Local Sports

Former Clemson Standouts Sammy Watkins, Shaq Lawson Miss Start of Bills Training Camp

PITTSFORD, N.Y. (AP) — Bills receiver Sammy Watkins won’t be ready for the start of training camp because of a surgically repaired left foot, though general manager Doug Whaley said all signs indicate the starter is on track to play in Buffalo’s season opener. “We’re confident,” Whaley said Friday, a day before the Bills open training camp. “You never know…

Trash Talk Beckons with Norman, Beckham in Same Division

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Now that they’re in the same division, Josh Norman and Odell Beckham Jr. can start talking trash again. After Beckham told GQ Magazine that his catch made the new Washington Redskins cornerback “relevant,” Norman responded to the New York Giants receiver on Friday with some amusement. On the second day of Redskins camp, Norman chuckled at…

Fireflies Play in Extras Again on Friday Night

COLUMBIA, SC (Fireflies) – The Fireflies needed extras again on Friday night at Spirit Communications Park, but this time the contest tilted the Tourists’ way. Columbia fell to Asheville, 5-2, in ten innings thanks to a Brendan Rodgers three-run home run in the top of the tenth. Patrick Mazeika forced bonus baseball with a game-tying solo bomb in the bottom…

Bananas Bite Fish For Second Straight Night

SAVANNAH, G.A. (Blowfish) — The Fish tried to rewrite the ship in Savannah against the Bananas for their final matchup of the season but came up empty falling 8-1 at Grayson Stadium. The loss marks the seventh in a row for Lexington County against the Bananas and drops the Blowfish to two games under .500. Savannah got things started in…

Gamecocks Participate in Annual Pigskin Poets Event

COLUMBIA, S.C. (USC SID) – About two dozen University of South Carolina football student-athletes, cheerleaders and Cocky took part in the annual Pigskin Poets community service program on Friday in conjunction with Richland Library. This year’s event was held at the Drew Wellness Center, where the Gamecocks read books to several hundred elementary-aged school children and later signed autographs. “This…

Gamecock Women’s Golf Releases 2016 Fall Schedule

COLUMBIA, S.C. (USC SID) – South Carolina women’s golf coach Kalen Anderson released the Gamecocks’ 2016 fall schedule on Friday, announcing a challenging slate that features four tournaments throughout September and October. “We have another highly competitive schedule yet again this year,” Anderson said. “All year will be a great preparation and representation of the level of play we will…

Spurrier Back To Being A Gator

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida has named former coach Steve Spurrier an ambassador and consultant for the school’s athletic department. Athletic director Jeremy Foley made the announcement Friday, welcoming Spurrier “back home.” Foley says “it’s only fitting that at this point in his career he is back in Gainesville.” Spurrier stepped down as South Carolina’s coach last season, but stopped…

Gamecocks Introduce Mini Ticket Plan

COLUMBIA, S.C. (USC SID) — University of South Carolina Athletics announced today the Mini Helmet Mini Plan for the 2016 Gamecock football season. The Mini Helmet Mini Plan provides fans the opportunity to attend the Texas A&M game on Saturday, October 1, plus at least two additional games, with fans choosing from among the UMass, Tennessee, Missouri or Western Carolina…