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South Carolina returns to familiar No. 1 spot in women’s hoops with new faces, inexperienced roster

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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.

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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.

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“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.

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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.

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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

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South-Carolina

People From These States Are Moving To South Carolina | Digg

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People From These States Are Moving To South Carolina | Digg


According to the latest available IRS tax return data, South Carolina saw a net gain of nearly 33,000 households in 2022 — and a handful of states lost far more residents to the Palmetto State than others.

Using analysis by SmartAsset, we mapped the net number of households that moved into South Carolina from the rest of the US in the 2022 tax year.

South Carolina attracted more people from New York than anywhere else, with 5,476 Empire State households making the move. North Carolina (3,252), New Jersey (2,978), Pennsylvania (2,657) and California (2,563) followed behind.

At the other end of the ranking, just three households from the District Of Columbia joined the state.

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The highest-earning households to relocate to South Carolina came from Arkansas, and brought an average adjusted gross income of $202,256 with them.

The only state to take more residents from South Carolina than it gave was Tennessee, who saw a net of 51 South Carolinian households move in over the year analyzed.

Via SmartAsset.

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[Image credit: Ben Baker]



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SEC Power Rankings: South Carolina women’s basketball set to dominate new era of conference

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SEC Power Rankings: South Carolina women’s basketball set to dominate new era of conference


SEC women’s basketball is back in more ways than one.

With newcomers Texas and Oklahoma, the SEC is looking stronger than ever, and it shouldn’t really be a debate about if it’s the best conference anymore. The last three national championships were won by SEC teams, including South Carolina going 38-0 last season, and the conference is only going to get more dominant.

Now, onto the preseason power rankings:

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1. South Carolina

What to know: Dawn Staley’s daycare has a year of experience – and by experience, I mean an undefeated national championship run – to their credit. I have no reason to doubt the Gamecocks here.

2. LSU

What to know: Kim Mulkey’s strategy of pulling big names out of the portal has worked, and I don’t see why it wouldn’t work once again, especially with Flau’jae Johnson leading the charge.

3. Texas

What to know: I’m high on Texas as Vic Schaefer returns to the SEC, but he has to face Staley and the Gamecocks twice. Just ask him how that went when he was at Mississippi State.

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4. Oklahoma

What to know: The Sooners have enough redshirt seniors to fill a starting lineup, and with their experience, they’ll make a splash their first year in the SEC.

5. Ole Miss

What to know: Coach Yo has turned the Rebels into a solid SEC program, which makes it all the more confusing why she was desperate enough to hire someone on staff who would only pass an Ole Miss basketball background check.

6. Kentucky

What to know: Kentucky is ranked this high purely because of Georgia Amoore. No, I will not be explaining further.

7. Alabama

What to know: Alabama brings back all but one of its starters, so if it can’t keep its place in the upper half of the SEC, things are looking bleaker in Tuscaloosa than I thought.

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8. Tennessee

What to know: There’s a new kid on the block – well, actually, make that two – at Tennessee, which is about to find out if going young and bold is the path to national relevance again.

9. Auburn

What to know: Johnnie Harris’ defense paired with a pure scorer in Taliah Scott? Yeah, sign me up. Don’t be surprised when Auburn wins some big games this season.

10. Florida

What to know: The Gators have always been a middle of the pack, not horrible, but not great, type of team, and that hasn’t changed under Kelly Rae Finley. Here’s to hoping her talented youngsters can shake things up in a good way.

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11. Vanderbilt

What to know: Everyone messed around and let Shea Ralph get a roster with more depth than she has ever had at Vanderbilt. Women’s basketball might be on a Vandy football vibe this season.

12. Texas A&M

What to know: The Aggies never really reached their full potential last year and lost two starters. I can’t guarantee they’ll be exciting, but I’ll bet Joni Taylor’s defense will still give a lot of teams problems.

13. Mississippi State

What to know: I can count on one hand how many returners Mississippi State has. And maybe that’s a good thing based on how last season ended.

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14. Georgia

What to know: Georgia was abysmal last season and didn’t add the players to make me believe it will be any better this season in a loaded SEC.

15. Arkansas

What to know: Mike Neighbors went international to fill some holes left by a mass exodus after last season. That’s one way to not have to deal with NIL, I guess.

16. Missouri

What to know: Missouri went from being the last team to hand South Carolina a loss in SEC play to last in the conference in two seasons. My, how times have changed and the coach hasn’t.

Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women’s athletics. Email her at cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow her on Twitter @corahalll. If you enjoy Cora’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that allows you to access all of it.





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Who’s in, who’s out for South Carolina football vs No. 11 Texas A&M in Week 10 SEC matchup

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Who’s in, who’s out for South Carolina football vs No. 11 Texas A&M in Week 10 SEC matchup


COLUMBIA — South Carolina football has a tough test Saturday against No. 11 Texas A&M, but as of Wednesday, it has a short injury report, a good sign for coach Shane Beamer.

The Gamecocks (4-3, 2-3 SEC) have been without wide receiver Jared Brown since the Ole Miss game on Oct. 5, but he is listed as probable in the first injury report of the week. He has 103 yards on eight catches this season, plus 27 rushing yards on two carries. South Carolina is coming off its second open date of the season, and most recently won on the road in Norman, beating Oklahoma 35-9.

Texas A&M (7-1, 5-0) defeated LSU 38-23 last week, and come to Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday riding a seven-game winning streak.

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The SEC injury report is released on Wednesday night of a conference game week and is updated each day, with a final report 90 minutes prior to kickoff.

Here’s the latest injury news for both South Carolina and Texas A&M.

South Carolina football injury report vs Texas A&M

This story will be updated daily to reflect the latest information

South Carolina

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  • OL Jakai Moore (out)
  • DT DeAndre Jules (out)
  • WR Jared Brown (probable)

Texas A&M

  • RB Rueben Owens (out)
  • DB Tyreek Chappell (out)
  • OL Mark Nabou Jr. (out)
  • OL Chase Bisontis (out)
  • WR Jahdae Walker (out, 1st half)
  • QB Jaylen Henderson (questionable)

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin



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