South-Carolina
Freshman files: Why South Carolina’s Joyce Edwards is a star in the making
When South Carolina steamrolled past Iowa State at the Fort Myers Tip Off, their first game after losing to UCLA, there were a lot of positive takeaways for the Gamecocks. They won by 40 points—more than the 36 Iowa State put on the board—and 10 players contributed to their 76 points scored.
However, the brightest aspect of the game was Joyce Edwards’ performance. The freshman phenom was unstoppable. She earned her first career double-double and was a force of nature in the post. It was her, not Iowa State, that was spinning around like a cyclone inside the paint, wreaking havoc. Iowa State had no answer for her, and she went an efficient 6-for-8 from the field, finishing with 13 points, 11 boards and three steals.
After the win, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley commended Edwards’ game, saying:
This is the Joyce that we envision having. And sometimes it takes a little bit longer than we think it’s going to take because she’s so smart and she’s able to compete at the high highest level. But I hope she gains a lot of confidence from the way that we did it. She was really efficient, she rebounded the basketball, she was flying around, her defense was pretty darn good. She put together a complete game and I’m truly happy for her.
When playing for a program that has won three national titles, is the defending champions and is coming off a 43-game winning streak, playing efficiently and giving a complete performance is the only way you will survive. The room for error as a Gamecock is slim to none, and with that expectation comes extra scrutiny.
Sticking to the details
At almost any other program, Edwards would have a green light to do whatever she wants. But at South Carolina, the role is more limited, and playing a winning style is what puts you in position for glory.
Edwards is doing all the small things that make a big impact. She crashes the boards, averaging 5.4 rebounds per game, and her defensive tenacity results in 1.7 steals per game, which is a team-high. While she’s only seventh in minutes played per game, she has participated in every contest so far this season.
It’s Edwards’ versatility that truly separates her—and suggests a star trajectory. She has the size, speed and strength to guard all positions. Edwards quickly has become a Swiss Army Knife that Staley can use whenever and wherever she wants.
No ceiling
What should be worrisome to other programs is that this is just the start for Edwards. What happens when she develops her post game even more? Will an increase in minutes and a starter role in the future turn her into a juggernaut, the next player in a long list of stars who have come out of Staley’s program?
The early returns indicate this is the most likely outcome. However, for now, it’s all about taking advantage of the opportunities presented and making those moments count. Simply put, Edwards is already impacting winning and will have plenty of opportunities to do so this season and for years to come.
Edwards is not just a rookie to watch; she’s a player to know in the world of basketball.
An 87-year-old businessman in Columbia, South Carolina says he has no plans to retire.
Leonard Fabrizio works as a retailer at Brittons of Columbia, a locally-owned men’s clothing store.
“I’m not the type of person who can sit around by myself,” said Fabrizio. “I just enjoy the interaction and that’s the big thing, is the interaction with people. It’s always been the drive in this business for me, said Fabrizio.
Fabrizio’s retail career began as a college student when he worked at J.C. Penney. He has watched Columbia grow and has owned a store and managed several others.
His advice is to “Be patient. It takes time to build a business. It doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s rewarding. It’s fun. But you have to have compassion for the business.”
Fabrizio recently celebrated another birthday alongside those who have supported his career.
(WPDE) — June 9 marked International Batten Disease Awareness Day, shining a light on a rare, inherited neurodegenerative disorder.
It primarily affects children and causes harmful waste material to build up inside the cells of the brain and nervous system.
One South Carolina family used the day to raise awareness as their 2-year-old son, Sam Stockton, lives with CLN2 Batten disease.
Sam was diagnosed at 16 weeks old, and his family says they travel every other week for enzyme-replacement therapy while also searching for clinical research opportunities.
Through Hope for Sam, the family is working to spread information about Batten disease and support other families facing rare diseases.
“Just the more you know about rare diseases, I never knew that over 300 million people worldwide live with rare diseases. And that means there’s less access to care because people aren’t researching it and not as many people have it. So the more information that’s out there, we feel is the better,” Jordan Stockton said.
There are 13 known types of Batten disease, and there is no cure. Researchers estimate the disease affects about two to four out of every 100,000 births in the United States.
The Stockton family says they have found support through the Batten Disease Support, Research and Advocacy Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to helping families navigate the disease while providing resources.
More information and donation details are available at this link.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — Contestants in the 2026 Miss South Carolina and Miss South Carolina’s Teen competitions will showcase their talents on Thursday at the Township Auditorium.
Miss South Carolina’s Teen’s Got Talent is set to begin at 5 p.m., followed by Miss South Carolina’s Got Talent at 7 p.m.
READ MORE | Miss South Carolina kicks off with preliminary rounds
The talent competitions are part of the weeklong Miss South Carolina Scholarship Organization competition, which brings delegates from across the state to Columbia to compete for scholarships and the opportunity to represent South Carolina on the national stage.
READ MORE | Miss South Carolina’s Teen preliminary round begins
Contestants competed in fitness, evening wear, and onstage question preliminaries on Wednesday, while Miss South Carolina’s Teen contestants completed their preliminary competition on Tuesday.
Preliminary winners include:
Preliminary Fitness Award winners:
- Jenna Huggins, Miss Clemson
- Lindsay Jones, Miss Charleston
- Reagan McMahon, Miss Chapin
Preliminary Evening Gown Award winners:
- Mary Kimball Osborn, Miss Palmetto
- Chelby Drafts, Miss Golden Corner
- Reagan McMahon, Miss Chapin
Teen Preliminary Fitness Award winners:
- Alissa Claire Rhodes, Miss Fox Creek High School’s Teen
- Kamryn Mathis, Miss Greer High School’s Teen
- Logan Wells, Miss Palmetto’s Teen
Teen Preliminary Evening Gown Award winners:
- Logan Wells, Miss Palmetto’s Teen
- Cleo Floyd-Johnstone, Miss Ballentine’s Teen
- Kursten Long, Miss Newberry’s Teen
The Miss South Carolina’s Teen finals are set for Friday night, while the Miss South Carolina finals will take place Saturday.
Watch the 2026 Miss South Carolina Competition LIVE at 8:00 PM on Saturday, June 20. Tune in on WACH FOX 57 in Columbia, ABC 4 in Charleston, ABC 15 in Myrtle Beach/Florence, and My40 in the Upstate.
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