S CAROLINA-OVERCOMING INJURIES
Coach: Gamecocks baseball team handling injuries
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina coach Chad Holbrook says his players have remained steady and prepared despite injuries that have kept several key Gamecocks out the lineup for extended periods.
This weekend, South Carolina (34-11) heads out for a three-game series at Georgia most likely without three regulars in second baseman Max Schrock and outfielders Connor Bright and Elliott Caldwell.
Schrock has fought off illness and back problems for most of the past two months. Bright left a game against Alabama last Friday with an elbow problem. Caldwell is out for at least six weeks with a back injury.
Holbrook has gone through doom-and-gloom scenarios when trying to fashion a lineup. But the Gamecocks have won their past two series in the Southeastern Conference and are second to Florida in the Eastern Division.
CLEMSON-QUARTERBACKS
Clemson adds former Stanford QB
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Clemson got some depth at quarterback with the addition of former Stanford signal-caller David Olson.
Olson played at Irmo High School in South Carolina before heading West. He spent four years with the Cardinal and saw action in just one game. He’s transferring to the Tigers as a graduate student and should give the team some breathing room after the dismissal of rising sophomore Chad Kelly.
Cole Stoudt heads to fall camp as Clemson’s starter with freshman Deshaun Watson expected to back him up. Olson is 6-foot-3 and 218 pounds and believes he can earn some snaps this fall.
Kelly was in the quarterback competition to replace three-year starter Tajh Boyd, but argued with coaches during the spring game last month and was dismissed two days later.
S CAROLINA-MCCRAY
South Carolina’s McCray undergoes surgery
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina coach Dawn Staley says assistant Nikki McCray is recuperating well after surgery this week as part of her treatment for breast cancer.
Staley said Thursday that McCray underwent the operation Wednesday and was talking to her head coach about recruits and scheduling soon after waking up. Staley said the operation was a previously planned part of her treatment.
McCray is the former Tennessee star who teamed with Staley on two U.S. Olympic squads that won gold medals at the Atlanta and Sydney Games. McCray has been part of Staley’s staff all six seasons at South Carolina.
McCray was diagnosed with breast cancer in November and announced it publicly in January. She remained with the team throughout the season and did not miss a game.
BOBCATS-JEFFERSON
Bobcats C Jefferson to fans: Only the beginning
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Bobcats center Al Jefferson sent an email to season ticket holders thanking them for their support and promising “this season was only the beginning.”
In the email sent Thursday through the team Jefferson writes, “When I decided to come to Charlotte, a lot of people wondered why — and I think we answered that question.”
Jefferson made an immediate impact in his first season in Charlotte averaging 21.8 points and 11.8 rebounds. The Bobcats went 43-39 and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2010.
The 10-year NBA veteran says he was touched by fans “MVP chants.”
Jefferson says, “I know there’s more to come. Next season we’ll be playing as the Hornets and we intend to make you even more proud of that name than you already are.”
NASCAR-SCIENCE OF SPEED
Vickers, crew teach kids about ‘Science of Speed’
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — NASCAR driver Brian Vickers and his crew gave some Birmingham teens a tutorial on the “Science of Speed.”
Vickers, crew chief Billy Scott and others met with several dozen youth at the A.G. Gaston Boys & Girls Club Wednesday ahead of race weekend at Talladega Superspeedway.
They set up stations to answer questions about safety, shocks and tires — or just how it feels to drive that fast. The emphasis was on the importance of subjects like science and math in building careers in fields such as auto racing.
Vickers told the kids his parents wouldn’t allow him to race “if I didn’t have straight A’s.”
Vickers says he has always loved science and math and even subscribes to Scientific American. Scott went back to school for a mechanical engineering degree.
NASCAR-AMBROSE PENALTY
Richard Petty upset over Ambrose’ $25,000 fine
CONCORD, N.C. (AP) — Marcos Ambrose understands the $25,000 fine NASCAR levied against him for punching Casey Mears in the face.
His car owner is none too pleased with the penalty and thinks his driver shouldn’t be fined for defending himself. Richard Petty says he wants to discuss the penalty with NASCAR officials.
Ambrose and Mears were both punished this week for a post-race altercation at Richmond. Mears was fined $15,000 after he angrily approached Ambrose and shoved the Australian when Ambrose appeared to be walking away. Ambrose replied with a right punch to Mears’ face that drew blood near his eye.
Amborse is not appealing and said Thursday he’ll pay the fine. Petty thinks it is ridiculous that his driver was punished at all.
WELLS FARGO
Mickelson off to a strong start at Quail Hollow
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Phil Mickelson kept it entertaining to the very end Thursday and finished one shot behind Angel Cabrera in the Wells Fargo Championship.
Cabrera played in the morning and thrived on the new Bermuda greens at Quail Hollow. He made seven birdies in a round of 6-under 66. It’s his lowest score of the year and only the fourth time he shot in the 60s.
The wind was strong and swirling in the afternoon. That didn’t stop Mickelson. He made birdies off the pine straw, made a long par save on one hole and three-putted another. Mickelson finished with a 6-iron from a tough stance in the bunker that led to par and a 67.
Martin Flores also shot 67.
Stewart Cink and Charlotte resident Webb Simpson were at 68.
