The Gamecock Rewind
In this weekly feature, GamecockCentral.com gives USC fans an in-depth summary of everything that took place in the world of Gamecock athletics over the past week. At GamecockCentral.com, we provide fans with in-depth, insider coverage. Whether it's press conferences, games, breaking news, analysis, answering your questions, or delivering inside information you will not find elsewhere, we work hard to keep your finger on the pulse of of your Gamecocks.
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Here's the latest on Carolina athletics...
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FOOTBALL
*** Kickoff time for USC's season-opener for Vanderbilt was announced this week.
*** USC center Alan Knott was named to the Rimington Watch List (nation's top center) for the second season in a row.
*** Gamecock fans are ready for the defensive backs to get close to the line and press receivers, but Will Muschamp says the players need to improve first.
*** During a Spurs Up Tour stop in Greenville, Muschamp spoke about Shameik Blackshear, Brandon McIlwain and how the team he inherited has bought into his vision for the program.
*** Check out this interesting interview with strength and conditioning coach Jeff Dillman from Strength Performance Network.
*** Wondering what Muschamp thinks about Connor Mitch, USC's summer workout performance as a team and more? He discussed it here.
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*** As always, Chris Clark and the rest of our staff were on The Insiders Forum all week long to answer any questions you may have had about Gamecock football and recruiting.
FOOTBALL RECRUITING
*** USC commitment Shawn Smith's former high school coach gives some insight to our subscribers on what he will bring to the Gamecock wide receiver corps upon enrollment.
*** There are several notable examples of NFL-caliber talent escaping the state - or being overlooked altogether - on the recruiting trail. Will Muschamp took notice after taking the USC job and wants to be sure it does not happen again. Why? We break it down here.
*** Defensive back is a priority recruiting position for USC in the 2017 class, and a talented one from Florida recently visited. What did he think? That, plus other notes on forthcoming visits to Columbia in this edition of The Insider Report.
*** USC continues to show interest in Palmetto State athlete Tancey Richardson, who could be capable of playing positions at the college level. He was also on campus recently; what's the latest?
*** Upstate defensive back Lummie Young currently has two programs at the top of his list. Is USC one? What's the competition looking like here?
*** The recruiting battle has heated up for in-state four-star wideout OrTre Smith since Clemson has turned up the heat. What's the latest on USC's pursuit and Smith's visit schedule? We have the answers in our interview with him.
*** Local product Damani Staley, son of former USC great Duce Staley, is all Gamecock after pledging to the staff back in March.
*** Four-star defensive back Tank Robinson's recruitment has been hard to figure out, but perhaps that's because he's taking his time with it. He spoke with GCC to give the latest on his process here.
*** USC signed wide receiver Chavis Dawkins out of Byrnes in the 2016 class. Could recent camp MVP winner Demarcus Gregory be the next to land a Gamecock offer?
*** Even after visiting another SEC East rival, USC still has the edge for 6-foot-7 in-state defensive end Tre Lawson. When may he decide?
*** A host of in-state talent was in place for the EPT Showcase in Newberry on Sunday. GCC was there to cover it. What did we find out on the recruiting front? Several interesting notes you won't find anywhere else right here.
*** We hit the road to gather information on a trio of prospects heavily on the Gamecock radar on Monday and uncovered some info including notes on the pursuit of Brad Johnson, an under the radar linebacker, and a 2018 in-state receiver.
***Speaking of Johnson, here's our detailed interview based on our visit with him at Pendleton High.
*** 2018 Upstate defensive lineman Stephon Wynn, the son of a former Clemson lineman, continues to say good things about the Gamecocks and is not rushing the process.
*** USC hosted four-star Georgia defensive lineman MJ Webb for a visit this week and appears to be one of his top options. Where do things stand? Will he return? Find out here.
*** Intriguing Lowcountry DB Israel Mukuama stands 6-foot-4 and appears to have substantial upside. We give more insight into him right here.
*** We also visited this week with Greenwood rising junior Sam Pinckney, a 6-foot-4 receiver with an early Gamecock offer. What's the scoop on his game and recruitment?
*** USC has made the initial cut for a 4-star LB who says he grew up wanting to play for the Gamecock defense...
*** Wes Mitchell gives the latest on a pair of in-state quarterbacks that will soon be on the radar of major programs.
*** USC wants to evaluate an Upstate defender who had 14 sacks last season to see if he can play linebacker at the next level. Who is he, and what's the scoop?
BASEBALL
*** South Carolina took on one of the best teams in the country, Texas A&M, in the final SEC home series of the year over the weekend. The Aggies took game one from USC, blanking the Gamecocks 3-0. For the best stats and sounds from the game, check here. Game two brought another disappointing result for USC, as the Gamecocks notched just three hits in a 5-2 loss. USC was able to salvage a 10-7 win in game three, with the bats awakening and A&M pitching issuing double-digit walks to the Gamecocks.
*** Prior to game three, Chad Holbrook divulged some information to his team that he never had before as the head coach.
*** What did A&M head coach Rob Childress think of USC's baseball team following the series? Find out here...
*** Gamecock outfielder TJ Hopkins got some good news following a knee MRI this week...
*** Looking back at the A&M series and ahead to the Alabama road trip, there could be some tense moments at the close of the regular season for USC.
*** Summerville products Sawyer Bridges and Wilson Beattie are ready to take Carolina together. More on the pair, with insight from their high school coach.
*** The Gamecocks shelled The Citadel by a score of 16-4 during a Tuesday midweek game. Read Collyn Taylor's "15 Things" feature from the game here.
*** Jonah Bride was selected to the SEC Community Service Team this week. Bride volunteered at the Christopher Towers Senior Living Facility, visiting and entertaining residents. He worked locally after the October flooding at Fort Jackson, Columbia, helping with flood relief for damaged neighborhoods and delivered bottles of water as part of Columbia Flood Relief. Bride also participated in the Kids Fun Run at Founders Park and gave tours of the baseball stadium, read books and played various games with the children from Epworth Children’s Home. Along with a few other teammates, he went to Arden Elementary School where he read to the students and discussed the importance of reading. (PER USC)
*** Here's a look at how former Gamecocks are faring in pro baseball.
BASKETBALL
*** Frank Martin officially announced his current 2016 signing class on Wednesday, along with the news that forward Raymond Doby is no longer with the program.
*** In a piece that's impossible to find elsewhere, hoops insider Carey Rich goes into detail on a road trip he recently took with the Gamecocks' head coach.
BEACH VOLLEYBALL
*** The South Carolina beach volleyball team is ranked No. 20 in the final DiG Magazine Collegiate Beach Volleyball Poll of the 2016 season. The Gamecocks finished their third season at 20-16 overall, which set a new record in program history. South Carolina also defeated a top-ten ranked team for the first time in program history when the Gamecocks dropped No.10 Florida International 4-1 in the semifinals of the CCSA Conference Tournament.
Carolina played its toughest schedule yet after facing 11 teams ranked in the final DiG poll, including NCAA Champion Southern Cal. Out of the Gamecocks’ 36 matches this season, 18 were against a team ranked in the top 20. South Carolina’s pairs combined for a 96-84 overall record. Three Gamecock duos finished the season with winning records. MVP winners Macie Tendrich and Katie Reilly set the school record for overall and dual wins in a season (26-10), besting the previous record (20-10) set by Paige Wheeler and Megan Kent in 2015. Tendrich and Reilly were also named to the CCSA All-Tournament Team. With a newcomer in four of the five starting spots and a signing class of eight, the Gamecocks have built a strong foundation for the upcoming 2017 season. (PER USC)
***South Carolina beach volleyball coach Moritz Moritz announced the addition of Hannah Edelman to the Gamecocks’ 2016 roster on Wednesday. “It is awesome anytime we can add a quality volleyball player and an even better person to our team,” said Moritz. “Hannah is a dynamic player with a solid beach IQ and will definitely push everyone on our team. We are excited to have Hannah join our Gamecock family!” (PER USC)
GOLF
*** USC unveiled plans for a new state of the art golf practice facility back on Friday. The 17-acre complex will be located behind Gamecock Park with 400 yards of hitting space and three greens totaling 1,800 square feet. You can see a photo gallery here as well as a rendering of the facility.
** The men’s Golf team clinched a spot at the NCAA Championship for the fourth consecutive season on Wednesday as the Gamecocks finished second at the NCAA Tuscaloosa Regional. Carolina shot 283 (-5) in the final round to post a three-day score of 852 (-12).
Georgia won the Regional, finishing with a three-round total of 848 (-16) to pace the field by four strokes. The Gamecocks and Bulldogs will be joined by fellow SEC members Alabama (857, -7), Kentucky (858, -6) and Auburn (867, +3) at the NCAA Championship, which will be held May 27 – June 1 in Eugene, Ore.
Senior Matt NeSmith led South Carolina individually with a three-round score of 208 (-8). NeSmith finished second overall, one stroke behind Georgia’s Greyson Sigg (207, -9).
The Gamecocks were the only team to put three individuals in the top-10 in Tuscaloosa. Joining NeSmith were Keenan Huskey (214, -2), who grabbed ninth, and Sean Kelly, (215, -1), who tied for 10th.
NeSmith shot 68 (-4) on Wednesday, matching the best round of the tournament from a Gamecock. The senior carded seven birdies on the day, including a birdie on the par-4 18th hole.
Huskey posted a 73 (+1) to close his tournament one day after setting the pace for the Gamecocks with a 68. The sophomore finished with six birdies on the day and ended the week with his highest postseason finish to date.
Kelly came home with a second-straight 72 (E) on Wednesday, which included three birdies. The redshirt senior matched his T-10th finish from the SEC Championship in April, equaling his best career postseason result.
Will Starke fnished 20th in Tuscaloosa, with a three-round score of 218 (+2). The senior finished the tournament by shooting 73 (+1) on Wednesday. His round included four birdies and an eagle on the par-5 14th hole.
Scott Stevens posted his best round of the tournament on Wednesday, shooting 70 (-2). The freshman recorded five birdies in the last round and tied for 30th overall, with a score of 221 (+5). (PER USC)
*** South Carolina women’s golf standout Katelyn Dambaugh has been named to the 2015-16 PING WGCA Division I Player of the Year Watch List, the Women’s Golf Coaches Association announced on Friday. The junior joins UCLA’s Bronte Law, Duke’s Leona Maguire and Georgia’s Bailey Tardy as the nominees for the annual honor given to the top women’s golfer in Division I.
The top 60 players from Golfstat and Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings are considered for the award, and each golfer must complete a minimum of 15 rounds during the competitive year and play in the NCAA Regional Championships to be eligible for the accolade. The 2015-16 PING WGCA Player of the Year will be announced during the 2016 NCAA Championship (May 20-25).
Dambaugh tallied the most top-five finishes (6) by a junior in program history this season. The Goose Creek, S.C., native was a First-Team All-SEC Selection. g, including a runner-up finish at the SEC Championship (Apr. 15-17) and her first career medalist honors at the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional (PER USC)
SOFTBALL
*** South Carolina junior first baseman Macey Webb earned a repeat appearance on the Southeastern Conference Softball Community Service Team, the league announced this week. She's the second Gamecock to claim the award twice, following Meghan Cornett's two nods in the first two years of the team's existence in 2004-05.
Webb went on a mission trip to Roatan, Honduras, working sports camps and doing street ministry. She made gift baskets for the assisted living home called the Taylor House near her home and visited with the residents, including bringing a Christmas present to one. Webb was a part of the fundraising efforts for Live Again ministries and helped with relief after the Columbia floods in October, collecting donations and helping out at homes that were affected. She spent time working at the West Stanly Middle School in many capacities, including setting up breakfast for the teachers and assisted with the team's Adopt a Family efforts to provide gifts at Christmas. Webb worked with the Wounded Warrior Amputee Team game against the Gamecock alumni and area first responders. She sorted through gifts and bought more for the Families Helping Families event during Christmas. Webb assisted twice at the Harvest Hope Food Bank in Columbia. She also visited with patients at the Dorn V.A. Hospital in Columbia and helped at Gamecock meet and greet events. Webb is a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member, a two-time NFCA Scholar-Athlete and a 2015 SEC Softball Community Service Team member. (PER USC)
TENNIS
*** No. 13 South Carolina women's tennis dropped a tough 4-0 decision to No. 17 Georgia Tech in the Second Round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament Saturday at Carolina Tennis Center. The Gamecocks (19-8, 9-4) finish the year with their most wins since 1995. (PER USC)
SWIMMING AND DIVING
*** The University of South Carolina Swimming & Diving team continued the road to the Rio Summer Olympics over the weekend as they competed at two meets: Arena Pro Swim Series Charlotte and the Atlanta Classic Swim Meet. Two new US Olympic Trials qualifiers headlined the team's efforts, as Kersten Dirrane and Taylor Worrell punched their tickets to Omaha.
Dirrane and Worrell will join Emma Barksdale, Cody Bekemeyer, Jeremiah Bohon, Jonathan Boland, Paige Maynard, and Meredity Vay as Gamecocks who will compete for a spot on the 2016 US Olympic Swimming Team. The 2016 US Olympic Trials will be contested June 26 - July 3 at the CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Neb.
The new additions to the Olympic Trials roster were not the only Gamecock standouts in Charlotte last week. Ecuador's Tomas Peribonio as the top prelims finisher in the 400m IM, besting 11-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte with a time of 4:18.72. In the finals, Peribonio finished second with a swim of 4:18.92, just two seconds behind Lochte.
Bekemeyer joined Peribonio in the 400m A final on Friday, finishing eighth with an evening effort of 4:32.09. Barksdale also made the 400m IM A final on the women's side, placing fifth with a time of 4:47.89.
Peribonio came back Sunday to make the A final of the 200m IM. He finished fourth overall after swimming a time of 2:02.35 in finals.
Over a dozen Gamecocks competed in Charlotte over the weekend, with several advancing to evening swims. For a full list of results from the event, click here.
Five more Gamecocks swam at the Atlanta Classic over the weekend at the McAuley Aquatic Center, with Ashleigh Ferguson, McKenna Heith, Heather Merrit, and Taylor Vincent earning second swims. A complete list of results from Atlanta can be found here.
All of the Gamecocks are aiming to join teammates Akaram Mahmoud and Julia Vincent at the Rio Summer Olympics in August. Mahmoud will swim for Egypt, while Vincent will dive for South Africa. (PER USC)
TRACK AND FIELD
*** USC earned three medals at the SEC Championships, with those Gamecock student-athletes who qualify set to compete at the NCAA East Regional Championships in Jacksonville from May 27-28.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
*** The SEC announced Monday that the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., will host the event March 1-5, 2017. It will be the league’s second time hosting the event in Greenville, the last coming in 2005.
“I am so excited that the SEC has chosen Greenville to host the 2017 SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament,” South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said. “The opportunity to showcase women’s basketball in the first pre-determined postseason tournament in our state after the removal of the Confederate flag is sensational. We have seen incredible growth in our fan support, and I can not wait to show the entire country how enthusiastic this state is about women’s basketball.”
The Gamecocks have led the nation in attendance each of the last two seasons, and those fans have shown willingness to travel to see their team play. South Carolina had a strong showing at the 2015 NCAA Regional in Greensboro, N.C., and a strong contingent at the 2016 SEC Tournament in Jacksonville, Fla. The program’s periodic fan bus trips to regular-season games routinely sell out as well.
Tickets for the 2017 SEC Tournament are not yet on sale from any source, but Gamecock fans are encouraged to purchase them through the South Carolina Ticket Office to ensure they can share the experience with other Gamecock fans. Current Gamecock Club members who have received their 2016-17 Playbook may submit a ticket request now, although ticket prices are yet to be determined. All Gamecock Club members and South Carolina women’s basketball season ticket holders will be notified via email when the ticket requests are available for purchase.
As with all South Carolina postseason ticket sales, tickets will be assigned in priority order of Gamecock Club members by priority points, University Faculty/Staff members by hire date and non-Gamecock Club members by number of years they have been a season-ticket holder.
The Bon Secours Wellness Arena seats 15,000 and is the home of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits hockey team, an ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s New York Rangers and the AHL’s Hartford Wolf Pack. (PER USC)
GAMECOCKCENTRAL RADIO - PODCASTS
*** Kip Bouknight: Gamecocks may stay positive following A&M series
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