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South Carolina women's basketball: The 3-2-1 - Clutch Players, Burning Questions, and the Play of the Week

On3 imageby:Chris Wellbaum•11/12/24•

ChrisWellbaum

Nov 10, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Raven Johnson (25) brings the ball up court against the NC State Wolfpack during the first half of the Ally Tip Off at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Nov 10, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Raven Johnson (25) brings the ball up court against the NC State Wolfpack during the first half of the Ally Tip Off at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

South Carolina won its first two games of the season over Michigan and No. 9 NC State. We look at three clutch players, two burning questions, and my favorite play from the first week of the season.

Three Clutch Performers

1. Te-Hina Paopao
Vs Michigan: 9 points, 4 assists, 2 steals
Vs #9 NC State: 23 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals

Not only did Paopao score her most points as a Gamecock against the Wolfpack, she was arguably the only player who was productive in both of the first two games. Paopao came back for her super senior season in part to improve her WNBA Draft stock. She wanted to play better defense, be more of a creator, and get to the rim more. So far, she has accomplished all three.

2. MiLaysia Fulwiley
Vs Michigan: 4 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks
Vs #9 NC State:18 points, 3 rebounds, block

Fulwiley struggled against the Michigan zone, so you knew she’d have something in store for NC State. Sure enough, she had 18 points in 18 minutes to break open a tight game in the second quarter and punctuated it with a handful of breathtaking plays.

3. Chloe Kitts
Vs Michigan: 19 points, 14 rebounds, block
Vs #9 NC State: Did Not Play

If not for Kitts, South Carolina probably loses to Michigan. For most of the first half, she was the only Gamecock that played with any energy or hustle. Kitts followed that by getting herself suspended for a game for an academic violation, but she still deserves recognition.

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Two Burning Questions

1. Will South Carolina ever have the entire roster available?
The Gamecocks have yet to have all 13 players available this season. With three relatively easy games over two weeks before the trip to UCLA, it would be nice to get everyone on the court to fine-tune some things. 

2. Can Joyce Edwards get her groove back?
On one hand, it feels wrong to suggest that a true freshman averaging 9.0 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 3.0 steals is struggling. On the other hand, that’s how high Edwards set the bar in the exhibition games. It’s important to take the level of competition (a likely tournament team and a top-ten foe) into account. The next three opponents are not at that level, and South Carolina needs Edwards to be hitting her stride by the time they travel to Westwood.

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One Favorite Play

We’ve seen so many great Raven Johnson passes that I think sometimes we don’t appreciate them enough. Two years ago, we would have been talking about this one all week. Johnson doesn’t just split the defense, she has to get the pass around Edwards to get it to Bree Hall, in stride, for a layup without traveling. Perfection.

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