PETE IACOBELLI

AP Sports Writer
Denny Hamlin, front, celebrates on Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Darlington Raceway, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
Hamlin still has the fire to win and marked himself a title contender with a second straight victory
Denny Hamlin has shown he still has the fire for NASCAR success with his second straight victory. Hamlin followed up a win at Martinsville with a hot pit stop that got him out in front at Darlington Raceway before he drove off in overtime to win the Goodyear 400.
 
Denny Hamlin, front, celebrates on Victory Lane after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Darlington Raceway, Sunday, April 6, 2025, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
Hamlin takes the lead out of pits and holds off Byron in overtime to win at Darlington Raceway
Denny Hamlin took his last lead out of the pits right before an overtime finish and then held off William Byron to win the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday.
 
Denny Hamlin, right, hugs his fiance Jordan Fish, left, after winning a NASCAR Cup Series auto race in Martinsville, Va., Sunday, March 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)
Hamlin looks to back up Martinsville win with one at Darlington Raceway, where he’s won four times
Denny Hamlin is coming off a victory and heading to one of his most successful tracks in Darlington Raceway. That does not mean he’s coming in overconfident.
 
Crew members for Chase Briscoe perform a pitstop during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla., Sunday, March 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Terry Renna)
Briscoe hoping for second straight Darlington win in first season with JGR
Chase Briscoe did not get to celebrate much last September when he won the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. The victory came in the final regular-season race, meaning Briscoe’s Stewart-Haas Racing team had to quickly pivot to playoff mode.
 
South Carolina forward Chloe Kitts (21) shoots against Indiana defenders during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 23, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/David Yeazell)
Hall, Kitts rally top-seeded South Carolina to Sweet 16 in 64-53 March Madness win over Indiana
Bree Hall had 11 points and Chloe Kitts scored all her 10 points in the second half as top seed South Carolina pulled away after trailing at halftime to beat ninth-seeded Indiana 64-53 in the women’s NCAA Tournament and reach the Sweet 16 for the 11th straight time.
 
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley directs her team against Tennessee Tech during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/David Yeazell)
South Carolina, Indiana women in March Madness rematch after tight Sweet 16 game last year
South Carolina was so confident of victory, up 49-32 at halftime in last year’s Sweet 16 against Indiana, that the team enjoyed some dance sessions at the break.
 
South Carolina guard MiLaysia Fulwiley (12) drives the ball around Tennessee Tech guard Reghan Grimes (33) during the first half in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/David Yeazell)
Edwards leads No. 1 seed South Carolina to 108-48 win over Tennessee Tech to start March Madness
Freshman Joyce Edwards scored 22 points in her first women’s NCAA Tournament game as No. 1 seed South Carolina powered to a 108-48 victory over Tennessee Tech on Friday.
 
Utah head coach Gavin Petersen motions to a player during the first half against Indiana in the first round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Friday, March 21, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/David Yeazell)
Garzon scores 17, Ciezki adds 16 to lead No. 9 seed Indiana to opening NCAA win over No. 8 seed Utah
Yarden Garzon scored 17 points and Shay Ciezki added 16 as No. 9 seed Indiana won its opener for a sixth straight NCAA Tournament with a 76-68 victory over eighth-seeded Utah.
 
South Carolina forward Sania Feagin celebrates after scoring against Texas during the second half during of an NCAA college basketball game in the final of the Southeastern Conference tournament, Sunday, March 9, 2025, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
South Carolina trio seeking 3rd national title in four years as March Madness start
Sania Feagin, Raven Johnson and Bree Hall are chasing history, even if South Carolina’s trio do it a bit under the radar at times.
 
Clemson center Viktor Lakhin (0) is defended by Virginia Tech forward Mylyjael Poteat, front left, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, March 8, 2025, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/David Yeazell)
Lakhin leads No. 11 Clemson to program record-tying 26th win, 65-47 over Virginia Tech
Viktor Lakhin scored 12 of his 16 points in the first half as Clemson opened a double-digit lead and beat Virginia Tech 65-47 for the program’s record-tying 26th win of the season.
 
Clemson forward Ian Schieffelin celebrates a 3-point basket against Notre Dame during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
Schieffelin leads No. 13 Clemson to record 15th ACC victory with 83-68 win over Notre Dame
Ian Schieffelin had a career-high 24 points and nine rebounds as No. 13 Clemson won its program-record 15th ACC game this season with a 83-68 victory over Notre Dame.
 
Edwards and Fulwiley help No. 6 South Carolina bounce back with 95-55 rout of Arkansas
Joyce Edwards scored 18 points and MiLaysia Fulwiley had 10 of her 15 points in a second quarter run as No. 6 South Carolina bounced back from its loss to No. 5 UConn with a 95-55 victory over Arkansas on Thursday night.
 
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley reacts as her team plays against UConn during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
No. 4 South Carolina sees 71-game home winning streak end
All the streaks are over for defending national champion South Carolina. The last of those, a 71-game home win streak that began in December 2020, ended with an 87-58 loss to No. 7 UConn on Sunday.
 
UConn guard Paige Bueckers celebrates during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against South Carolina in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Azzi Fudd helps No. 7 UConn end No. 4 South Carolina’s 71-game home win streak with 87-58 rout
Azzi Fudd scored 28 points and No. 7 UConn ended No. 4 South Carolina’s 71-game home winning streak with an 87-58 victory Sunday. Sarah Strong added 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Huskies (24-3), who had lost their past four to the Gamecocks.
 
South Carolina forward Joyce Edwards (8) shoots over Auburn forward Taylen Collins during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Edwards leads No. 2 South Carolina to 83-66 win over Auburn on day when Wilson’s jersey is retired
Freshman Joyce Edwards scored 18 points while Chloe Kitts added 13 points and nine rebounds as No. 2 South Carolina won its 70th straight game at home, an 83-66 victory over Auburn on Sunday.
 
A'ja Wilson attends a ceremony to retire her number before an NCAA college basketball game between South Carolina and Auburn in Columbia, S.C., Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
South Carolina retires jersey number of three-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson
Three-time WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson had her South Carolina No. 22 jersey hung in the rafters at Colonial Life Arena on Sunday. The ceremony took place before No. 2 South Carolina beat Auburn.
 
Texas A&M guard Wade Taylor IV (4) shoots against South Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
Taylor scores 25 points with 7 3-pointers to lead No. 13 Aggies to 76-72 victory over Gamecocks
Wade Taylor IV had 25 points and tied his career high with seven 3-pointers as No. 13 Texas A&M held off South Carolina 76-72.
 
South Carolina forward Joyce Edwards (8) shoots against Charleston Southern forward Saniya Jones during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C., Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Edwards scores 20 as No. 2 South Carolina wins 64th straight at home, 82-46 over Charleston Southern
Joyce Edwards scored 20 points as No. 2 South Carolina overcame a slow start to win its 64th straight home game, a 82-46 victory over Charleston Southern.
 
South Carolina offensive analyst Mike Shula walks the field during warm-ups before an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, FIle)
Mike Shula is back in the SEC at South Carolina after nearly two decades since Alabama fired him
Mike Shula is eager to return to the Southeastern Conference as South Carolina’s offensive coordinator, nearly two decades after the former Alabama quarterback was fired as the Crimson Tide’s coach.
 
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney celebrates with the trophy after defeating SMU during the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson’s Dabo Swinney once again dismisses critics and leads Tigers to the College Football Playoff
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney doesn’t see much difference in this season than many others in his long, successful career. Outsiders criticize Swinney’s methods, they dismiss his teams chances of winning and the Tigers wind up celebrating another title.
 
South Carolina Gamecocks guard Morris Ugusuk (15) reacts after a foul during the first half against the Clemson Tigers in an NCAA basketball game on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Scott Kinser)
Murray-Boyles’ 22 points, Ugusuk’s 3 in OT lead South Carolina to 91-88 win over No. 25 Clemson
Collin Murray-Boyles had 22 points and Morris Ugusuk hit a 3-pointer in overtime to put South Carolina ahead for good in a 91-88 victory over rival No. 25 Clemson on Tueday night.
 
South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer celebrates after defeating Clemson in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Former Alabama coach Mike Shula takes over as South Carolina offensive coordinator
Former Alabama coach Mike Shula is South Carolina’s new offensive coordinator. The school announced the move after the board of trustees approved a three-year deal worth $1.1 million a season.
 
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney looks on after defeating SMU during the Atlantic Coast Conference championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Clemson’s Swinney can’t wait for Belichick’s positive impact on the Atlantic Coast Conference
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney finds it incredible that Bill Belichick will soon share the same meeting rooms and an opposing sideline in his position as North Carolina’s new head coach.
 
South Carolina forward Ashlyn Watkins (2) tips an offensive rebound to herself over South Florida guard Carla Brito (55) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.)
Edwards, Watkins lead No. 3 South Carolina to its 63rd straight home win, 78-62 over South Florida
Joyce Edwards scored 15 points while Ashlyn Watkins had 10 points, eight rebounds and four blocks as No. 3 South Carolina opened a big lead early and cruised to its 63rd straight win at home with a 78-62 victory over South Florida.
 
Miami quarterback Cam Ward (1) runs with the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in Syracuse, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
AP All-ACC: Miami QB Ward honored as offensive player and newcomer of the year
Miami quarterback Cam Ward was honored as offensive player and newcomer of the year in AP all-ACC voting. Ward among a league high eight Hurricanes voted to the first or second team by a panel of 15 voters who cover the league.
 
Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, center, along with quarterback Quinn Ewers, left, and the rest of the Longhorns, after beating Texas A&M in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Rust vs. rest: Extra time off or potentially losing edge brings another worry for CFP coaches
As if FBS coaches didn’t have enough to worry about, the expanded College Football Playoff brings something new: Rust vs. rest. The 12-team bracket has four first-round byes for the top four seeds.
 
South Carolina forward Chloe Kitts (21) looks to pass the ball against Duke forward Toby Fournier (35) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in Columbia, S.C., Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
No. 3 South Carolina women hold off No. 8 Duke 81-70 for 62nd straight home win
Chloe Kitts tied her career high with 21 points to go with 11 rebounds as No. 3 South Carolina held off a late charge by No. 8 Duke for an 81-70 victory in the SEC/ACC Challenge. It was the Gamecocks’ 62nd straight home victory.
 
FILE- Jeremiah Donati is introduced as TCU's athletic director during a press conference Monday, Dec. 11, 2017, in Fort Worth, Texas. (Joyce Marshall/Star-Telegram via AP, File)
South Carolina hires TCU’s Jeremiah Donati as athletic director
South Carolina has hired Jeremiah Donati of TCU as its athletic director. The university’s Board of Trustees approved Donati’s hiring Thursday. He’ll receive a contract that runs through June 30, 2031. He’ll make $1.9 million.
 
Miami head coach Mario Cristobal, center, urges his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Syracuse on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in Syracuse, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
Miami scores big on signing day with the ACC’s top recruiting class
Miami may have missed out on the ACC championship game this year, but the Hurricanes locked up the top recruiting class in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
 
FILE- Jeremiah Donati is introduced as TCU's athletic director during a press conference Monday, Dec. 11, 2017, in Fort Worth, Texas. (Joyce Marshall/Star-Telegram via AP, File)
South Carolina set to hire TCU’s Jeremiah Donati as new athletic director, AP source says
South Carolina will hire TCU athletic director Jeremiah Donati as its new athletic director, according to a person with direct knowledge of the hire.
 
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