Gamecocks claim 1st ‘Real SC’ title in identity-forming win
LOS ANGELES — “USC” chants filled Crypto.com Arena Saturday night. But it wasn’t for the University of Southern California, the school less than two miles away. Instead, it was a 2,403-mile cross-country drive to South Carolina.
The second-ranked Gamecocks (4-0) won the inaugural “Real SC” title, defeating the No. 8 Trojans 69-52 in the first of two matchups between the programs in subsequent years.
But what was more important to South Carolina than claiming that honor was what the performance in Los Angeles said about the team. Returning from just one starter a year ago, the Gamecocks are finding their identity. Saturday evening, they got closer.
“We have seven players that have to play a different role for us than they had at their previous school, or even with us. It’s tough,” South Carolina coach Dawn Staley said. “We’re used to having a core of players who have played together for a long time. This year, Raven [Johnson] is essentially the only person to have been part of this regime. …I thought we were putting a [good] game plan together.”
Johnson is the only starter from last season, which saw South Carolina advance to the championship game of the NCAA tournament. On Saturday, she had 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting, along with 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
Without Te-Hina Paopao, Bree Hall, Sania Feagin and MiLaysia Fulwiley, and with Ashlyn Watkins and Chloe Kitts out for the season due to injuries, Johnson steps into a new veteran role with new leadership responsibilities.
The Gamecocks are in a position where their guards, like Raven Johnson and Tessa Johnson (14 points and five assists), are their most experienced players. South Carolina has long been a program fueled by its bigs.
Against USC, transfer center Madina Okot finished with 15 rebounds. As a team, the Gamecocks overwhelmed the Trojans 56-32.
“She has a great presence,” Johnson said. “What, 6-foot-7? Who’s going to roll in the paint?”
“I’m going to give Madina a lot of credit,” Staley said. “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’s a part of us finding our identity.”
As South Carolina searched for its identity early in the season, Staley looked at smaller samples within individual games; she hopes the Gamecocks can develop them to reshape their DNA.
“As coaches, we strive to get those perfect moments and make them play [those] “This is what we want things to look like, and we will emphasize that.”
“When you’re able to put these instances together over longer periods of time, you go into the game knowing you’re going to get these things right from the start.”
That’s what the Gamecocks were able to do against USC (2-1), and now they feel like they’re on the cusp of finding out who they really will be this season and what they’re capable of.
