South Carolina, after handling Texas in the Final Four, had advanced back to the NCAA title game. Now was a perfect time for the sophomore from Albertville, Minn., to gain entrance into the Seatbelt Gang.
“Oh yeah, Tessa’s in it. Tessa’s in,” Raven Johnson said. The ballhawk felt generous, handing out seatbelts to the whole team like Oprah Winfrey giveaways. “I say everybody’s in. It takes (player) one through 13.”
It was onto Hall, South Carolina’s best defender, who draws the toughest matchup every game, who coach Dawn Staley said is one of the five best defenders she’s ever had in her 25 years of coaching.
Hall, a 6-foot senior guard, is well attuned to Tessa Johnson’s defense and how much she wants to excel. So, leading up to the Texas game, Hall poured into the underclassmen to build her defensive confidence. She talked with her about the Longhorns’ tendencies and sent her encouraging text messages.
And after she watched how her defensive pupil responded, Hall declared she now has permission to strap in.
“Yup, she sure does,” Hall said. “She sure has earned in the Seatbelt Gang. She did a good job.”
This special club embodies the Gamecocks’ defensive mindset, especially on the perimeter. The proverbial members bring a special edge when defending by applying pressure on the offense, even if on an island with the best. Especially if on an island with the best.
Big ole NOPE from @HollywoodRaven 😤 pic.twitter.com/yXyNi9BUV5
— South Carolina Women’s Basketball (@GamecockWBB) April 5, 2025
The Seatbelt Gang began at South Carolina — but on the football field. Israel Mukuamu and Jaycee Horn created a celebration to honor their prowess as defensive backs. They’d pull an invisible seatbelt across their chest, symbolizing how they strapped in a receiver, covering him so thoroughly as to be confining.
Chicago Sky guard DiJonai Carrington brought it to the hardwood. The WNBA first-team All-Defense selection — famous for her battles with rookie superstar Caitlin Clark — pulls out the gesture after clamping up a ball-handler.
Fulwiley and Raven Johnson brought it to the national champions.
The Gamecocks had better come strapped on Sunday. UConn is different from most teams in its guard reliance. The Huskies thrive with shooting and penetration. They attack off the dribble to get inside instead of posting up.
“We rely so much on our outside, our perimeter game,” Huskies coach Geno Auriemma said, “and not as much on our interior game.”
At the tip of the attack is arguably the best player in the nation. Paige Bueckers, 23, is a seasoned playmaker. She has a fluid handle, a midrange game and court vision. She can drop 40 points or pick a defense apart.
Azzi Fudd is a knock-down shooter who broke out of a slump in Connecticut’s rout of UCLA. Sarah Strong is a 6-foot-2 forward who can groove like a guard. As an offense, they move the ball and play ...
