In a historic outing, the South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes 87-75 to seize the NCAA Ladies’s Championship. South Carolina dominated in each manner, from bench factors to rebounds and protection. Iowa merely couldn’t match their prolific three-pointer capturing and dimension.
One yr in the past, Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes knocked off South Carolina, ruining their good season within the Remaining 4. This time round, the Gamecocks have been topped champions, ending an ideal 38-0 to complete out the season. Led by head coach Daybreak Staley, the Gamecocks cruised into the historical past books on Sunday. For Gamecocks sophomore guard Raven Johnson, she bought the final snicker.
Defeating Iowa 87-75, the Gamecocks are simply the tenth staff in Ladies’s NCAA historical past to complete with an ideal season. As for Daybreak Staley, she’s constructed a dynasty in her tenure as head coach of South Carolina. Since taking on for Susan Walvius in 2008-2009, she’s led the Gamecocks to a few nationwide championships. What’s much more spectacular is the very fact she’s captivated three trophies during the last seven seasons. Over the past decade, she’s coached 10 WNBA first-round picks, quickly to be 11.
Heading into the most important recreation of the yr, Staley was in attendance for the UConn vs. Iowa recreation. She had the proper plan all alongside on learn how to completely make the most of each single participant on her roster. She found out a strategy to cease essentially the most prolific scorer in NCAA historical past, Caitlin Clark, which speaks volumes in itself. In a extremely anticipated matchup, Staley brilliantly mapped out her masterful scheme to assault the Hawkeyes on the boards and make the most of depth and dimension to crush them.
Though the 2022-2023 squad completed with a 36-1 report, it was a tricky job to fill these footwear within the offseason.
Daybreak Staley and the Gamecocks made historical past
Not solely did South Carolina end their first undefeated season in program historical past, however Staley is the primary black Division 1 basketball coach, males’s or ladies’s, to guide her staff to an ideal season. In doing so, Staley absolutely reconstructed her roster after shedding all 5 of her starters–Aliyah Boston, Zia Cooke, Laeticia Amihere, and Victaria Saxton to the 2023 WNBA Draft.
Johnson was the topic of a number of memes and viral highlights after she was disrespected of their final matchup. In final yr’s Remaining 4, Clark waved off Johnson, leaving her huge open on the three-point line. Whereas Johnson had the chance to shoot the trey ball, she handed up the rock. After that matchup, Johnson confessed to watching the movie over 100 occasions.
One yr faraway from the March Insanity event, Johnson discovered herself as the first lockdown defender on Caitlin Clark, Though Johnson struggled on the offensive finish, she was tasked with guarding the Iowa sensation. Clark shot simply 5-21 from the sphere when defended by Johnson. After she completed with 18 first-half factors, coach Staley known as for a change. She switched out Bree Corridor on Clark, for Johnson. A menace on the defensive entrance, Johnson completed with 4 steals and two blocks. She understood her task, which was arguably the toughest job of anybody on the staff.
Earlier than the sport, Johnson had a easy recreation plan in thoughts, “do not let her [Clark] rating.” She took the loss personally final yr and had some phrases about her defensive method:
“I used to be prepared for the second and take protection very onerous, stated Raven Johnson. “I studied her strikes[ Caitlin Clark], and I used to be ready–I had confidence this yr, and I used to be telling myself final yr wasn’t going to occur once more.”
Caitlin Clark was smothered by Raven Johnson
In the long run, Clark could not lead her staff to a Nationwide Championship, ending with 30 factors, eight rebounds, and 5 assists, on 10-28 capturing from the ground. Falling to win a championship for the second consecutive yr, let’s not take away from coach Lisa Bluder and the distinctive work she’s put into the Iowa program. Whereas Clark headlined the whole season, it was the story of her teammates, and her buddies, that made the Iowa program so nice. Sophomore Hannah Stuelke who’s a rising star, had 11 factors, three rebounds, two assists, and two blocks within the championship recreation.
With South Carolina chosen as heavy favorites coming into the championship recreation, it was Iowa that held a 27-20 first-quarter lead. After an early 10-0 run, beginning with a Kate Martin trey ball, the Hawkeyes seemed untouchable and unbeatable. It wasn’t till Te-Hina Paopao’s three-point jumper that despatched South Carolina in entrance with 27 seconds left within the second quarter. After commanding a 49-47 first-half lead, the Gamecocks by no means seemed again. Paopao, who transferred to South Carolina for this very second, completed with 14 factors, on 75 % three-point capturing. She introduced her return to Columbia for subsequent season.
Kamilla Cardoso had a profession night time on the boards
With defensive participant of the yr Kamilla Cardoso the anchor for South Carolina, it was the bench that grabbed the highlight. Having one of many deepest rosters within the nation, the bench added 37 factors for Staley and the Gamecocks. Whereas the scoring was evenly distributed all through the 10-player roster, it was the freshman who shined by way of.
Minnesota native Tessa Johnson was recruited by Staley to provide off the bench in her first season. A 6’1 guard, Johnson had a season common of 6.6 factors, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.1 assists. In 35 video games performed, she earned the beginning nod simply two occasions for Staley and the Gamecocks. Though her minutes and scoring remained inconsistent for a terrific a part of the season, Johnson has been a staple for the Staleys stay-ready group off the bench.
Nonetheless, it is clear the freshman guard was recruited for a cause, and finally earned coach Staley’s belief. Because the NCAA event progressed, so did her contributions to the staff. After a season-high half-hour performed in opposition to Presbyterian within the first spherical, the previous McDonalds All-American continued to point out why she’s such a beneficial asset to this squad. She completed with a mixed 26 factors in opposition to UNC within the Candy 16, and Oregon State, within the Elite Eight. The belief was there for Johnson to earn 25 minutes of enjoying time in opposition to Iowa, and he or she shined within the largest stage.
South Carolina’s freshmen stole the present
And what a profession night time it was for Tessa Johnson. In entrance of the whole nation, and 18.9 million viewers, the freshman put up a career-high 19 factors on 7-11 (63.6 %) from the ground, and 3-6 (50 %) from past the arc. Let’s name it the “Tessa Johnson impact.” In transition, or inside, Johnson was a bucket.
For Daybreak Staley, her rotations have been set for this matchup. Whereas Iowa’s bench did not produce a single level, the Gamecocks capitalized on that. For freshman MiLaysia Fulwiley, she proved why she’s the following generational expertise. At 5’10, she possesses the quickness, velocity, and finesse that no different athlete has confirmed within the recreation. In 18 minutes, she added 9 factors, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and one block.
Total, all of Staley’s gamers had a vital function within the Championship recreation. Operating double bigs with Cardoso and Chloe Kitts was sensible, as Iowa was a bit undersized. Ashlyn Watkins, Sania Feagin–everyone had a bit of the pie. It was the general collaborative effort that impressed me essentially the most. Whereas it is regular for coaches to shorten their rotations throughout championship moments, Staley put the nation on full show who in reality performs for her.
As for Kamilla Cardoso, she actually elevated her draft inventory on Sunday. Declaring for the 2024 WNBA Draft as a senior, middle shined, even whereas battling an harm. It was within the Remaining 4 matchup, the place she injured her knee in opposition to NC State. Though she acquired therapy, Cardoso made positive the harm did not cease her from competing within the largest second.
South Carolina Gamecocks have been too highly effective in depth and dimension
The underside line, the Iowa Hawkeyes weren’t capable of match South Carolina’s dimension, particularly with Cardoso listed as 6’7. Cardoso has been an issue the whole season for opponents and confirmed precisely why within the title recreation. Though Staley managed her minutes to perfection, Cardoso completed with 15 factors and a career-high 17 rebounds. Whereas 10 of these got here on the defensive finish, seven helped the Gamecocks management the offensive boards and second-chance alternatives. South Carolina in the end obliterated Iowa on the boards, 51-29.
Cardoso, named Most Excellent Participant, put all of it on the ground in her final collegiate recreation. Including three blocks and two assists, the Brazil native was merely getting it accomplished on each ends of the ground. When Iowa continued to drive inside, Cardoso was there to lock it up. With a number of and one alternatives, not even Iowa standout Hannah Stuelke might cease her. Outscoring Iowa 48-32 within the paint, Chloe Kitts poured in a double-double as effectively, with 11 factors, and 10 rebounds.
Sunday was the last word matchup between essentially the most excellent offensive within the nation (Iowa) vs. the highest protection (South Carolina).
After the sport, the tears have been flowing for coach Staley. In a post-game interview with Holly Rowe, Staley said “We serve an unbelievable god,” earlier than breaking down in tears. With all the onerous work she’s put into this system, it is all the time been her relationship along with her religion and God that is made all issues potential this season.
Hats off to each groups. It doesn’t matter what the result, the expansion of each groups has formed the way forward for ladies’s basketball for years to come back.
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Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Sportswriter, Content material Creator and Social Media Supervisor for Ballislife Bets. She has a deal with the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane presently resides in Connecticut/NYC space along with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma from the College of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in enterprise administration.
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