After a rough stretch in February (relative to their typical greatness), the South Carolina Gamecocks have returned to form and look like arguably the most formidable team in all of women’s college basketball heading into the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

This was proven by their dominant win over the Texas Longhorns in the SEC Conference Tournament championship game on March 30, which vaulted them up to the No. 2 spot in the latest AP Rankings.

After that win, sophomore standout MiLaysia Fulwiley sent a message to any South Carolina critics by saying, “I feel like the outsiders are trying to find any reason to put us down. Or like, I think they’re honestly just tired of us being on top, really. So just to come out here and execute our coach’s game plan, it means a lot to us.”

This seems to convey Fulwiley and her team’s motivations heading into March Madness. And as part of a March 10 Q&A article that included Fulwiley, Chloe Kitts, and Joyce Edwards (which was released in tandem with them being on the cover of a recent WSLAM cover), Fulwiley boiled down South Carolina’s mindset to one word.

“Determined,” Fulwiley said when asked, ‘What’s one word to describe this team at the beginning of the season, one word to describe the team right now and one where you hope to be at the end of the season?’

She then added, “Everybody is so determined.”

After her teammates offered their own answers, Fulwiley followed up with, “Champs.”

A determined Gamecocks squad with something to prove is a terrifying prospect for their future March Madness opponents.

Ryan is managing editor at Sooners On SI and covers a number of sports in and around Norman and Oklahoma City.

Working both as a journalist and a sports talk radio host, Ryan has covered the Oklahoma Sooners, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the United States Men’s National Soccer Team, the Oklahoma City Energy and more.

Since 2019, Ryan has simultaneously pursued a career as both a writer and a sports talk radio host, working for the Flagship for Oklahoma sports, 107.7 The Franchise, as well as AllSooners.com.

Ryan serves as a contributor to The Franchise’s website, TheFranchiseOK.com, which was recognized as having the “Best Website” in 2022 by the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters.

Ryan holds an associate’s degree in Journalism from Oklahoma City Community College in Oklahoma City, OK. 

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A South Carolina woman faces charges after igniting yard debris that burned out of control and allegedly sparked a wildfire that has scorched more than 2,000 acres near Myrtle Beach, the state’s forestry officials said.

Alexandra Bialousow, 40, of Myrtle Beach, was arrested Thursday on charges of negligently allowing fire to spread beyond her land or property and starting a fire in woodlands, grasslands or other areas without taking necessary precautions, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said in a statement Friday.

“According to the arrest warrant, the suspect ‘did not have an appropriate water source readily available,’ nor did she ‘have any garden tools on hand to control the fire’” and prevent it from escaping her yard, thus contributing to its spread to land owned by a homeowners association, the commission said.

Bialousow was released from jail on Friday, according to Horry County booking records. If convicted, she could face up to 30 days in jail or be fined up to $200 on each offense, according to state law. Bialousow did not immediately reply to CNN’s attempt to reach her.

Several witnesses reported seeing Bialousow intentionally start a fire on March 1 in a backyard fire pit near a tree line in the Covington Lakes subdivision, the commission said.

Horry County issued a burn ban in unincorporated areas on February 27. By March 1, the entire state was under a burn ban as fire officials worked to respond to more than 100 wildfires that ignited that day, spurred on by strong winds and dry conditions. South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency the next day to support wildfire efforts across the state.

The fire that became known as the Covington Drive Fire has continued to burn near Myrtle Beach. It is one of the largest among more than 175 wildfires that have now erupted across South Carolina, officials said.

As of Saturday afternoon, the Covington Drive Fire was 55% contained, the Horry County Government said, citing the forestry commission. No major injuries have been reported in connection with the blaze.

Most areas in Horry County are currently under a moderate or severe drought, according to the US drought monitor.

The burn ban in Horry County will continue until further notice, the South Carolina Forestry Commission said in a news release Saturday.

CNN has reached out to Myrtle Beach and Horry County authorities for comment.