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South Carolina’s A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston to battle in WNBA Fever vs. Aces game Saturday

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South Carolina’s A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston to battle in WNBA Fever vs. Aces game Saturday


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For the first time this WNBA season, two of coach Dawn Staley’s most decorated players will face each other on the court.

The two No. 1 overall draft picks to come out of South Carolina women’s basketball, Aliyah Boston and A’ja Wilson will battle Saturday night (9 p.m. ET, FUBO) when the Indiana Fever travel to play the Las Vegas Aces.

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Wilson, selected by the Aces in 2018, is one of the most impactful players in South Carolina history. In her senior season, she was selected the consensus National Player of the Year, All-America First Team, SEC Player of the Year and SEC co-Defensive Player of the Year. Wilson holds the program’s career records in points (2,389), blocked shots (363), free throws made (597) and free throws attempted (835).

The 6-foot-4 center led the Gamecocks to their first-ever national championship in 2017 and now has a statue outside of Colonial Life Arena.

Wilson and the 2023 WNBA champion Aces came to Columbia on May 11 for a preseason game against Team Puerto Rico, the same day Wilson revealed her new Nike signature shoe deal.

When the 6-5 Boston arrived at South Carolina in 2019, she didn’t steer far from the big shoes that Wilson left to fill. By the time she left in 2023, Boston won Naismith Defensive Player of the Year twice (2022, 2023) and swept the National Player of the Year awards. She led the Gamecocks to three consecutive Final Four appearances and won the national title in 2022. In 2022-23, Boston broke the South Carolina records for career double-doubles and rebounds.

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Boston was named SEC Player of the Year twice and earned four Lisa Leslie Center of the Year awards, becoming the first player to win it every year of their career.

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A’ja Wilson and Aliyah Boston in the WNBA

Both Wilson and Boston were voted WNBA Rookie of the Year. Wilson, in her seventh year with the Aces, is a two-time WNBA MVP and two-time WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. Boston is working through her sophomore season with 2024 first overall pick Caitlin Clark.

Last season, the Fever and Aces played three times, with all three wins going to the Aces who went on to win their second straight WNBA championship.

Staley said she loved watching her two former players battle in the WNBA.

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Aliyah Boston stats vs. Aces in 2023

  • June 4: Seven points, four rebounds, one assist, one block
  • June 24: 18 points, nine rebounds, three steals, one block
  • June 26: 20 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, two steals, two blocks

A’ja Wilson stats vs. Fever in 2023

  • June 4: 27 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, two steals, four blocks
  • June 24: 10 points, three rebounds, three assists, two blocks
  • June 26: 24 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals, three blocks

The WNBA season began May 14, and Boston is averaging 8.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists. The Fever are 0-5, sixth in the Eastern Conference. Wilson is averaging 24.3 points, 12 rebounds, and 2.7 assists. The Aces are 2-1, fifth in the Western Conference.

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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Crash on South Carolina road leaves one dead, Highway Patrol says

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Crash on South Carolina road leaves one dead, Highway Patrol says


One person was killed Thursday in a car crash on a Midlands road, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

The collision happened at about 10 p.m. in Newberry County, said Lance Cpl. Brittany Glover.

A 2018 Chevrolet Impala was driving west on Bush River Road, and near the intersection with Kendall Road it hit a pedestrian who was walking west in the road, according to Glover.

The pedestrian died at the scene, Glover said.

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The Newberry County Coroner’s Office has not publicly identified the pedestrian.

Glover said there were two people in the Chevy, but neither was hurt. No other injuries were reported.

There was no word if either the Chevy driver or passenger were wearing seat belts.

Glover did not say if the crash is being investigated by the Highway Patrol.

Through June 9, at least 399 people had died on South Carolina roads in 2024, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,030 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported.

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At least eight people have died in Newberry County crashes in 2024, according to DPS data. There were nine deaths in the county in 2023, DPS reported.



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'General Hospital' star Johnny Wactor's funeral held in South Carolina after his fatal shooting in Los Angeles

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'General Hospital' star Johnny Wactor's funeral held in South Carolina after his fatal shooting in Los Angeles


“General Hospital” star Johnny Wactor was remembered by family and friends at his funeral service in his home state of South Carolina three weeks after he was killed in Los Angeles.

The actor died May 25 at the age of 37 after he was fatally shot when he approached three individuals who were attempting to steal his car’s catalytic converter in downtown Los Angeles. 

On Saturday afternoon, mourners gathered for Wactor’s funeral at the Summerville Baptist Church in Summerville, South Carolina. The service was held by Wactor’s family, including his mother, Scarlett, and brothers, Grant and Lance.

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“General Hospital” star Johnny Wactor was laid to rest on Saturday. (Getty/Fox News)

Among the attendees were Wactor’s friend Micah Parker and co-worker Anita Joy. Earlier this week, Parker and Grant organized a rally in Los Angeles seeking justice for the actor, whose killers remain at large. In the final moments of his life, Wactor defended Joy by stepping in front of her before he was shot.

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“Laid to Rest. But still so present with us,” Parker wrote on Instagram as he shared an image of a framed photo of Wactor.

Parker also uploaded an image of floral arrangements and framed portraits of Wactor that were displayed on the steps of the altar during the service. On the photo, he tagged the Instagram page @justiceforjohnnywactor, which provides updates from Wactor’s family and friends on the search for his murderers.

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People attend a funeral a church for Johnny Wactor

Family and friends attend a memorial service for the slain actor at Summerville Baptist Church, in Summerville, South Carolina. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)

People attend a funeral a church for Johnny Wactor

Wactor’s family held his funeral service in their home state. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)

People attend a funeral a church for Johnny Wactor

Wactor was shot and killed when he encountered a trio of alleged thieves who were in the process of stealing his catalytic converter. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)

On her Instagram Story, Joy posted an image of the funeral program, which featured a photo of Wactor, writing, “Today was beautiful for you, Johnny. We love you.” 

In another post, Joy wrote “Unbelievable. But you are so loved,” on a photo of one of Wactor’s funeral portraits.

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In an emotional post that Joy shared last month, she recalled how she and Wactor were walking to their cars after a bartending shift at the downtown L.A. bar Level 8 when they encountered the three individuals who were attempting to steal the catalytic converter. 

“Johnny was between me and the man who shot him,” she wrote. “As I heard the shot ring into the night, he forcefully tumbled back into my arms. As I grabbed for him, I shouted ‘Hunny you ok?!’ And he only responded, ‘Nope! Shot!’ We toppled onto the street where I pushed my legs under him and tried to hold his body up while screaming for help and screaming at him to stay with me.” 

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“I’m so grateful to have been a part of his world and him, mine. My heart is shattered with his loss but I believe l have gained the best guardian Angel out there. I love you Johnny Wacky,” Joy concluded. 

johnny wactors portrait at funeral

Wactor’s friend Micah Parker shared photos from inside the service. (Micah Parker Instagram)

the altar at johnny wactors funeral

Parker and Wactor’s brother, Grant, led a protest rally in LA seeking justice for the actor. (Micah Parker Instagram)

Scarlett had previously confirmed that Parker and Joy would be attending the service. She told Fox News Digital that she was looking forward to meeting Joy for the first time.

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“I told Anita that ‘God must have big plans for her,’ and then I said, ‘Johnny’s death has got to be bigger than all that,’” Scarlett said. “So, for it to make a change, like what we’re asking the city to do and change, that would at least be something.”

Wactor’s obituary, which was featured in the funeral program, noted that the actor had been murdered while “heroically shielding his co-worker.” 

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People attend a funeral a church for Johnny Wactor

In the final moments of his life, Wactor protected his co-worker Anita Joy. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)

People attend a funeral a church for Johnny Wactor

Joy was also in attendance at the funeral. (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)

“Johnny stood up for what he believed in and remains an example of how to live life with non-negotiable integrity and grit,” read the obituary. “He found solace and serenity with his loving family, on the mountain, climbing, being a proud big brother to Lance and Grant, with the boys, just talking to his mother, in play, always outside, in nature.”

“A man brimming with magnetism and humility. A pure life force, passion Personified, awaking in the early mornings with purpose, ready to go. Johnny’s love will be remembered and felt by all. Forever leaving an everlasting mark on this world.”

The program also included Bible passages from the Gospel of Matthew, the Gospel of John and the Book of Job.

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Johnny Wactor in promotional photo on white background

Wactor’s mother Scarlett said that she hopes people “continue to pray” for justice. (Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty Images)

People attend a funeral a church for Johnny Wactor

Scarlett said that she believes that “justice is coming.” (The Image Direct for Fox News Digital)

While speaking with Fox News Digital earlier this week, Scarlett commended the efforts being made by Wactor’s friends in Los Angeles, who launched the #JusticeforJohnny movement to find his killers. 

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As the investigation led by LAPD continues and the movement grows, Scarlett said she is asking “people to continue to pray.” 

“I really do think justice is coming. I just hope it’s sooner rather than later. And I think God’s help is what they’re going to need. Because it sounds like there’s some really weak laws and help for the police department, unfortunately. I feel for them.”



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Authorities announce memorial service for K9 killed in shooting, McMaster to attend

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Authorities announce memorial service for K9 killed in shooting, McMaster to attend


COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) – The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) announced they will be holding a memorial service to honor Coba, a K9 who was killed in the line of duty on Tuesday.

Coba was a member of the team who responded to a home on Gravel Road in an attempt to serve a felony warrant to James Peterson, 37. When he was confronted by Coba, his handler and a deputy with the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office inside the home’s hallway, Peterson shot the K9. Coba was rushed to an emergency veterinarian but died from his wounds later that day.

The ceremony will take place at the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy at 5400 Broad River Road at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 19.

Gov. Henry McMaster said he is planning to attend the memorial.

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Officials ask that guests not bring pets but law enforcement K9s are welcome.

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