South-Carolina
Everything Vanderbilt head coach Shea Ralph said after loss to South Carolina
Following an 82-54 loss to South Carolina, Vanderbilt head coach Shea Ralph spoke with the media about the game. Here is everything she had to say.
Opening statement
“Yeah, I felt like you know, there were portions of the game, especially in the first half, and a little bit in the third quarter, where we were battling. Our effort was there, and then it wasn’t. It felt like we looked a little bit out of sorts.
“On offense, we weren’t able to get anything in fast break. The ball wasn’t moving as crisp, crisply and cleanly as it normally does. So there’s some things we have to figure out. I mean, obviously, they’re a good team. I don’t think either of us played great today, but it’s disappointing to not take advantage of not their best game on our home court at the same time it’s senior night. And thought there were some bright spots today from some of our guys that are graduating.”
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How important have those five (seniors) been to your program over the past couple of years?
“Yeah, you know, save Leilani and Juice (Jane Nwaba) have just been here for a year, the other three have really made an impact in a positive way on the trajectory of the program and putting us in a place where, you know, we’re able to do some of the things that were only part of our vision when we got here.
“So, you know, you never want to want it’s a loss today, and it’s in it stinks because I thought we didn’t play well, but, but it’s also an opportunity to honor how far we’ve come, and to honor those guys that have gotten us here. So we’re going to take full advantage of that now after the game, and then we’ll get back to work when it’s time to get back to work.”
This is one of those punch-in-the-face moments, also leading towards the March Madness and everything. Do you feel like this is a wake-up call?
“I hope so. I think it needs to be, in a lot of ways, this is kind of when you want to be playing your best basketball. So I think that’s what’s maybe the most concerning about how we play today.
“But also, you know, we’re not that far removed from some of the better games that we played. We just showed a lot of toughness and grit in a road win over time when at Auburn. And I thought, you know that more looked like the team that I know. So we got to make sure that this last week of the season, we get back to who that is. And I think we’ll be able to do so quickly.”
Is Mikayla having a target on her back now a chance to grow her game with teams making her work on both ends of the court?
“Yeah, definitely. it’s always a chance for her to grow her game. She hasn’t been a secret for a long time, but I think there were times today where we were out of sorts. So it didn’t even look like, to me, a lot of times on offense, that we were connecting, you know, so for her, that’s going to be tough as a point guard.
“We got to make sure that everyone’s on the same page, that she’s getting the same opportunities that she’s gotten in so many of the games before, and she didn’t get those today. She just didn’t get them. And the ones that she tried to take were more difficult than they usually are, and you got to credit South Carolina’s defense, in that way they’re long and athletic, but I thought she still played hard and she still did a lot of really good things. We also shouldn’t need her to score 50 points for us to win. We got to be better than that. She’s done it in moments where we really needed it, but she also has to get a little bit of help.”
When you look at what Dawn (Staley) has built, what stands out, and is the gap closing?
“Yeah, I do feel like the gap is closing when we play our best. I mean in terms of the things that we’ve accomplished so far this year and where we’re going. I do feel that way.
“What’s impressive about what Dawn has done is that she literally built it from the ground up. You know,
it’s impressive that she did it while also coaching in the Olympics, that she’s been able to create a powerhouse in this day and age, especially as the landscape is changing. To sustain it is maybe the most impressive thing, because I know, having come from UCONN, how hard that is to do.
“So you see teams that have a good couple years and then don’t have a good couple years. She’s, you know, a national championship contender every year. And her kids get better. They look like they have fun, they have a really good culture, that’s not easy to do in this day and age. So what’s impressive about it? All of it. And then you know who she is, in terms of the representation as a woman, the things that she did as a player, now as a coach, the way she speaks up for our sport, that in and of itself, is very powerful.”
Are there lessons you can take from them, especially having done it in the SEC the way they have?
“Yeah, absolutely. She’s been one of the more vocal supporters in terms of always reaching out to me, especially the first couple of years, to show support and encouragement. But, yeah, She’s kind of laid out a blueprint. It’s inspiring. But I’m still a competitor, you know. I’m inspired by her, but I still want to beat her and I’d like to do that sooner than later.”
Win tickets to Senior Day, South Carolina-Kentucky women’s basketball game
I’d love if you could just sort of speak about that element of being a coach and outside of the game how you’re trying to lead this group of girls.
“I think most of the reason that I wanted to coach was because of the way that people had changed my life in terms of my coaches and mentors and guiders. I was a little bit of a s—head. I mean, it’s not really another way to say it. When I was younger, I was stubborn and selfish and all the things that get in your way when you’re a young kid and you’re trying to do trying to do something really cool and you’re trying to grow into a young woman who can be successful in any arena in life, you got to learn how to sacrifice. You got to learn how to be unselfish. You got to learn how to put people in teams and bigger visions before yourself. And so when I was younger, I had a lot of people do that for me, and I think it’s time for me to give back in terms of not only our game but for the young women that want to play and have the same goals that I had.
“I also want to show them that you can do that and still be a wife and a mom and you know, somebody in the community that’s a leader. You can do all the things, you can’t always do them at once and I’ve learned that myself here being where my feet are. But to me, it’s more important that my players know how much I care about them and love them, how much I want to set them up for success in the future, and how much I’m going to pour into them, whether or not they perform on the basketball court.
“If they can learn those things that I learned, and they have the talent that they have, then they’re going to explode with success in every arena of their life. And that’s that’s meaningful in terms of leadership. That’s meaningful when you can help guide kids through that and see them to the other side so that when they get to life, real life, because you all know, man, it’s unforgiving that they have a really big tool box of things they can use because you were able to help them.”
As tough as this season in conference play has been, how tough might it be heading to the tournament this year. It looks like all of you are locked in, but can anybody take it for granted at
this point?
“Never, never. You can’t take anything for granted in this sport, in this conference. You got to go out to win. We need to win, and we need to make sure that we position ourselves to do something really special in March.”
What needs to happen to get the rest of the team of going again on offense?
“We just have to move the ball. We have to play with confidence. Make sure we take opportunities. We looked a little bit overwhelmed at times today, like not sure what to do next. So I think part of that is just keeping it simple, to simplifying everything that we’re doing, making sure the ball changes sides of the floor, getting back to who we really are. You can’t overcomplicate it at this point.
“You know, I think just getting back out on the court and seeing the ball go through the net, and making sure that we know exactly where we need to be and what we need to be doing probably will help a lot, because there were large portions of the game today where I felt like that didn’t look like the case. So we just have to make sure that that we feel more comfortable and confident going into Thursday.”
How tough was it to Scout a team like South Carolina with the amount of talent on their roster?
“It was actually not that tough to scout them because Dawn really just sticks to who she is, like, they don’t really change much. You kind of know what you’re going to see. And to the point I just made, they’re pretty simple in terms of what they do, but it’s super effective.
“So I felt like we could have a lot of success defensively, but then you have to make sure that you convert that into really good offensive possessions. So we can’t get rebounds and then give it right back. We can’t get steals and then give it right back. We can’t take poor shots and then give them wide-open layups and transition threes. That’s just not the winning edge ever in basketball, but certainly not against South Carolina. So there were moments where it was like, we’re right there, and then we have a couple of really poor decisions, poor shots, just give the ball back to them, and then, you know, they opened it up by eight or 10 more.”
Win tickets to USC-Clemson baseball (Sunday game in Columbia)
What do you feel like your team can kind of take from these past two games to grow and get back to playing your best basketball?
“Well specifically, just this game, I would say even, even at our worst. I mean, we were still there. For a large portion of the first half, into the second half, the third quarter, we were right there.
“And we did not play well, neither did they, but we got to take full advantage of that. You know, we were right there having played one of our worst games of the year in terms of who we are and what we what we aspire to be. So all that being said, we still had an opportunity to be in a position to win the game. And so you kind of have to look at it that way, and then we have to see what say. ‘Well, what was our issue? What got in our way? Let’s confront that. Let’s get rid of it, let’s fix it, whatever, and let’s move on.’”
South Carolina is one of the few teams that play both sides of the floor. Do you feel like that is what caught your players by surprise?
“I don’t think we were caught by surprise. I mean, I don’t know that I would say that, that we were caught by surprise. I think they just took advantage of our mistakes and that wasn’t surprising, but it was disappointing because you can’t make mistakes like that against really good teams.
“The things that we did, I mean, was they were self-inflicted. Not a lot of offensive flow, turnovers, rebounding, not moving the ball crisply enough, not making free throws, not scoring one point in transition, and that sucks like that. You just can’t do that against good teams and think you’re going to win the game. So it wasn’t surprising, but it was disappointing that we weren’t able to capitalize more on the positive things we did so we could put ourselves in position to win.”
“I mean, there were a lot of cases of that, just rebounding and running turnover, you know, just even in the open court getting picked for a layup. That can’t happen at this level, you got to be better than that, you know. So to me, it was just that’s a lack of focus, and we just have to be a little bit more disciplined. And again, I’m going to keep saying it, but it’s true. We got to get back to who we are.”
by MARK POWELL
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South Carolina’s first Republican gubernatorial debate in Newberry earlier this month was a cordial affair. Candidates stayed focused on the issues – and kept things civil.
Will the same be said after this week’s second round?
When the curtain rises on Tuesday evening (April 21, 2026) at the College of Charleston’s Sottile Theatre, five of the six GOP candidates have committed to being on stage. Attorney general Alan Wilson, fifth district congressman Ralph Norman and state senator Josh Kimbrell will appear before votes a second time, while lieutenant governor Pamela Evette and Lowcountry businessman Rom Reddy – both of whom skipped the first debate – will make their 2026 debuts.
As of press time, congresswoman Nancy Mace – who had a solid performance during the first exchange – was the only uncommitted candidate, waiting to see how the U.S. House of Representatives’ schedule unfolded.
Regardless of whether there will be five podiums on stage or six, the stakes are incredibly high as we are now just fifty (50) days away from the decisive Republican gubernatorial primary in the Palmetto State. I say “decisive” because the GOP nominee has won the last six governor’s races in South Carolina. Republican nominees are winning by bigger and bigger margins, too, as the last Democrat gubernatorial nominee barely clearly the 40% threshold in 2022.
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The closer we get to primary day, the more likely things are to get nasty – meaning this week’s GOP exchange is expected to yield far more fireworks than the last one.
We’re told several candidates spent the weekend prepping for this upcoming encounter, boning up on stats and pre-planning “off the cuff” zingers the way college students cram for their finals. They were wise to invest time in such planning, too – because a debate this close to the primary isn’t something a serious candidate wings.
A single, careless slip of the tongue or inadvertent stumble could instantly turn into a lethal landmine – crippling a frontrunner and killing their momentum. Conversely, the ability to think fast on one’s feet when opportunity arises can produce the modern-day political equivalent of the Holy Grail – a viral moment that captures lightning in a bottle, resonates with broad swaths of the electorate and propels a candidate to the front of the pack.
If recent polling is accurate, each campaign needs such a boost, too, as “undecided” still sits squarely in the driver’s seat in this race. Remember this, too: if no candidate receives a majority of votes on June 9, the top two vote-getters would face off in a head-to-head runoff election two weeks later.
Here’s a recap of what to watch for on Tuesday night as each of the six contenders (including Mace, should she show) jockey for position…
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JOSH KIMBRELL
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NEEDS: Relevancy
NEEDS TO AVOID: Fallout from his legal drama
WATCH FOR: Who he attacks (and defends)
Let’s be frank: The senator from Spartanburg County is faring so poorly in the polls that it’s unlikely his opponents will waste any of their political capital attacking him.
Also, if recent headlines are any indication, Kimbrell is doing a good enough job damaging his own candidacy.
Things could change in the event Kimbrell – who also performed well during the first debate – manages to land an effective jab against a rival. Guns could then swing his way, and he would likely find himself on the explaining end of unpleasant questions about his ongoing legal woes.
And as they say in politics, if you’re explaining, you’re losing.
For Kimbrell, simply coming off the stage with his campaign maintaining a fluttering pulse would be a win – although as we continue to note, his legal troubles have become all-consuming.
Something worth watching is how Kimbrell interacts with the other candidates. Does he attack any of them? Laud any of them? Given the close relationships between certain consultants in this race, the direction of his venom – or praise – could prove telling.
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PAMELA EVETTE
NEEDS: To step out of the current governor’s shadow
NEEDS TO AVOID: Falling on her face as she does so
WATCH FOR: The number of times she says ‘Trump’
It’s not easy being second banana in South Carolina, where the executive branch is already constitutionally neutered. It gets even harder when your time comes to seek the top job – and there’s very little to show for your time in office.
Such is the dilemma confronting the “lite governor.”
Yes, Pamela Evette has been long-serving governor Henry McMaster‘s dutiful co-pilot these past eight years. And yes, she has reaped the backing of a big chunk of the state’s GOP establishment as her reward. But when the question turns to, “what has she really accomplished?” the answers don’t suggest bold visionary leadership. Sure, highway beautification, stepping on golden shovels at groundbreakings, and saluting student accomplishments are all well and good. But at a moment in its history when South Carolinians are restless and increasingly intolerant of the status quo, such establishment photo-ops “don’t feed the bulldog,” as they say.
The noticeable lack of yeast in Evette’s polling numbers (despite her spending more money than any other candidate) bears witness to her struggle.
In fairness to Evette, the office she currently occupies was specifically designed not to accomplish much (thus ensuring the spotlight always falls on the governor). Still, she needs to move beyond, “if you like what you got from Henry these last ten years, you’ll love what you’ll get from me.”
Voters aren’t having that this cycle, which is one reason why Evette hasn’t advanced in the polls.
It’s a tightrope, though. At the same time she seeks to distance herself from the status quo, Evette can’t afford to let a single ray of sunlight come between her and her boss, either. Or else it’s an indictment of her, too.
This much is certain: Expert to hear that Evette loves Donald Trump. A lot.
Many believe Evette’s only path to victory is by securing Trump’s endorsement – something it appeared for awhile as though she had the inside track to receive. The longer she goes without getting it, though, the narrower her path becomes.
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NANCY MACE
NEEDS: An electability argument
NEEDS TO AVOID: Aggression overload
WATCH FOR: Her homestretch strategy
Should she show up, you’ve got to wonder which version of Nancy Mace will take the stage. Will it be the “Nice Nancy” we saw at Congressman Russell Fry’s recent candidate forum in Florence? Or will it be the “Primary Pitbull,” the Mace who unofficially kicked off her campaign with a scathing “scorched earth” attack on Alan Wilson delivered from the floor of the U.S. House?
Mace can be a polarizing political personality. Those who like her really, really like her; conversely, those who dislike her do so with a vengeance. But with the primary so close at hand – and so many voters still undecided – she needs to convince the GOP base of her electability. Being a bomb thrower on issues she feels passionate about may be good for grabbing headlines, but is it a sound approach to winning over eleventh hour converts?
Then there are her personal issues. Most notably, her infamous meltdown with officials at Charleston’s airport late last October. Although Mace’s base stayed with her after that contretemps, conventional wisdom suggests the disapproval it produced in other Republicans is too baked into the cake to overcome.
Should she participate, the debate could be her last best chance to turn the page once and for all.
Mace’s performance in Charleston – her backyard – will also reveal what sort of approach she intends to bring to the final seven weeks of this race.
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RALPH NORMAN
NEEDS: A rebound
NEEDS TO AVOID: Being cast as a D.C. insider
WATCH FOR: A breakout ‘relatability’ moment
Ralph Norman didn’t have his best performance during the first GOP debate – but he’s promised his supporters he’s not going to let it happen again.
For Norman to succeed onstage in Charleston, he needs to differentiate. This being South Carolina, every candidate with an ‘R’ beside their name claims to be a conservative. But a growing number of those on the right flank of the ideological spectrum – including the founding editor of this media outlet – insist that’s no longer good enough.
And South Carolina’s consistently less-than-robust outcomes would support that view…
These voters want proof that a candidate’s conservative rhetoric on the campaign trail is matched by a consistently conservative voting record in office. As a member of the U.S. House’s Freedom Caucus, Ralph Norman’s bona fides are established. However, serving on Capitol Hill these days is accompanied by the tainted stench of Washington. Look for someone to try to tag him as a “Washington Insider,” a point which Norman has given them some ammunition to hit him with.
Norman has done a good job of differentiating so far. For example, while most of the candidates who appeared at Fry’s forum mentioned earlier discussed the same issues (deplorable roads, the pressing need for judicial reform, etc.), Norman talked about them in a down-home, folksy way that had many in the audience nodding in agreement.
If he establishes “relatability street cred” Tuesday night, it could open up a new path for support while also creating new headaches for his opponents.
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ROM REDDY
NEEDS: A breakthrough
NEEDS TO AVOID: Talking over people
WATCH FOR: A new dynamic to the debate
You never get a second chance to make a first impression, as the old saying goes… and the Charleston debate will be a political first date of sorts for Rom Reddy, a local multi-millionaire and founder of the since-scuttled DOGE SC movement. A known commodity in the Palmetto Lowcountry, Reddy remains a mystery to many rank-and-file Republicans across the state.
Seeing as this will be the first time a substantial number of them take his measure, how will the diminutive Indian-Italian stack up next to the competition? Reddy has previously bashed his rivals as “clowns.” What happens if he fails to impress against them?
Because he’s only been in the race for six weeks – during which time he’s spent at least $1.5 million to boost his name identification – Reddy is a definitional wildcard. He’s also a political novice, one who will be surrounded on stage by experienced campaigners.
Reddy has many bold, innovative ideas for the state. However, he needs to avoid unloading too many at once and steer clear of diving into too many policy details. Voters are just getting to know him, after all.
Still, there’s no denying that Reddy has a strategic opportunity to turn this race on its head.
Will he seize it on Tuesday night?
Reddy must also learn to adapt to political realities. Jumping in the race so late means he has to make up a lot of ground – in a limited amount of time. For him to have a chance to make the GOP runoff election on June 9, he needs to take out the politician most likely to capture the votes he needs. That’s Norman – so watch and see if Reddy trains his fire on his fellow multi-millionaire during Tuesday night’s exchange.
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ALAN WILSON
NEEDS: To be the adult on stage
NEEDS TO AVOID: Taking the bulk of the attacks
WATCH FOR: Strong counterpunches
Alan Wilson’s newly released campaign commercial touts his service in the Iraq War. That experience will likely come in handy on Tuesday night, as the four-term attorney general – the race’s frontrunner – is expected to face a barrage of incoming attacks.
Wilson leads his rivals in the polls – and in the pivotal money battle. That makes him the top target in this race, and the likely recipient of the most attacks on the debate stage Tuesday evening (Evette in particular is likely to be gunning for him).
There’s a big risk with the strategy of attacking Wilson, however. The veteran prosecutor has tried to remain above the fray throughout this contest, and for the most part he’s succeeded. But as the old saying reminds us, you can only poke the bear so many times before the bear roars back.
Wilson has strategically absorbed several punches during this race – but he will not permit himself to become a punching bag as it enters its pivotal phase. In other words, candidates who insist on going after him should be prepared for him to punch back.
Wilson’s team has portrayed him as the grown-up in this race, the one candidate who has stayed above name-calling and petty mudslinging. They would like to preserve that image – but it may not be possible much longer.
It’s often remarked in political circles that Wilson is a gentleman, a truly nice guy. But opponents who think he’ll simply roll over and play dead without fighting back could be in for a surprise. Because sometimes, even the most polished gentleman has a good right hook – and reason to use it.
We have no idea what counterpunches the Wilson campaign is cooking up. But we would be thunderstruck if he walks onto that stage with his guard down.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR…
J. Mark Powell is an award-winning former TV journalist, government communications veteran, and a political consultant. He is also an author and an avid Civil War enthusiast. Got a tip or a story idea for Mark? Email him at mark@fitsnews.com.
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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 April 19, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from April 19 drawing
Evening: 6-2-0, FB: 6
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from April 19 drawing
Evening: 6-7-6-3, FB: 6
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 19 drawing
Evening: 05
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from April 19 drawing
12-24-27-30-35
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.
All that separated Connor Doyal from the biggest win of his amateur golfing career was 5 feet of perfectly manicured green on Hole No. 18 at Naples National Golf Club. That plus a super-sized case of the yips.
“My hands were shaking uncontrollably,” said the 26-year-old mid-amateur from Charleston, South Carolina. “But I’ve had some moments like this before, and I think I’ve just learned to let it happen and not fight it. I knew it wasn’t going to be the best stroke of my life, but in the moment, I just had to trust myself to make the putt.”
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Just as he had for much of the third and final round of the 30th annual Terra Cotta Invitational, Doyal delivered, dropping in the putt to win the event by one stroke over 17-year-old junior golfer Dawson Lew of Toronto, Canada.
Connor Doyal, a 26-year-old mid-amateur golfer from Charleston, S.C., celebrates with the trophy after winning the 30th annual Terra Cotta Invitational on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Doyal, who entered the day two shots behind co-leaders Giuseppe Puebla of Royal Palm Beach and University of Florida senior Parker Bell, shot 5-under 67 to finish 12-under, two shots off the low-scoring record for the 54-hole tournament.
“Honestly, I just hit the ball fantastic start to finish,” Doyal said. “I hit a ton of greens and then the putter started heating up. I woke up feeling good this morning, and I knew I had it in me.
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“Coming down the stretch, I had to battle. I’m just glad it’s over. I mean, the heart rate is still extremely high right now.”
Doyal had seven birdies in his final round, the best of which came on the par-4 No. 14. He used his six-iron to blast his second shot 220 yards to within inches of the cup, setting up a short putt that gave him a one-shot lead over Bell.
Doyal followed with a birdie on No. 15 to up his lead to two strokes, but made things interesting by shorting a putt on No. 17 for bogey.
Playing in a group just ahead of Doyel, Lew missed a 35-foot try for birdie on the par-5 No. 18 a smidge left to finish at 11-under after a final round 68.
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Clinging to that one-shot lead on No. 18, an admittedly amped-up Doyal nearly overshot the green on his third shot from about 80 yards out, the ball settling on the back fringe. He followed with a deft chip, setting up his tournament-winning putt.
“It was a little bit nervy there, but I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Doyal said. “I’m always going to be able to look back at that up and down on 18 and be like I have what it takes when the pressure is on.”
Widely regarded as one of the best amateur events for junior golfers in the country, the Terra Cotta’s field included nearly the entirety of the top 25 in the Rolex American Junior Golf rankings. That included Luke Colton of Frisco, Texas, who was gunning for an unprecedented third consecutive Terra Cotta championship. The 18-year-old Vanderbilt commit came up short in his quest, finishing 3-under and in a tie for 21st place.
“I started off pretty bad, just kind of had a weird first day,” said Colton, who opened with a 2-over 74. “Nothing was going my way. But I was pretty happy with the way I ended it.”
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Colton said the Terra Cotta is one of his favorite events of the season.
“You’ve got a great field and obviously an amazing course,” he said. “I think that’s why everybody wants to come and play at this tournament.”
Another top junior was a late and unreported entry to the Terra Cotta. Charlie Woods, son of golfing great Tiger Woods, got off to a rough start with an opening round 79, but shot a 3-under 69 in the final round to finish in a tie for 42nd place with a 3-over 219.
Among the five Naples-area competitors, former Gulf Coast High School standout and current University of Florida golfer Noah Kent had the best showing. The 20-year-old finished with a 2-over 218 for the tournament, placing him in a tie for 34th. The other local entrants were Spencer Ives (220), Brian Bassett (222), Jack Ryan Donovan (224), and Kaden Latrielle (229).
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Contact Sports Reporter Dan DeLuca at ddeluca@usatodayco.com. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Connor Doyal wins Florida amateur event, Charlie Woods ties for 42nd
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