South Carolina Women's Basketball: A Test of Resilience
Facing adversity can either break a team or forge it into something stronger. For the South Carolina Gamecocks women's basketball team, the 2023-2024 season has been a masterclass in adapting to challenges. The Gamecocks are learning to play with a depleted roster, and the situation is more critical than you might think.
It all started back in July when Ashlyn Watkins announced she would sit out the season, immediately shrinking the team to just 11 players. Then, just a month before the season tipped off, Chloe Kitts suffered a season-ending ACL injury, leaving the Gamecocks with a mere 10 players – a small number for a program accustomed to having a deeper bench. The team could hardly afford any further losses.
Ten games into the season, the Gamecocks have had all 10 players available at the start of only four games and finished with the full roster in just three games. This has put a lot of pressure on the remaining players, forcing them to log heavy minutes and adjust to new roles.
The attrition began in the preseason when Ayla McDowell missed a game due to illness. Maddy McDaniel suffered a knee injury in the season opener, sidelining her for several games due to injury and suspension. Then, in the second game, Agot Makeer was stepped on, leaving the team with just eight players. Although she returned to play against Clemson, she has since been out due to concussion protocol.
But here's where it gets controversial... the situation reached its peak against NC Central. Makeer was still out, and Tessa Johnson was too sick to play. Adding to the woes, Madina Okot fell ill less than four minutes before halftime and had to leave the game. Although she returned to the bench after halftime, she didn't play, leaving the Gamecocks with only seven available players.
"It sucks, dealing with that," said Ta’Niya Latson, reflecting on the situation. "It hits us as a team, but we’ve got to keep going. That’s Coach’s mentality, next man up, and we’ve just got to keep on."
Coach Dawn Staley's approach is to focus on the players who are available. During a timeout, Raven Johnson expressed missing Tessa Johnson's presence on the court. Staley's response was simple and direct: "Well, we’ve got Ayla. Pass the ball to Ayla."
Staley tries to instill this focus in her players. "I only see what’s in front of us. So we had eight today. I only see eight," she explained. "We got reduced to seven, I only see seven. We’re going to play the hand that we’re dealt to the best of our ability. We can worry about whatever, whenever. But for me, whoever’s healthy, let us know who’s healthy, and then we can take it from there."
And this is the part most people miss... South Carolina's situation, while challenging, isn't unique. Earlier in the season, Auburn held walk-on tryouts to fill out its roster. Two years ago, TCU forfeited games and held open tryouts to add players due to injuries. The Gamecocks are not at that point yet, but it's close enough that Staley has been considering various options.
During the 2022-23 season, Notre Dame had so many injuries that they encouraged freshman Cassandre Prosper to enroll early to bolster their bench. However, this isn't an option for South Carolina. "Not the ones that we signed," Staley said, as the signees are still committed to their high schools. Furthermore, both signees, Kaeli Wynn and Kelsi Andrews, are also recovering from injuries, so they are unlikely to contribute immediately.
"It’s just a different challenge, and we are at our very best when we’re challenged," Staley added. "We are at our very best. It may not look like it or feel like it, but hopefully we can get the same result, and that’s what we strive for."
After West Virginia beat Duke with just five players earlier this season, nobody feels sorry if you only have eight or nine.
What do you think? Can the Gamecocks overcome these challenges and still have a successful season? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
