SECWB.com - The Blog

by Marilyn McManus, SECWB.com

If you attended the exhibition game against Peach State Elite, you probably noticed a few changes at the Colonial Life Arena. In fact, that’s the first one; last year, it was known as the Colonial Center. If not, there are probably a few things you will want to keep in mind.

As I settled into my customary seat in the “season ticket-holders section” I couldn’t quite figure out why things looked just a little different; among other things, I felt like I was sitting a little lower than usual. As it turned out, it was the same row as usual–but the look of the arena HAS been altered, somewhat.

There is now a barrier separating the built-in arena seats from the three rows of temporary seating that is located directly behind the team benches and press row. A rather chatty person from the multitudes of CLA’s security staff explained that there were a number of changes going on, mandates from on high. (Eric Hyman? The coaches?) We don’t know, because the reliability of this particular source has yet to be established. His belief was that it was from the Athletic Department and I expect that he is, at least partially, correct.

1. No more civilians directly behind the team bench (those 3 rows in front of the barrier) and no players’ family members, either. Who will be allowed to sit there? It was always my understanding that those seats were for team doctors, various team-related staff and their families, which makes sense. It will be interesting to see who is there, now, since security is watching it.

2. The first five rows behind the barrier, in the section directly behind the team bench, are to be reserved for faculty. If this is enforced during the regular season, look for a lot of empty seats right behind the bench. At the exhibition game, security was very vigilant in enforcing this policy and with about 20 minutes before game time, there was 1 lonely woman in the section.(!) After a bit of bustling about among the Powers That Be (Marcy Girton seems to loom large there) Mr. Security came up the steps to announce that the new rule would NOT be enforced this night, whereupon the section quickly filled up with fans.
Note to Athletic Department or whoever made this decision: Drop It. Give any faculty who attend equal access to the general admission season ticket-holder sections, first-come, first-served, just like everybody else–and let it go at that. Seriously, they don’t even pay for admission (just show their ID) and you are displacing long-time, loyal fans who DO pay for those seats. Not a good idea.

3. Players’ families are to sit in Section 102, if they identify themselves as such. So families, if you want a good seat, just keep mum and join the rest of us. I have not yet received my tickets, so I can’t say if there is some means of differentiating between who has season tickets vs. general admission tickets vs. player’s tickets. I will let you know, when I know.

4. The court looks different. There is a HUGE block C and Gamecock logo, plus “SOUTH CAROLINA” emblazoned on the court; the “paint” is now merely a darker shade of stained wood, with an SEC logo on it. The darker wood in the lane looks nice, but the SEC logo in white paint looks washed out. A thin black outline would go a long way there. Oh, and there are now two different 3-point lines. Way to help out those already-confused officials!

5. The 30-second clocks are now of a triangular shape (please don’t ask why) and they look like they were once bright, but have faded. Much sharper contrast is needed there.

6. The sound system was horrible at the exhibition game. Fans couldn’t make out a word spoken by “Shakin’ Dave” Aiken, who is normally a very good announcer. We tried–really. The words all ran together until it sounded like Charlie Brown’s teacher talking.

7. The Pep Band was HUGE last Thursday! The sound was impressive. I don’t expect that size band for every game, but it sure would be nice. Keep up the great work, band.

8. No chairs were pulled onto the playing floor for huddles at the foul line! Hurray! I have always hated that practice and I hope that this was not just an oversight, due to the fact that it was only an exhibition game. Leave that silliness to Andy Landers and those cute little Bulldog folding chairs–Aaaaaarrrrgggghhhh! We have a bench–sit on it. (I mean that in a nice way!)

9. No separate huddles for coaches vs. players, either, another coaching trend/practice that seriously bugs me for no rational reason that I can give.

10. Maybe my favorite: at the end of the game, the entire team along with all of the coaches, converged at center court for the ritual singing of the school song. Very nice. As (I believe) it should be.

Here’s to seeing all of you at the home opening game against Clemson on Wednesday, November 19th. I hope you can find your seats!

Posted under Marilyn McManus & South Carolina | No Comments »

by Marilyn McManus, SECWB.com

The Dawn Staley Era was kicked off last night with an action-packed, come-from-behind 78-69 win against Peach State Elite at the Colonial Life Center. No matter that it didn’t count in the standings, fans got what they came for: a glimpse of what Gamecocks women’s basketball will look like, this season and in the foreseeable future. It was a bit different than expected, beginning with the starting lineup of Demetress Adams, Brionna Dickerson, Jewel May, Lakeisha Sutton and…Lauren Falohun? Yes, Cocoa started the game and played 23 minutes (after having played 89 minutes the entire 07-08 season), scoring 7 points, 2 rebounds and 1 monster blocked shot on a Peach State player going in for a lay-up. Seven turnovers from her were a disappointment, but otherwise, Cocoa appeared focused and energetic and provided a harassing presence on defense.
It was no surprise that Adams and Dickerson were in there to lead the way and their senior leadership is going to be needed, all season long. Dickerson barely got a chance to breathe, playing 38 minutes and leading the scoring with 16 points. Adams scored a double-double with 14 points and 16 rebounds. Three other players, all freshmen, scored in double figures with 10 points apiece: Sutton, Miranda Tate and Sada Wheeler.

The Gamecocks had to work hard for this win. The visiting team had a 10-point lead in the first half, thanks to a huge advantage in the number of free throws attempted (18 for Peach State, 5 for the Gamecocks) and shooting 94% from the free throw line. But the Gamecocks turned up the effort a couple of notches and were able to climb back into the game, trailing by only 1 point at halftime 37-36.

Now, let’s take a brief timeout for just a few words about the officiating. I’m pretty sure I am not alone in characterizing it as poor, at best. And, despite the extreme difference in the number of first-half fouls that were called, I am not implying that the officiating was biased–just bad. There were phantom calls, there were missed calls, there were silly calls–something for everyone. This is nothing new, but it does make me wonder: is the NCAA ever going to take this seriously? Coaches and players are not free to speak about the problems associated with the quality of officiating and the fans are dismissed as biased whiners. Whose opinion does matter? I’m just asking…and now it’s down off of the soapbox and back to the game.

In the second half, Carolina gained the lead and held off a Peach State run to get it back. With less than 2 minutes left to play, Peach State got to within 6 points, but could get no closer as Adams and Dickerson led the way down the final stretch.

Unfortunately for the U.S.C. fans who were looking forward to seeing her, former Gamecock guard Stacy Booker was a non-factor in the game. She arrived at the bench shortly before halftime and entered the game immediately. Then, after a minute and a half of play (1 rebound and 1 missed shot) she went down hard–and got up, limping. Booker did not return to the game, but was stretched out on the bench for the rest of the game.

Kadie Riverin (Rice, 2008) led Peach State Elite with 23 points, including 13-13 from the foul line. Three other players joined her in double figures: Nikki Luckhurst with 13, Maurita Reid with 12 and Alisha Tatham with 11 points and 8 rebounds..Chinata Nesbit also had 8 rebounds for Peach State Elite.

Overall, the Gamecocks looked pretty good. With the pressure on, they never appeared panicked, either charging back from the 10-point deficit or protecting their own lead in the last minutes. The players appeared focused throughout the game, though there were a few lapses on the offensive end, when the action slowed to a crawl–until some choice words/screams from the bench got them jump-started again. A couple of players looked a tiny bit winded after a few trips up and down the court and there were a few enthusiastic errors (as opposed to sloppy or lazy errors) but the effort was solid and the chemistry is coming along. There is plenty of reason for optimism.

On the downside, Courtney Newton spent the game on the bench, along with Charenee Stephens (reportedly in Staley’s doghouse) and Tonia Williams. Newton has some concerns with her knee and will apparently be out for up to a couple of weeks.

The Gamecocks’ season opener is at Penn State on November 16.

Posted under Marilyn McManus & South Carolina | No Comments »