South Carolina Claims Frist “Real SC” Win, Begins Defining Identity After Offseason Overhaul
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Gamecocks declared their first glimpse of their true selves Saturday, defeating USC 76-55 and claiming what coach Dawn Staley termed a “Real SC” victory – a game reflecting the team’s evolving identity amidst meaningful roster changes and early-season challenges. The win comes as the Gamecocks navigate a season of rebuilding after reaching the NCAA tournament championship game last year.
This victory marks a crucial step in defining a new era for South Carolina, a program historically dominant through its post play, now relying on a blend of experienced guards and emerging interior presence. the Gamecocks are working to establish a consistent performance level after losing key contributors Te-Hina Paopao, Bree hall, Sania Feagin, and milaysia Fulwiley, alongside season-ending injuries to Ashlyn Watkins and Chloe Kitts.
Raven Johnson, the lone returning starter from the championship runner-up team, led the Gamecocks with 14 points and 11 rebounds, adding four assists and two blocks against the Trojans. Tessa Johnson contributed 14 points and five assists, showcasing the growing leadership role of South Carolina’s guard play.
A dominant rebounding performance fueled the victory, with South Carolina outrebounding USC 56-32. Transfer center Madina Okot played a key role, securing 15 rebounds and establishing a significant presence in the paint.
“She’s a big presence,” Johnson said. “What, 6-foot-7? Who’s going to drive in the paint?”
Coach Staley highlighted Okot’s impact, stating, “I’m going to give a lot of credit to Madina. She was where she needed to be and just from a confidence standpoint, knowing that we need her and knowing that she can execute a game plan — she is part of us finding our identity.”
Staley emphasized the team’s focus on building upon positive moments within games to create a more consistent and recognizable style of play. “As coaches, we are striving for those perfect moments and have them play [those] for longer stretches of the game… know that these are some of the things we want to work toward,” she explained after Friday’s practice. “This is what we want things to look like, and we’ll point that out.”
The Gamecocks (2-1) believe the win over USC represents a significant stride toward solidifying their identity and realizing their potential this season.
