South-Carolina
Ex-president trumps 2024 GOP hopefuls from South Carolina with party speaking gig
Former President Donald Trump, leading the Republican primary field in his 2024 comeback bid, will be the keynote speaker at an annual South Carolina GOP event. Trump’s top speaking role reflects his dominance in a state long influential in deciding who becomes the party’s nominee.
Trump will be the featured speaker at the South Carolina Republican Party’s 56th Annual Silver Elephant Gala. The 8:30 p.m. event on Saturday, Aug. 5, will take place at the South Carolina State Fairgrounds — 1200 Rosewood Dr., Columbia, South Carolina, 29201.
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South Carolina Republicans’ fealty to Trump isn’t particularly surprising, considering his hold on much of the party base nationally even after losing to President Joe Biden in 2020. But their selection of Trump as keynote speaker inherently undercuts the political standing of local 2024 rivals, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC). National polls show both are in the single digits nationally in their fight for the 2024 Republican nomination and the right to challenge Biden.
Haley and Scott are doing a bit better in a recent Fox News poll reporting voter attitudes in South Carolina. Per the poll, Trump leads the GOP presidential race with 48%, followed by Haley at 14%, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) at 13%, Scott at 10%, and former Vice President Mike Pence at 4%.
The Silver Elephant Gala features a who’s who of Palmetto State Republicans, including Gov. Henry McMaster (R-SC), a former lieutenant governor to whom Haley in early 2017 turned over the reins of state government when Trump appointed her as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, a post she held for just under two years. Party dinner attendees also include Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), South Carolina GOP Chairman and RNC Co-Chairman Drew McKissick, and other Republican elected officials.
South Carolina Republicans have scheduled their presidential primary for Feb. 24, 2024 — a relatively late date that could force candidates to invest more time and money in the state while scrambling campaign strategies in the “first four” GOP contests. With Iowa and New Hampshire potentially holding votes in January and Nevada’s plans in flux, there could be a substantial gap in the calendar before South Carolina.
In Republican presidential nomination fights before the Trump era, South Carolina has proved a decisive battleground in deciding who wins the GOP nomination. That includes future Presidents Ronald Reagan in 1980 and George W. Bush in 2000, along with 1996 Republican presidential nominee Bob Dole and others over the years.
South Carolina has been a popular campaign destination for more than just Trump and the home state candidates. Along with the trio’s rivals in the 2024 GOP scrum, other candidates frequently in the state include Pence, Gov. Doug Burgum (R-ND), former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, DeSantis, radio talk show host Larry Elder, ex-Texas Rep. Will Hurd, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, and Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.
New Hampshire wine with Haley
Haley has also been a steady presence in New Hampshire in the run-up to its first-in-the-nation primary. She’ll soon be at an event aiming to boost her own candidacy, other GOP office-seekers in New Hampshire, and the Granite State’s budding wine industry.
“Join us for an elegant evening @LaBelleWinnerNH! Our Politics & Prosecco Summer soiree will feature @NikkiHaley!” the New Hampshire Federal of Republican Women recently tweeted about the Aug. 7 event at 6:30 p.m.
“Funds raised will benefit Republican women member candidates running for state and local office in 2024!” added the GOP women’s group about the event at LaBelle Winery — 345 State Rte 101, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031.
One ticket “includes a glass of sparkling wine, heavy hors d’oeuvres and a conversation with empowered female leaders!” per an event invite. “Attire is elegant cocktail reception and glamorous hats are encouraged! Both men and women are welcome. Tickets are $75 for members and their guests and $100 for nonmembers.”
New Hampshire is usually better known for maple syrup and fall leaf foliage than wine. But the state, the fifth smallest in the nation by square mileage, now has more than 30 wineries, some winning national and international acclaim, to the point that in June, Wine Enthusiast magazine published the article “It’s Time to Pay Attention to New Hampshire Wine.”
The piece praises LaBelle for the quality of its wine, particularly its Amherst Vineyard Red and Amherst Vineyard White, and event-hosting spaces.
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“Winemaker Amy LaBelle has built one of New Hampshire’s most all-encompassing winery experiences. What began as an experimental one-gallon batch of blueberry wine made in her Boston apartment has morphed into a 20,000-square-foot space that includes a bistro, tasting bar, art gallery, gift shop, and event space,” the article says.
“The winery hosts acoustic performances on Thursdays, monthly cooking with wine classes as well as talks with local artists, book signings, and power yoga classes,” the story adds.
South-Carolina
These South Carolina stars are used to winning. But they know Final Four won’t be easy
South Carolina Dawn Staley signs baby before cutting Elite Eight nets down
After an Elite Eight win over Duke, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley signed a baby, basketball and shirts for fans before cutting down the nets in Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – With an Elite Eight victory over Duke, South Carolina seniors Sania Feagin and Bree Hall have now made it to four straight Final Fours during their time as Gamecocks.
When asked if they thought their careers would “come out this way” when they signed with Dawn Staley four years ago, Feagin had a very simple answer.
“Yes, I did.”
Hall had a different perspective about being a part of the historic South Carolina era.
“I really can’t believe it,” Hall said. “When I committed here, I didn’t really expect it to be this good. This is definitely an experience that people dream about, and I’m just really glad I made the right choice.”
Playing alongside Feagin and Hall throughout the dominant run is Raven Johnson, a junior guard who redshirted as a freshman. Feagin and Hall have one year of eligibility left and have not yet announced if they plan to stay at South Carolina.
But that’s a decision for another day. The Gamecocks are focused on the Final Four next weekend and extending their run.
“We’re not done,” Johnson said. “We can set history winning a national championship, and that’s the plan. We all know what it takes, and we know it’s not gonna be easy.”
She already knows the path ahead will be a challenge because getting this far was one.
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No. 1 seed South Carolina survived No. 2 Duke 54-50, scoring a season-low paired with 16 turnovers. The matchup had four lead changes and four ties. Feagin and Hall each had three key rebounds in the fourth quarter.
“The margin of error is very little,” said Johnson, adding that a missed shot can turn “the momentum of the game” to the other team.
This is now the third-straight nailbiter the Gamecocks have endured. They trailed at halftime in matchups against No. 9 Indiana in the second round and No. 4 Maryland in the Sweet 16.
Prior to Sunday’s game, the Gamecocks had won 33 games with a 22.9-point margin of victory, so it’s safe to say they are usually comfortable on the court.
“I don’t know why everybody expects us to just blow everybody out,” Hall said. “These teams are coming to play. It’s not gonna be easy, every team is gonna be ready for us.”
The trio is ready to bring its experience to a familiar setting – the Final Four – and live up to its own expectation: winning.
Olivia Noni is a student in the University of Georgia’s Sports Media Certificate program.
South-Carolina
South Carolina women's basketball puts three on all-regional team, Chloe Kitts wins MVP en route to Final Four
South Carolina women’s basketball is headed back to the Final Four for the fifth season in a row. On Sunday, the Gamecocks squeaked by a tough Duke Blue Devils squad 54-50 in the Elite Eight, ending their time in Birmingham. With 20 wins in their last 21 NCAA Tournament contests, USC was the first team to clinch tickets to Tampa.
South Carolina put three players on the Birmingham All-Regional Team.
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Junior forward Chloe Kitts won the Regional MVP. In the Gamecocks’ two games in Alabama, she averaged 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds. She was the team’s overall leading scorer and rebounder in the two games.
Senior forward Sania Feagin joined Kitts on the All-Regional Team. She averaged 10.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 2.0 assists, and 1.5 steals while shooting over 50% from the field.
The third Gamecock to make the All-Regional squad was sophomore guard MiLaysia Fulwiley. Fulwiley poured in 14 points per game to go with 3.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists. She led the team in scoring against Maryland and had important solo scoring and playmaking bursts in both games when the South Carolina offense got stagnant.
Joining Kitts, Feagin, and Fulwiley on the team were Duke freshman forward Toby Fournier and Duke junior guard Ashlon Jackson.
GamecockCentral’s Chris Wellbaum’s ballot was identical, but he had Feagin bringing home MVP honors. GamecockCentral’s Mingo Martin’s voting looked a little different with Fulwiley and Fournier joined by USC’s Te-Hina Paopao, Duke’s Jadyn Donovan, and Maryland’s Kaylene Smikle (Fulwiley was his MVP).
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With the triumph in Birmingham, South Carolina will play in its seventh Final Four, all coming since the 2014-2015 season. The Gamecocks have made it to the Final Four five seasons in a row, and that likely would have been six in a row had the 2019-2020 season not been cut short due to Covid.
Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks will take the floor again on Friday, April 4th in Tampa, Florida against the Monday night winner of the Elite Eight showdown between the Texas Longhorns and TCU Horned Frogs. Tip time and final television and streaming information remain unknown, though ESPN or ESPN2 will handle the broadcast.
Duke Blue Devils (29-7, 18-4 ACC) vs. South Carolina Gamecocks (33-3, 18-1 SEC)
Birmingham, Alabama; Sunday, 1 p.m. EDT
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Gamecocks -8.5; over/under is 128.5
BOTTOM LINE: No. 2 South Carolina and No. 7 Duke square off in the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.
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The Gamecocks have gone 18-1 against SEC teams, with a 15-2 record in non-conference play. South Carolina is 30-3 against opponents over .500.
The Blue Devils’ record in ACC action is 18-4. Duke is second in the ACC with 12.4 offensive rebounds per game led by Oluchi Okananwa averaging 2.4.
South Carolina makes 46.8% of its shots from the field this season, which is 8.2 percentage points higher than Duke has allowed to its opponents (38.6%). Duke averages 6.1 made 3-pointers per game this season, 0.9 more makes per game than South Carolina allows.
The teams meet for the second time this season. South Carolina won 81-70 in the last matchup on Dec. 6. Chloe Kitts led South Carolina with 21 points, and Delaney Thomas led Duke with 14 points.
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TOP PERFORMERS: Joyce Edwards is shooting 54.6% and averaging 13.0 points for the Gamecocks. MiLaysia Fulwiley is averaging 13.8 points over the last 10 games.
Ashlon Jackson is shooting 37.6% from beyond the arc with 2.4 made 3-pointers per game for the Blue Devils, while averaging 12.4 points. Okananwa is averaging 12 points and 6.1 rebounds over the past 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Gamecocks: 10-0, averaging 81.4 points, 38.7 rebounds, 17.5 assists, 8.5 steals and 6.2 blocks per game while shooting 48.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 58.5 points per game.
Blue Devils: 9-1, averaging 67.1 points, 35.2 rebounds, 14.8 assists, 8.4 steals and 3.6 blocks per game while shooting 41.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 51.1 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
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