After securing the championship on Saturday, Dawn Staley finally let out a year’s worth of bottled-up frustration and pain, tears streaming down her face as the weight lifted off her shoulders.
South Carolina had overcome Caitlin Clark this time, a year after their perfect season had come crashing down in a semifinal loss to the sensational Clark in the Final Four. With an 87-75 victory over Iowa in the NCAA championship, the Gamecocks and their fiery coach, Staley, finished what they started.
South Carolina got past Caitlin Clark
Although South Carolina guard Raven Johnson dubbed this season “The Revenge Tour,” Staley insisted it wasn’t just about revenge. For the Gamecocks, it was about satisfaction, about proving themselves. Finishing the season undefeated at 38-0, they joined an elite group of just ten teams in history to achieve such a feat.
For Staley, the victory was particularly emotional due to last year’s disappointment. Sitting at the postgame press conference with the net around her neck and the championship trophy close by, she acknowledged the significance of the moment. But she kept her focus forward.
The season had been dominated by South Carolina, with Staley at the helm guiding a team of five new starters to greatness. The players credited Staley for their success, hailing her as the best coach in the country. Staley’s coaching prowess was undeniable, earning her a place among the game’s legendary leaders.
Her third NCAA title and second in three years cemented her status among the coaching greats. Yet, despite her achievements, Staley remained humble, preferring to see herself as a “dream merchant,” dedicated to paving the way for her players both on and off the court.
FEELING PERFECT 🤩 #NationalChampionship x @GamecockWBB pic.twitter.com/VJoYnNSgwi
— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessWBB) April 8, 2024
Outside the arena, the celebration continued as Staley received a congratulatory call from President Joe Biden. But for her players, Staley was more than just a coach; she was family. Players like Kamilla Cardoso, who left her home in Brazil at a young age to pursue basketball in the U.S., spoke of Staley with deep affection, describing her as a mother figure and a constant source of support.
Dawn Staley commitment to her players
Staley’s dedication to her players was reciprocated in kind. They saw her not just as a coach, but as someone they could turn to for anything, someone who made them feel at home even when they were miles away. And for Staley, the victory was not just for her team, but for each individual player, especially the underclassmen who had fallen short the year before.
In the end, Staley’s legacy extended far beyond the basketball court. She had not only coached her team to victory but had also inspired and uplifted them, leaving an indelible mark on each player she had mentored along the way.
“I wasn’t going to let what happened last year happen again,” she said, reflecting on some tough calls that favoured Clark’s team. “It weighed on me. You carry the weight of every player, coach, and staff member who poured their all into our team. Being undefeated, finishing the job, it’s a heavy load.”
Named the AP’s Coach of the Year, Staley relied on one of her freshmen, guard Tessa Johnson, who had a breakout game with a season-high 19 points. The Gamecocks’ defense also stepped up, holding Clark to 30 points in the final.
South Carolina’s dominance was evident in their rebounding advantage and bench scoring. They outrebounded Iowa 51-29, with their bench outscoring Iowa’s 37-0.
Staley, known for her fashion sense, donned a silver jacket for the championship game, a departure from her Louis Vuitton attire in the semifinals. She was visibly frustrated in the first half, arguing with officials over questionable fouls against her team. But as the final moments ticked away, her expression softened, the realization of another championship sinking in.
In her 16 years at South Carolina, Staley has transformed the program from an underdog in the SEC to a powerhouse. And she’s done it her way, regardless of critics.
“We’ll continue to do things the right way, whether we’re popular or not,” she declared. “That’s our way.”
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