Dawn Staley, Photo Gamecocks website
In a triumphant culmination of the NCAA women’s basketball season, the South Carolina Gamecocks, led by Coach Dawn Staley, nailed a historic victory with a perfect 38-0 finish in the national championship game against Iowa, ESPN reported. The championship win marked a remarkable turnaround from last year’s disappointing end.
Coach Staley, adorned in a Louis Vuitton metallic-silver jacket, was visibly emotional after the victory, CBS Sports reported. Reflecting on the team’s journey, Staley expressed immense pride in her players. “They weren’t going to be denied,” Staley said.
The victory was especially sweet after the Gamecocks’ heartbreaking defeat in last year’s semifinals at the hands of Iowa. Staley emphasized the importance of letting young players thrive while providing guidance and leadership, a philosophy that paid dividends this season.
South Carolina’s triumph has Black Twitter talking.
Personal finance expert Lynnette Khalfani-Cox praised Staley’s resilience in the face of adversity, tweeting, “The stuff Coach Staley had to endure … esp the past 24 hours. Black women know these tears: of relief; of overwhelming joy; of overcoming haters; of silencing critics and naysayers … whew! It’s a LOT behind those tears”.
“Tears of JOY!! Congratulations Coach Staley!!! YOU ARE EXCELLENCE!!!,” tweeted LaChina Robinson.
CultureCentral noted the historic nature of the win, tweeting, “Dawn Staley makes history as the first Black woman coach to win 3 NCAA titles!”
RhaeNegro Targaryen tweeted, “South Carolina humbled Caitlin Clark for all of us today”. Clark is the Iowa Hawkeyes’s star player.
Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker tweeted, “I am super proud to congratulate Head Coach @dawnstaley for yet another NCAA title as coach of the South Carolina @GamecockWBB team – her third title! Coach Staley is North Philly’s Finest and all of Philly says Congratulations, Coach!!”
Staley was born and raised in Philadelphia, and was named named the national high school player of the year during her final season at Murrell Dobbins Vocational High School in Philadelphia.
Radio host and podcaster Karen Hunter tweeted about the team’s joyful spirit, “I loved how #SouthCarolina played the whole season with so much joy and fun…it’s a game, a team game. And these are young people. They should have fun!”
Dawn Staley, Photo Gamecocks website, https://gamecocksonline.com/sports/wbball/roster/coach/dawn-staley/
