Gamecocks Aim to Complete the Journey They Started 10 Years Ago with Final Four in Tampa

COLUMBIA – It was a moment of instinct, not strategy. As Khadijah Sessions saw Maegan Conwright getting double-teamed, Sessions positioned herself as the trailer on the play. When Conwright tried a behind-the-back dribble, Sessions swiftly intercepted the ball, dribbling upcourt. Her only goal was simple—get to the basket, score, and get back on defense.

However, the game was already decided by the time her shot went in. With the clock winding down, the game was in hand, and Sessions’ layup secured an 80-74 win over Florida State. The celebration erupted, not in the final seconds, but in a moment that marked the culmination of South Carolina’s long journey toward their 2015 Final Four appearance.

“It was like we had just won the national championship,” Sessions said, reflecting on the moment a decade later in her second year as an assistant coach at USC. “We just knew we were going to win it that year. We had such a talented roster, and the team was ready to take that step.”

In 2015, the Gamecocks had their first taste of Final Four glory under Coach Dawn Staley. After seven years of steady growth, recruiting, and culture-building—starting with only 10 wins in Staley’s first season—the Gamecocks broke through to the Final Four. It wasn’t the ending fans had hoped for that year, but Staley would lead them to national titles in subsequent years. Now, as South Carolina’s current team pushes for another national championship, they return to Tampa, the same city where that breakthrough happened ten years ago.

The Dream Team Arrives: After a 29-win season in 2013-14, including their first SEC regular-season title, the Gamecocks faced a bitter Sweet 16 loss to North Carolina. But the season’s disappointment fueled their hunger for success.

“We thought the sky was the limit,” said Aleighsa Welch, a core player for the Gamecocks. “We brought back a great team and had an incredible freshman class coming in.”

Returning key players like two-time SEC Player of the Year Tiffany Mitchell, Welch, Khadijah Sessions, Asia Dozier, Elem Ibiam, and Alaina Coates, Staley also added a standout recruiting class that included Bianca Cuevas-Moore, Doniyah Cliney, Kaydra Duckett, and Jatarie White. But the biggest splash came when South Carolina secured A’ja Wilson, the nation’s top recruit, who chose to stay home and play for Staley.

“A’ja was the missing piece,” said Staley. “She was that player who could elevate us to the next level.”

Wilson’s commitment was a game-changer for the program. Tiffany Mitchell and her teammates knew that adding Wilson would propel the team into serious contention for the national title.

“We knew if we got her, we were a real contender,” Sessions added. “We were all watching when she made her decision. It was a huge moment for us.”

A Loaded Roster and Unstoppable Talent: When A’ja Wilson joined the squad as a freshman, she was a dynamic force. Even as a newcomer, her potential was clear. Tina Roy, known for her 3-point shooting, reflected on the team’s excitement.

“We knew we had something special,” said Roy. “We had A’ja, and she was unstoppable. I even wrote a team song for that season, inspired by her. The team was ready to show the world we were on a mission.”

South Carolina’s depth was evident. With Wilson, Coates, and the rest of the squad, Staley’s team was more than a threat. USC quickly climbed to No. 1 in the rankings after UConn lost early in the season.

Even with Wilson’s incredible talent, Staley made the decision to bring her off the bench, a move that transformed the team. “It allowed us to play our normal roles,” Staley explained, highlighting how the Gamecocks’ bench became a secret weapon.

With a 22-0 start to the season, South Carolina was rolling. Key moments included a thrilling comeback against Duke, where Olivia Gaines made a clutch steal, leading to Mitchell’s near game-winner, which was followed by Wilson’s decisive putback.

Setbacks and Strengths: Despite their undefeated run, the Gamecocks faced a tough reality check with an 87-62 loss to UConn in February. But rather than break the team’s spirit, the loss reinforced the Gamecocks’ resolve. “We knew we had to keep improving if we were going to compete with the best,” said Sessions.

South Carolina finished strong, losing only one more regular-season game. Their dominance carried them through the SEC Tournament, clinching their first title under Staley.

A Historic NCAA Tournament Run The Gamecocks entered the NCAA Tournament ready to prove themselves. Their road to the Final Four included impressive victories over Savannah State and Syracuse. In the Sweet 16, a rematch with North Carolina proved to be one of the most memorable moments of the tournament. After a clutch shot by Olivia Gaines, Mitchell sealed the win with a last-minute layup.

The Gamecocks faced Florida State next, and despite a brief scare, Mitchell’s clutch performance helped South Carolina secure the win and punch their ticket to the Final Four.

“When we finally made it, it was like all the hard work and sacrifice paid off,” said Tina Roy. “This was everything we had worked for.”

The Final Four and Beyond: The Gamecocks’ Final Four run ended in heartbreaking fashion, losing by a single point to Notre Dame in a game that still stings for those who were there. “It’s the only game I’ve never watched again,” said Sessions. The Gamecocks led in the final minutes, but a series of unfortunate events, including a buzzer-beater from Madison Cable, sealed their fate.

Despite the painful loss, the 2015 season was a milestone for the Gamecocks. “It was the start of something special,” Staley reflected. “We learned a lot from that loss, and it pushed us to get better.”

The Gamecocks would go on to win their first national title in 2017, and since then, they’ve become a perennial powerhouse in women’s college basketball. As South Carolina enters this year’s tournament as a top contender, there’s a sense of unfinished business.

“The Final Four in Tampa is where it all started,” Staley said. “We’re looking to finish what that team started, and we’re ready to do it again.”

With A’ja Wilson’s legacy in mind, South Carolina is aiming for another championship run—and the path to glory continues to evolve, built on the foundation laid a decade ago.