By Kevin Lewis, Ballislife Staff Writer
Coach Dawn Staley has always embodied a philosophy by a phrase that epitomizes hercoaching style and personality: “Favor ain’t Fair.” To Staley, favor is a blessing one endureswhen they consistently perform at the highest level. Very few programs in this era of women’scollege basketball have embraces that mentality, but for the South Carolina Gamecocks, thatlevel of mentality has become the standard.
Securing yet another SEC Tournament title, along with a share the SEC regular season crown,the Gamecocks continue to cement their legacy in women’s basketball history. This time, theirdominance isn’t regulated to a singular star, but rather a committee of stars who have embracedthe vision of Staley and have nearly executed this new found way of dominance in flawlesseffort.
South Carolina’s New Formula for Success
In their commanding 64-45 victory over the Texas Longhorns in the SEC final, the Gamecocksshowcased a different style of dominance, one built of perimeter pressure and team rebounding,rather than brute paint presence. Traditionally, we’ve seen the Coach Staley teams rely surelyon size and pressure in the paint to intimidate offenses, but this season brought a newchallenge, and a new found word: adaptation.
Junior forward Ashlyn Watkins has been sidelined since January with a torn ACL, and since theinjury, the Gamecocks have adapted their style of play by trusting their additional perimeterstrength from last season. The dynamics of perimeter pressure and relentless rebounding hasgiven teams a different outlook on their dominance. This ability to evolve wile continuing to winat a high level is what separates good programs from true dynasties.
A Statement Performance
The Gamecocks wasted no time establishing control against Texas. They opened up acommanding lead in the second quarter, which was eerily similar to the first matchup inColumbia. In the affair, South Carolina impressively held SEC Player of the Year and sophomore Madison Booker to 1-15 shooting and 4-13 from the field overall in the game for ten points. In addition, Booker went 3-19 from the floor in the first matchup.
The charge was led by a set of underclassmen including sophomore, MiLaysia Fulwiley, back court mate Tessa Johnson, and freshman sensation, Joyce Edwards. Speaking of depth, it was Edwards who provided a spark off the bench that ultimately gave South Carolina the lead they would never relinquish.
Upperclassmen Chloe Kitts and Sania Feagin also chipped in on the continued dominance in the third quarter. The Feagin three ball from the top of the key would ultimately put the settlers to rest as they led 52-33 going into the final stanza. A 9-4 Longhorn run early in the fourth would be the closest they would get to South Carolina. Ultimately, it was too much for the Longhorns to withstand.
South Carolina’s ability to dominate in different ways, whether through size, speed, or strategy,underscores why they are and have been the gold standard in women’s college basketball andthe SEC for the last decade. Staley’s leadership, coupled with the team’s adaptability, ensuresthat the Gamecocks’s reign isn’t ending anytime soon.
As the tournament looms, one thing is clear: favor may not be fair, but in South Carolina, it is well-earned.
