South Carolina Sisterhood Turns Fierce as WNBA Rivalry Ignites at Atlanta vs LA Sparks

“I’ve got to hold my head up high.” You could feel the heartbreak in the air after South Carolina lost their fairy-tale ending to UConn, and when the Gamecocks seniors addressed the media. Though the game wasn’t all that close, there were moments of brilliance from Dawn Staley’s group. There’s no doubt that the loss hurt for everyone, but for the senior core? It meant something different entirely. After all, their bond went beyond just one game.

South Carolina and Dawn Staley were blessed with a brilliant, albeit rag-tag, senior group of Te-Hina Paopao, Sania Feagin, and Bree Hall. Though the trio was not formed organically, with Paopao transferring in late, their chemistry and talent was undeniable. Simply put, the Gamecocks program changes lives, and it changed theirs for the better. Their talent was put on showcase once again through the WNBA draft, as all three headed to the big leagues to live out their dreams.

It was a big achievement, no doubt, but it also opened up the possibility for fierce competition. After all, the Gamecocks seniors have had each other’s backs for years now, and facing off against one another is bound to cause some mixed feelings. Well, it’s finally time for this epic Gamecocks showdown, as Te-Hina Paopao and Sania Feagin are about to compete for the very first time in the pros!

While Feagin has barely played till now, Paopao caught the eyes of the WNBA community by having a stellar performance against fan-favorite Indiana Fever. The Atlanta guard is currently averaging around 7 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists a game in limited minutes, showing exactly why she was projected to be a first-rounder this year.

For the LA Sparks, winning this matchup will be quite crucial. Their three-game losing streak has set them at a 2-3 record to start off the season, while the Dream have only lost two games thus far. So there is definitely a deeper competitive lining behind this game, both in terms of the Gamecocks matchup and in terms of overall league standings as well.

It will be interesting to see whether the Sparks play Feagin, who currently sits low on the front-court rotation behind Stevens, Hamby, and Jackson. But even though her minutes aren’t confirmed, we know that the organization has good plans for the forward out of South Carolina. But what exactly were their thoughts behind drafting the six-foot-three big?

LA Sparks GM had nothing but praise for South Carolina big after WNBA draft

“Waiting your turn is way harder than people realize.” Ask anybody in Columbia now, they’ll tell you how great of a player Sania Feagin is. Her journey as a Gamecock has been highly inspirational, going from a low ranking bench player to being a solid WNBA prospect in her senior year. But of course, Dawn Staley must have seen something in her while bringing her over, and over time? We saw it too.

Feagin was supposed to be a first-rounder, and so was Ta-Hina Paopao. However, the cards did not fall the way analysts expected, and she was still not selected even after the 20th pick. But for LA Sparks general manager Raegan Pebley? It was something he just could not believe. “Our whole war room was stunned that she was still available as late as she was,” He said, and we were too!

What the six-foot-three big provides for Los Angeles is a great amount of depth at the center position, especially considering the injury of Cameron Brink. But that’s not all, as the South Carolina championship DNA is strong in Feagin. “She’s won 144 games in college, and only lost seven,” Pebley said. “She stayed at South Carolina her entire career. She won two national championships. That’s something you cannot dismiss.” Her loyalty, her championship experience, and her hard working mentality was a major factor behind her second-round selection.

It will be interesting to see how her career unfolds at Los Angeles, but we all know that Feagin has the work-ethic to succeed. All that she needs is time, and she will prove exactly why LA was right in drafting her!