are shooting 68% from the floor and have scored 10 points off five South Carolina turnovers.
The SEC Championship game between South Carolina and Texas has tipped off on ESPN News because Duke and Louisville are in overtime in the ACC title game in Duluth, Georgia. The clash between the Gamecocks and Longhorns will switch back to ESPN when the ACC game finishes.
Less than four minutes into the game, Texas has a 14-0 lead on 7-of-7 shooting. Justice Carlton has six points. Dawn Staley called a timeout at the 6:47 mark in the first quarter.
South Carolina Gamecocks starting lineup
Head coach: Dawn Staley
- 25 Raven Johnson | G 5-9 Senior
- 00 Ta’Niya Latson | G 5-9 Senior
- 5 Tessa Johnson | G 6-0 Junior
- 8 Joyce Edwards | F 6-3 Sophomore
- 11 Madina Okot | C 6-6 Senior
Texas starting lineup
Head coach: Vic Schaefer
- 11 Justice Carlton | F 6-1 Sophomore
- 25 Breya Cunningham | F 6-4 Junior
- 35 Madison Booker | F 6-1 Junior
- 7 Jordan Lee | G 6-0 Sophomore
- 3 Rori Harmon | G 5-6 Senior
What time is South Carolina vs. Texas?
- Date: Sunday, March 8
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- Location: Bon Secours Wellness Arena (Greenville)
Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks face Vic Schaefer’s Longhorns in the championship game of the SEC Women’s Tournament at 3 p.m. ET Sunday, March 8 in Greenville, South Carolina.
South Carolina vs. Texas : TV, streaming
The game between South Carolina and Texas will air live on ESPN, with Ryan Ruocco and Rebecca Lobo on the call. Streaming options for the game include Sling TV.
South-Carolina
North Augusta and Military Magnet Repeat as South Carolina Girls Basketball Championships Continue Title Trend
Out of the five classifications at the South Carolina High School League girls basketball state championships, only Class 2A was guaranteed to crown a new state champion which was Landrum.
Through two days of the “Weekend of Champions,” order was served as Berkeley, Walhalla and Blythewood all retained their respective titles.
On Saturday, Military Magnet and North Augusta made it 5-5 for repeat championships.
Lady Yellow Jackets Move a Step Closer to State History
North Augusta head coach Al Young is a former wide receiver who’s a member of the South Carolina State Athletics Hall of Fame.
After 37 years of coaching boys basketball and track at North Augusta, he came out of retirement to work with girls’ basketball.
It’s been more than a smooth transition for Young. On Saturday, the Lady Yellow Jackets defeated Westside 63-50 in the Class 4A final.
“I thought football was my first love,” Young said. “I’m not sure now.”
Another Tough Rematch with Westside
It was the seventh state title in 10 years for the Lady Yellow Jackets, fifth with Young at the helm. They also tied Blackville-Hilda, the 63-50 win over Westside.
The win tied North Augusta for second-most in state history behind Lower Richland, Hollywood, Marion and Blackville-Hilda. Only Bowman and the legendary Monetta teams of the 1930s have more with eight titles.
For the second straight year, the Lady Yellow Jackets had to defeat the Lady Rams. Messiah Williams scored four straight points to help them take a 6-0 advantage.
Down 16-7, Westside responded with a 10-3 run sparked by six straight points from forward Makyhia Paul. The Lady Rams’ defense also forced North Augusta into turnovers to help stay close through the second quarter.
Westside briefly tied the game at 24-24. With two seconds left, Taylor Boney scored her only points of the game on a layup to put North Augusta up 26-24 at halftime.
Second Half Adjustments Help North Augusta
Guard Celana Grant, who scored a team-high 15 points along with Azaria Sapp, said they was implored to cut down on the turnovers.
“We turned the ball over a lot in the first half and we also turned it over in the second half,” she said. “But we made better decisions. We were looking for each other and we made great plays.”
After a 3-pointer by Monasia Clinkscales brought Westside within a point, North Augusta answered with eight straight points and increased its lead to 10 for the first time.
The Lady Rams got no closer than five the rest of the way. A jumper by Ashley Walker put the Lady Yellow Jackets up 44-34 going into the fourth quarter.
North Augusta extended its lead as many as 16 points before the final buzzer.
Lady Eagles post weekend’s most dominant performance
The ‘machine’ known as Military Magnet continues to roll along in Class A.
The Lady Eagles led from start to finish in 70-21 rout of Great Falls. They were already ahead 16-2 before the Lady Red Devils made their second and last field goal of the first quarter.
Eighth-grader Mariah Brown provided problems on both sides of the basketball. She outscored the entire Great Falls’ roster with 25 points, seven rebounds and was one of five players with three or more steals.
Guard Xahar Pinckney had a team-high five of their 17 steals while also forcing 31 turnovers.
In leading as many as 51 points, Military Magnet kept Greats Falls in double digits in all four quarters. In fact, the 28 points scored in the second quarter to go up 50-13 at halftime was more than Great Falls’ entire scoring output.
This was the fifth state title in six state title appearances in seven years by Military Magnet. Great Falls was making its first championship appearance since 1979.
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