Balance has defined the Gamecocks for years.

Under Dawn Staley, the mantra has been clear: anyone can step up and be the star on any given night. That mindset carried them to back-to-back national championship games. This year, even with a 10-player roster and a fresh identity, South Carolina still looks every bit as dangerous. Something they made crystal clear in their exhibition opener. But still she expects more from her last season’s star.

“My expectation is to really play like you’ve been coached,” Staley said on Oct. 23 when asked what she expects in the exhibition game. “Play like you’ve been practicing.” Well, looks like they did just that.

First, here’s a look at the rotation:

Raven Johnson, Ta’Niya Latson, Tessa Johnson, Joyce Edwards, and Madina Okot started the game. Then, Maddy McDaniel was the first to check in from the bench with 5:55 left in the first quarter. She was soon joined by Agot Makeer, followed by Adhel Tac replacing Okot. Ayla McDowell slid in for  Johnson, and Maryam Dauda wrapped up the substitutions, taking over for Edwards.

And the Gamecocks kicked off their season with a 112-31 blowout over Anderson in an exhibition game. And get this: every single South Carolina player scored and recorded a steal!

The Division II visitors struggled from the jump, shooting just 13% from the field in the first half, while the Gamecocks were clicking at 52%, holding Anderson to only eight points before halftime. South Carolina’s defense was suffocating, forcing 13 turnovers in the first half alone. Edwards picked up right where she left off as last year’s team MVP, pouring in 27 points and 8 rebounds in her season debut.

Unsurprisingly, Coach Staley had plenty of praise for her Player of the Year candidate. “I like what Joyce was doing,” she said. “Joyce is stepping into a familiar role because she’s been doing that her whole career, and now she gets to do it at the collegiate level.” But one Staley made it very clear. “We know she can score the basketball. We’ve got to get her to rebound. Gotta get her play some defense and really just walk into her dominance as well.” she added.

Last year, Chloe Kitts led South Carolina with 7.7 rebounds per game, and with her out for the season due to an ACL, someone needs to take charge. Transfer  Okot is expected to fill much of that void, but Staley wants Edwards, who averaged 5 rebounds last season, to step up, too. 

And speaking of Okot, the Gamecocks saw three players finish with double-digit points, including a dominant double-double from transfer Okot (17 points, 15 rebounds). Yet coach Staley still said, “Really just scratching the surface when it comes to the things that she could do out there.”  

I mean, last year, Okot averaged 11.3 points and 9.6 rebounds, which was fourth in the SEC. She increased to 10.1 rebounds per SEC game. She shot 64.9% from the field, which finished fourth in the nation. Naturally, the expectations are sky-high.

Also, Latson impressed with 17 points, three assists, two blocks, and two steals, while freshman Makeer added 16 points and a team-high five steals. So, of course, Staley had words for their star freshman as well. To establish an identity as a two-way player, you have to flex on defense first, and Agot Makeer did exactly that, while also contributing the right amount on offense.

“I thought Agot really showed what she can do on both sides of the basketball,” Staley said. “She’s a really high-IQ player who’s very skilled. I like what she contributed.”

All in all, Gamecocks sure looked like the kind of team coached by one of the best in the game this season. Fans will get another glimpse of this in the next exhibition against North Carolina on October 30 at 6 p.m. ET in Atlanta, before the Gamecocks officially open the season against Grand Canyon on November 3.

For now, Dawn is also spending her time catching up with her former mentee. 

A’ja Wilson joins Dawn Staley to cheer her Gamecocks family

A’ja Wilson was the first to do it for the Gamecocks.

Over the years, several South Carolina stars have followed in her footsteps, turning their college greatness into WNBA success. After Wilson came Aliyah Boston, who went No. 1 to the Indiana Fever and snagged Rookie of the Year honors. Then came Kamilla Cardoso, drafted by the Chicago Sky, and most recently, Te-Hina Paopao, who earned a starting spot with the Atlanta Dream. This year, Allisha Gray also made the Gamecocks proud. 

But the bond A’ja shares with the program runs deep. So deep that it’s only fitting South Carolina recently inducted her into their Hall of Fame. But even after the ceremony, Wilson clearly wasn’t ready to leave Columbia behind. 

On Saturday, she was spotted right back where it all began at the South Carolina vs. Alabama football game at Williams-Brice Stadium. Wilson was joined by Coach Staley and a whole bunch of the Gamecocks women’s basketball squad, showing love to their program.

Indeed, Wilson is soaking up her offseason bliss, while Staley and the Gamecocks are savoring their final few calm days before diving headfirst into another six-month grind.