South Carolina’s championship repeat tour chances are in trouble.

Junior forward Ashlyn Watkins, a critical part of the 2024 team that won a title, is done for the season with an ACL injury. Her injury significantly complicates the Gamecocks’ chances at another title. South Carolina was already adjusting to life without Kamilla Cardoso, attempting her length and production with Chloe Kitts and Sania Feagin after she moved on to the WNBA.

But no Watkins to lead the bench unit or fill in the starting lineup when needed puts a dent in how the team operates. “In the games, we might need to play small ball,” head coach Dawn Staley told the media earlier this week. “The last time that we lost a big such as Ashlyn, we played small ball, and it worked out for us. And we might have to pull that rabbit out [of] our hat.”

Dawn Staley on how @GamecockWBB adjusts without Ashlyn Watkins in the post:

“We might need to play small ball. The last time that we lost a big such as Ashlyn (Alaina Coates in 2017), we played small ball and it worked out for us.”@wachfox pic.twitter.com/vtJNwhiSFM

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— Matt Dowell (@MattDowellTV) January 8, 2025

Transparently, losing Watkins’ length and size (6 foot-3) for the remainder of the season will hurt the Gamecocks when they play teams with similar or larger physical attributes.

There’s also this to consider: South Carolina’s sheer amount of roster continuity is also impacted. When the NCAA Tournament arrives, teams with more chemistry, experience and ability to produce at those levels typically have longer post-season runs.

With this in mind, if South Carolina wants another ring, Dawn Staley might have to go so deep into her coaching bag that she finds Tic Tacs at the bottom.

Details of investigation remain elusive…

No criminal charges will be filed over the death of a Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) K9 deputy who perished inside a hot patrol car on July 28, 2024.

The deputy – K9 Orser – was identified for the first time on Wednesday (January 8, 2025), less than 24 hours after FITSNews reported that the investigation into his death was ongoing.

“At my request, I was briefed today by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division regarding the findings and conclusion of their investigation into the death of K9 Orser,” newly sworn-in DCSO sheriff Sam Richardson said in a statement. “Based on their thorough and independent investigation, they have decided not to pursue criminal charges against the K9 handler involved in this incident. The Dorchester County Sheriff’s Office will be holding a private memorial service to honor K9 Orser for his devoted service to the citizens of Dorchester County.”

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Deputy Brandon Edwards, Orser’s handler, was demoted following the incident – and the case was turned over to the SLED for investigation. As of now, the details of that inquiry – and the decision not to prosecute Edwards – remain a mystery.

Our news outlet repeatedly requested information from DCSO about this incident – but those requests were either declined or deferred. Last August, a former DCSO deputy took to social media and demanded accountability in the matter.

“Dorchester County is trying to sweep this under the rug,” former deputy Adam Throckmorton said. “They’re trying to duck the news media, and they’re just trying to make it like it never happened.”

Shortly thereafter, SLED announced it had taken over the case – with its director of public information, Renée Wunderlich, noting her agency was leading an independent inquiry as opposed to merely conducting an “investigative review.”

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RELATED | ANOTHER SOUTH CAROLINA K9 OFFICER KILLED

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Details of Edwards’ demotion recently surfaced in documents submitted to the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy (SCCJA), which outlined the reason for the disciplinary action. Edwards left his K9 partner “unattended in his department-issued vehicle without the temperature controls operating,” according to a document dated September 12, 2024. As a result, Edwards’ rank was reduced from master deputy to deputy, his pay was decreased, and he was removed from the K9 unit. Notably, the document made no mention of the K9’s death.

FITSNews is submitting FOIA requests aimed at uncovering the findings of SLED’s investigation – and the determination by prosecutors not to press charges. Whatever information we are able to obtain from those inquiries we will be sure to pass along to our audience.

As previously noted, last year was a horrific one for K9 officers in South Carolina. The Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) alone lost three K9s – Bumi, Kodak and Wick – each shot and killed in the line of duty. SLED lost one K9, Coba, who was also shot and killed in the line of duty.

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THE RELEASE…

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …

Callie Lyons is a journalist, researcher and author. Her 2007 book ‘Stain-Resistant, Nonstick, Waterproof and Lethal’ was the first to cover forever chemicals and their impact on communities – a story later told in the movie ‘Dark Waters.’ Her investigative work has been featured in media outlets, publications, and documentaries all over the world. Lyons also appears in ‘Citizen Sleuth’ – a 2023 documentary exploring the genre of true crime.

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How do you spell D-U-I?

A motorist accused of driving under the influence challenged a South Carolina cop hauling him off to jail to an impromptu spelling bee contest as part of a rash of “belligerent” antics last Saturday, authorities said.

Richard Anthony Demato suggested the wordy competition after he allegedly called the Mount Pleasant police officer an “idiot,” according to a police report cited by local outlets.

The 41-year-old suspect was initially arrested after authorities found him in a Walgreens parking lot near a red Grand Jeep Cherokee with a ruined right tire. He allegedly drove into the parking lot after striking two cars, authorities said.

When cops walked up to him, Demato darted to the side of the jeep and placed his hands behind his back. He appeared unsteady and slurred his speech during the interaction, WCIV reported, citing the police report.

After he refused field sobriety tests, police arrested Demato, who reeked of alcohol, the report alleges.

As he was placed under arrest, Demato directed nasty obscenities toward the cops and was acting in a “wild and belligerent manner,” the police report states, according to WCSC.

He also allegedly threatened to harm an officer while he was waiting to be taken to a hospital where he could be medically cleared for jail. Once there, he screamed at staff while kicking doors and equipment, authorities alleged.

On his way from the hospital to a jail cell, Demato attempted to play a game when he challenged an officer to the spelling bee and spelled out the word “Britain,” according to the police report.

Demato, who was also accused of kicking an officer in the arm, is facing charges of first-degree DUI, hit and run with property damage, and assaulting or resisting a police officer, according to reports.

He was reportedly released from jail on nearly $16,000 bail on Monday.