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Staley and South Carolina are chasing perfection, one win away from becoming the 10th undefeated team

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South Carolina could possibly be the first undefeated team since UConn in 2016

CLEVELAND (AP) South Carolina is one win away from completing the 10th perfect season in NCAA Division I women’s basketball history.

UConn last did this in 2016, and this yr’s Gamecocks team could also be the most surprising of the bunch. Coach Dawn Staley lost all five starters from last season’s team, which entered the Final Four undefeated before losing to Caitlin Clark and Iowa. Sunday afternoon’s opponent: Clark and her Iowa State teammates, standing between a title and a 38-0 record for the Gamecocks.

“Even though you look back on the undefeated season, I don’t feel like that because we played bad basketball and it made us feel like we lost,” Staley said. “It’s really hard to imagine that we’re undefeated because I do not feel it. As a training staff, we now have to pinch ourselves to even know that is true, because deep down we see our shortcomings day by day.

South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley watches from the bench in the second half of the Final Four college basketball game against North Carolina State in the NCAA women’s tournament, Friday, April 5, 2024, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

South Carolina had several scares throughout the season that might have ended an ideal season. The Gamecocks trailed at halftime during the regular season to Duke, LSU and Tennessee before winning. The biggest threat got here in the SEC Tournament semifinals, after they needed a last-second three-pointer from Kamilla Cardoso to beat Tennessee and maintain their perfect streak.

Nine historic teams South Carolina is trying to hitch:

1985–86 Texas

The Longhorns were the first to stay undefeated, ending with a 34-0 record. They averaged 83.9 points per game, and that was before the three-point line existed. Texas cruised through the tournament, winning its first two games by 41 and 26 points. The Longhorns had a scare in the regional final before moving on to the Final Four with a 35-point victory over Western Kentucky and a 16-point victory over USC to win the championship.

1994-95 UConn

It was the first of 11 husky championships. Geno Auriemma’s squad was led by AP Player of the Year Rebecca Lobo. She averaged 17.1 points, shooting 50% from the field. UConn won its tournament games by a mean of 25.3 points, and its closest game was against Virginia, which resulted in a four-loss loss.

The Huskies defeated Pat Summitt and Tennessee in the championship game.

1997-98 Tennessee

After losing to UConn in 1995, Tennessee won three straight titles. The most up-to-date was a 39-0 season during which Summitt’s team was led by the “Three Meeks” – Semeka Randall, Chamique Holdsclaw and Tamika Catchings. Holdsclaw won the first of her two straight AP Player of the Year awards. The Lady Vols ended their historic streak with a 93-75 victory over Louisiana Tech in the title game.

2001-02 UConn

It was the start of a run of three straight national championships for the Huskies. The team included five future pros: Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi, Swin Cash, Tamika Williams and Asjha Jones. Each quintet averaged over 10 points per game. They made it through the NCAA tournament with the only game that was 18 points short: a title win over Oklahoma.

2008-10 UConn

UConn had two straight undefeated seasons, a part of a 90-game winning streak that broke the UCLA men’s record for consecutive wins. The Huskies were led by a trio of stars: Maya Moore, Renee Montgomery and Tina Charles, who combined for a mean of over 50 points per game in 2009. The team’s closest match in the 2009 tournament was an eight-point second-round victory over Florida. In the title game, the Huskies defeated Louisville by 22 points. The perfect 2010 streak almost resulted in the title game when the Huskies trailed Stanford 20-12 at halftime before cruising to a 53-47 victory.

2011–12 Baylor

Brittney Griner led Baylor to its first undefeated season, and the school became the first to win 40 games. Griner had 160 blocks on the season and the Bears had nine Top 25 wins during the regular season. Griner and Odyssey Sims were the stars of the team that helped the Bears win the school’s second national championship. Griner recorded 4 double-doubles in the tournament, culminating in an 80-61 victory over Notre Dame in the title game.

2013-14 UConn

The Huskies had one other generation of stars who helped the team win 4 straight titles. This was the second game of the quartet, and UConn had a balanced attack led by Breanna Stewart, Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis and Stefanie Dolson.

This was their first season in the American Athletic Conference after the dissolution of the Big East. The latest conference presented little challenge for the huskies. UConn advanced through the NCAA before facing an undefeated Notre Dame team in the title game. The two former Big East rivals had never faced one another in a title game before, and UConn prevailed 79-58.

2015-16 UConn

It was the end of an era for UConn as Stewart capped off her historic profession by leading the Huskies to their fourth straight title and eleventh place overall. She won Final Four MVP honors for the fourth consecutive yr. She averaged 19.4 points and 8.4 rebounds, shooting almost 58% from the field. UConn has only had one game decided by lower than 10 points this season, and it beat Syracuse by 31 points in the title game.

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An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit

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Lauren Sánchez has apparently gained a popularity for her fashion hits and misses as social media users began following her every move.

Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ current fiancée stepped into the highlight long before she met the Amazon co-founder, after years spent as co-host of “Good Day LA,” a reporter for “Extra” and host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he even starred in a number of movies like “Ted 2.”

She faced criticism for posting a sultry selfie in November in a negligee-inspired gown by designer Laura Basca. In October, the 54-year-old again faced backlash when she showed off her latex Halloween costume as Catwoman.

Now, weeks after being deemed “cheap” and tasteless, the founder of Black Ops Aviation has turn out to be a subject of discussion.

Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez shows off a “winter white” look, weeks after critics slammed her busty latex outfit. (Photos: @laurenwsanchez/Instagram, Theimagedirect.com via Page Six)

On December 5, Sánchez and the business mogul attended The New York Times’ DealBook event in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit and a white lace corset. The beaming bride-to-be sent two mirror selfies of her outfit, which she signed: “winter white.”

One follower particularly was stunned by the whole look he ejaculated that she was “very attractive and beautiful, gorgeous and stunning, charming and fantastic young lady, sexy, charming, charming and elegant” in the photos that Sánchez took.

Two other people swooned over the photos and wrote: “So chic and elegant!” and “You look great.” But as you would possibly expect from online viewers, not everyone was impressed.

When Page six published paparazzi photos from the trip, the critic commented: “It’s 30 degrees in New York and she gets out of the limo in a white Miami smock, her bra visible to everyone. No taste. Nothing. A cashmere turtleneck, flannel trousers and a wool jacket can be classy.

Someone else sharply asked: “Who can be the first to tell her that she looks tacky and not elegant and refined? Does she even know what sophistication means? A 3rd person noted: “She looks more like she’s wearing a bathrobe.”

Another person wrote in a comment from a licensed pilot: “White means…” possibly referring to rumors that Sánchez and Bezos are scheduled to exchange vows over Christmas. At least one person doubted the couple would have the opportunity to say “I do.” This person said: “This will be the longest engagement ever. They will NEVER get married and we all know why!!!!”

Sánchez told the “Today” show hosts that she was in the process of planning the big day last month. She didn’t comment on speculation about exchanging Christmas vows.

Renewed interest and scrutiny of Sánchez has increased as the pair have been spotted in various locations in recent months. The couple reportedly began dating in 2018. Their engagement was announced five years later, in May 2023. Their upcoming wedding can be a second journey for each of them.

Sánchez was previously married to celebrity agent Patric Whitesell, with whom she has two children. She can be the mother of a son, whom she shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Bezos was married to the mother of his three children, Mackenzie Scott, for 25 years once they divorced in 2019.


This article was originally published on : atlantablackstar.com
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Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape

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India Shawn is a contemporary muse with a chilled nature, crafting love stories and heartfelt tales in smooth, charming songs. With over a decade of experience in the music industry as a singer-songwriter, Shawn has incredible strength. She was born in Los Angeles, and her musical roots reach throughout the country. Beginning her profession in her hometown, Shawn eventually found herself in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the city’s deep-rooted R&B scene, further shaping her artistry.

“I transferred to ATL, I was in 10th grade, and that’s when my music journey really started,” Shawn told Andscape. “I met people who were trying to get by, so I ended up recording and learned what songwriting was really early on.”

Before releasing her debut EP in 2012, Shawn wrote songs and collaborated with artists similar to Chris Brown, El DeBarge, Keri Hilson and Monica. In 2013, she gained much more notoriety when Solange Knowles published her song “I’m Alive” on the Saint Heron compilationmarking her as an artist value watching.

Following the release of the single “There Must Be a God” from the Andscape soundtrack, she caught up with Shawn to learn more about the muse behind the vibes.


Singer India Shawn grew up singing in church with her family. “I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” she said.

India Shawn

Name:
India Shawn

Hometown:

Los Angeles

Artistic soundscape

Airy, soft, telling a story, multidimensional, soft, mysterious, atmospheric

The oldest musical memory

Shawn’s soulful sound is deeply rooted in her upbringing, with influences drawn from her childhood memories and the musical culture of her church. “I sing with my sister all the time, and I also grew up singing behind my mom in church. She was the leader of praise and worship. So I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” Shawn said. “I had these little solos in church, and I believe what made me consider in it was that after the service people got here as much as me with tears of their eyes and said, ‘You really moved me while you sang.’ “These early moments of connection with music and audiences laid the foundation for conveying depth and sensitivity through her music.

Influences

For Shawn, music, especially R&B, has all the time held a special place in her life. “Me and my sister are harmonizing in the living room, just picking some of our favorite songs, including for me Mariah Carey, Babyface, Boyz II Men and (and) Brandy,” she said of her early music memories.

Creative process

Shawn often draws inspiration from real-life experiences and relationships that influence her music. She weaves this into the authenticity and atmosphere of her songs, but she didn’t immediately recognize where her inspiration got here from. “It’s funny that it took me so long to make that connection, but I realized that I was telling my whole story and presenting my business through my music,” she said. “It took me two albums to realize, wait a minute, I’m giving people a lot to understand here… these aren’t just songs. This is truly the life I live.”

Challenges and development

As Shawn’s profession grows, so do his moments of appreciation and reflection. “I literally just thought about a very gradual progression of my career. It’s like step by step, but there are more breakthrough moments. My first tour, which was so beautiful, I just knew I could pack a room and people knew my lyrics and sang my songs to me. Those moments that make the waiting not in vain.”

Shawn has plenty of recommendation for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Her biggest sacrifice? Collaboration is essential. “I think (cooperation) is really why I’m still here. So find your people… you’ll know when it feels right, you’ll have that freedom and fluidity, and you’ll be able to really create things and create without having to think too much.” He also shares the importance of patience. “Just be patient during the journey. This has been a theme throughout my profession. Let it develop. I feel like more things come from being in that flow and being present reasonably than forcing all of it.

Current project

There should be a God”, the lead single from Andscape , now streaming on Hulu, also serves as a teaser for Shawn’s solo album. “(This song) is such a manifestation of God’s love,” she said. “I think when you find yourself in a place of waiting, you can feel very hopeless. So when you see glimpses of God’s love again, or the fact that you know there is a higher power, there is a source that is thinking about you, has you in mind, has a perfect plan for you, it’s just like the clouds parting. And this is the moment, I understand. I understand that I had to go through all this to get here. And that’s exactly what I felt in the studio that day.”

Sheila Matthews is a digital producer at Andscape and a proud HBCU graduate. She believes “Return of the Mack” must have won a Grammy, and her Twitter mentions are open to all debate.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence

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With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is anticipated to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.

Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.

From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.

In case you missed it, take a take a look at 17 of the very best celebrity beauty moments from the week below.

This article was originally published on : www.essence.com
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