How this Gamecocks WBB freshman got back on track after a month on the sidelines
Dawn Staley and the South Carolina women’s basketball team finally got one of their talented freshmen back on the court Sunday.
Agot Makeer returned to action in the Gamecocks’ 96-55 win over Providence at Colonial Life after missing the last month. The guard has been in concussion protocol and missed the last five games.
Makeer played well in her first game since South Carolina’s loss to Texas on Thanksgiving Day, recording the first double-double of her college career with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
“I thought it was good,” Staley said of Makeer’s performance Sunday. “I thought she was a little rusty in the first half but I think, with extended minutes, I thought she looked good. She played the entire third quarter, and hopefully she can continue to stack days and connect days where she can help us.
Makeer played 23 minutes Sunday against the Friars, setting a new career-high, but was 0-for-3 from the field with one rebound in six minutes in the first half.
She improved, though, as the game went on.
The 6-foot guard played every minute of the third quarter, and led South Carolina with seven points and six rebounds in that period.
Agot Makeer was learning from the bench
Although she was on the bench for the last month, Makeer said she was still able to learn during that time. Tessa Johnson credited Makeer with always asking questions to “try and just understand the game a little more” while she was out.
“I feel like at the start of the season I struggled to get in rhythm a little bit,” Makeer said. “Then being out for the last five games, I saw a different perspective from the sideline. Sitting next to Chloe (Kitts), still getting confidence from coaches and stuff helped a lot. Once I got up there, I just knew it would come eventually.”
The last of the 10 rebounds Makeer needed for her double-double came in the fourth quarter. Here Gamecocks’ teammates cheered her on, telling her she needed one more, but Makeer admitted after the game she didn’t hear them.
“I was kind of in the flow of the game,” Makeer said. “But that’s what’s so great about this team is everyone wants everyone to thrive. So when I saw everybody saying, ‘Get one more rebound!’ I was like, Okay, I got to do this. So I’m happy I’m in the double-double club now.”
Injured Gamecock players
Nearly all of Makeer’s production that showed up on the stat sheet came in the second half for a reason. Star guard Ta’Niya Latson went down with what appeared to be an ankle injury with 4:18 left to go before halftime. Makeer played increased minutes to fill out the hole left in the rotation.
Staley didn’t provide an in-depth update on Latson’s injury after the game Sunday. She did say Latson received treatment throughout the second half and would be further evaluated Monday.
If Latson were to miss time, Makeer — and bench guards Ayla McDowell and Maddy McDaniel — would be on deck to receive more minutes and responsibility on the court.
Makeer’s performance against Providence is a good sign that Staley can rely on her if Latson can’t play in the immediate future.
“She’s gonna have to help us, depending on what we hear tomorrow with Ta’Niya, how long she’ll be out,” Staley said.
