TheState.com: GoGamecocks: Womenand#39;s Basketball

Nainima undergoes successful knee surgery

Fri, 06 Aug 2010 18:32 EDT

South Carolina has lost the leading scorer on the women's basketball team indefinitely following surgery for a knee injury suffered in a pickup game.

Coach Dawn Staley says she doesn't know when Nainima could return. Surgery was performed on Friday.

Nainima averaged 17 points a game last year, fifth in the Southeastern Conference.

The Gamecocks already enter the season without highly touted Kelsey Bone, the SEC's freshman of the year who transferred to Texas A&M.

Nainima led South Carolina in scoring 15 times last year and had 10 20-point games. She was a second-team all-SEC selection by league coaches. Staley said to lose such a key player was disappointing, but that the Gamecocks had other capable players who must step up as South Carolina tries to improve.

Staley: Basketball made dreams come true

Tue, 11 May 2010 23:06 EDT

GREENVILLE - University of South Carolina women's basketball coach Dawn Staley told a large audience at the Redemption World Outreach Center on Tuesday night that basketball helped shape her life.

The featured speaker at the Potential Youth Foundation/Sid Wilson Foundation Coaches 4 Character "Young Ladies Night" spoke of her humble beginnings, growing up in the projects of North Philadelphia.

"To ask why the game has been so good to me almost seems ungrateful, so I don't ask out loud," said Staley, a three-time Olympic Gold Medal winner. "But I wonder about it all the time. When I think about it, I am an unlikely candidate.

"I don't have the build of a LeBron James or the grace of a Candace Parker. I don't have the flash of a Kobe Bryant or the charisma of a Mya Moore, and I have had more injuries than I can count. But basketball has made all my dreams come true."

The message seemed tailor-made for Hughes Academy for Science and Technology sixth-grader Kianya Philson, the winner of the Greenville News Coaches 4 Character Award.

Lisa Boyer promoted to associate head coach

Wed, 05 May 2010 20:19 EDT

University of South Carolina head women's basketball coach Dawn Staley announced today Lisa Boyer has been promoted to associate head coach. Boyer just completed her second season on the Gamecock sideline and has worked on Staley's staff since 2002.

"The title is long overdue as I've always considered Lisa a co-head coach," Staley said. "Her knowledge, experience and expertise are second to none in the game. I just appreciate her sacrifice as a friend and a professional in helping me in every stage of my career."

"In the 14 years I've known Dawn, I've coached her, we've become friends, and now she is my boss," Boyer said. "It has been an honor to play those various roles in her life and career. Dawn has a very clear vision of how she wants her teams to play, and I do whatever I can to help those teams reach their goals. I am humbled to work side by side with her every day and to walk this journey with her."

Boyer has served as both a head coach and an assistant coach in the college and professional ranks during her 28-year coaching career. As South Carolina's recruiting coordinator, she has been a key figure in some of the nation's top players joining the Gamecock roster.

Prior to her reunion with Staley on the Temple bench in 2002, Boyer spent five seasons as an assistant coach for the WNBA's Cleveland Rockers. In her final year with the organization, she became the first female to serve on an NBA coaching staff as John Lucas brought her onto his Cleveland Cavaliers bench in 2001-02. Boyer opened her coaching career in the professional ranks in the American Basketball League (ABL) as the head coach of the Richmond (later Philadelphia) Rage, where she coached Staley for one season.

Staley, USC add to recruiting class

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:15 EDT

Dawn Staley and the USC women's basketball team have signed a third member of the 2010-11 Gamecocks recruiting class.

The team announced Monday that Markeshia Grant (Tallahassee, Fla./Central Florida Community College) joins early signee Brittany Webb and spring signee Kayla Brewer in this year's class.

Grant will have two years of eligibility beginning with the 2010-11 academic year.

According to CFPatriots.com, Grant visited Miami and Texas as well as USC, and had interest from Pitt and Minnesota.

"Markeshia Grant is a communicator, a point guard who has the ability and intellect to help run our team," Staley said. "She's an unselfish player who can score in a variety of ways but loves getting others involved in the offense."

Bone opts to play for Texas A&M

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 00:08 EDT

HOUSTON - Former South Carolina star Kelsey Bone has decided to transfer to Texas A&M.

Bone, the Southeastern Conference newcomer of the year, must sit out next year before playing for the Aggies for the 2011-12 season as a sophomore. She announced two weeks ago that she planned to leave South Carolina.

The 6-foot-5 center grew up in the Houston area and says she chose to move to Texas A&M to be closer to her family.

"I'm a Texan born and raised through and through," Bone said in a release from Texas A&M. "I felt it was the best decision for me to transfer and come home to be closer to my family. The Texas A&M coaches were still waiting for me with open arms. I am really excited to join the Aggie family and be a part of the winning tradition that Coach Blair, his staff and players have built there.

"I followed the Aggies throughout the season and NCAA tournament," Bone said. "I was happy to see the team do so well. Coach Blair is a great guy and his staff are very deserving of the success they saw this past season. I hope to add to the program any way I can and help them progress toward winning a national championship at A&M."

Staley named co-head coach of USA Select Team

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 23:07 EDT

USC women's basketball coach Dawn Staley and her collegiate head coach Debbie Ryan of Virginia have been named court coaches for the 2010 USA Select Team, USA Basketball announced Thursday.

USA Basketball will conduct the USA Select Team training camp April 15-18 in Hartford and Storrs, Conn., to continue preparing its pipeline of athletes for future USA National Team events.

Comprised of future USA National Team hopefuls, the collegians will scrimmage against the USA National Team.

"It's going to be great coaching the USA Select Team," Staley said. "I once sat where they sit and, for me, it's about giving back, letting them know what representing the United States is about. Whether it's one of these training camps or playing internationally at a tournament, it is a true privilege to put on a USA Basketball uniform."

The USA Basketball Women's National Team head coach is Geno Auriemma of Connecticut.

Top prospect reaffirms commitment to USC

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 22:00 EDT

The women's basketball prospect who spent last weekend with Kelsey Bone on a recruiting trip to South Carolina had no clue Bone planned to transfer - but she said it would not affect her decision to come to USC.

Kayla Brewer, a 6-foot-2 forward from Jacksonville, Fla., said she was "in shock" after learning Wednesday that Bone plans to leave USC after one season.

"I didn't get any indication that she was going to do this," Brewer said Thursday in a phone interview.

Brewer, ranked among the top 10 Class of 2011 prospects by one recruiting service, plans to sign with the Gamecocks on April 14, the first day of the spring signing period. She is graduating from high school a year early and will enroll at USC this summer.

"I wish (Bone) the best, but it hasn't changed my decision at all," Brewer said. "I'm excited about coming to South Carolina."

Prized recruit changes course after 1 season

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 22:00 EDT

The biggest recruit in South Carolina women's basketball history - and arguably any sport - will be a one-and-done.

Kelsey Bone, the 6-foot-5 center who was The Associated Press' Newcomer of the Year in the SEC, plans to transfer after one season with the Gamecocks, USC coach Dawn Staley said Wednesday.

The announcement came nearly a year to the day since Bone shocked the women's basketball world by picking the Gamecocks over Illinois and two schools close to her Houston hometown - Texas and Texas A&M.

Staley gave no specific reason for Bone's transfer, but indicated the Gamecocks' failure to reach the postseason impacted Bone's decision.

"Sometimes when you don't win as many games as you would like and you don't go to the NCAA tournament or NIT, sometimes you start thinking about that as a coach or as a player," Staley said. "I'm quite sure that maybe played a role in it, but I don't know how significant."

Morris: Program's pioneer spirit must chart a new path

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 22:00 EDT

KELSEY BONE DROPPED a bomb on the South Carolina athletics department Wednesday when she decided to leave the women's basketball program.

Before you dismiss her transfer as insignificant because she is not a he and does not play football, men's basketball or baseball, consider the reaction a year ago when Bone announced she was headed to Columbia.

Her decision was celebrated as one made by a program-changer ... not just the women's basketball program, but the entire athletics program. She was considered by some to be the top women's basketball recruit in the nation. In no other major sport had USC ever landed the top high school player in the country, until Bone.

It was stunning news that a player from Houston, who could have played for any traditional power in the country, instead chose to be part of a budding program that she could lead to national prominence.

Bone's decision was celebrated by Dawn Staley and her staff, by other USC coaches, and by the USC athletics administration. Bone's signing verified to the athletics department that it could get done at USC. Her signing signaled that USC had what it takes to recruit and sign the nation's best athletes.

Staley, Gamecocks gain commitment

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 22:41 EDT

The USC women have picked up a commitment from 5-7 point guard Markeshia Grant of Central Florida Community College.

This season she averaged 18 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds and 3.5 steals per game. Grant is a native of Tampa.

She made official visits to USC, Miami and Texas before deciding on USC.

She also drew interest from Pittsburgh and Minnesota.

AP names Bone SEC's Newcomer of the Year

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:25 EDT

South Carolina freshman center Kelsey Bone earned SEC Newcomer of the Year honors from the Associated Press.

Bone, also named Tuesday to the All-SEC Second Team by the voters, is the first Gamecock to win the newcomer award since South Carolina joined the SEC for the 1991-92 season.

"We are really happy for Kelsey to have achieved one of the goals she set out for herself this season," South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley said. "It is a tremendous accomplishment to lead a league of this caliber in rebounding in your first season, and she did it as the focus of every scouting report an opposing coach put together. This is just the first of what we believe will be many accolades for Kelsey throughout her Gamecock career."

Bone led the SEC with 9.2 rebounds per game and was the league's ninth-highest scorer at 14.0 points per game.

USC guard Valerie Nainima was an All-SEC honorable mention.

USC's May named to SEC Community Service Team

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:39 EST

USC junior forward Jewel May was named to the 2009-10 SEC Community Service Team for women's basketball.

May was among the Gamecocks' most active student-athletes in giving of her time to the local community. Among the projects she participated in are: the Edventure Children's Museum opening, Redeemer Lutheran Church Camp, Richland 101, the Junior Gamecock Club Back to School Bash and the Boys and Girls Club Christmas Party. She also has participated in various basketball clinics with the Columbia Parks and Rec Department and Hyatt Park.

- From Staff Reports

Lady Vols complete sweep of SEC crowns

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 00:40 EST

DULUTH, Ga. - Shekinna Stricklen scored 20 points and No. 4 Tennessee beat No. 19 Kentucky 70-62 on Sunday to win the SEC tournament and possibly wrap up a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.

Coach Pat Summitt was so pleased she brought down the house with a postgame rendition of the song "Rocky Top."

Tennessee completed its first sweep of the SEC regular-season and tournament championships in 10 years. In each case, the decisive win came against Kentucky, which improved from a .500 finish a year ago to play in its first tournament final in 28 years.

Tennessee (30-2) earned its 14th consecutive win to give Summitt her 19th 30-win season.

Kentucky (25-7) played tough in its first championship game appearance since winning its only title in 1982. The Wildcats, led by Victoria Dunlap's 21 points, played even with the Lady Vols until midway through the second half.

Staley doesn't second-guess tough scheduling

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:01 EST

South Carolina might have been an attractive team for the women's NIT, which has plenty of slots to fill after expanding from 48 to 64 teams this year.

But the Gamecocks are ineligible after finishing with a 14-15 record. That could have been different if the Gamecocks had played an easier schedule, but coach Dawn Staley has no regrets.

"We're always going to play a tough schedule," she said. "I think you just have to measure yourself in November and December so you can be prepared for the rigors of the SEC."

The Gamecocks suffered nonconference losses to three ranked teams: Oklahoma, Notre Dame and North Carolina. They also lost in double overtime at Clemson and to Boston University in a neutral-site game.

There were victories against Penn State, N.C. State, Wake Forest and Charlotte.

USC women lose in SEC opener

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:01 EST

DULUTH, Ga. - Ieasia Walker got the ball in the corner, trained her eyes on the basket and took her time. It was, her coach would say later, the right shot.

But it didn't go in. And so Dawn Staley's second season at South Carolina ended with a 64-63 loss to Mississippi in the first round of the SEC tournament.

The Gamecocks finish with a 14-15 record, leaving them ineligible for the postseason (the women's NIT does not invite teams with losing records).

Staley called it disappointing but cited the "inch-by-inch" improvement over last year's 10-win campaign.

"It's hard to see right now, sitting here right after a loss in the SEC tournament. But we got better," Staley said. "We're more talented than we were last year, we're gonna be more talented in the years to come and, hopefully, as I told our crowd in Columbia, we're gonna make what we're experiencing right now in Columbia distant memories. At some point."

Women's pregame: USC vs. Ole Miss

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:39 EST

WHEN: noon

WHERE: The Arena at Gwinnett Center, Duluth, Ga.

TV: Fox Sports

RADIO: WISW-AM 1320

RECORDS: USC 14-14, 7-9 SEC; Mississippi 16-13, 7-9

Freshman of the year? Don't ask

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 00:39 EST

With a simple vote, SEC women's basketball coaches might have awoken a sleeping giant.

At least, that is what Dawn Staley is hoping. Heralded freshman Kelsey Bone was named to the All-Freshmen first team and to the All-SEC second team, but she was snubbed for Freshman of the Year.

That accolade went to Kentucky's A'dia Mathies, and Bone was visibly upset when told of the results before the Gamecocks departed Tuesday afternoon for today's SEC tournament opener against Mississippi at noon in Duluth, Ga.

Bone led SEC freshmen in scoring, rebounding and double-doubles (eight). Her rebounding average of 9.2 per game tied her for the league lead, and her 13.8 scoring averaged ranked ninth.

Mathies was 11th in scoring (12.8) and not near the top in rebounds, assists or double-doubles.

Women's pregame: USC vs. Vanderbilt

Sat, 27 Feb 2010 23:05 EST

WHEN: 1 p.m.

WHERE: Memorial Gymnasium, Nashville, Tenn.

TV: FSC, Time Warner Cable Channel 31

RADIO: WISW, 1320AM

RECORDS: USC 13-14 overall, 6-9 SEC; Vanderbilt 20-8, 9-6

USC women lose fourth in a row

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:01 EST

Dawn Staley took the Colonial Life Arena microphone and addressed the crowd quickly after South Carolina dropped its fourth consecutive game with a 65-49 loss to Georgia on Thursday night.

First, she wanted the fans to thank senior Lauren Falohun, who was playing in her last home game. Then she had a simple message for the fans.

"As you can see, we're still a work in progress and not where we want to be," Staley said. "If you hang in there, (soon) these will be distant memories for us."

The four-game losing streak is a season-high. The Gamecocks had a season-high RPI of 27 after defeating Georgia in Athens on Feb. 7, but NCAA tournament hopes are gone unless USC wins four games in the SEC tournament.

It's likely the Gamecocks (13-14, 6-9) will miss out on postseason play for the second consecutive year. They played in the WNIT at the end of the 2007-08 season.

Women's pregame: USC vs. Georgia

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 23:15 EST

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Colonial Life Arena

TV: None

RADIO: WISW, 1320AM

RECORDS: USC 13-13, 6-8, Georgia 20-7, 7-7