Going 38-0 with a whole new starting five is tough, but the South Carolina Gamecocks made it happen. They wrapped up what they called their “revenge tour,” avenging the previous season’s Final Four heartbreak in the NCAA Tournament. Their hard work and passion were evident when even the usually cool coach, Dawn Staley, couldn’t hold back her tears. 

Raven Johnson and Haley Jones shared their thoughts on that emotional moment. Haley asked the 21-year-old guard what it was like to see Coach cry and why it hit so hard, as she pointed out, Staley isn’t a big crier. Johnson was quick to respond, saying, “To this day, I never seen her cry.” 

And It’s true. Even back in 2022, the coach didn’t shed a tear. “But this year, she cried. It was so crazy,” the hooper recalled. “I feel like the 35-0… starting from scratch, from what we came from the summer to what we ended with. It was crazy.” The journey was no cakewalk. All five of their starters had made it to the WNBA draft. It was a new team. 

As #25 puts it, “It wasn’t easy. There were some highs and some lows. I mean, it was a task.” But through it all, Staley kept the team grounded and focused on maintaining that ‘winning mentality.’ “So I think that’s what really made her cry,” the Gamecocks star asserted on Atlanta Dream star’s podcast “Sometimes I Hoop.”

Johnson’s reaction to Staley’s tears? “I was like, oh my gosh, Coach Staley is crying. Her crying was like, wow.” And Haley chimed in, laughing, “You’re like, girl, get it together. This is not you.” But truly, the Gamecocks proved their mettle, winning 87-75. 

Coach Staley had broken into tears just as soon as the buzzer sounded and it started raining confetti. She admitted that as a coach you carry the burden of every one of your player. And when they finish their job, it is hard not to get emotional. “you just want that for them,” she had said, winning her third championship in 7 years.

Iowa had knocked them out the previous season and the Gamecocks were there to not let it repeat. Though Johnson had a rough day on the court offensively, scoring just 3 points, she was a powerhouse defensively, shutting down Hawkeyes star (now alumni) Caitlin Clark. Their teamwork and adaptability lead them to glory. “All I have to say is the revenge tour is over!” she declared into the mic after the win.

However, this year, South Carolina lost its starting center, Kamilla Cardoso, who was picked third overall by the Chicago Sky in the WNBA draft. As Staley pointed out, “We’ve had go-to post players for the past 10 years, and I don’t necessarily think we have that right now.” Can they defend their title?

Can Dawn Staley and co. repeat history without Kamilla?

Even though Cordoso is gone, Gamecocks is still preparing for a strong season ahead. They’ve already kicked off official practices, preparing to start their ‘repeat tour’ with a game against Michigan on November 4 in Las Vegas. 

Their HC is optimistic, saying, “When you get a taste of it, you really want to follow up.” But she also added, “How realistic it was last year? I don’t know. How realistic it is this year? Still in the same spot, I don’t know.” Well, she means that consistency is key when trying to go back-to-back.

They only lost two players from last season’s squad, and the good part is there are some promising additions. South Carolina brought in three new players, including two highly-ranked freshmen, Joyce Edwards and Maddy McDaniel, along with Maryam Dauda.

“They fit in so well. They’re great character individuals,” said the 54-year-old coach. However, their Junior Ashlyn Watkins is still under suspension due to serious charges. As the new season approaches, let’s see how they make another run at the title.