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Gamecocks To Meet Boston U. in First Round of Hawk Classic
Posted: December 27th, 2009 @ 7:00pm
The South Carolina women's basketball team returns to head coach Dawn Staley's stomping grounds to take part in the 19th annual Hawk Classic on Monday and Tuesday. The Gamecocks' first opponent will be Boston University.
The Terriers, from the America East conference, are coached by Kelly Greenberg and bring a 3-6 record into the tournament. The Terriers were pulverized by Kentucky (at Kentucky) in their season opener, 58-92. While their record is nothing to brag about, Boston does have a balanced scoring attack, with 4 players averaging double-figure scoring. Sophomore guard Alex Young leads the way with 14.6 per game, followed by three freshman guards: Caitlynn (Mo) Moran with 14.4, Chantell Alford with 11.8 and Kristen Sims with 10.5.
The Terriers are not a tall team, with junior forward Kerry Cashman (who plays less than 20 minutes, most game) topping the list at 6-2. The leading rebounders are senior forward Aly Hinton, who leads the team with 6 per game and sophomore forward Caroline Stewart, who adds another 5.8 per game.
The Gamecocks definitely come in with a size advantage and should have a significant experience advantage, as well. While South Carolina plays a lot of freshmen, too, there should be some advantage to playing some of the best teams in the country (Oklahoma, Notre Dame, UNC, etc.) rather than the best of the Ivy League. Kentucky is not likely to rank among the best teams in the SEC in the coming season, though they are clearly the best team that Boston has faced, so far this season.
The Gamecocks will rely on freshman center Kelsey Bone to lead the attack inside, assisted by junior forward Jewel May and sophomore forward Charenee Stephens. Ashley Bruner, freshman forward from Oklahoma, can also provide quality minutes. Junior guard Valerie Nainima will lead the outside scoring attack, assisted by junior point guard Samone Kennedy, sophomore shooting guard Lakeisha Sutton and freshman guards Ieasia Walker and Ebony Wilson.
Please check local listings for radio coverage options for the game. Best information, at this time, is that the game will probably be at 4 pm (but that is NOT confirmed.) You can listen on 1320 AM or check Gamecocksonline.com for the game.
