USC Women: Gamecocks close to contending

COLUMBIA -- Entering her second year at South Carolina, Dawn Staley isn't yet ready to label her Gamecocks as contenders.

But they're not far away, either.

"I think we're a step closer to competing the way I'd like to compete," Staley said. "We've put ourselves in position to win some of the games we weren't able to win last year."

South Carolina went 10-18 last season, but the Gamecocks were crippled by season-ending injuries to seniors Demetress Adams and Brionna Dickerson. The results illustrated that in the second half of the season. But it was during that time when a lot of young players got experience they wouldn't have otherwise.

But what did Staley really glean from her first year in the SEC?

"I learned that you need more players," Staley said. "No matter how hard you play, no matter what you put into it ... it can get you to a certain point. But you need talent to get you over the hump to win basketball games.

"We found ourselves closing the gap, but we couldn't win games."

Insert some real gap-closers. How about two Parade All-Americans -- the first (and second) in the program's history?

Kelsey Bone's impact is bigger than even her 6-5 frame.

"It does help when you get arguably the No. 2 player in the country," Staley said. "It gives instant credibility to what we're trying to do."

Bone made the difficult decision to leave her home in Texas and join Staley's building project -- it's not even really a rebuilding project, at this point.

And don't discount point guard Ieasia Walker, a 5-8 sparkplug for the offense.

Because of that and the returning players, the Gamecocks will surely get on the right side of .500 this season.

"Honestly I don't see why we can't excel right away," Bone said. "We really do want to win."

The Gamecocks lost five games by fewer than seven points, including a four-point loss at then-No. 9 Auburn and a six-point loss at then-No. 19 Florida.

Bone and Walker think they could provide the punch to get over that hump.

"We just needed those six or seven points," Bone said. "We don't see why we can't give the team that."

The schedule will again be a challenge. Staley wants it that way.

In addition to the SEC season, the Gamecocks have non-conference tests against Oklahoma, Notre Dame, North Carolina State and North Carolina.

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com and check out the South Carolina blog at www.postandcourier.com/blogs/gamecocks.