Gamecocks celebrate champions
As Alicia Keys’ “Girl on Fire” played over the loudspeakers at the South Carolina Statehouse, freshman guard Bree Hall leaned into a hot mic at the podium and sang along. Her jaw dropped and Laeticia Amihere used her hand to block the microphone.
After a handful of laughs, the impromptu karaoke led to a group lip-sync (or simply, not singing into the mic). The atmosphere was electric.
Gamecock fans celebrated downtown with a parade and a ceremony on Wednesday night honoring the 2022 women’s basketball national champions. The team sat at the top of the AP Poll for entire season, finished 34-2 and went 11-0 against ranked opponents. — with the national coach of the year, Dawn Staley — and the national player of the year, Aliyah Boston.
Copyright 2022 Sean Rayford. All rights reserved.
Elysa Wesolek and Lele Grissett
Dawn Staley
Aliyah Boston
Dawn Staley with Mayor Daniel Rickenman
Victaria Saxton
Aliyah Boston, Bree Hall and Laeticia Amihere
Bree Hall and Saniyah Rivers
Elysa Wesolek and Lele Grissett
Bree Hall
About the author: Sean Rayford is a South Carolina photojournalist covering the state since 1997. Susan Walvius was head coach at the University of South Carolina when Rayford photographed his first women’s basketball game.