WEDNESDAY SPORTS: Gamecocks lose; Clemson back in action tomorrow; Walhalla soccer team wins state
South Carolina was unable to overcome the timely shooting and 34 made free throws from Manhattan Tuesday as the Gamecocks fell 86-68 to the Jaspers at Colonial Life Arena. Manhattan’s George Beamon scored 26 points on the night, while fellow senior Michael Alvarado added 20 points, hitting 10-11 from the free throw line.
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The Clemson men’s basketball team will be back in action Thursday night at Auburn. The two Tiger teams will tip-off at 8:00 PM Thursday on Fox Sports Net.
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Walhalla sports the best 15 and under all-star soccer team in the state! The co-ed team won the recent state championship played in the Beaufort County town of Bluffton. The title makes a lot of people happy, including city councilman Josh Holliday, who made the announcement during Tuesday night’s meeting.
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In high school basketball on Tuesday, Tamassee-Salem’s boys fell to Highlands, North Carolina, 78-68. The Highlands girls team defeated the Lady Eagles 41-28.
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Clemson defensive end Vic Beasley and wide receiver Sammy Watkins were both named second-team All-Americans by the Associated Press on Tuesday. It is the first time Beasley has made an Associated Press All-America team, while it is the second time for Watkins. The Clemson junior who was a Biletnikoff finalist was a first-team Associated Press All-American in 2011 as an all-purpose player. Watkins and Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd were both named honorable mention All-Americans by Sports Illustrated on Tuesday.
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South Carolina junior defensive end Kelcy Quarles has been named second-team All-America by the Associated Press and by CBSSports.com. Additionally, Quarles and senior quarterback Connor Shaw were selected as honorable mention All-Americans by SI.com. Quarles, a 6-4, 298-pounder from Hodges, was the team leader in tackles for loss with 13.5 including a team-high 9.5 sacks.
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South Carolina filled a recruiting need Tuesday with a commitment from highly touted DE Dante Sawyer (6-3 250) of Suwanee, GA. Sawyer announced the commitment, on his birthday, via Twitter. He picked the Gamecocks over Missouri, Auburn and Tennessee.
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Dean Blandino, the NFL’s head of officials, said Tuesday night that the hit on Cincinnati Bengals punter Kevin Huber Sunday that broke his jaw and cracked vertebrae in his neck was illegal. Pittsburgh Steelers return team blocker Terence Garvin blindsided Huber with the hit as the punter was trying to seal a hole during Antonio Brown’s first-quarter punt return. Blandino said on NFL Network, “Huber, he’s a punter. And the key is he’s defenseless throughout the down. Even though he’s pursuing the play, he still gets defenseless-player protection. You can’t hit him in the head or neck, and you can’t use the crown or forehead parts of the helmet to the body.” No penalty was given, but Blandino said Garvin she have received one for a personal foul. Garvin likely will be fined by the league for the hit.
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In the NBA Tuesday, Kemba Walker scored 24 points, helping Charlotte snap a three-game losing streak with a 95-87 win over the Sacramento Kings.