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Sumter Mall hosts free Back-to-School event
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH) — The Sumter Mall is thrilled to announce the Movin’ & Groovin’ Back-to-School Event on July 20 from 12 to 3 p.m. Admission is free, and attendees can register to win a gift basket filled with school essentials. “We are delighted to introduce Movin’ & Groovin’ to the Sumter community and are eager to see local organizations come together to inspire excitement and readiness for the new school year,” said Rosanna Frisch, Senior Marketing Manager.
Gatlin Brothers to take the stage in Ridgeway in support of trade skill charter school
The smell of barbecue will fill the air this weekend at The Farm at Ridgeway. Pee Dee Enterprises, a leader in economic development and event management in South Carolina, is hosting a barbecue cook-off fundraising event to support the founding of a local charter school focused on technical trade skills.
Community Baby Shower set for Saturday
AIKEN, S.C. (WJBF) — Molina Healthcare is partnering with Rural Health Services and Bundles of Joy to host a free Community Baby Shower for new and expecting moms! The event is Saturday, July 20, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Rural Health Services, 1000 Clyburn Place in Aiken. Free diapers, wipes, diaper bags, and […]
Top-30 prospect Jerry Easter planning several official visits this fall
By SAM LANCE NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — Top-30 prospect Jerry Easter has several official visits planned this fall. The 6-foot-5, 185-pound guard from Link Academy and the Team Final AAU program will be going to see programs like Miami, SMU and Baylor. He’s also been in talks with Ohio State, Michigan, Florida State and USC for official visits. Easter holds offers from 40+ Division I programs and has already taken official visits to Michigan State and Georgia Tech in September of 2023, as well as Oregon. When asked which schools have been on him the most lately, Easter named Baylor, Cincinnati, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Harvard, Maryland, Miami, Michigan State, Mississippi State, Ohio State, Oregon, SMU and USC. He broke down several of those programs: Baylor: “I think they want me to do that [visit] soon, like in August. Something like that in August, like before school starts. Because we don’t start school at Link until September 9th. I’m pretty sure I’m still going to that one, I don’t know. I don’t know if I might go with Koa [Peat] but, that’s how I was trying to have it planned. But if not I’m definitely still going there. I like that school. I just like how [Scott Drew] just coaches his point guards. I mean, he developed all of them. Especially, like, I’ve been tuning in for them. I wasn’t really tuning in when I was younger, but since they won that national championship, I’ve liked them ever since. He had his guards compete, and they played hard. And that’s how I want to be coached. Play hard. Get other guys around me to pick up full court. Because they were picking up full when they won the natty, so, I like that type of school. And plus, RayJ Dennis, he played at the University of Toledo. So when he transferred there [Baylor], he told me he liked the school. And he said that would be a good fit for me if I went there. Because he said they treated him with love, and he said that was the best choice he ever made, him transferring there.” Florida State: “I mean, I know they came to my games. Like, they came to both of my games the first day. But I’ve been talking to them though. They still talk to me well, like how I played, even though we lost the second game. But they said like keep my head up. I just like how they just contact me even after a loss. Because I didn’t really play too well, so. But yeah, I just like how they just communicate with me and my parents. And they like how I play. They said that if I just play hard, I’m like the best player on the floor and stuff like that. So they just like how I play, and I have a high motor.” Georgia Tech: “My first official visit was Georgia Tech. That went good with coach [Damon] Stoudamire. I seen he was here too. That was a good visit. Also a new coach. And obviously he came from the NBA, so he develops his point guards. I like that and I feel like he would develop me if I went there.” Miami: “I know they had one of their guards [Kyshawn George] who went to the league this year. I just like how he [Jim Larranaga] was coaching him. He let him control the game. He was like the leader on the floor, control the offense. And that’s how I want to be set there as well. And plus, obviously, I talked a little bit to ask about Jalil [Bethea]. I think I’m probably going to — he’s probably going to be my chaperone when I visit there. So they told me that he really loved it. It was like a family. And I talked to him about it. He said that’s why he chose the school, because it’s like a big community, big family. So, I do want to be in that type of environment, a second home. And somewhere I do have another family, just like how he said. So yeah that’s why I like that school.” Michigan State: “It’s close to home. So I got family out there from my mom’s side. Michigan State is only like 45 minutes from where I’m from. So I mean, I just like the school as well. There’s not really much to do than to get better and work on your game, so that’s what I like. And plus, [Tom] Izzo, he’s a legendary coach. So I don’t know if he’s going to retire or not. But, I mean, he told me that he wasn’t. We asked the question, and he said not any time soon, I don’t know, that could change. But yeah, he’s a legendary coach. He coaches his players hard. Definitely AJ Hoggard, and the other guard they had this year. And I’m definitely excited to see how they play this year with [Jeremy] Fears, and all the other guys that’s there, like [Jason] Richardson’s son [Jase Richardson]. So I mean, it’s going to be exciting. I’m really pumped to go watch the games.” Oregon: “What I like about Oregon is they just talk to me a lot. They’ve been coming to like all my games, watching me and stuff like that. I like the coaching staff and [Dana] Altman. And of course I got to meet the players and stuff like that on my official visit. So there’s just so many good things about the school and the coaches. I watched them in March Madness and they did pretty good. They had a good run, won the Pac 12 before they go to the Big 10. But I was there before they had to win every game. So I was just there, seeing them get prepared for it. I just like the campus, and obviously the facilities as well. They have all the best stuff and stuff like that. I just like how coach Altman coaches his players and I like how coach Fish spends the time to check on me. I really appreciate that from them.” SMU: “I’m taking an official visit there too, in September. Yeah September. Like around when school starts. I’m taking an official visit with Jermaine O’Neal Jr. there. And I think Jaden Toombs as well. So yeah, I’m taking a visit to SMU.” USC: “They’re trying to schedule a right date for me so I can take a visit. Official visit.” Hearing from Kentucky?: ““I did. I heard from them in Indiana. I know they talked to my parents. They said they like me, but I mean, they still haven’t offered me yet. But shoot, who knows. I mean they could watch me during my senior season. So I’m just going to wait on it I guess. I’m not cutting my list no time soon so.” All of these head coaches were in at some point during Peach Jam to watch Easter play. John Calipari at Arkansas has not re-offered Easter. The guard also said he “might go” to Michigan and Ohio State for officials, but he is for sure taking Baylor, Miami and SMU. At Peach Jam, Easter is the fourth leading scoring of the PIT, averaging 20.3 points per game. His team, Team Final, was knocked out of the Peach Jam play-in by the Alabama Fusion. Some big news for Easter recently was the move to transfer to Link Academy. “It was like a family decision,” Easter said. “I think it was just better overall, just like the experience and to develop my game. I just like how the coaches are talking to me. I just like how they talk to me and I feel like it’s a good fit for me. We’re building a whole new team. It’s going to be all — our whole roster gonna be new. So I’m just excited to play with them, play with high level guys.” Easter gave some comments on the players joining him at Link Academy like Davion Hannah and Chris Cenac. On Hannah: “We both got a chip on our shoulders. So we just want to go at whoever, you feel me. I mean, shoot, I don’t think anybody can like beat us if we play at our best. I watch his games. I see him on Instagram. He be chilling. And then if I’m in the backcourt right with him we’re going to be good. We’re going to kill whoever and just try to compete, and just try to win the Chipotle nationals.” On Cenac: “We’ve been chopping it up for a while. I mean, he was like, ‘Come to Link.’ So I was just like me and my parents thinking about it. And then when I made the announcement, it was exciting because we were at USA when I made the announcement. So when I told him he was like, ‘Let’s do it.’ So I’m excited to play with him. What is he like, No. 6? Like the number one big in the country? I mean, he’s nice. I can’t wait to play with him. He can do it all. He can shoot the three. Finish at the rim. He’s athletic. I don’t know who going to stop us because everybody on our team can shoot. We’re going to be able to space the floor and its gonna be easy.” Follow Sam Lance on Twitter Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram And Like ZAGS on Facebook.
North Augusta High School 2024 Football Schedule
Listen every Friday night for all the action, broadcast live as it happens on News Talk 95.1 FM, WGAC!. “Cody” Blaine Jackson is one half of the Kicks Wake Up Krew on Kicks 99, and also serves as the Digital Program Director for Beasley Media Group in Augusta. She’s a Georgia native but currently resides just across the river in South Carolina. She started in the radio industry as a part-time board operator, and moved up through various roles, including on-air positions and program director for multiple stations. Her passions include fitness and anything to do with animals, as she has two fur babies, her dogs Harley and Waylon. Cody likes to write about pets, fitness and Augusta local events.
Chester County officials bring in major businesses
CHESTER COUNTY, S.C. — Major growth in Chester County has county leaders working to proactively bring in new businesses. Those leaders are working with Retail Strategies on a plan to focus on the traffic hitting Highway 901 off Interstate 77 and J.A. Cochran Bypass in downtown Chester. “We’re going...
4-Star WR Malik Clark Announces Final Four, Decision Coming Next Week
4-Star 2025 Wide Receiver Malik Clark (6’2″/170) has trimmed his list to 4 schools: NC State, UNC, South Carolina and FSU. He will be announcing his college decision next week, on July 25th. ON3, 247Sports and ESPN all rank Clark as a Top-250 prospect nationally in the 2025...
Top-200 prospect Lino Mark sinks big shots for Soldiers at Peach, sets official visit dates
By SAM LANCE NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. — When the Oakland Soldiers needed a big time shot against UPlay Canada on Tuesday during Peach Jam pool play, three-star guard Lino Mark was the one to step up. With around seven minutes to go and the game tied, Mark hit his first big-time three. Then, just a while after, he hit the dagger shot from deep to put the Soldiers up 11 points. UPlay had led the Soldiers most of the contest. “I just do the little things,” Mark said of his game. “I realize I’m on a great team with great players. You know, everybody’s ball dominant at their high school, so just trying to fit in by doing the little stuff. That’s guarding 94 feet, cutting backdoor, hitting open shots.” Mark plays with two No. 1-ranked high school players — AJ Dybantsa of the 2025 class and Tyran Stokes of the 2026 class — on the Oakland Soldiers 17u program. Still, he has found a way to stand out at Peach Jam. The guard is averaging a modest 6.2 points, 1.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 17.4 minutes per contest — but he’s been the bench piece the Soldiers need to flourish. The Soldiers also needed everyone of Mark’s 13 points to knock of UPlay, 73-65. As for Mark’s recruitment, he is hearing from programs like Cal, Providence, Santa Barbara, Seton Hall, TCU and USC. Mark has already visited Providence, Seton Hall and TCU unofficially and has some official visits set in stone for the fall. Mark will travel to Seton Hall (Sept. 9-11) and TCU (Oct. 3-5). He is also planning a visit with Cal, Providence, Utah and USC. Mark broke down all of those programs: USC: “USC is just, it’s the hometown. I grew up in California, so just having the ability to stay home, it’s a really nice feeling. But for me, I would like to go and play anywhere I can for the best opportunity in my lifetime. I love coach [Eric] Musselman. He FaceTime’s me, shares a lot of jokes. So just getting to know him and his staff. They just recently offered so that was nice.” Providence and Seton Hall: “Schools like Seton Hall and Providence, the head coaches are like my favorite head coaches. Especially Seton Hall and Providence, like those two head coaches reach out probably the most and they’re always there for me. Always text me before and after games just making sure that I’m good.” On Providence head coach Kim English: “He’s young and he hooped. You know, he let’s the players get after it. Me and him make jokes about Devin Carter who just got drafted. Me and him both got hair.” On Seton Hall head coach Shaheen Holloway: “To me he’s like the realest coach. He always calls me little bro when he text and call. He’s always looking out elsewhere than basketball. So it’s more than just basketball to him.” Cal: “Also close to home. They were one of the first to get after it with me. So they’ve always been active, always stay on top of me and they really want me.” TCU: ” So coach [Jamie] Dixon, he actually went to my high school. I think two of the coaches went to my high school. So there’s that connection with Notre Dame. He was my second offer. He’s always been, he’s always showing up to my school to talk to me, doing the little things. And I already took unofficial actually also so.” UCSB: “UCSB, that’s a mid major route I want to go. I really love their staff. I really, really love their staff. They text me the most, like they text me the most. So that staff always making sure I’m good. Always sending me clips of Ajay Mitchell, who’s hooping right now. They’re making sure like I’m the priority. I can be the guy to go to on campus, you know, play as a freshman, play good minutes. They have high expectations for me.” Mark is ranked the No. 177 overall prospect by 247Sports and the No. 16 player in the state of California. He attends Notre Dame Sherman Oaks in Los Angeles and will play with Stokes there next season. “I’m hoping we can win Peach and then win State,” Mark said. “Thats a big deal.” The Soldiers are 5-0 in pool play at Peach Jam and have secured the top spot in Pool C. They will play whoever finishes second in Pool B at noon on Saturday in the quarterfinals. Follow Sam Lance on Twitter Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter Follow ZAGSBLOGHoops on Instagram And Like ZAGS on Facebook.
Charleston Animal Society Hosting Nine-Day Adoption Event
From July 20th to 28th, join the Charleston Animal Society as Pick Me! SC returns to shelters and Petco locations across the state. This event brings together over 93 shelters, rescue organizations, and Petco Pet Care Centers, making it the largest annual statewide adoption event of dogs and cats in the country.
Everyday Hero: Air Force pilot reflects on withdrawal from Afghanistan
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – The 2021 withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan was the largest noncombatant withdrawal in American history, and the final pilot on the final plane leaving Afghanistan talked to News 2 about his mission. “We did things we’ve never done before, and you have to look at that aspect of the mission […]
South Congaree Rodeo: Elite cowboys, big prizes, and exciting events await
COLUMBIA, S.C. — This weekend, a popular rodeo returns to the Midlands for its ninth year. Folks in South Congaree came out in their best boots and hats Friday for day two of the South Congaree Rodeo. The early evening showers didn’t dampen the spectators' spirits who came out...
Marine sentenced to nearly 5 years for Nazi salute display during Capitol riot
Tyler Bradley Dykes, of South Carolina, was an active-duty Marine when he grabbed a police riot shield from the hands of two police officers and used it to push his way through police lines during the attack by a mob of then-President Donald Trump's supporters
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