Chloe Has To Make Adjustments”: Dawn Staley Stresses Chloe Kitts To Stand Guard Having A Target On Her Back

Mar 10, 2024; Greensville, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley talks with forward Chloe Kitts (21) during the second half against the LSU Lady Tigers at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley recently talked about how their leading scorer Chloe Kitts dealt with being double-teamed in the post following their dominant 95-44 win over the East Carolina Pirates on Sunday.

As the key figure in their team’s offense, Kitts naturally draws the defensive pressure of their opponents, which Staley believes requires adaptability from the forward. On Sunday, Kitts managed to score 14 points amid their opponent’s defensive scheme.

“I think Chloe has to make adjustments because, I mean, right now I think she’s our leading scorer, so, I mean, she’s got the target on her back as far as the scouting report,” Staley said.

The Gamecocks coach also said the key in overcoming their opponent’s defense lies in getting an early read on them.

“Once she sees how they’re guarding her after that first possession, she probably needs to just kind of make them forget about it a little bit and then come back,” she added.

Dawn Staley’s Gamecocks started strong in the season

Dawn Staley’s South Carolina Gamecocks utterly dominated the overmatched East Carolina Pirates last Sunday, extending their undefeated streak at the start of the season. Coming off a national championship, it seems like there was nothing else to expect.

Gamecocks forward Chloe Kitts found herself being hassled by the Pirates’ defense, but she still overcame and imposed her will as she scored down low. That is why Staley isn’t stressing herself about her leading scorer.

“She’ll adjust,” Staley said. “I’m not worried about Chloe.”

Under coach Dawn Staley’s guidance, Kitts has been poised not only to up her scoring abilities, but to become an even more effective offensive option against the toughest defenders.

This is an official @chloe1kitts stan account
🎥: SECN+ pic.twitter.com/EVtxGwYWD9

— South Carolina Women’s Basketball (@GamecockWBB) November 17, 2024

Nov 17, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks forward Chloe Kitts (21) drives around East Carolina Lady Pirates forward Tatyana Wyche (2) in the first half at Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

A look at Dawn Staley’s record with the Gamecocks

South Carolina coach Dawn Staley has achieved a lot with the team since she joined them in 2008. She became the second African American coach to lead a women’s basketball team to a national championship since Carolyn Peck led Purdue to the NCAA championship in 1999.

When asked about their program-record 61 consecutive home victories that began on Dec. 17, 2020, Staley simply said they move on to the next game after each win.

“I just think about the next game,” Staley said. “If we stop to think about what we’ve accomplished, we’ll let our guard down. It’s not one of the goals that we set, but to actually live it and do it and be a part of it, I gotta tip my hat to all the players and all the coaches that have created what we’ve created.”

South Carolina are scheduled to face their rival Clemson Tigers next on Wednesday. Then, they face UCLA on Sunday, Iowa State on Nov. 29, and Purdue on Nov. 29.
Mar 8, 2024; Greenville, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley talks with guard Chloe Kitts (21) before Kitts goes back in the game against the Texas A&M Aggies during the first quarter at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard/The Greenville News via USA TODAY NETWORK
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