Dawn Staley opened up on Joyce Edwards’ challenge against opponents ahead of a crucial Final Four battle.
Dawn Staley has led her team to the Final Four after a nail-biting game against the Duke Blue Devils. The South Carolina Gamecocks are just one game away from moving on to the championship battle. Staley’s team scored 54 points but surrendered 50 in return. It was a hard-fought battle and a well-deserved win for the Gamecocks.
Staley had a great run this season and has entered the Final Four for the fifth straight time in just seven appearances as a coach. She has her eyes set on the championship titl,e but they still have the UConn Huskies to defeat. The Huskies are a huge favorite to win the NCAA Championship. However, Dawn Staley is more worried about her players and their struggles.
Recently, she touched upon Joyce Edwards and her challenges. Edwards was targeted by her opponents, restricting her game to only four points. Staley feels that teams are targeting Edwards, and it’s both a gift and a curse.
“Yeah, I mean, teams are scheming like it’s—it’s a gift and a curse that you’re our leading scorer. So people are going to zero in on that and scheme to cut her production in half. Because of that, you see there’s a short gap between us winning and losing basketball games. Just got to talk her through things.” Dawn Staley said.
The coach has plans for Joyce to help her perform in her next game. While Joyce is being targeted, Staley feels that the others should take the opportunity to play.
“We have a week of practice where we can get back and simplify things. Hopefully, we can show her some film where she can be effective. But we need her if we’re going to win a national championship. We’re going to need better production from Joyce,” Staley continued.
Dawn Staley Appreciates The Referees And Their Dedication To The Game
Dawn Staley was asked about her conversation with the referees after 18 fouls were called on South Carolina. The coach mentioned that every ref was doing a tremendous job, which was something she wouldn’t be able to do.
“The officials have a hard job. They have a really hard job. I don’t have thick enough skin to do their job. The animation was probably more we having a jokingly conversation rather than a heated conversation. They’re really good at just communicating out there on the floor and that’s why they’re officiating in the Sweet 16, and probably some of them on their way to the Final Four, because they’re able to handle those type situations, communicate with the coaches, in a way that really deescalates the situation,” Dawn Staley said.
The Gamecocks will need to face the winner of TCU and Texas in the Final Four. It will be a crucial game for Staley and her team to make it to the championship.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
