By Kevin Lewis, Ballislife Staff Writer
Coach Dawn Staley has always embodied a philosophy by a phrase that epitomizes her
coaching style and personality: “Favor ain’t Fair.” To Staley, favor is a blessing one endures
when they consistently perform at the highest level. Very few programs in this era of women’s
college basketball have embraced that mentality, but for the South Carolina Gamecocks, that
level 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, their
dominance isn’t regulated to a singular star, but rather a committee of stars who have embraced
the vision of Staley and have nearly executed this new found way of dominance in flawless
effort.
South Carolina's New Formula for Success
In their commanding 64-45 victory over the Texas Longhorns in the SEC final, the Gamecocks
showcased 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 surely
on size and pressure in the paint to intimidate offenses, but this season brought a new
challenge, and a new found word: adaptation.
Junior forward Ashlyn Watkins has been sidelined since January with a torn ACL, and since the
injury, the Gamecocks have adapted their style of play by trusting their additional perimeter
strength from last season. The dynamics of perimeter pressure and relentless rebounding has
given teams a different outlook on their dominance. This ability to evolve wile continuing to win
at 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 a
commanding lead in the second quarter, which was eerily similar to the first matchup in
Columbia. In the affair, South Carolina impressively held SEC Player of the Year Madison Booker to 1-5 from the field in the first half, and 4-13 overall 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 and
the SEC for the last decade. Staley’s leadership, coupled with the team’s adaptability, ensures
that 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.
Dawn Staley continues to prove why she’s one of the best to ever do it. The ability to adapt without missing a beat is what separates great teams from dynasties, and South Carolina is a dynasty in every sense. Watching this team evolve from a dominant paint presence to a squad that can beat you in multiple ways is a testament to both Staley’s coaching and the players’ buy-in. ‘Favor ain’t fair,’ but this kind of success is no accident, it’s built through hard work, discipline, and a winning culture. Excited to see what they do in the tournament!