South Carolina women's basketball: SEC Tournament Notebook
South Carolina won its third consecutive SEC tournament championship and ninth overall on Sunday. We wrap up another tournament from Greenville.
Attendance
For the second year in a row, the SEC Tournament set a new attendance record.
The first session on Wednesday drew 9,082 fans, an opening round record. There was a kids’ day promotion, with local students bussed in for the session.
The first session of the second round drew 7,649 people, setting a record for the second round. It probably helped that Tennessee, with its large travelling fan base, was playing in both sessions.
Semifinal Saturday set another record, with 13,275 fans in attendance.
On Sunday, attendance was 13,532. It set a new record for attendance for any SEC Tournament game in any round.
The total attendance was 71,910 for all sessions, besting the mark of 64,905 set last year.
Location, location, location
Texas coach Vic Schaefer frequently complained several times during the weekend that South Carolina has an advantage in fan support in Greenville. Other coaches acknowledged the advantage but focused on trying to win games.
The tournament is already signed on to Greenville for three more seasons. With record attendance in consecutive seasons, the SEC probably doesn’t care too much about Schaefer’s complaints.
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All-Tournament Team
Chloe Kitts was named the tournament MVP. She was joined on the All-tournament team by Sania Feagin, MiLaysia Fulwiley, Annesah Morrow, and Madison Booker.
GamecockCentral had two reporters covering the tournament. Chris Wellbaum voted Kitts as MVP, plus Fulwiley, Morrow, Tessa Johnson, and Mikayla Blakes. Griffin Goodwyn voted Kitts as MVP, plus Fulwiley, Feagin, Booker, and Joyce Edwards
The Rich Get Richer
In addition to her $4.0 million annual salary, Dawn Staley has added some nice bonuses. Per the terms of her contract, Staley earned $15,000 for winning 11 or more SEC games, $100,000 for winning the SEC Regular Season and Tournament championships, and $25,000 for making the NCAA Tournament.
If you want to feel poor, that’s a total of $145,000 in bonuses – so far.
The big bonuses come from advancing in the NCAA tournament, beginning with $50,000 for making the Sweet Sixteen and topping out at $500,000 for winning the national championship.
