Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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tto (Samccock Mackenzie Clements/The Gamecock Children get autographs signed by celebrities at Sunday’s event. Participants included Shammond Williams of the Seattle SuperSonics, former NBA player Xavier McDaniel and former (JSC basketball player Antonio Grant. Celebrity basketball event promotes staying in school by Mackenzie Clements The Gamecock Former USC athletes teamed with NBA stars and other prominent local figures Sunday for the Fourth Annual Stay in School Celebrity Basketball game. The event, sponsored by the S.C. Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services, was designed to send a positive message to South Carolina school children. Two teams faced off against each other - the “Bookworms” and the “Bullies.” Players included former USC basketball standouts Fred Watson and Antonio Grant, local WIS-TV anchors Steve Crocker and Rick Henry, ex-Eau Claire High School standout Jermaine O’Neal of the Indiana Pacers and former UNC star Shammond Williams of the Seattle Supersonics. George Rogers, a former USC football player who won the Heisman Trophy in 1980, was a coach for the event. Though his team lost by one point, Rogers’ presence seemed to be enough for fans, who spent the majority of the day seeking his autograph and admiring his Heisman. Grant put his name behind the event, hoping it might have a positive impact. “I’m hoping some of the kids will watch me play (and know that I’m) trying to support them and let them know to stay in school and try to do something positive,” he said. Watson, who played basketball at USC more than 20 years ago, said he participated in the event because of the importance of having a good education. 1 m involved because 1 have kids myself, and I believe in education,” Watson said. “I want them to graduate; I want them to have that education.” Though Watson himself was an athlete, he said education was the best guarantee for the future. “You can be an athlete only a day sometimes (because) you can get injured,” he said. “But if you stay in school and get the education, you’ll be able to get the application.” Head USC basketball coach Dave Odom also gave support to the event. “I appreciate the opportunity “Being a part of today’s game allows us to join together with the game’s participants to reaffirm to everyone that the road to a successful life is paved with a solid education..’’ Dave Odom USC head basketball coach to host this most important I event,” he wrote in a letter published in the event program. “I can think of no better way to encourage the youth of the Midlands to stay in school and get an education. Being a part of today’s game allows us to join together with the game’s participants to reaffirm to everyone that the road to a successful life is paved with a solid education.” Other entertainment included performances by Columbia’s Finest step dance team, the King Park Double Dutch Force, Vibrations Dance Troupe, local rap artist Collard Green and local singer David Miller, a rising freshman at USC. The news desk can be reached at gamecockudesk @ hotmail.com Missing CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 not have left Columbia,” said Chief Deputy Anthony Davis of the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office. Police have confirmed that Sanders’ cell phone and credit cards haven’t been used since his disappearance. Sanders has worked as an MIS systems analyst in the department of neuropsychiatry and behavioral science in the School of Medicine for a year and a half. He is an undergraduate, pursuing a degree in Administrative Information Management, and is expected to graduate this December. Ansley Roberts, a USC administrator and Sanders’ co-worker, is still hopeful for new information about his disappearance. “He was excited about graduation,” Roberts said. “He had Vetoes CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 site, as the governor has asked them to do. Charlie FitzSimons, spokesman for the state Commission on Higher Education, said he didn’t think there would be a problem getting colleges and universities to return the money. The commission sent letters asking the institutions to do so. But Hugh Leatherman, R-Florence who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, sent his own letters, telling colleges and universities they lacked the authority to return the money. The legislature did vote to overturn a few of Hodges vetoes, but already told us what kind of cake he wanted for his going-away party. None of this makes any sense.” Dennis said his office has made contact with the Sanders family every day, but they aren’t as hopeful as when the investigation began. Sanders’ father, Judge William Sanders, is a long-serving magistrate in the Sumter area. “Every day is like a year to us,” Rembert Mayor Gary Metts told The (Sumter) Item. “Every hour that goes by make this that much harder.” Anyone with information should contact the Sheriff’s Department at (803) 436-2038 or (803) 499-3989. Crime Stoppers is also offering a regard for information at 773-1100. The news desk can be reached at gamecockudesk@hotmail.com most dealt with redistricting funds that Hodges said were unnecessary. While analysts said they didn’t expect the suspension of the sales tax cut to hurt Hodges’ re-election campaign in 2002, it’s a marked contrast to what Hodges said in his State of the State address in January. “We must also fulfill the promise of food tax relief,” Hodges said then. “The legislature has temporarily cut the sales tax on food by one penny. I propose we make this food tax relief permanent, with a $25 million food tax credit.” The Associated Press contributed to this article. Reach the news desk at gamecockudesk@hotmail.com Great Roommate Floorplan! - Spacious 1, 2 & 3 Bedroom apartments available - Only 1 mile from USC! The Rjipids APARTMENT ^ H O M E S Amenities Galore! Hurry.... They're going fast! #1 Catawba Circle • 779-5888