South-Carolina

New South Carolina linebacker impressed by returner: 'He's got everything'

Published

9 months ago

March 26, 2025

New South Carolina linebacker impressed by returner: 'He's got everything'

On Wednesday, several South Carolina football players spoke to the media after practice. Among them were a pair of linebackers, sophomore Fred “JayR” Johnson and transfer portal redshirt freshman Justin Okoronkwo.

Okoronkwo was up first, and after a week of practicing alongside Johnson, the former Alabama Crimson Tide ‘backer sang his new teammate’s praises. “Fred Johnson is a crazy athlete. He’s fast, he’s physical. He’s got everything that a linebacker needs,” Okoronkwo said.

At 6-3 and 244 pounds with elite speed for the position, Okoronkwo’s assessment is correct. The quote of praise also matches what others have said about Johnson during his brief time as a Gamecock.

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He played a lot of special teams for the 2024 version of the South Carolina football team but was behind NFL Draft hopefuls like Demetrius Knight, Bam Martin-Scott, and Debo Williams, specifically listed as the backup to Knight at the Mike linebacker spot. His snaps on defense were limited, but all year, coaches and players praised his athletic profile and improving mental understanding of the game.

Knight called Johnson’s potential “off the charts” and praised his “sponge”-like willingness to learn and better himself. Ahead of Citrus Bowl practice, Williams went as far as to say he “expect[s] nothing but the best” for Johnson’s career. All-American safety Nick Emmanwori says he remembers the young defender making a lot of “woah” plays at practice last season.

Defensive coordinator Clayton White has lauded Johnson’s athleticism and work ethic this offseason. According to the South Carolina DC, if he “keep[s] grinding every day, and then [he] will be great.”

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Both Johnson and Okoronkwo expect to factor into the starting linebacker battles this spring and summer. They will be joined by Shawn Murphy–another transfer who spent some time at Alabama–and returner Jaron Willis. Incoming freshmen Donovan Darden, Taeshawn Alston, AJ Holloway, and Josh Smith will join with former walk-ons Ronnie Porter and Colin Bryant in the linebacker competition, too.

Despite having to replace three high-level players from last year’s room, Johnson is confident in USC’s current crop of linebackers. During his media availability on Monday, Johnson said that this year’s group still has a high level of “speed and strength.” He complimented Murphy’s knowledge and understanding of defensive football and Okoronkwo’s physical gifts.

Johnson added that he’s confident in his own abilities to be a big part of the team’s linebacker success. He said that he will be holding himself to an “expectation of dominance,” a standard also held by his predecessors. Last season, Williams, Knight, and Martin-Scott played and led with confidence. If Johnson and company can replicate that attitude in 2025, the South Carolina defense can be special once again.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Dec. 22, 2025

Published

2 hours ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Dec. 22, 2025

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 22, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

03-18-36-41-54, Powerball: 07, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

Midday: 7-1-1, FB: 2

Evening: 5-4-2, FB: 3

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

Midday: 2-4-1-3, FB: 2

Evening: 0-2-8-2, FB: 3

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

Midday: 11

Evening: 14

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

02-17-24-25-28

Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Dec. 22 drawing

14-32-47-48-69, Powerball: 17

Check Powerball Double Play 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.

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South-Carolina

Dawn Staley adds pro player Alicia Tournebize to South Carolina roster for this season

Published

14 hours ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

Dawn Staley adds pro player Alicia Tournebize to South Carolina roster for this season

Alicia Tournebize, a 6-foot-4 basketball player from France, is enrolling at South Carolina and will begin playing for coach Dawn Staley this season.

The program announced the news on Dec. 22, explaining that she “will join the team following the holiday break and begin classes at the start of the spring 2026 semester.”

Tournebize, 18, played for Tango Bourges Basket, a professional basketball club in France. She was seen dunking in multiple games, according to social media.

The No. 3 Gamecocks (12-1) have played with at most 10 players but mostly eight or nine this season, battling illness and injuries. Staley lost star forward to an ACL tear Chloe Kitts in September.

South Carolina closes non-conference play on Dec. 28 (noon ET, SEC Network) before opening SEC play against Alabama on Jan. 1 (2 p.m. ET, SEC Network+).

“Alicia has an incredible skill set and basketball IQ,” Staley said in the news release. “She has great touch around the rim, can shoot it out to the 3-point line and is a shot blocker.”

Her mother Isabelle Fijalkowski played at Colorado and was drafted into the WNBA by the Cleveland Rockets where she played from 1997-98 before returning to play in Europe. Fijalkowski is getting inducted in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026.

Alicia Tournebize will play for South Carolina, Dawn Staley this season

Staley has been in need of depth long before the season officially started.

Ashlyn Watkins announced in July she’s taking the year off instead of returning and then not long after, Kitts got injured. Kitts enrolled early three years ago, joining the 2022-23 team in December 2022 like Tournebize is doing.

South Carolina signed two recruits out of high school already, Kaeli Wynn and Kelsi Andrews, but Staley said neither will enroll early so it appeared as though she would play a full season with only 10 players until now.

Tournebize will likely work her way into the lineup the same way Adhel Tac and Maryam Dauda have behind starters Madina Okot and Joyce Edwards. Edwards is leading the team with 22 points per game, Okot is averaging 15.6.

South Carolina sits 261st of 359 Division I teams in bench points, averaging 17.0 per game so if Tournebize brings offensive production, it’ll greatly enhance Staley’s depth during conference play.

On her visit, Tournebize went to the South Carolina football game on Nov. 22 with some players and then watched the women’s basketball game on Nov. 23 against Queens.

She sat behind the bench, similar to where Wynn sat during an exhibition game on her visit in October.

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at LKesin@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X@Lulukesin and Bluesky‪@bylulukesin.bsky.social‬

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Dec. 21, 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 21, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Evening: 7-2-5, FB: 4

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Evening: 3-7-0-4, FB: 4

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

Evening: 14

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 21 drawing

08-15-23-27-33

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:

SC Education Lottery

P.O. Box 11039

Columbia, SC 29211-1039

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.

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