Staley’s Gamecocks give glimpse of special season at Pre-Show Party

Just a taste.

But enough to know that Colonial Life Arena stands to be as rocking as it was last year.

South Carolina’s women’s basketball team invited season-ticket holders to its “Pre-Show Party” on Wednesday, holding a short practice and other events in front of one full lower deck of the 18,000-seat arena. The Gamecocks recently announced they’ve already sold more than 10,000 season tickets for this year, and single-game sales should give USC its first women’s sellout in the building’s history.

The basketball part, although a small part of the festivities, promised plenty of excitement. Even without two-time SEC Player of the Year Tiffany Mitchell participating (she’s still healing from offseason foot surgery), the rooster crows were as numerous as the highlights.

SEC Freshman of the Year A’ja Wilson showed off a new 3-point range while freshman Shay Colley displayed her defensive chops, as well as her point guard skills. Alaina Coates, stepping into a starting role at center, was much more aggressive and Bianca Cuevas made her case for the fastest player in the SEC.

“What you’ve been able to do, the atmosphere you provide for our basketball team is nothing short of amazing,” coach Dawn Staley said. “Ten thousand season-ticket holders, you’ve been tremendously great to us, and I tell people all the time … you’ve painted a picture that’s so beautiful.”

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This story was originally published October 28, 2015 at 10:30 PM.