Sports Passion The Magazine Volume 1, Issue 3 (February 2014) | Page 28

SOUTH CAROLINA GAMECOCKS WOMEN’S BASKETBALL - STALEY’S LADIES ARE SHINING There in not much you can say negative about the South Carolina Women’s Basketball team this year. Head coach and Hall of Famer, Dawn Staley has her ball club making a statement in the SEC. Staley in her sixth season as head coach for the Gamecocks has developed a system that is committed to winning. With a record thus far of 22-2, the ladies are gaining even more momentum for March. Staley and the Lady Gamecocks are looking to return to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the second time in a decade and with aspirations of making even more noise. With the way they are playing, one can argue that they are bound to improve. The currently ranked No.5 Gamecock’s sophomore, Tiffany Mitchell will have her say in how well the Gamecocks will finish this season. Mitchell has been on a roll and is continuing to improve as the season progresses. Mitchell is shooting 52.5 percent from the field this season and averaging 15.1 points per game and 55% from 3-point range. The Gamecock’s guard is being the leader that her team needs. Her hard work and dedication performed during the offseason is showing and the awards have started to come her way. Most recently, Mitchell was recently added to the Watch List for the 2014 State Farm Wade Trophy. The Gamecocks off to their best start in decades and its due to the play of Mitchell. National honors she has received this season are Naismith Trophy: Women’s Midseason 30, Dawn Staley Award Watch List, State Farm Wade Trophy Watch List. In addition to Tiffany Mitchell, freshman center Alaina Coates has received recognition and has been named the SEC Freshman of the Week twice this season. On a softer side former professional basketball player and Gamecock’s assistant coach, Nikki McCray recently announced her fight with breast cancer. The news of Coach McCray’s fight has brought in a lot of support not only from the Carolinas but around the world. Everyone is pulling for McCray as well as are excited to see how the women of the University of South Carolina finish this season. Page | 28