Following a dramatic and hard-fought battle between Duke and South Carolina, the postgame news conference was filled with emotions and insights from both teams. As the cameras rolled and reporters crowded in, South Carolina’s Head Coach Dawn Staley and standout players Sania Feagin, Bree Hall, and Chloe Kitts spoke candidly about the highs and lows of the game, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the team’s performance and their next steps in the postseason.

 

 

 

Coach Dawn Staley Reflects on the Game

Dawn Staley, the legendary head coach of South Carolina Women’s Basketball, was the first to speak at the podium. While the Gamecocks secured the win, it was clear that the game had been a hard-fought and emotional one.

 

 

“We knew coming into this game that Duke was going to give us everything they had,” Staley began. “They’ve been playing great basketball all year, and we had to dig deep in this one. I’m proud of the way my team showed resilience, especially in the second half when things got tough. But there’s always room for growth.”

 

 

 

Staley touched on the importance of defensive intensity and game management, acknowledging that Duke had presented challenges, particularly with their pressure defense and athleticism. “We can’t be complacent,” she said. “If we want to go all the way, we have to play at an even higher level. This is March—this is when everything counts.”

 

 

Staley also praised her team’s depth and leadership as critical to their victory. “We have players who can step up in any moment,” she said, referencing the performances of Feagin, Hall, and Kitts, who each had significant impacts on the game.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sania Feagin: A Force on Both Ends

Next up was Sania Feagin, who had one of her best performances of the season, contributing both offensively and defensively. With the Gamecocks facing a strong challenge from Duke, Feagin stepped up in crucial moments, finishing with 18 points and 8 rebounds.

 

 

“It feels good to be able to contribute in a game like this,” Feagin said, visibly proud of her effort. “We know that every team in the tournament is tough, and we just kept telling ourselves to stay focused and play our game.”

 

 

Feagin emphasized the importance of maintaining intensity on both ends of the floor. “Coach Staley always says that we need to be aggressive on defense and smart on offense. We weren’t perfect today, but we did enough to come out with the win,” she explained.

 

 

When asked about how the team would prepare for the next round, Feagin’s response was confident: “We’ll watch the film, learn from the mistakes, and keep improving. We have the tools to make a deep run, but we have to keep pushing ourselves.”

 

 

Bree Hall: Finding Her Rhythm in Crunch Time

Bree Hall was another key contributor in the win, particularly with her performance in the second half. Known for her toughness and basketball IQ, Hall finished with 14 points and was crucial in slowing down Duke’s momentum at various points in the game.

 

 

“Coach always tells us to trust in each other and trust the system. I felt like I was able to find my rhythm when we needed it most,” Hall said, reflecting on her big plays late in the game. “It’s all about making the right play, whether it’s scoring, passing, or getting a stop. We play as a team, and we’re all ready to step up when it’s our time.”

 

 

 

 

Hall was also asked about the impact of Duke’s defense, which had caused South Carolina to struggle at times. “They’re a great team, and their defense was tough,” Hall admitted. “But we stayed calm, we stuck together, and we found ways to execute when it counted.”

 

 

 

Chloe Kitts: A Steady Presence on the Court

Finally, Chloe Kitts shared her thoughts on the game. The freshman forward has been making waves for South Carolina this season with her strong performances, and in this matchup, her ability to maintain poise under pressure was evident. Kitts had a solid outing, finishing with 10 points and 5 rebounds, and she provided a steady presence throughout the contest.

 

 

 

“I just try to stay in the moment and do whatever the team needs me to do,” Kitts said. “Whether it’s grabbing a rebound or setting a screen, my focus is on helping us win. Duke made it tough, but we stuck together and came out on top.”

 

 

Kitts also spoke about the importance of playing for her teammates and embracing the environment of the NCAA tournament. “This is what we work for all season,” she said. “There’s no time for mistakes. It’s win or go home. We have a lot of trust in each other, and that’s what keeps us moving forward.”

 

 

Looking Ahead: South Carolina’s Path Forward

As the news conference came to a close, Coach Staley was asked about what’s next for South Carolina as they continue their march through the NCAA Tournament. “We’re taking it one game at a time,” she said. “There’s a lot of basketball left to play, but I’m confident in the players we have. They’ve shown the heart and determination to get this far, and we’ll keep pushing.”

 

 

The Gamecocks will now look ahead to the Final Four with a renewed sense of focus. While they’re pleased with their performance, they know that the competition will only get fiercer as they move deeper into the tournament.

 

 

 

With the leadership of Dawn Staley and key performances from Sania Feagin, Bree Hall, and Chloe Kitts, South Carolina is primed to make another strong run towards a potential national championship. However, Staley’s message was clear: “We’ve got more work to do. Our eyes are on the prize, and we won’t let up.”

 

As the team packs their bags for the next leg of the tournament, it’s clear that this South Carolina squad is ready for whatever challenges lie ahead. The road to the Final Four is long, but with a team as talented and driven as this, it’s hard to bet against them.

 

 

Conclusion: The Gamecocks Are Not Done Yet

South Carolina’s postgame news conference made it clear that the Gamecocks are hungry for a national title. With Dawn Staley at the helm, and players like Feagin, Hall, and Kitts stepping up in big moments, South Carolina is a team to be reckoned with. Their journey to the Final Four is far from over, and with every game, they continue to show just how dangerous they can be.