COLUMBIA, S.C. — Reporting live from Colonial Life Arena where South Carolina’swomen’s basketball team just wrapped up their nonconference schedule with a commanding 96-55 victory over Providence. Head coach Dawn Staley just finished her postgame press conference, and there’s plenty to unpack as the Gamecocks prepare for SEC play.
The team will kick off conference action on New Year’s Day against Alabama, but tonight’s focus was on what we saw on the court and some injury concerns moving forward.
Injury Update on Ta’Niya Latson
When I asked Coach Staley about Ta’Niya Latson’s status, she kept it brief but optimistic.
“No. No, she’s smiling,” Staley said.
Latson remained in the arena after the game and received treatment during the second half before walking out. The coaching staff plans to evaluate her condition tomorrow, which will determine the team’s next steps.
Agot Makeer’s Return to Action
Agot Makeer made her return to the court tonight after missing time, and Staley seemed pleased with what she saw, despite some early struggles.
“I thought it was good. I thought she was a little rusty in the first half, but I think with the extended minutes, I thought she looked good. Like, she played the entire third quarter, and hopefully, she could continue to just stack days and connect days where she could help us. She’s gonna have to help us depending on what we hear tomorrow, with Ta’Niya, how long she’ll be out,” the coach explained.
Chloe Kitts’ Growing Leadership
An interesting development has been Chloe Kitts’ mentorship role while sidelined. Makeer mentioned spending significant time talking basketball with Kitts during the five games she missed.
Staley praised Kitts’ maturity and leadership approach.
“Chloe’s matured so much over the years. I think, bottom line, she wants to win, and she wants to put our team in the best possible position to win, and that is giving conversations where they’re needed. Like, and a lot of times it’s great coming when the information is coming from their peers. It’s probably something similar to what we’re saying as coaches. It’s just, you know, it’s taken a little bit differently when it’s their peers. So, I mean, however we need to do it, however, our players need to get better. Whoever’s voice they need to hear. I think it’s great, but it’s all coming from a place in which we want people to excel.”
New Addition: Alicia Tournebize
There’s excitement brewing about incoming player Alicia Tournebize from France. The 6’7″ 18-year-old prospect has Staley enthusiastic about the future.
“Just super excited, I think we got a gem of a player. She is 6’7″, she is 6’7″. Athletic. And I mean, she’s 18 years old, you know, she’s definitely glad to get in the weight room to see Molly [Binetti]. But we don’t know when she’s going to get here. I think she has appointments, documentation that she needs in order to get here, but hopefully before school starts.”
Defensive Adjustments and First-Half Struggles
The Gamecocks showed some defensive lapses in the opening half, which didn’t escape the coach’s attention. Staley acknowledged the team faced an opponent giving their best effort while South Carolina dealt with discipline issues.
“I mean, we were a little undisciplined, and then, sometimes, when we face teams like that, we get their very best. And when you get someone’s very best, you just have to ride the wave. I mean, I thought we were scoring at a good clip. Moving the ball. And I think it was really, Ta’Niya was playing extremely well. Joyce [Edwards] was probably passing a lot more than she used to, and I thought she felt the double teams coming at her, and she felt the attention. And then she didn’t press. So I thought that was good, and then from the defensive standpoint, just a little undisciplined, reaching, getting out of place, and couldn’t quite get our rotations right.”
The paint battle was particularly noteworthy — South Carolina was actually outscored 22-16 in that area during the first half. However, the second-half adjustment was dramatic, with the Gamecocks surrendering just 6 paint points after the break.
Special Reunion with Valerie Nainima
Tonight also featured a homecoming of sorts, as Valerie Nainima, now coaching at Providence, returned to face her former program. Nainima was among the early players who committed to South Carolina when the program was still building.
Staley reflected warmly on their connection:
“I mean, I see Vi on the road, and we text message. I’m glad she chose Coaching because she loves basketball. She was a heck of a player, and she came to us when it wasn’t a popular thing to do. So she saw, she believed in us before a lot of people believed in what we could do here. And we don’t want to forget those players who bet on us when we weren’t winning as many games as we’re winning now. But it’s great to see how the culture, it’s great to see her part of the knowledge that she was given and played at the highest level. I think it comes from a place where she only wants them to get better. And super glad I got a chance to coach her, super glad that she’s part of my coaching tree.”
The Gamecocks now turn their attention to SEC play, with all eyes on New Year’s Day when Alabama comes to town. Stay tuned for updates on Latson’s condition as we learn more tomorrow.
