Gamecock Weekend News Thread

Just in case you missed some worthy news articles or other interesting reads over the last few days here is a re-cap - -

• Gamecock athletes excel in the classroom
• USC's Richardson simply put is fast
• EX-Gamecock Summers stampedes into CFL
• Linebacker Brent Singleton (6-1 204) of Plantation, Fla., committed to USC Thursday, becoming the fifth pledge for the Gamecocks' 2009 class

Our pal at Garnet and Black Attack has put toghether 2 blog 'must reads' -

• gamecocks 2008: The Season Ahead
• Expectations: How Great?

P.S - 61 days until Gamecock Football Kicks Off!

Witnesses aid charged Clemson player

Three witnesses have come forward in the aid of Clemson defensive back DeAndre McDaniel who was charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. But the catch in this story - here - is these witnesses have yet to go to the Central PD who are charging the player to share their story.

You may remember what McDaniel is being charged with -

According to a Central police incident report, McDaniel’s girlfriend told officers that she and McDaniel engaged in a heated argument in which she pushed his head while lying in bed. She said McDaniel then placed a comforter over her head and began choking her while jerking her head up and down. She said McDaniel then struck her with a closed fist to her face and head area.The victim said McDaniel continued cursing at her, threatening to break her neck. Eventually, she said he shoved her down a flight of stairs and punched her in the chest as she fled from the apartment toward her car.

Something is fishy with this whole situation as the article states -

In documents obtained by the Daily Journal/Daily Messenger from a source close to the investigation, the witness, McDaniel’s neighbor said, “I was woken up by someone beeping the horn outside, Saturday morning, June 21, 2008, around 7 a.m. “I got up to see who it was and saw (the victim) walking to her car (Camry), which was parked outside my window. I saw her laughing as she stated, ‘I’m just going to leave; I know the law, my mom or relative has been working with that stuff for about 20-30 yrs, so I know I’m not going to be the one going to jail.’ I saw her continue to giggle as she got in her car and then she drove away.”
This statement directly disputes the victim’s statement in the Central police incident report.

Should prove interesting how this plays out with McDaniel and his legal team as they decide how to handle this.....where is Matlock?

Mays goes undrafted

We here at LOHD almost forgot to report about Clemson's thug...sorry I meant basketball player James Mays. You know the same guy that a year ago thought about leaving Klempson early....

In the Upstate of SC, there was a slight buzz brewing that Mays could become first Clemson baller drafted in seven years but don't worry the NBA knew better. We all, or at least Carolina fans, know that Mays sucks....get him outside 10 feet and he is horrible. Heck put him on the FT line and he makes Shaq look like the best FT shooter every.

Anyway...he was not drafted but could sign a FA contract in the coming weeks.

bUSCher on fire lately...

Has anyone noticed the tear that Brian Buscher has been on recently? Brain played at Carolina and helped lead the team to a CWS visit. He was selected in round 3 of the 2003 draft by the Giants.

The Minnesota Twins, his current team, recalled Brian from Triple-A Rochester where he was batting .328 (58 for 177) with 12 doubles, seven home runs and 27 RBI in 51 games for the Red Wings. In his first stint with the Twins this season April 20-May 1, Buscher appeared in three games and batted .250 (2 for 8) with one double and one RBI.

Currently playing 3rd base for the Twins {since June 14th}, he is batting .351 with 12 RBIs and 6 runs batting out of the 8th spot. He has been a much needed spark for the Twins and he hope he continues to find success.

Clemson football player arrested, accused of assault

A Clemson University football player has been arrested and faces an assault charge after a woman reported she was assaulted at his off-campus apartment, according to police information.

DeAndre Maurice McDaniel, 20, is charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature, according to a warrant. One of the top high school prospects in the nation out of Godby High in Tallahassee, Fla., McDaniel played extensively as a backup last season appearing in all 13 games and being name to the Atlantic Coast Conference all-freshman team.

According to a report filed at the Central Police Department, a 19-year-old woman, whose name was not released, said she was choked and hit in the face with a fist, threatened and punched in the chest.The victim was treated for injuries at Oconee Memorial Hospital, according to the report. According to the warrant, the victim suffered serious injuries including chest and facial contusions and neck sprain.
The victim was treated for injuries at Oconee Memorial Hospital, according to the report. According to the warrant, the victim suffered serious injuries including chest and facial contusions and neck sprain.

HT to JR, our fearless reader....More on this story and the spin - HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE.

Oh and still no mention of "Ray Ray" Gate, which the latest on this is he is leaving for Howard....come on mainstream media...

Now the question is - What will Tommy Bowden do??? Will the media dig and analyze like they would if this was a USC issue? Or will the media issue a "pass" on this as they normally do when Clemson does wrong or sucks???? Only time will tell......