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The University of South Carolina Monday, March 13, 2006 Vol. 99, No. 71 • Since 1908 - « No Chicken Dance In one last heartbreaker, USC loses to Florida 49-47 in SEC title game Tom Benning STAFF WRITER NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Renaldo Balkman couldn’t find one last magical moment in the SEC tournament. Down two points with 11.6 seconds left, Tre’ Kelley launched a 3-pointer to attempt to win the game, but the shot fell short into Balkman’s hands. Balkman, an All-Tournament selection whose energy had'ignited the Gamecocks for most of the tournament, turned for a last second tip-in, but instead found the hand of University of Florida forward Joakim Noah. “It’s all about being at the right place at the right time,” Noah said. “Luck plays a big role in that because the ball could have gone in a different direction. It just went by so fast.” As the ball flew through the air, Balkman fell to floor in emotional despair and the Gators stormed the court, winning their second straight SEC tournament, 49 47. The loss marked the end of an improbable run for USC and denied the team an opportunity to enme • is - John Russell / The Associated Press USC’s Renaldo Balkman, left, battles with UF’s Joakim Noah, right, during the second half of Florida’s 49-47 victory in the championship game at the 2006 Southeastern Conference basketball tournament on Sunday at the Gaylord Entertainment Center in Nashville, Tenn. Student dies in car accident • during break Stephen Blayne Brown was beloved son, fraternity member, 'captivating personality ’ Hlorgan Harris THE GAMECOCK Stephen Blayne Brown Jr., a first-year sports and entertainment student, died March 3 in Florence after a car accident on Interstate 20. Brown, a native of Raleigh, N.C., was on ^piis way home for spring break accompanied by his roommate, Mike Flickinger, who was unharmed. His parents said Brown swerved to avoid a collision with a car that stopped suddenly in front of him. He lost control and the car flipped. Brown suffered numerous skull fractures and massive brain injury. He was kept on life support at McLeod Regional Medical Center in Florence. Brown was an active PPnember of the Alpha Tau Omfcga fraternity and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He was a McKissick and Capstone scholar. He participated in Greek Impact and enjoyed visiting Shandon and First Baptist Church of Columbia. “Blayne was known for standing up for what he believed in. He did not drink, and he loved to attend Greek Impact with me,” said Jonathan Miller, a third-year political science student, a member of Alpha Tau Omega and Brown’s big brother. “Blayne had such a captivating personality that he left a lasting impression on all who met him, the love of Christ was evident in his life.” Brown was a 2005 graduate of Broughton High School in Raleigh, where he was an International Bacculaureate student, Fellowship of Christian Athletes leader, participant in Youth in Government DERTH • 4 John Spink / AJC Staff Christina Freitas, from Atlanta, looks through the big window in Ocean Voyager. The Georgia Aquarium opened holds 8 million gallons of water and 100,000 animals representing 500 species with 60 exhibits. Georgia Aquarium makes big splash Careful planning could be crucialfor visits Jackie Alexander ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR They might not be Nemo or Dory, but whale sharks Ralph and Norton enjoy their own kind of celebrity at the Georgia Aquarium. One of the most popular events to hit Atlanta since the 1996 summer Olympics, more than 1 million visitors have cycled through the aquarium’s five exhibits, from tropical coral reefs to the Georgia coast. The tricky part is getting there. The aquarium, located in the heart of Atlanta, takes at least 30 minutes from neighboring suburbs. Parking is scarce and expensive. A four-hour stay in the garage costs $10, but surface parking is available by various vendors for as little as $5 for the day. Getting the $22.75 tickets for a weekend visit can be difficult unless purchased a month in advance. Each visitor is given a time to be at the aquarium and has up to an hour after that time to enter. Long lines spanning hundreds of people can cause wait times of almost 45 minutes. A weekday trip will often have lines of at least 20 people. Upon going through a RQURRIUfll • 6 In 10th season, excavation appeals to kids, collegians IDeg Gaillard THE GAMECOCK The archaeological excavation of the Johannes Kolb site in Mechanicsville near Darlington resumed for its 10th season last week. Some students who worked on the site during its first year have returned, and many have taken vacation time to be at the site. “In 17 years of archaeology I have never seen a site with so many ^ntact features and such a high- artifact density,” said Tariq Ghaffar, a former student and English professor at Camden Military Academy. “Working at the Kolb Site has helped me become a better excavator,” said Laura Litwer, a third-year history student at USC. Melissa Tucker, a fourth-year anthropology student, said she enjoys the experience. “People ask me why I would spend spring break digging holes, but I really love it out here. The site is very unique, and I’ve learned a lot. I enjoy coming out to the woods, getting experience at fieldwork and spending time with such fun people. We have a good time out here, and it’s an important educational experience for DI6 • 6 Viewpoints Tecla Markosky says college isn’t a necessary next step for high school graduates; Alexis Arnone advises against smothering your significant other. The Mix Computer care The CSC now offers sessions in its iCare program for students who pren’t savvy around the keyboard. Sports What a run The Gamecock Sports staff recounts SEC Tournament action and. USC’s k ' run to the final. Index Comics & Crossword.... 11 Classifieds.14 Horoscopes.11 Opinion.8 Police Report..2