DAWN STALEY: “She is profitable the hearts, souls and minds of the following technology of highly effective, distinctive leaders.” With a lot of the crew – minus Kamilla Cardoso – returning, there’s each motive to assume extra titles are on the horizon. PHOTO COURTESY OF WFXG
Cleveland (AP) – Daybreak Staley and South Carolina have cemented their place as the following dynasty in ladies’s basketball.
With two NCAA titles prior to now three seasons and 109 wins within the final 112 video games, it’s arduous to argue with that. It doesn’t seem like it’s going to finish any time quickly with a lot of the gamers again from this yr’s title crew.
First it was Immaculata then Louisiana Tech and USC. Subsequent was Pat Summitt with Tennessee earlier than Geno Auriemma and UConn took over.
Now it’s Staley’s flip. She joined an unique group on Sunday because the Gamecocks grew to become the tenth crew to go undefeated in a season. Staley additionally grew to become the fifth coach to win at the least three NCAA titles.
After Sunday’s 87-75 win over Caitlin Clark and Iowa, the Gamecocks have gained three titles within the final eight years. In her 16 years on the faculty, Staley has constructed South Carolina, which was as soon as an also-ran within the tradition-rich Southeastern Convention, into the measuring stick for the ladies’s sport.
“Daybreak Staley is aware of that it takes greater than Xs and Os to win video games,” basketball analyst Christy Winters-Scott stated. “She is profitable the hearts, souls and minds of the following technology of highly effective, distinctive leaders. The extent of religion and perception is what’s going to proceed to hold this program ahead for years to return.” A’ja Wilson obtained the title run began in 2017 after which it was Aliyah Boston’s flip as she led the crew to the 2022 championship.
Staley may have had a number of extra. She missed out in 2020 as a result of coronavirus pandemic when her crew was among the finest within the nation. The Gamecocks additionally fell simply quick a pair instances within the Ultimate 4.
With a lot of the crew – minus Kamilla Cardoso – returning, there’s each motive to assume extra titles are on the horizon. Raven Johnson made big strides this yr as nicely. Freshmen Tessa Johnson and MiLaysia Fulwiley additionally stepped up massive within the NCAA Event.
“This crew, we’re going to be good. Coach Staley, now we have the perfect coach, what, within the nation, within the nation, in the entire vast world?” Raven Johnson stated. “It’s no telling what she’s going so as to add to the items that’s already right here. I simply say be looking out.”
Staley’s happy with how she stated her crew has achieved issues the “proper method.”
“We find the best items to assist us. We actually do issues the best method. We’re very disciplined in how we strategy basketball,” Staley stated. “I’m one which, I’m eternally indebted to basketball, so I’m all the time going to handle it. I’m all the time going to ensure that our gamers are respectful. I’m all the time going to ensure that they know the historical past of our sport. I wish to make certain they’re all the time respectful to our opponents.”
Whereas Iowa goes to take an enormous hit with the lack of Clark, different groups may threaten the Gamecocks like UConn, USC, Texas, Notre Dame and some others.
There’s additionally the lively switch portal, so groups can change their rosters in a short time.
