South Carolina Gamecocks: News from the last week in Columbia

The latest South Carolina Gamecocks news from the last week in and around Columbia, starting with some updates around the South Carolina football program.

It didn't take very long for head coach Shane Beamer to find his replacement for wide-receivers-coach-turned-tight-ends-coach Justin Stepp. Former Gamecock assistant (and former interim head coach) Shawn Elliott is back in Columbia, leaving his head coaching job at Georgia State to take the tight ends coach/running game coordinator job at USC.

Five former Gamecocks were invited to the NFL Scouting Combine. Quarterback Spencer Rattler, wide receiver Xavier Legette, tight end Trey Knox, cornerback Marcellas Dial, and offensive lineman Nick Gargiulo will have a chance to compete in Indianapolis in front of NFL scouts.

South Carolina football recruiting made a little news, as well.

North Carolina EDGE prospect Taeshawn Alston named his top-6, and the Gamecocks made the cut.

5-star linebacker/EDGE Zayden Walker (younger brother of incoming freshman Gamecock Jalewis Solomon) has scheduled an official visit to see Shane Beamer's program again.

Elite defensive back prospect Jontae Gilbert scheduled an official visit in Columbia. He will be in town early this summer.

Big-time, 4-star offensive linemen Juan Gaston and Jaylen Gilchrist both scheduled early summer official visits to check out the Gamecocks.

In-state wide receiver Malik Clark has his summer official visit on the docket, as well.

South Carolina football legend Harold Green received a nice honor.

The former Stratford High School, USC, and NFL running back was honored with a selection to the South Carolina Football Hall of Fame.

Lamont Paris' South Carolina basketball squad has hit a skid.

After getting ranked as high as #11 in the country, the Gamecocks lost both games they played last week. A 101-61 demolition at the hands of the Auburn Tigers and a 16-point home collapse against LSU resulting in a 64-63 loss brought South Carolina basketball's overall record to 21-5 and their SEC record to 9-4.

Speaking of Coach Paris...

Ohio State fired head basketball coach Chris Holtmann. Based on several reports, Lamont Paris is relatively high up their list of candidates. It is unclear if the Ohio native has any interest in returning to his home state to coach the Buckeyes, but Paris is viewed by many as a strong candidate if he does have interest in the job.

Dawn Staley's group didn't lose but played two closer-than-expected games against SEC rivals.

On the road in Knoxville, the Gamecocks trailed as late as the 3rd quarter before pulling away to win by a score of 66-55. After losing by 9 in the early 3rd quarter on Sunday, Carolina stormed ahead of the Georgia Bulldogs to win 70-56.

The South Carolina basketball women's team put a slew of players on late season award watch lists.

Kamilla Cardoso is on watch lists for the Lisa Leslie Award, Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, Naismith National Player of the Year, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and SEC Player of the Year.

Te-Hina Paopao is on watch lists for the Nancy Lieberman Award, Naismith National Player of the Year, SEC Player of the Year, and Dawn Staley Award.

MiLaysia Fulwiley is on watch lists for the Dawn Staley Award and SEC Freshman of the Year.

Ashlyn Watkins is on watch lists for SEC Defensive Player of the Year and SEC 6th Woman of the Year.

Raven Johnson is on the watch list for the Dawn Staley Award.

Bree Hall is on the watch list for the Cheryl Miller Award.

Former Gamecock A'ja Wilson was disrespected by an award committee.

Wilson, the best player in the WNBA, was left off of the People's Choice Award ballot for "The Athlete" award given to the best player across sports. While surprising, that wouldn't have been too egregious except Sabrina Ionescu (a great player but not a player who is even top-5 in the league) was nominated instead of Wilson. Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (known by some as "Taylor Swift's boyfriend") won the fan-voted award.

South Carolina baseball opened their season with an impressive 3-game sweep over Miami (OH).

The Gamecocks won all three games in the Miami (OH) series in impressive fashion.

The pitching was good other than some late-game struggles from freshmen in a blowout game 2. Eli Jones had a great start, and so did Dylan Eskew. Roman Kimball and Ty Good piggy-backed for a nice showing, as well, and the bullpen was solid most of the weekend.

Ethan Petry, Blake Jackson, Parker Noland, Cole Messina, Dylan Brewer, Talmadge LeCroy, and Tyler Causey were the team's top offensive players.

Game 1 of the series saw Carolina win 5-1 behind an excellent pitching effort from starter Eli Jones.

Game 2 had a bit more fireworks as Ethan Petry hit 2 home runs in the 11-4 win. Dylan Eskew also pitched well as the starter.

Game 3 made history as the Gamecocks pitched their 8th no-hitter of all-time, a combined, 7-inning (10-run rule was in effect) effort as USC won 14-0.

A South Carolina pitcher found his name on an award watch list.

The NCBWA chosen Gamecock reliever Chris Veach as one of their watch list players for the the Stopper of the Year, an award given to college baseball's top relief pitcher.

Former South Carolina baseball star Whit Merrifield signed a new MLB deal.

Merrifield is joining the Philadelphia Phillies on a 1-year contract that has team options for a second season. Playing in the toughest division in baseball, the 3-time All-Star is expected to play a super-utility role for the World Series contenders.

South Carolina softball had a good week but fell from the ranks of the unbeaten.

The Gamecocks went 3-1 last week, including a blowout win over ranked Utah. The 8-1 Gamecocks have risen up to #20 and #18 in the rankings.