At the University of South Carolina, there is so much to see and do. For students, the opportunities to learn and explore within and outside of the classroom are endless. Right outside the boundaries of campus exists the capital city of Columbia where there is so much fun to be had. Whether it's art, the outdoors, sports, music or food, there is something for you here. For me, food is the number one! But I do very much enjoy the sports teams we have the pleasure of cheering on here at USC. Right now, my favorite would have to be the women's basketball team.
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The Lady Gamecocks are currently ranked number 5 in the nation. The top five boasts elite programs like UConn and Baylor and our very own Gamecocks are a part of that. Top five rankings are not something that just came around this year. Ever since Coach Dawn Staley arrived, the program has been on the up and up. In Staley's first season as head coach, the women's basketball team ended with a 10-18 record overall and a 2-12 SEC record. Fast forward to this season, and the Lady Gamecocks are off to a great start with a 12-1 overall record and a 2-0 SEC record so far. In Dawn Staley's eight seasons as head coach, she has managed to obtain an 188-76 overall record.
One reason for the amazing turnaround in our women's basketball program is Coach Staley herself. The best players want to play for the best coach. And Dawn Staley has proven to be just that. She has been named SEC Coach of the year twice. In 2015, Staley was named USA Basketball's Co-National Coach of the Year. She has been called one of the best players to ever play in the WNBA. She even has a day dedicated to her in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Another reason our women's basketball program became this good is a result of recruiting. We've managed to get the best players from other states. We've also managed to get the best players in South Carolina to stay in state. When A'ja Wilson, a Parade All-American and McDonald's All-American in high school decided to stay in her home state and play for Dawn Staley, I knew the future of the program was bright. Now she is first in the number of career blocks in the SEC. But even before then, Alaina Coates, another in state superstar, came to USC. She was also a McDonald's All-American and a Parade All-American in high school. Now she's managed to become First-Team All-SEC and be first in double-doubles in an SEC career. Dawn Staley has also had prolific players such as Tiffany Mitchell and La'Keisha Sutton.
This year's team is something special, with the dynamic guard play of Kayla Davis and Bianca Cuevas-Moore and the excellent defense by A'ja Wilson and Alaina Coates. With Freshman already getting playing time, such as Mikiah Herbert Harrigan and Tyasha Harris, the future of Gamecock women's basketball may be just as promising as the present.
