South-Carolina
South Carolina returns to familiar No. 1 spot in women’s hoops with new faces, inexperienced roster
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina coach Dawn Staley had two equally essential jobs the last few seasons: Developing her talented, national championship core lineup and convincing her younger, just-as-talented prospects that their time would arrive.
It has come this season and a lot quicker than many anticipated as the Gamecocks moved back to No. 1 following an impressive opening week that included scoring 100 points or more in wins against two ranked opponents, Notre Dame and Maryland.
“I actually think they’re better than last year’s team,” Terrapins coach Brenda Frese said after the 114-76 loss.
Staley continued loading up with the best high school players, even after landing a No. 1 recruiting class in 2019 powered by Aliyah Boston, Zia Cooke and Brea Beal.
This newest group includes dynamic freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley, whose highlight reel, behind-the-back driving basket in the 100-71 win over Notre Dame was the talk of Paris and drew praise from the likes of Magic Johnson.
For many on the outside, the team’s lack of experience figured to catch up with the Gamecocks. But South Carolina has shared the ball and and shot better from the outside than when 6-foot-5 All-American Boston was dominating down low.
South Carolina had seven players in double figures against Maryland. None had started for the Gamecocks before this season.
“It’s definitely a statement because a lot of people …” freshman Tessa Jonson said before pausing.
“Were doubting us,” finished sophomore teammate Chloe Kitts.
Kitts had her first collegiate double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds against Maryland while Johnson had 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals.
“We’re not going to get too comfortable,” said Kitts, who joined the Gamecocks last December.
Like most of this year’s roster, Kitts sweated in practice and watched during games this past spring. All the while, Staley preached that Kitts’ time was near.
“She said that to me a lot, filling me with confidence,” said Kitts, who averaged six minutes in 18 appearances last season.
Staley had similar messages for all her backups the last year or two, knowing more playing time — nine of 11 on the roster were McDonald’s All Americans — could easily be found through the transfer portal. It was a tricky balance for Staley.
“I know what we do here,” Staley said. “Everybody who plays here has had to sacrifice.”
That meant preparing every day like they were going to start, even if their minutes came at the end of blowout win.
“There’s a lot of stress that comes with starting, of being prepared,” Staley said. “They’ve got to be able to handle that on a daily basis and they have for the most part. But the season’s still young.”
Staley hasn’t kept them all. Saniya Rivers was rated the third-best college prospect in 2021 when she signed with the Gamecocks and appeared in 27 games off the bench during the national championship season. Rivers rode in the title parade in Columbia, then decided to leave for North Carolina State, where she was the Atlantic Coast Conference Sixth Player of the Year last season.
Staley has signed a pair of newcomers for next year ranked among the top 26 prospects and just received a pledge Wednesday for ESPN.com’s No. 2 recruit, South Carolina native Joyce Edwards, who chose the Gamecocks over LSU and Clemson.
There are more tests ahead for the young team. It plays at No. 17 North Carolina on Nov. 30 and will meet No. 4 Utah on Dec. 10 at the home of the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun as part of the Basketball Hall of Fame Women’s Showcase.
Bree Hall, a junior who was part of the loaded recruiting class in 2021 with Raven Johnson and Sania Feagin, is ready for all challenges ahead.
“I’ve been waiting my two years,” said Hall, a starter for both wins, “I’m excited to go out there.”
___ Get poll alerts and updates on AP Top 25 basketball throughout the season. Sign up here. AP women’s college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-womens-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/womens-college-basketball
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 June 9, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from June 9 drawing
30-33-40-43-52, Powerball: 25, Power Play: 4
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 9 drawing
Midday: 2-5-5, FB: 8
Evening: 7-8-9, FB: 7
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from June 9 drawing
Midday: 4-8-6-5, FB: 8
Evening: 7-4-7-8, FB: 7
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 9 drawing
Midday: 06
Evening: 04
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from June 9 drawing
09-20-24-33-36
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from June 9 drawing
01-07-24-50-59, Powerball: 11
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.
South-Carolina
Festival has 75,000 sunflowers on 6 acres at Denver Downs’ 140-acre farm, what to know
A festival with 75,000 sunflowers spread across six acres within an expansive 140-acre farm will be the featured attraction at the seventh annual South Carolina Sunflower Festival in Anderson County.
Visitors to the Denver Downs Farm, located at 1515 Denver Road, during the festival can take home sunflowers, enjoy live music, capture photos, visit local vendors, and experience special attractions, according to Catherine Garrison Davis, co-owner of Denver Downs.
“Sunflowers just make people happy, and we love sharing that happiness with our guests from all over the region who come to celebrate the beautiful flowers throughout the summer,” Davis said. “We can’t wait to see all the smiles and share our love for sunflowers during the festival.”
Festival dates are June 13-15 and June 20-22.
Sunflower festival tickets: What to know?
Here is what you should know about sunflower festival ticket prices.
- Admission tickets are available online.
- Purchase your tickets online for $21.55, saving 35% off the gate price of $33.95.
- Dogs on leashes are permitted to attend; however, they must be admitted separately for a $10 fee.
Visitors can also participate in the U-Pick experience, where they can gather a large bucket of sunflowers for $28.95.
Sunflower Festival attractions
Sunflower festival activities run from Friday to Sunday, while the sunflower fields are open daily.
Monday through Thursday, the sunflower fields are open for photos and picking from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Time slots for Sunflower Festival activities are listed below.
- Fridays, 4 to 9 p.m., barnyard activities, 4 to 9 p.m.
- Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., barnyard activities, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sundays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., barnyard activities, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Attendees can enjoy the Jumbo Jumping Pillow, ride the Barnyard Express Zipline, or challenge themselves on the Rope Course, human football, tricycle races, the climbing wall, sunflower fields, the mountain slide, paintball gallery, jumping pillow, ball zone, dodgeball, the gaga pit, and the Double D Gem Mine.
Additionally, there will also be farm animals including goats, mini horses, chickens, and our new Jersey calf.
Along with the bright yellow and black sunflowers, attendees will be treated to a few surprises, such as exotic sunflower varieties they may have never seen before, Davis said.
Denver Downs Farm is showcasing a diverse range of sunflower varieties, including the Firecracker, the Teddy Bear, and the Sunrich Lime. Visitors will also encounter Vincent’s Choice, Sunbright Supreme, Double Quick Orange, Pro-Cut Gold Lite, and Pro-Cut Red.
Sunflower Festival vendors
Attendees will have the opportunity to enjoy a taste of South Carolina with a variety of local vendors offering a range of food options, including hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken fingers.
Festivalgoers can indulge their sweet tooth with funnel cakes and snow cones, or quench their thirst with Denver Downs lemonade. They can also try Silo Sangrias or Flower Frose from the Vine and Barrel Beer Garden.
Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com.
SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – The South Carolina Highway Patrol reports a multi-vehicle crash on I-85 killed three people on Sunday.
SCHP said a 2015 Honda Sedan was traveling the wrong way on I-85 North around 12:15 a.m. when it hit a 2019 Toyota Sedan head-on near mile marker 75.
The Honda driver and the two occupants of the Toyota all died at the scene, according to troopers.
The Honda also hit a 2024 Ford Expedition, but its driver and five passengers were not injured, troopers said.
The victims of the crash have not yet been identified.
The South Carolina Highway Patrol and the Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office are continuing their investigation.
Copyright 2025 WHNS. All rights reserved.
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