South Carolina preview:
PG Destanni Henderson - rated the #1 PG recuit by ESPN out of high school, Henderson has played two effective seasons behind four year starter and All American Ty Harris. Averaged roughly 8 pts and 3 assists with a nearly 3 to 1 A/TO last season. After shooting 37% from three as a freshman, regressed to 32% as a sophomore.
SG Zia Cooke - appeared to level up after getting accustomed to college game. Averaged a team high 14 pts and added 2 assists, shooting 40% from the 3 pt line in conference play.
W Brea Beal - I'll pencil in Beal here on the wing as she started every game last season. Much like Boston, her defensive energy and prowess on the boards fueled her freshmen production. Some lineups will probably push her down to the forward position. A sneaky good scorer off the dribble, Beal's next task is improve on her 29% three point shooting.
F Victaria Saxton - A team co-captain as a Sophomore, Saxton will need to expand her offensive game to hold off Laeticia Amihere and perhaps LeLe Grissette. I've got her pencilled in for the moment, but this is definitely the main question mark in the starting lineup. I believe there may be a little more offense here, but plugging her in as a seniority hold.
C Aliyah Boston - The second team All American averaged 12 and 9 and 3 blocks in 22 minutes a game as a freshman in a season where she was not expected to shoulder a great deal of the offensive load. Odd are she may get a few more touches this year as she develops into a more dominant post scorer.
Bench:
LeLe Grissette - the senior made major strides last season off the bench. Very active getting up and down the floor. Likely to continue to be a key experienced hybrid forward rotation piece.
Laeticia Amihere - Probably the biggest wildcard for the Gamecocks. Ranked as high as #2 in recruiting rankings, the 6'4 Amihere had the biggest struggles of any of the touted freshmen, coming off knee injuries. Early talk is that she looks great physically in practice and has turned a corner there in her comfort level. Looked pretty coltish and hesitant last season in reserve minutes.
Destiny Littleton - Things did not go to plan at Texas as it has not gone to plan for a lot of players there recently. After her request for a transfer waiver was denied last season, Littleton will enter the season rehabbing an ankle cleanup. Did not shoot it particularly well at Texas (32% from three).
Eniya Russell - if nothing else figures to be the first of what figures to be a long line of tough 6'0 athletic combo guards in the Gamecocks stable. The McDonalds All American is coming in with a low profile, but will have the opportunity to plant a flag before Saniya Rivers and Bree Hall arrive next season.
Oliva Thompson - local favorite walk-on earned a scholarship this offseason. Somewhat surprisingly got a handful of meaningful minutes as a shooter off the bench last season, but not likely to be a major contributor.
Elysa Wesolek - pure depth forward.
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Summary: the Gamecocks return an extremely talented core that will contend in the SEC. The starting lineup can play with anyone and the bench certainly has a mix of talent, experience, and upside.
However, Ty Harris was masterful last season. Henderson could be All Conference and not match her level of play. Of bigger concern, Herbert-Harrigan was a dead eye shooter that stretched the floor at the 4 while also being an outstanding help defender. South Carolina is very unlikely to replace that in any one player.
South Carolina should remain dominant on the boards and strong defensively. There may be a bit of a regression offensively as the outside shooting is a question and I think there may be a tad less depth. It isn't clear that there is a second unit PG who can run and average a 3/1 TO ration.
Still, Littleton, Amihere, and Eniya Russell are extremely interesting players to watch for upside. Major reinforcements are on the way regardless.
