The ladies’s school basketball season is sort of right here, and an offseason that was crammed with chatter in regards to the switch portal, teaching modifications and recruiting has subsided. The search to see who will compete for a nationwide title in Dallas begins Nov. 7, with South Carolina and Stanford getting into the season No. 1 and No. 2 within the opening AP ballot. However earlier than the ball will get tipped for actual, let’s run by way of 10 of the video games we’re most excited to observe, and that you need to circle in your calendar.
Nov. 11: Villanova at Princeton
Is that this a matchup of two Ultimate 4 favorites? No. However it does function a pair of faculties that might trigger matches for others that is likely to be. The Tigers had been one of many bracket busters final March, taking out Kentucky and future No. 1 choose Rhyne Howard within the first spherical. Whereas reigning Ivy League Participant Abby Meyers transferred to Maryland, Princeton nonetheless introduced again its subsequent two main scorers, in guards Julia Cunningham and Kaitlyn Chen. The Tigers’ backcourt might wreak havoc for Villanova on this recreation, in opposition to Texas on Nov. 27 and vs. UConn on Dec. 5. On the opposite aspect, Villanova senior ahead Maddy Siegrist is poised to have one more prolific season, having taken house Large East Participant of the 12 months honors final winter. A flexible scorer, she anchors a gifted Wildcats crew that’s trying to turn into the primary crew to prime UConn for a convention regular-season title since 2006.
William Howard/USA TODAY Sports activities (Boston); James Snook/USA TODAY Sports activities (Jones)
Nov. 20: South Carolina at Stanford
The defending champion Gamecocks definitely aren’t taking the simple means out within the common season. Of their nonconference slate they’ve matchups with Maryland, UCLA, South Dakota State and UConn, amongst others, plus this potential title recreation preview. For the Cardinal, two-time All-American Haley Jones is now their lead ballhandler, and her skill to create alternatives for herself and her teammates shall be put to an early check in opposition to the Gamecocks. How South Carolina elects to defend Jones and Stanford’s dimension is among the many different intriguing components of this matchup. The earlier two conferences between these groups got here right down to the ultimate couple of minutes of the fourth quarter, so count on one other thrilling affair in mid-November.
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Dec. 1: NC State at Iowa
The Hawkeyes and Wolfpack have had lofty March aspirations in recent times, making this early-season matchup a stable marker of the place every program is at, and the place every must develop. Iowa, led by star guard Caitlin Clark, enters this season as the favourite to win the Large Ten. If it performs because it did final 12 months, it’ll repeat as convention champs for the primary time since 1992–93. North Carolina State, in the meantime, has been a No. 1 seed within the NCAA match in every of the final two seasons however misplaced 4 of its starters to commencement. Nonetheless, junior guard Diamond Johnson, senior wing Jakia Brown-Turner and senior heart Camille Passion return. And the addition of switch guard Saniya Rivers, the No. 3 participant within the class of 2021, offers NC State a gifted, and intriguing, roster.
Dec. 4: Notre Dame at UConn
Two of the nation’s greatest sophomores—and gamers—meet Dec. 4, as all eyes ought to be targeted on the backcourt battle between UConn’s Azzi Fudd and Notre Dame’s Olivia Miles. Each had been excellent of their debut collegiate campaigns, particularly in the course of the NCAA match, when Miles grew to become the primary freshman in school basketball historical past to document a triple double. UConn has made 14 consecutive Ultimate 4 appearances, however guard Paige Bueckers’s season-ending knee harm might put that streak in jeopardy. The Preventing Irish function one of many nation’s most harmful rosters, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them solidify their case as a title contender on this one.
Jan. 8: Oregon at Arizona
Each the Geese and Wildcats enter this season trying to be at, or close to, the highest of the Pac-12 title race. Oregon options an skilled backcourt of all-conference guards Te-Hina Paopao and Endyia Rogers, and has redshirt senior Sedona Prince patrolling the lane in addition to another massive within the nation. Freshman guard Likelihood Grey also needs to be an element—she was the No. 7 recruit within the 2022 class by espnW, the second-highest-ranked recruit in program historical past behind guard Sabrina Ionescu. The Geese enter this season with the second-best class of freshmen within the nation, however Arizona additionally has potential difference-making debutantes coming to Tucson. Search for ahead Maya Nnaji—the youthful sister of Nuggets heart Zeke Nnaji—to play a key function, and assist bolster a crew that’s led by fifth-year seniors Shaina Pellington and Cate Reese.
Jan. 15: Iowa State at Texas
In every of Texas coach Vic Schaefer’s first two seasons with this system, the Longhorns have fallen within the Elite Eight. Now, having added BYU guard Shaylee Gonzales by way of the switch portal, they are going to attempt to attain the Ultimate 4 for the primary time since 2003. Gonzales and sophomore guard Rori Harmon might be one of many nation’s greatest duos and make a crew that was No. 9 in defensive ranking final season much more harmful. The Cyclones are a perennial NCAA match crew themselves, and their robust core of Ashley Joens, Emily Ryan and Lexi Donarski would make a doable Large 12 title unsurprising.
Feb. 2: Maryland at Iowa
This 12 months’s Maryland crew will look a bit totally different because the Terrapins misplaced 5 gamers to the switch portal. However coach Brenda Frese was energetic bringing in new gamers, as Meyers’s arrival from Princeton and ahead Brinae Alexander’s arrival from Vanderbilt spotlight a bunch of incoming key contributors. Add in guard Lavender Briggs, who transferred in the course of final season from Florida however didn’t play with the Terps resulting from harm, and Maryland appears poised to increase its greater than decade-long NCAA match streak. Frese has gained six Large Ten titles within the final decade and Iowa, final 12 months’s convention champion, represents their largest check when it comes to bringing one other banner again to Faculty Park.
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Feb. 5: South Carolina at UConn
Two Corridor of Fame coaches with contrasting kinds. Two of essentially the most gifted groups within the nation, every of which enters each season with nationwide championship aspirations. Does rather more must be mentioned? Plus, the timing of this matchup supplies an ideal break from convention play.
Feb. 16: Louisville at Notre Dame
The Cardinals might need misplaced star ahead Emily Engstler to the WNBA, however first-team All-ACC guard Hailey Van Lith will look to construct on her stellar sophomore season and lead Louisville again to the Ultimate 4. Key to doing simply that shall be placing collectively one other stout defensive efficiency—Louisville was No. 6 in defensive ranking final season—and this late-season contest vs. Notre Dame supplies a tricky check as convention match week nears.
Feb. 27: Baylor at Texas
Of their second-to-last recreation of the season, the Bears head on the street to play the Longhorns. Coach Nicki Collen led Baylor to a 28–7 document in her first 12 months in Waco, however this 12 months’s roster shall be with out bigs NaLyssa Smith and Queen Egbo, each of whom had been top-five picks within the WNBA draft, in addition to guard Jordan Lewis. Count on massive issues, nonetheless, from Stanford switch Jana Van Gytenbeek, Missouri switch Aijha Blackwell (who was second-team All-SEC final season), and Kentucky switch Dre’Una Edwards. It wouldn’t be surprising to see this matchup have giant implications for the convention title.
Extra Faculty Basketball Protection:
• South Carolina, Stanford Prime Preseason Girls’s AP Prime 25 • SI’s Males’s ACC Preseason Basketball Rankings • 5 Breakthrough Males’s Group Candidates for 2022–23
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.”@wachfoxpic.twitter.com/vtJNwhiSFM
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.
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.
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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 (provided)
Callie Lyonsis 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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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.
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Richard Anthony Demato is facing a DUI charge and other criminal counts tied to Saturday’s alleged antics. Al Cannon Detention Center
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.
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The motorist challenges cops to a spelling bee, police said. Justin – stock.adobe.com
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.
