COOKE HENDERSON BOSTON CARDOSO BEAL
On December 21 we play the South Carolina Gamecocks. Our preseason schedule is obviously designed to build our preparedness incrementally for this major collision. In a previous blog I made reference to the emotional hangover still lingering in Columbia, South Carolina after our last second one point win in last season's Final Four showdown in San Antonio. You can imagine what their home field advantage will be like - 15,000 fans screaming at the top of their lungs for two hours in Colonial Life Arena - hanging on every up and down of the action.
For the 2021/2022 season the Gamecocks are ranked #1 in the land - and we're #3. This pre-Christmas matchup in their building is being thought of by many as a preview of another Final Four blockbuster.
South Carolina returns their starting five, plus a 6'-7" sophomore transfer from Syracuse, Kamilla Cardoso. Dawn Staley feels confident that this stout talented Brazilian is the piece that was missing last year. This year she's planning to win a second national championship in April in Minneapolis.
In addition, the Gamecocks have once again added the #1 recruiting class in the nation by signing three of the top five recruits. So, more size and more depth. Sounds like a great recipe for NCAA Tournament success. Especially since we lost our floor leader, Kiana Williams, who Tara referred to as our "Key."
Doesn't sound good, does it?
Well, I'm sorry Dawn, because we're going to beat you in Columbia and in Minneapolis. I may be mistaken, but I foresee Kiana getting replaced by Haley Jones and Lexie Hull at point guard. I foresee Ashton Prechtel holding down Aliyah Boston to 10 or 12 and Cameron Brink thoroughly frustrating Kamilla Cardoso without fouling. Zia Cooke is going to get stifled by a stiff dose of Lexie Hull with help from everyone around the screens. Brea Beal will again be snuffed by Haley Jones, and Destanni Henderson by Anna Wilson.
We'll get off to a strong start this time and hit our usual fifteen threes. The score will probably be close for two quarters, then in the second half we'll pull away as the fact of our greater team cohesiveness, preparation, intelligence, strength, and chemistry takes over.
GO STANFORD!! ISN'T THIS SEASON GOING TO BE FUN!!
What a great scenario and it's possible depending on our guard play. In our NCAA semi-final with them last season, S. Carolina's perimeter defense disrupted our usually lethal guard play. If Haley plays at point guard, we lose her rebounding, so I'd prefer that Tara plays her @ wing where she can still get the ball and operate. Hoping that Jenna (if she's healthy) can fill the point guard position. As we have seen, she is super strong and absorbs contact driving to the basket. She gives us an offensive option we really didn't have last season. Tara will figure it out.
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