South-Carolina

Why Dawn Staley is women’s college basketball’s giant — and South Carolina a new mecca

Published

10 months ago

March 23, 2025

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Why Dawn Staley is women’s college basketball’s giant — and South Carolina a new mecca

We asked 7 players and coaches in women’s college basketball about how Dawn Staley has impacted the game and turned South Carolina into one of the iconic programs in history.

Anna Williams
| Special to USA TODAY

South Carolina women’s basketball, led by coach Dawn Staley, has become a powerhouse program and a force in the sport.
Staley has led the Gamecocks to three NCAA championships and is considered one of the most iconic coaches in women’s basketball.
“What Dawn has done over the last six to 10 years is absolutely incredible,” one opposing coach said. “Dawn has now become the torchbearer.”

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley has created an environment in which rival teams feel not only challenged but also excited to play against a powerhouse program in a city that has become a mecca of sorts for women’s basketball.

“It’s a really special place,” Indiana guard Sydney Parrish said ahead of the No. 9 Hoosiers’ second-round March Madness game against the Gamecocks. “First of all, it’s really hard to win here in Columbia at the height of where women’s basketball is right now and where South Carolina basketball is right now.”

Under Staley’s leadership, South Carolina has won three NCAA championships and is gunning for a fourth. If they win it all this year, the Gamecocks would be the first back-to-back women’s NCAA champions since UConn in 2016.

Watch South Carolina vs. Indiana on Fubo

The Gamecocks are often mentioned alongside programs such as UConn, Tennessee – once led by the iconic Pat Summitt – and Stanford.

“What Dawn has done over the last six to 10 years is absolutely incredible,” said Kim Rosamond, coach of a No. 16 Tennessee Tech team that fell to South Carolina in the first round. “Dawn has now become the torchbearer, so to speak, for the college game. She’s doing it as well as anyone in the game today.”

Tara VanDerveer’s retirement last year after a long and successful career at Stanford left Staley, UConn’s Geno Auriemma and LSU’s Kim Mulkey as the most iconic coaches still on the sidelines in March Madness this year.

Dawn Staley’s record, impact at South Carolina

What Staley has accomplished with the Gamecocks is nothing short of extraordinary: Three national championships, six Final Fours and more than 450 wins since she took over the program in 2008. In January, South Carolina extended Staley’s contract through 2029-30 with a $4 million annual base salary, making her the highest-paid coach in women’s basketball.

“South Carolina has been able to see it was worth it to invest in Dawn Staley – and how she changed this program and the impact she’s had on these young women,” said Lisa Leslie, a three-time WNBA MVP and four-time Olympic teammate of Staley’s who came to Columbia to support her close friend during South Carolina’s first-round game Friday against Tennessee Tech.

Staley isn’t focused on titles or on debating where South Carolina fits among the pantheon of top programs. She’s already confident that her program has cemented its place in history.

“I think we created a legacy already, whether we win this one or not,” Staley said. “What we’ve done over the past eight years won’t be done again. If we win another one, it just adds to our legacy in the game.”

South Carolina’s junior forward Chloe Kitts said Staley herself already belongs in the legacy conversation as well.

“She has accomplished every goal, so why would she not be in that category?” Kitts asked, referring to coaches like Summitt and VanDerveer.

Indiana head coach Teri Moren compared South Carolina to other powerhouses such as Tennessee, UConn and Stanford.

“You can’t talk about those other teams without mentioning South Carolina,” Moren said. “They’ve raised the bar for everybody. It’s no longer UConn, it’s no longer Tennessee. You can now talk about South Carolina.”

Staley’s coaching record at Colonial Life Arena, South Carolina’s home venue, is 230-35.

“I think we have a 4% chance of winning,” Indiana’s Parrish said, somewhat jokingly, about playing South Carolina at Colonial Life Arena on Sunday.

South Carolina women’s basketball fans show out — consistently

The Gamecocks feel the love from their community, with fans showing their appreciation through gifts, cards and constant encouragement.

“We have this one little girl who got her hair braided, and each of her beads has our names on them,” South Carolina’s senior center Sakima Walker said. “The fans really love us.”

All players who come to play in Columbia feel that support and energy.

“We’ve been trying to create it in Utah,” Utes senior forward Jenna Johnson said before Utah played Indiana in a first-round game in Columbia on Friday. “It’s just fun to play in this environment.”

Anna Williams is a student in the University of Georgia’s Sports Media Certificate program.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Jan. 7, 2026

Published

2 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Jan. 7, 2026

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 7, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

15-28-57-58-63, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

Midday: 2-8-8, FB: 1

Evening: 3-3-6, FB: 6

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

Midday: 0-9-4-9, FB: 1

Evening: 0-4-8-3, FB: 6

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

Midday: 12

Evening: 10

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

03-07-09-14-38

Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Jan. 7 drawing

28-41-50-61-68, Powerball: 05

Check Powerball Double Play 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

Former South Carolina starter commits to ACC school via transfer portal

Published

14 hours ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

Former South Carolina starter commits to ACC school via transfer portal

Former South Carolina football offensive lineman Cason Henry announced his intention to transfer in December. Just a couple of weeks later, he has found a new school to call home.

According to a report from On3’s Pete Nakos, Henry has committed to the Louisville Cardinals. He will join Louisville as a fifth-year senior, but pending medical redshirts, he could have multiple years left to play.

Henry earned a starting gig for South Carolina ahead of the last three seasons. However, he saw action in just six combined games in 2023 and 2025 as he dealt with injuries. He started all 13 games of 2024 at right tackle. That year, he was one of the team’s most improved players from season’s beginning to season’s end.

Henry was the top-performing overall blocker for the Gamecocks at the beginning of 2025. However, a shoulder injury ended the 6-6, 310-pound tackle’s season after just four games.

Henry was a three-star prospect back in the class of 2022 out of Walton High School in Marietta, Georgia.

South Carolina Transfer Portal Resources:

Cason Henry Bio on GamecocksOnline

2024 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll
2024 Most Improved Player of the Spring – Offense
2023 SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll
2022-23 SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll
2022 Offensive Scout Team Award

Talented offensive lineman who is in his fifth year of college football in 2026… incumbent at the right tackle position but his career has been plagued by injuries… has appeared in 21 games over the past three seasons with 18 starts…. entered the transfer portal following the 2025 season.

2025 (Redshirt Junior)
Starter in each of the first four games at right tackle and was playing at a high level… served as a game captain against Vanderbilt, but was injured in that contest… returned the following week against Missouri, but was injured on the first play of the game and did not return… underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in October.

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2024 (Redshirt Sophomore)
Right tackle who was able to stay healthy throughout the season, earning the starting assignment in all 13 contests… named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll… recognized as the Most Improved Player of the Spring for the offense.

2023 (Redshirt Freshman)
Appeared in just two games as he was hampered by a knee injury… was limited early in fall camp, but still earned his way into a starting assignment at right tackle for the season opener against North Carolina… was injured in that contest and spent much of the season rehabbing… finally returned to the field for the Jacksonville State contest, but was injured again and sat out the remainder of the season… was not available in the spring while rehabbing from off-season surgery… named to the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll.

2022 (Freshman)
True freshman offensive lineman… worked at right tackle behind Dylan Wonnum and Tyshawn Wannamaker… saw action in two contests… played against Charlotte and South Carolina State… was a regular member of the travel roster… named the Offensive Scout Team Award winner… named to the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll.

HIGH SCHOOL
Graduated from Walton High School in Marietta, Ga. in 2022… played on both sides of the ball in high school… the Raiders went 9-4 in his senior season… coached by Daniel Brunner… played multiple offensive line spots, but primarily at right tackle as a junior in 2020 when he helped his team to the second round of the state 7A playoffs… was a first-team All-Cobb Country performer.

PERSONAL
Cason Mannino Henry was born Oct. 2, 2003… pursuing a degree in cyber policies and ethics.

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South-Carolina

South Carolina Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Jan. 6, 2026

Published

1 day ago

January 7, 2026

Press Room

The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 6, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Jan. 6 drawing

09-39-47-58-68, Mega Ball: 24

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 6 drawing

Midday: 5-8-6, FB: 6

Evening: 4-1-2, FB: 4

Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 6 drawing

Midday: 1-0-8-7, FB: 6

Evening: 4-7-5-5, FB: 4

Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 6 drawing

Midday: 08

Evening: 02

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Jan. 6 drawing

03-08-11-12-34

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:

SC Education Lottery

P.O. Box 11039

Columbia, SC 29211-1039

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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