South-Carolina

These South Carolina stars are used to winning. But they know Final Four won’t be easy

Published

11 months ago

March 31, 2025

Press Room

These South Carolina stars are used to winning. But they know Final Four won’t be easy

Olivia Noni
| Special to USA TODAY

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – With an Elite Eight victory over Duke, South Carolina seniors Sania Feagin and Bree Hall have now made it to four straight Final Fours during their time as Gamecocks.

When asked if they thought their careers would “come out this way” when they signed with Dawn Staley four years ago, Feagin had a very simple answer.

“Yes, I did.”

Hall had a different perspective about being a part of the historic South Carolina era.

“I really can’t believe it,” Hall said. “When I committed here, I didn’t really expect it to be this good. This is definitely an experience that people dream about, and I’m just really glad I made the right choice.”

Playing alongside Feagin and Hall throughout the dominant run is Raven Johnson, a junior guard who redshirted as a freshman. Feagin and Hall have one year of eligibility left and have not yet announced if they plan to stay at South Carolina.

But that’s a decision for another day. The Gamecocks are focused on the Final Four next weekend and extending their run.

“We’re not done,” Johnson said. “We can set history winning a national championship, and that’s the plan. We all know what it takes, and we know it’s not gonna be easy.”

She already knows the path ahead will be a challenge because getting this far was one.

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No. 1 seed South Carolina survived No. 2 Duke 54-50, scoring a season-low paired with 16 turnovers. The matchup had four lead changes and four ties. Feagin and Hall each had three key rebounds in the fourth quarter.

“The margin of error is very little,” said Johnson, adding that a missed shot can turn “the momentum of the game” to the other team.

This is now the third-straight nailbiter the Gamecocks have endured. They trailed at halftime in matchups against No. 9 Indiana in the second round and No. 4 Maryland in the Sweet 16.

Prior to Sunday’s game, the Gamecocks had won 33 games with a 22.9-point margin of victory, so it’s safe to say they are usually comfortable on the court.

“I don’t know why everybody expects us to just blow everybody out,” Hall said. “These teams are coming to play. It’s not gonna be easy, every team is gonna be ready for us.”

The trio is ready to bring its experience to a familiar setting – the Final Four – and live up to its own expectation: winning.

Olivia Noni is a student in the University of Georgia’s Sports Media Certificate program.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for March 8, 2026

Published

7 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for March 8, 2026

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 8, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from March 8 drawing

Evening: 3-3-3, FB: 1

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from March 8 drawing

Evening: 7-8-0-4, FB: 1

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from March 8 drawing

Evening: 01

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from March 8 drawing

06-10-14-29-34

Check Palmetto Cash 5 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.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina women’s basketball vs. Texas live: SEC final highlights

Published

19 hours ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

South Carolina women’s basketball vs. Texas live: SEC final highlights

For the second straight season, South Carolina and Texas will meet in the SEC Tournament Championship in Greenville, South Carolina.

Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks and Vic Schaefer’s Longhorns will matchup on Sunday (3 p.m. ET, ESPN) in the title game.

South Carolina advanced by beating LSU in the semifinals behind 22 points from Raven Johnson. Texas was powered by 31 points from Madison Booker in its semifinal victory over Ole Miss.

The Gamecocks and Longhorns split regular season meetings, with each game decided by a single possession. Texas won a non-conference clash in Las Vegas by two points, while South Carolina took a three-point victory at home in Columbia.

Staley has had Schaefer’s number in the postseason though, as she’s 8-0 all-time against him in March and April. That record includes wins for the Gamecocks over the Longhorns in the SEC title game and Final Four last year.

The Longhorns are out to an early double-digit lead over the Gamecocks at the end of the first quarter behind 13 points from Justice Carlton, who is shooting 6-of-7 from the floor.

Texas opened the game with a 14-0 run before South Carolina coach Dawn Staley called a timeout at the 6:47 mark. Ta’Niya Latson swished a 3-pointer on a Raven Johnson assist out of that break, but couldn’t piece together a meaningful run to dent the Longhorns’ lead.

The Longhorns are shooting 68% from the floor and have scored 10 points off five South Carolina turnovers.

The SEC Championship game between South Carolina and Texas has tipped off on ESPN News because Duke and Louisville are in overtime in the ACC title game in Duluth, Georgia. The clash between the Gamecocks and Longhorns will switch back to ESPN when the ACC game finishes.

Less than four minutes into the game, Texas has a 14-0 lead on 7-of-7 shooting. Justice Carlton has six points. Dawn Staley called a timeout at the 6:47 mark in the first quarter.

South Carolina Gamecocks starting lineup

Head coach: Dawn Staley

25 Raven Johnson | G 5-9 Senior
00 Ta’Niya Latson | G 5-9 Senior
5 Tessa Johnson | G 6-0 Junior
8 Joyce Edwards | F 6-3 Sophomore
11 Madina Okot | C 6-6 Senior

Texas starting lineup

Head coach: Vic Schaefer

11 Justice Carlton | F 6-1 Sophomore
25 Breya Cunningham | F 6-4 Junior
35 Madison Booker | F 6-1 Junior
7 Jordan Lee | G 6-0 Sophomore
3 Rori Harmon | G 5-6 Senior

What time is South Carolina vs. Texas?

Date: Sunday, March 8
Time: 3 p.m. ET
Location: Bon Secours Wellness Arena (Greenville)

Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks face Vic Schaefer’s Longhorns in the championship game of the SEC Women’s Tournament at 3 p.m. ET Sunday, March 8 in Greenville, South Carolina.

South Carolina vs. Texas : TV, streaming

The game between South Carolina and Texas will air live on ESPN, with Ryan Ruocco and Rebecca Lobo on the call. Streaming options for the game include Sling TV.

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South-Carolina

North Augusta and Military Magnet Repeat as South Carolina Girls Basketball Championships Continue Title Trend

Published

1 day ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

North Augusta and Military Magnet Repeat as South Carolina Girls Basketball Championships Continue Title Trend

Out of the five classifications at the South Carolina High School League girls basketball state championships, only Class 2A was guaranteed to crown a new state champion which was Landrum.

Through two days of the “Weekend of Champions,” order was served as Berkeley, Walhalla and Blythewood all retained their respective titles.

On Saturday, Military Magnet and North Augusta made it 5-5 for repeat championships.

Lady Yellow Jackets Move a Step Closer to State History

North Augusta head coach Al Young is a former wide receiver who’s a member of the South Carolina State Athletics Hall of Fame.

After 37 years of coaching boys basketball and track at North Augusta, he came out of retirement to work with girls’ basketball.

It’s been more than a smooth transition for Young. On Saturday, the Lady Yellow Jackets defeated Westside 63-50 in the Class 4A final.

“I thought football was my first love,” Young said. “I’m not sure now.”

Another Tough Rematch with Westside

It was the seventh state title in 10 years for the Lady Yellow Jackets, fifth with Young at the helm. They also tied Blackville-Hilda, the 63-50 win over Westside.

North Augusta guard Ashley Walker is guarded by Westside’s Harmoni Earn. | Thomas Grant Jr.

The win tied North Augusta for second-most in state history behind Lower Richland, Hollywood, Marion and Blackville-Hilda. Only Bowman and the legendary Monetta teams of the 1930s have more with eight titles.

For the second straight year, the Lady Yellow Jackets had to defeat the Lady Rams. Messiah Williams scored four straight points to help them take a 6-0 advantage.

Down 16-7, Westside responded with a 10-3 run sparked by six straight points from forward Makyhia Paul. The Lady Rams’ defense also forced North Augusta into turnovers to help stay close through the second quarter.

Westside briefly tied the game at 24-24. With two seconds left, Taylor Boney scored her only points of the game on a layup to put North Augusta up 26-24 at halftime.

Second Half Adjustments Help North Augusta

Guard Celana Grant, who scored a team-high 15 points along with Azaria Sapp, said they was implored to cut down on the turnovers.

“We turned the ball over a lot in the first half and we also turned it over in the second half,” she said. “But we made better decisions. We were looking for each other and we made great plays.”

After a 3-pointer by Monasia Clinkscales brought Westside within a point, North Augusta answered with eight straight points and increased its lead to 10 for the first time.

The Lady Rams got no closer than five the rest of the way. A jumper by Ashley Walker put the Lady Yellow Jackets up 44-34 going into the fourth quarter.

North Augusta extended its lead as many as 16 points before the final buzzer.

Lady Eagles post weekend’s most dominant performance

The ‘machine’ known as Military Magnet continues to roll along in Class A.

Military Magnet after winning the Class A title | S.C. High School League

The Lady Eagles led from start to finish in 70-21 rout of Great Falls. They were already ahead 16-2 before the Lady Red Devils made their second and last field goal of the first quarter.

Eighth-grader Mariah Brown provided problems on both sides of the basketball. She outscored the entire Great Falls’ roster with 25 points, seven rebounds and was one of five players with three or more steals.

Guard Xahar Pinckney had a team-high five of their 17 steals while also forcing 31 turnovers.

In leading as many as 51 points, Military Magnet kept Greats Falls in double digits in all four quarters. In fact, the 28 points scored in the second quarter to go up 50-13 at halftime was more than Great Falls’ entire scoring output.

This was the fifth state title in six state title appearances in seven years by Military Magnet. Great Falls was making its first championship appearance since 1979.

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