Markeshia's Corner: Celebrating the seniors

🏀🔥 Markeshia Grant, who played two seasons for Dawn Staley, provides GamecockCentral readers with analysis of South Carolina women’s basketball. Don’t miss her unique insights and expert takes; sign up for the GamecocksW newsletter. 🔥🏀

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South Carolina kept its SEC regular-season title and coin flip hopes alive, pulling away from Ole Miss behind dominant performances from veteran forwards Sania Feagin and Chloe Kitts.

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Gamecock game highlights:

On a night when the Gamecocks didn’t get their usual 42 PPG from the bench, their starters stepped up in a big way, with Sania Feagin and Chloe Kitts leading the charge. South Carolina controlled the game on both ends, winning the rebounding battle 41-36 while racking up 20 assists, 10 steals, and 8 blocks—a complete team effort.

Standout Performances

Sania Feagin – Stuffing the Stat Sheet

Sania was unstoppable, keeping the offense flowing with put-backs, mid-range jumpers, and and-1 finishes setting the tone in the paint. She finished with 22 points on 76% (10-13) shooting and 6 rebounds. She also made her presence felt defensively, adding 5 blocks. 

Chloe Kitts – Triple Double QUEEN

Kitts delivered a masterpiece—16 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, and 4 steals on an efficient 60% shooting. She became the first Gamecock to record a triple-double against an SEC opponent. In only just her second full year at South Carolina, Chloe’s growth is one to be excited about. This is the Kitts I believe can lead the Gamecocks to back-to-back titles. 

Point Guard Play

Te-Hina Paopao and Raven Johnson contributed across the board, combining for 9 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals leading their team on both ends of the floor. 

Bench Production – Seatbelt Gang

The Gamecocks’ Seatbelt Gang added 24 points off the bench.

• Joyce Edwards – 10 points
• MiLaysia Fulwiley – 9 points and 3 rebounds
• Tessa Johnson and Maddy McDaniel added 5 points combined.

Up: Next South Carolina Gamecocks 26-3 (14-1) vs. Kentucky Wildcats 22-5 (11-4)

Senior Day is here for the most decorated class in Gamecock women’s basketball history. 

Sania Feagin, Breezy Hall, and Raven Johnson leave behind a legacy of dominance—two-time National Champions, three-time Final Four contenders, three-time SEC regular-season champions, and the winningest class in Gamecock women’s basketball history.

For four years, this group has been the foundation of Dawn Staley’s program, embodying the character, culture, and chemistry that sets the standard for Gamecock basketball. They’ve embraced roles that don’t always shine under the brightest lights, yet they’ve been the catalyst in keeping this program at the top of all of women’s college basketball. Whether through leading by example, huge defensive stops, or energy off the bench, they’ve shown that true leading isn’t just about stats—it’s about sacrifice. They’ve put team success above all else, trading stats and the spotlight for championships—and the results speak for themselves.

Through the injuries, coming off the bench to starting, roster changes, and the evolving landscape of the women’s college game, they’ve remained locked in and have never wavered, despite any challenges or setbacks. They’ve been the steady hands in the locker room, the voices of experience in the huddles, and the silent engines driving this program’s relentless pursuit of excellence.

Culture isn’t built overnight, and chemistry doesn’t happen by accident. These seniors poured into the South Carolina women’s basketball program, shaping the next generation while staying true to themselves. And on Sunday, Gamecock Nation gives them their flowers—not just for what they’ve done on the court and the championships they’ve won, but for who they’ve been off the court and the champions they’ve been in the community.

From “Keeping the Main Thing the Main Thing” to “Networth”, “Love”, and “Uncommon Favor”—this class is the epitome of greatness personified. Here’s to one last time in Colonial Life Arena before the NCAA tournament. Let’s make it special!

Key matchups to watch:

Guard Play vs. Georgia Amoore

• Kentucky’s do-it-all fifth-year senior is averaging 18.9 PPG, 7 assists, and 3.2 turnovers per game. South Carolina’s guards have one job: disrupt. Deny her the ball, be there on the catch, pick her up early in transition, and force her to give it up—then make sure she doesn’t get it back. Keep her uncomfortable, keep her thinking about everything but scoring and playmaking. Defensively she struggles with on ball pressure and keeping guards in front of her.

Guard Play vs. Dazia Lawrence

• Lawrence is Kentucky’s most lethal 3-point shooter statistically, hitting 42.3% from deep. The Gamecock guards need to run her off the 3-point line, make her put the ball on the floor—no easy looks, making her work for everything.

Post Play vs. Clara Strack

• Sophomore stretch forward Clara Strack is putting up 15 PPG, 9.6 rebounds, and shooting 48.4% from the field. South Carolina’s bigs need to handle business early—deny her touches, contest everything with high hands, box her out, and make her work by pushing the pace in transition.

Post Play vs. Teonni Key

• Key is another stretch forward with big-game potential, averaging 11.7 PPG and 8.3 rebounds. South Carolina’s bigs need to guard her like Clara Strack—deny touches, contest everything with high hands, and stay disciplined on the boards by boxing out. When she puts it on the floor, defend without fouling, and don’t give her any clean looks from three—she’ll let it fly if she’s open.

Also, expect Kentucky to utilize starting Wing Amelia Hassett a 6’3” averaging 9.2 points and 8.1 rebounds, and bench players Clara Silva who is a 6’7” Freshman Center, and Saniah Tyler who is a 5’6” backup Junior Point Guard. 

Guard Advantages

• South Carolina rolls with a six-player guard rotation, with each guard bringing a unique dynamic both offensively and defensively.

Post Advantages

• The Gamecocks have strong post depth, with Kitts and Feagin starting, and Edwards, Dauda, Walker, and Tac providing valuable, impactful minutes off the bench.

Gamecocks Advantage

South Carolina’s depth, defensive intensity, rebounding ability, and speed give them the edge in this matchup. Kentucky only plays seven players while South Carolina will play as many as 12 on any given night. 

Keys to the Win

1. Keep the main thing, the main thing – Stay focused and control the pace of the game.       
2. Set the tone early – HIT FIRST and don’t let up
3. Lock in on defense – Limit their 3s and no second chance shots!
4. Bench production – South Carolina’s Seatbelt Gang has been dominating, leading the nation in bench points per game at 42 PPG. Their depth will be crucial in this matchup.
5. Win the rebounding battle – When the Gamecocks win the rebounding battle, they normally win the game. WIN THE PAINT.
6. Take care of the ball – Last time out the Gamecocks had 20 assists, so sharing the ball and ball movement will be key in this matchup.
7. Force turnovers – South Carolina forces approximately  17 TOs per game, while Kentucky averages 13 TOs per game.
8. Convert at the free-throw line – South Carolina will get to the line, so they just need to stay focused and capitalize on those opportunities.
9. Play hard, play smart, play disciplined, play and act like champions!
10. Have fun!

Let’s Go Gamecocks!

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🏀🔥 Markeshia Grant, who played two seasons for Dawn Staley, provides GamecockCentral readers with analysis of South Carolina women’s basketball. Don’t miss her unique insights and expert takes; sign up for the GamecocksW newsletter. 🔥🏀

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