It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Robert Mills House and Gardens gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Columbia, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available.”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always”
“Lisa helped my family understand the best options for my parents and the resources available. She has great contacts and helped guide us thru the process. We received wonderful service. Thanks!”
“Always Best Care has been a lifesaver for our family. We have worked with them twice, both in emergency situations and they have treated us as if we were their only clients. Within an hour of our first call, we had paperwork completed and a caregiver on the way – and that was a holiday weekend. When the second emergency occurred, we knew exactly who to contact. We truly appreciate everything that Lisa, Melissa and the entire team have done for our family.”
“Thank you for the care you gave to my dad. He did not have any family living close to him. My sister and I were relived to know he was well taken care of. The caregivers truly care about your loved ones.”
“Always Best Care provided excellent care when I was discharged from Atrium after surgery- the office staff and caregivers were professional and caring- would definitely recommend if you need care at home-”
“Lisa and her team at Always Best Care have been a great partner and resource in providing services to our patients!”
“Amazing staff and services. Much appreciated.”
“I am a past client of this provider Always Best Care was just absolutely wonderful. I needed to qualify people who could deal with my sister with brain cancer. My sister would throw people in and out of her house; it was crazy. She died on December 5th. Always Best Care sent incredible people. I don't know where they came from, but they had one girl who was the only person my sister never attempted to throw out of the house. I'd never hear one bad word about this woman who was actually pulling double shifts at the end because my sister liked her so much. For some reason, this woman understood my sister and brain cancer. Brain cancer is hard to deal with because people could be pretty mean and abusive and they don't know what they're doing really. My sister was also going blind at the same time. It was not easy. I just wanted to say what wonderful care we received from Always Best Care. It was amazing. They were just coming and being there. My sister was crazy, and she didn't want anybody overnight, until she finally let me have someone come in overnight. On that night, she died. She got to die in her home, which is what I'm trying to do because that too was the most important thing of all. Always Best Care was able to staff at short notice and send really good people. I was impressed, and I would highly recommend them. They would help my sister get to the bathroom. She weighed 70 pounds when she died, but she was still able to walk. She had cancers on both her femurs, and her blood pressure was 80/47. They just helped with everything, like fixing her small meals, fixing coffee, and talking to her if she wanted to talk or not talking to her if she didn't want to talk. They were just very great with their help. My sister had brain cancer and she was belligerent. Always Best Care would find people within their staff. Also, it didn't take them long, I didn't have to wait. We had letters from others saying they don't have staff right now. With Always Best Care, I did it over the phone with a woman who was a Godsend. I think the caregiver was sent almost the first day and was there every day except on the weekend when they sent someone else. That person seemed to work out OK, too, which amazed me. For some reason, these people knew how to appease someone who is really crazy. It was the cancer; it was in my sister's head. You have to be tough-skinned and just realize that this is the disease talking to you and not a person. They were able to do that, and I feel very blessed.”
“I love working for this company.”
“I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing.”
“I love being able to work with this company, the owners are great people and support me daily! We have many calls to work on performance and continue to grow and learn!”
“Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider Services were geared according to need. We were looking at rehab and they were willing to see what was needed. Very flexible and focused needs of patient All caregivers were on time We had a great experience”
“I am a past client of this provider I used this nursing service for my cousin Pat who had cancer. I can not express the level of care and compassion that was shown for her. The nurses felt like family! Especially Alicia. You treated my cousin as if she was your family and I can't thank you enough for that. You not only took care of her but us also. I would recommend this service 100%! We only used them for 1 month as my cousin passed quickly. I d not have a single negative remark. Thank you Chuck! Your nurses are amazing. Donna O.”
“Chuck and his personnel are truly the best. They helped us with mom and always focused on the care and not a much of processes and forms. I would highly recommend them to all.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Ruth's Chris Steak House or visit Historic Columbia, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Columbia, SC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Columbia, SC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Columbia, SC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Accumulations are unlikely south of the North Carolina border, and warm soil temperatures reduce the chances of measurable snow.More VideosCOLUMBIA, S.C. — This week, a series of dry, cold fronts will sweep across South Carolina, ushering in a significantly colder air mass. This frigid air will settle over the Southeast during the first half of the work week, bringing unseasonably cold temperatures through Wednesday.Forecasts indicate low temperatures dipping into the mid-teens to lower 20s by Wednesday morning. ...
Accumulations are unlikely south of the North Carolina border, and warm soil temperatures reduce the chances of measurable snow.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — This week, a series of dry, cold fronts will sweep across South Carolina, ushering in a significantly colder air mass. This frigid air will settle over the Southeast during the first half of the work week, bringing unseasonably cold temperatures through Wednesday.
Forecasts indicate low temperatures dipping into the mid-teens to lower 20s by Wednesday morning. However, confidence in the weather pattern decreases toward the weekend, as multiple systems could potentially impact the region.
Through Tonight
An unusually deep upper trough remains over the eastern CONUS, with a reinforcing shortwave trough moving in later tonight.
Credit: WLTX
A modified Arctic air mass from the Midwest is moving southeastward, accompanied by a vigorous mid-level shortwave trough. This feature will intensify near North Carolina later tonight, potentially generating a weak surface low in the Midlands.
Low-level warm advection and isentropic lift could increase moisture in the northern Midlands and Pee Dee, leading to light snow showers after midnight and before the sun rises Tuesday.
Accumulations are unlikely south of the North Carolina border, and warm soil temperatures reduce the chances of measurable snow. Overnight lows will drop into the middle to upper 20s.
Credit: WLTX
Tuesday Through Wednesday Night
A robust Canadian high-pressure system will drive the region’s weather, starting near St. Louis and moving overhead Tuesday night. Despite abundant sunshine, cold air advection will keep temperatures well below normal, with daytime highs only reaching the lower to mid-40s—more typical of early December lows.
Ideal radiational cooling conditions will allow Tuesday night temperatures to plunge to the coldest levels of the week, between the mid-teens and lower 20s. While the likelihood of meeting cold weather advisory criteria remains low, residents should finalize cold-weather preparations. By Wednesday, daytime highs will warm slightly to the upper 40s to lower 50s, with overnight lows in the middle 30s.
Credit: WLTX
Thursday Through Sunday
Thursday will see a brief warm-up with breezy conditions ahead of another dry frontal boundary. This front will deliver a fresh wave of cold, dry air on Friday, resulting in below-normal temperatures and another round of chilly nights.
By Saturday, high pressure shifts offshore, allowing moisture to increase and raising the possibility of showers late Saturday into Saturday night. While some models suggest cold air could return by daybreak Sunday, current forecasts lean toward rain rather than wintry precipitation.
Credit: WLTX
Confidence in weekend weather remains low due to discrepancies between the GFS and ECMWF models, with the latter favoring a drier scenario. A second system may bring additional rain later in the weekend, but uncertainty persists.
James Solomon Jr., a local civil rights icon and one of three Black students to desegregate the University of South Carolina, died Friday. He was 94.Solomon, along with Henrie Monteith Treadwell and Robert Anderson, descended the steps of USC’s Osborne Administration Building in 1963 and walked toward Hamilton College to register fo...
James Solomon Jr., a local civil rights icon and one of three Black students to desegregate the University of South Carolina, died Friday. He was 94.
Solomon, along with Henrie Monteith Treadwell and Robert Anderson, descended the steps of USC’s Osborne Administration Building in 1963 and walked toward Hamilton College to register for classes. With their admission, the three desegregated the university as its first students of color in more than a century.
Born in McDonough, Georgia, Solomon graduated high school at 16 and attended college for a year before leaving to serve in the Air Force in Japan during the Korean War. When he left the service, he met his wife, Helen, in Sumter and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree from Morris College and a master’s degree from Atlanta University.
While he was a professor at his alma mater, Solomon began considering applying to USC. After Anderson and Monteith were admitted, he applied to and enrolled in USC’s graduate program in mathematics.
The USC College of Arts and Sciences and the mathematics department honored Solomon with a plaque in LeConte College in 2019. And more than 60 years after Solomon first stepped on campus, his role in desegregating USC was celebrated with a 12-foot bronze monument on the historic Horseshoe in April.
“The University of South Carolina family is saddened by the death of James L. Solomon Jr. His legacy of bravery and service to community is an enduring inspiration to us all,” a university spokesman said in a statement. “His role in desegregating the Columbia campus, along with Henrie Monteith Treadwell and Robert G. Anderson, is immortalized on our campus as a testament to his personal courage and an unwavering commitment to justice. We share our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and everyone who was affected by his life of selfless sacrifice.”
While many remember Solomon as a trailblazer for students at USC, his service to the community spanned much further.
He became the first Black elected official in Sumter since the Reconstruction era of the 19th century when he was elected to the Sumter District 17 school board.
After being a dean and a vice president at Morris College, Solomon was a leader for the state’s Commission on Higher Education and the Department of Social Services. Solomon was also involved with the Columbia Urban League, United Way of the Midlands and the American Public Welfare Association, among others, and was elected to Richland County Council and Richland School District 1’s school board — of which he became the first Black chairman.
Solomon’s civic dedication twice earned him the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor in South Carolina, awarded by former governors Richard Riley and Carroll Campbell.
“He will be missed but his legacy lives on,” state Sen. Tameika Isaac Devine, D-Richland, wrote on social media.
This story was originally published November 30, 2024, 3:20 PM.
The State
Alexa Jurado reports on the University of South Carolina for The State. She is from the Chicago suburbs and recently graduated from Marquette University. Alexa previously wrote for publications in Illinois and Wisconsin.
Friday night playoff scores from high school football action around Columbia and South Carolina, and next week’s Upper State and Lower State championship game schedule.——Class 5A Division I——Upper StateDutch Fork 52, River Bluff 14Spartanburg 35, JL Mann 9Lower StateSummerville 49, Ridge View 20Sumter 31, James Island 14Dec. 6 scheduleUpper State finals: Spartanburg at Dutch ForkLower State finals: Sumter at Summerv...
Friday night playoff scores from high school football action around Columbia and South Carolina, and next week’s Upper State and Lower State championship game schedule.
——Class 5A Division I——
Upper State
Dutch Fork 52, River Bluff 14
Spartanburg 35, JL Mann 9
Lower State
Summerville 49, Ridge View 20
Sumter 31, James Island 14
Dec. 6 schedule
Upper State finals: Spartanburg at Dutch Fork
Lower State finals: Sumter at Summerville
——Class 5A Division II——
Upper State
Northwestern 35, Greenwood 6
Gaffney 21, TL Hanna 7
Lower State
Irmo 56, West Florence 7
White Knoll 23, Berkeley 3
Dec. 6 schedule
Upper State finals: Gaffney at Northwestern
Lower State finals: White Knoll at Irmo
——Class 4A——
Upper State
Westside 49, Camden 7
South Pointe 49, Daniel 35
Lower State
South Florence 49, Hartsville 21
North Augusta 63, Gilbert 16
Dec. 6 schedule
Upper State finals: South Pointe at Westside
Lower State finals: South Florence at North Augusta
——Class 3A——
Upper State
Mountain View Prep 30, Crescent 14
Belton-Honea Path 35, Powdersville 14
Lower State
Loris 30, Keenan 14
Oceanside Collegiate 28, Dillon 21
Dec. 6 schedule
Upper State finals: Belton-Honea Path at Mountain View Prep
Lower State finals: Oceanside Collegiate at Loris
——Class 2A——
Upper State
Clinton 31, Batesburg-Leesville 14
Fairfield Central 48, Central 28
Lower State
Barnwell 28, Cheraw 27
Manning 34, Philip Simmons 21
Dec. 6 schedule
Upper State finals: Fairfield Central at Clinton
Lower State finals: Barnwell at Manning
——Class A——
Upper State
Abbeville 48, Lamar 38
Lewisville 31, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler 6
Lower State
Cross 12, Hannah-Pamplico 7
Lake View 42, Bamberg-Ehrhardt 32
Dec. 6 schedule
Upper State finals: Lewisville at Abbeville
Lower State finals: Cross at Lake View
This story was originally published November 29, 2024, 6:47 PM.
The 2024 Palmetto Bowl is here.Clemson and South Carolina’s nationally ranked football teams meet on Saturday afternoon in Memorial Stadium for one of the biggest games in rivalry history — and one that will command an even greater national audience because of its ...
The 2024 Palmetto Bowl is here.
Clemson and South Carolina’s nationally ranked football teams meet on Saturday afternoon in Memorial Stadium for one of the biggest games in rivalry history — and one that will command an even greater national audience because of its College Football Playoff implications.
Here’s your gameday guide.
Clemson is a 2.5-point favorite against South Carolina, according to the VegasInsider.com consensus betting line. The over/under is 49 points.
It’s the closest point spread in a Clemson-USC game since the 2014 game in Clemson (Clemson by 4.5). This is also the Gamecocks’ best road spread against Clemson in 14 years, dating back to when USC was a 1-point favorite at Clemson in 2010.
South Carolina hasn’t been favored against Clemson since 2013. Still, it’s a dramatic shift from the two- and three-touchdown Clemson spreads that dominated the series during the Tigers’ seven-game winning streak from 2015 to 2021.
Early in the week, 55% of bets against the spread had been placed on Clemson to cover, with 45% placed on South Carolina to cover.
As of early Saturday, that’s shifted to 65% of bets placed on USC (meaning two thirds of the general public thinks the Gamecocks will will or stay within two points).
If you’re coming to the game, bundle up: Saturday’s high in Clemson is 46 degrees. It’ll be 25 degrees when tailgating lots open up at 6 a.m., per forecasts, and slowly creep up to 41 degrees around the time of the noon kickoff.
One positive: It’s sunny, and there’s no rain expected.
Temperatures will peak at 46 degrees around 3:30 p.m., around the time the Clemson-USC game is finishing, and start dropping again from there.
According to USC coach Shane Beamer, WR Jared Brown is “fine” and will play against Clemson, WR Vandrevius Jacobs (hamstring) won’t play and the team remains in “we’ll see” mode with injured tight ends Josh Simon and Michael Smith.
Clemson is dealing with a few more injuries. Coach Dabo Swinney revealed Wednesday that Trent Howard, a key rotational offensive lineman who’d started the past two games because of injuries, tore his ACL during practice earlier this week and is done for the year.
Swinney also said that starting TE Jake Briningstool (hamstring) and safety R.J. Mickens will be ready to go. LT Tristan Leigh (ankle), LG Marcus Tate and LB Wade Woodaz (thigh/calf) are all “getting better” after missing two or three games apiece.
Another key injury situation to monitor is the status of Tigers starting defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart (ankle), who has missed the past three games and wasn’t listed on this week’s depth chart. Swinney has not explicitly ruled Capehart out.
As of Nov. 25
Offense
QB: Cade Klubnik (Christopher Vizzina)
RB: Phil Mafah (Jay Haynes OR Keith Adams Jr.)
Outside WR: T.J. Moore (Cole Turner)
Slot WR: Antonio Williams (Misun Kelley)
Outside WR: Bryant Wesco Jr. OR Adam Randall (Cole Turner)
TE: Jake Briningstool (Olsen Patt-Henry)
LT: Tristan Leigh (Mason Wade)
LG: Marcus Tate (Trent Howard)
C: Ryan Linthicum (Harris Sewell)
RG: Walker Parks (Trent Howard)
RT: Blake Miller (Mason Wade)
Defense
DE: Jahiem Lawson (A.J. Hoffler)
DT: Payton Page (Vic Burley)
DT: Peter Woods (Tré Williams)
DE: T.J. Parker (Cade Denhoff)
Strongside LB: Wade Woodaz (Jamal Anderson)
Middle LB: Wade Woodaz (Sammy Brown OR Dee Crayton)
Weakside LB: Barrett Carter (Sammy Brown OR Dee Crayton)
CB: Avieon Terrell (Ashton Hampton)
SS: Kylon Griffin OR Tyler Venables (Ricardo Jones)
FS: R.J. Mickens (Tyler Venables)
Nickelback: Khalil Barnes (Sherrod Covil Jr.)
CB: Jeadyn Lukus OR Ashton Hampton (Branden Strozier)
Special teams
PK: Nolan Hauser (Robert Gunn III)
P: Aidan Swanson (Jack Smith)
KO: Robert Gunn III
LS (PK): Holden Caspersen
LS (P): Philip Florenzo
H: Clay Swinney
PR: Antonio Williams
KOR: Jay Haynes (Phil Mafah)
As of Nov. 25
Offense
QB: LaNorris Sellers (Robby Ashford)
RB: Raheim “Rocket” Sanders (Juju McDowell OR Oscar Adaway III)
TE: Josh Simon (Nick Elksnis)
TE: Michael Smith (Maurice Brown II)
WR: Nyck Harbor OR Jared Brown OR Dalevon Campbell
WR: Mazeo Bennett Jr. OR Payton Mangrum OR Luke Doty
WR: Gage Larvadain OR Vandrevius Jacobs
LT: Josiah Thompson (Tree Babalade)
LG: Kamaar Bell (Markee Anderson)
C: Vershon Lee (Ryan Brubaker)
RG: Torricelli Simpkins III OR Trovon Baugh
RT: Cason Henry (Jatavius Shivers)
Defense
Edge: Kyle Kennard (Gilber Edmond)
DT: Tonka Hemingway OR T.J. Sanders (Monkell Goodwine)
DT: Alex “Boogie” Huntley (Nick Barrett OR DeAndre Jules)
Edge: Dylan Stewart (Bryan Thomas Jr. OR Jatius Geer)
Midde LB: Demetrius Knight Jr. (Fred “JayR” Johnson)
Weakside LB: Debo Williams (Bam Martin-Scott)
Nickel: Jalon Kilgore (Kelvin Hunter OR Jalewis Solomon)
CB: O’Donnell Fortune (Emory Floyd OR David Spaulding)
FS: Nick Emmanwori (David Bucey OR Gerald Kilgore)
SS: DQ Smith (Peyton Williams)
CB: Judge Collier (Vicari Swain)
Special teams
PK: Alex Herrera (Mason Love)
P: Kai Kroeger (Mason Love)
KOS: Alex Herrera (Mason Love)
LS: Hunter Rogers (Cole Rasmussen)
H: Kai Kroeger (Mason Love)
KOR: Juju McDowell (Nyck Harbor)
PR: Juju McDowell (Gage Larvadain)
This story was originally published November 29, 2024, 6:50 AM.
The State
Chapel Fowler has covered Clemson football, among other topics, for The State since June 2022. He’s a Denver, N.C., native, a UNC-Chapel Hill alumnus and a pickup basketball enthusiast with previous stops at the Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer and Chatham (N.C.) News + Record. His work has been honored by the Associated Press Sports Editors, South Carolina Press Association and North Carolina Press Association.
Keep trusting the process.That was the message South Carolina women’s coach Dawn Staley had to her team, including star guard MiLaysia Fulwiley, after the Gamecocks had their 43-game winning streak snapped Sunday against then-No. 5 UCLA, 77-62.It was South Carolina’s first loss since losing in the 2023 Final Four against Iowa and knocked USC out of the No. 1 spot in the rankings.During that game, Fulwiley played three minutes, attempted just two shots and didn’t score in a game for just the third time i...
Keep trusting the process.
That was the message South Carolina women’s coach Dawn Staley had to her team, including star guard MiLaysia Fulwiley, after the Gamecocks had their 43-game winning streak snapped Sunday against then-No. 5 UCLA, 77-62.
It was South Carolina’s first loss since losing in the 2023 Final Four against Iowa and knocked USC out of the No. 1 spot in the rankings.
During that game, Fulwiley played three minutes, attempted just two shots and didn’t score in a game for just the third time in her two seasons at USC. The sophomore came into the game averaging about 19.5 minutes before the UCLA game.
Fulwiley subbed in at the 5:14 mark of the first quarter against UCLA and then out at the 2:32 mark of the first quarter. She didn’t play again.
During and after the game, there were //social media// posts from people that suggested Fulwiley — one of the more well-known names in women’s basketball with NIL deals for Curry Brand, RedBull and and Ritz Crackers — should think about transferring.
Staley squashed at those notions and reiterated things are fine with her the Columbia native.
“It’s her process,” Staley said Wednesday to reporters after practice. “Everybody has a process. And everybody wants to say transfer but we trust over here. That’s with everybody. MiLaysia and I are good. Other people ask about issues and what is going on here, but our house is tight.”
Staley said Fulwiley came to practice Tuesday “ready to rock and roll” and had a couple of good days of practice as the Gamecocks hit the road for the Elevance Health Fort Myers Tipoff tournament in Fort Myers, Florida.
No. 5 USC plays No. 15 Iowa State on Thanksgiving Day.
Fulwiley is averaging 10.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists this season coming off the bench for the Gamecocks.
Staley reiterated Wednesday that Fulwiley a “generational talent” but that doesn’t mean she isn’t susceptible to go through ups and downs during her career. It happened during her freshman season last year when Fulwiley was benched after the first quarter against North Carolina. In that game, she played just three minutes and Staley cited after that game it was because of her defense.
After that moment last year, Fulwiley got the message and went on to show flashes of what made her such a highly-regarded commodity coming out of Keenan High.
Fulwiley averaged 18.4 minutes per game as a freshman on last year’s national championship team. Her 11.7 points per game were second on the team and earned her a spot on the SEC’s All-Freshman Team. She was the MVP of the Southeastern Conference Tournament, the first freshman to win the honor since Candace Parker.
“What’s important to me is the trust,” Staley said Wednesday of Fulwiley. “She trusts me, I trust her and it is family trust. I don’t have a soundbite to give you other than we are all good. It is our process that we are going to continue to trust.
“It is not about UCLA, that she didn’t play the rest of the game. It is about that her picture is up here,” Staley said, pointing to posters of other South Carolina women’s basketball greats hanging around her in the practice gym, “and that she is in the league (WNBA) for as long as she wants to be.”
“And that is her process. Sometimes that process forces you to be uncomfortable at times. But then you address things and move forward.”
This story was originally published November 27, 2024, 1:28 PM.
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