BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – With an Elite Eight victory over Duke, South Carolina seniors Sania Feagin and Bree Hall have now made it to four straight Final Fours during their time as Gamecocks.
When asked if they thought their careers would “come out this way” when they signed with Dawn Staley four years ago, Feagin had a very simple answer.
“Yes, I did.”
Hall had a different perspective about being a part of the historic South Carolina era.
“I really can’t believe it,” Hall said. “When I committed here, I didn’t really expect it to be this good. This is definitely an experience that people dream about, and I’m just really glad I made the right choice.”
Playing alongside Feagin and Hall throughout the dominant run is Raven Johnson, a junior guard who redshirted as a freshman. Feagin and Hall have one year of eligibility left and have not yet announced if they plan to stay at South Carolina.
But that’s a decision for another day. The Gamecocks are focused on the Final Four next weekend and extending their run.
“We’re not done,” Johnson said. “We can set history winning a national championship, and that’s the plan. We all know what it takes, and we know it’s not gonna be easy.”
She already knows the path ahead will be a challenge because getting this far was one.
No. 1 seed South Carolina survived No. 2 Duke 54-50, scoring a season-low paired with 16 turnovers. The matchup had four lead changes and four ties. Feagin and Hall each had three key rebounds in the fourth quarter.
“The margin of error is very little,” said Johnson, adding that a missed shot can turn “the momentum of the game” to the other team.
This is now the third-straight nailbiter the Gamecocks have endured. They trailed at halftime in matchups against No. 9 Indiana in the second round and No. 4 Maryland in the Sweet 16.
Prior to Sunday’s game, the Gamecocks had won 33 games with a 22.9-point margin of victory, so it's safe to say they are usually comfortable on the court.
“I don’t know why everybody expects us to just blow everybody out,” Hall said. “These teams are coming to play. It’s not gonna be easy, every team is gonna be ready for us.”
The trio is ready to bring its experience to a familiar setting – the Final Four – and live up to its own expectation: winning.
Olivia Noni is a student in the University of Georgia's Sports Media Certificate program.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: These South Carolina basketball stars know Final Four won't be easy
