Gamecocks return victorious to cheering Columbia

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - After a phenomenal season, the Gamecocks won out over UConn at the Final Four. The final score of the championship ended 49 to 64. A full breakdown of the game can be found here.

Hundreds of fans gathered at the Colonial Life Arena Monday afternoon to greet them at around 2:30 p.m. Members of the team and coach Dawn Staley spoke to the gathered crowd.

Staley praised UofSC and the fans for their support throughout the season, “You put energy into our players to play their very best each and every time they step on the floor.”

Plans are currently being worked on for a parade later in the week, details have yet to be released.

VICTORY CELEBRATIONS

Watch WIS News 10 at 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

President Biden tweeted congratulations to the Gamecocks for their national title win.

My brackets may have been wrong, but I could not be more proud of the @GamecockWBB and @KUHoops for their NCAA championship wins. Your schools, your nation, and your president are proud of you. I’m looking forward to your visit to the White House.
— President Biden (@POTUS) April 5, 2022

Congratulations to @GamecockWBB on winning the national championship and capping off a tremendous season. And congrats to @UConnWBB on a very strong year.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) April 4, 2022

Vice President Kamala Harris also joined in the celebrations Monday afternoon.

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham extended his congratulations to the team over social media.

Congratulations to @GamecockWBB and Coach @dawnstaley on bringing home another National Championship! 🏆

Focused.
Disciplined.
What an effort.
What a team! #Redemption #champions #WFinalFour
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) April 4, 2022

Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann sent his congratulations to the Gamecocks on their big win and suggested a parade in celebration.

Congrats to @gamecockwbb and @dawnstaley for bringing another championship back to Columbia! I think we need to have a parade! pic.twitter.com/9MMqGZHE8F
— Daniel J. Rickenmann (@colamayor) April 4, 2022

Musician and Gamecock Darius Rucker tweeted several times about having a concert on the Horseshoe in celebration of the national title win.

Yeeeessssssss!!!!! Let’s go @GamecockWBB and @dawnstaley !! We got POY and COY. One more win and unsay we have a party on the Horseshoe. Free show for the Natty. What say u Gamecocks?!?!?!?!
— Darius Rucker (@dariusrucker) April 2, 2022

The UofSC flag flew at the State House Monday in recognition of the Gamecock’s win. Gov. Henry McMaster tweeted a photo of the flag with the caption “Go Gamecocks!”.

The @UofSC flag is proudly on display over the State House today in recognition of the @GamecockWBB National Championship victory last night.

Go Gamecocks! pic.twitter.com/03tQp4d3WH
— Gov. Henry McMaster (@henrymcmaster) April 4, 2022

It's what we came here for and it's coming home to Columbia with us!

Nothing more needs to be said. #Redemption pic.twitter.com/ymkYq5yolR
— GamecockWBB (@GamecockWBB) April 4, 2022

CHAMPIONSHIP DAY: SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 2022

Sunday’s game started with a strong performance for the Gamecocks. At the Half time they were up 35 to 27.

The @Carolinaband & @QuintusWrighten keep in’ the FAMS hyped‼️ pic.twitter.com/F93hAURaAL
— Judi Gatson (@JudiGatson) April 4, 2022

#Gamecocks off to quick start, lead UConn 13-2 with 4:55 left in #NationalChampionship @MarchMadnessWBB
— Rick Henry (@RickHenry10) April 4, 2022

Minutes away from tip-off. ⁦@MarchMadnessWBB⁩ #finalfour #Gamecocks pic.twitter.com/5AyJycUseJ
— Rick Henry (@RickHenry10) April 4, 2022

WIS News 10 was live in Minneapolis Sunday as the team set off from their hotel with fans cheering them on.

IT’S GAME DAY!!!
— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) April 3, 2022

SEMIFINALS

After a dominating performance, the South Carolina Women’s Basketball team has made it to the national championship with a win over Louisville, 72-59. The Gamecocks will now face UConn for the national title.

On Saturday, WIS10 anchor Judi Gatson did a Facebook live giving a look at “Party on the Plaza” at the NCAA Women’s Final Four.

#Gamecock women advance to National Championship game with 72-59 win over Louisville. They’ll play Stanford-UConn winner for the title Sunday night.
— Rick Henry (@RickHenry10) April 2, 2022

That Boston 3 pointer could be the pitchfork to the heart. Boston 23 pts, 18 rebs
— Rick Henry (@RickHenry10) April 2, 2022

National Player of the year … Aliyah Boston for 3! Gamecocks up 68-56.
— Judi Gatson (@JudiGatson) April 2, 2022

A one-handed grab by the Player of the Year @aa_boston … she now has 18 points & 18 rebounds.
— Judi Gatson (@JudiGatson) April 2, 2022

Key stats: Louisville hanging with #Gamecocks on the boards…rebounds even at 19. Cards lead in 2nd chance pts 10-2…
— Rick Henry (@RickHenry10) April 2, 2022

Pre-game #WFinalFour @GamecockWBB 🏀🖤♥️👏🏽🎉 pic.twitter.com/OWAGQ5IkrX
— Judi Gatson (@JudiGatson) April 1, 2022

That moment when you feelin’ that @GamecockWBB #FinalFour energy‼️ ✨💫🙌🏽 👏🏽👊🏽💃🏽🖤♥️🏀 #LetsGO @QuintusWrighten @Carolinaband #WFinalFour #FourItAll pic.twitter.com/vW5g34zbZF
— Judi Gatson (@JudiGatson) April 1, 2022

⁦@dawnstaley⁩ celebrates with the Fams after locking up a berth in the Final Four. ⁦@MarchMadnessWBB⁩ ⁦@wis10⁩ ⁦@GamecockWBB⁩ pic.twitter.com/Iybz9Oj4ZD
— Rick Henry (@RickHenry10) March 28, 2022

BEFORE THE SEMI FINALS, FRIDAY APRIL 1, 2022

On Friday WIS News 10 was at the scene as the Gamecocks left their hotel into the semi final game.

BREAKING: Aliyah Boston of South Carolina is The Associated Press women's basketball Player of the Year. 🏀

Read the story on the @GamecockWBB star: https://t.co/ap1dFEQsoS

See @aa_boston being surprised by her parents with the good news 👇 pic.twitter.com/ZPn4n5nxcE
— AP Top 25 (@AP_Top25) March 31, 2022

THURSDAY MARCH 31, 2022

Thursday morning on March, 31, 2022 WIS News 10 live streamed from the tournament as preparations get underway. Judi Gatson and Rick Henry provided a behind the scenes look and talked about the team’s practice.

Any guesses about what made @zia_cooke, @vsaxton25 & @QueenBrea_1 😁😊☺️ during the #WFinalFour news conference? #WIS10 #NetWorth pic.twitter.com/jAzGBINwDU
— Judi Gatson (@JudiGatson) March 31, 2022

News conference w/ @GamecockWBB … Coach @dawnstaley says they are excited to be here and ready to compete for a championship. #WIS10 #NetWorth #WFinalFour pic.twitter.com/uzRobGvYXx
— Judi Gatson (@JudiGatson) March 31, 2022

Good morning from the city of purple rain ☔️… we just popped into practice w/ @GamecockWBB …. Coach @dawnstaley sends her 🖤♥️ to all the FAMS‼️

Join me & @RickHenry10 for FB LIVE over on the #WIS10page. #NetWorth #WFinalFour #marchmadnesswbb https://t.co/toHlcFUMDV pic.twitter.com/XzCUxPnfOF
— Judi Gatson (@JudiGatson) March 31, 2022

WEDNESDAY MARCH 30, 2022

Wednesday afternoon Dawn Staley was selected as the National Coach of the Year by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. Staley was also named the Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year.

𝐂𝐎𝐀𝐂𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑 🏆@GamecockWBB’s @dawnstaley has been named the 2022 @wernerladderco Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year!

Under Coach Staley, South Carolina has gone 33-2 this season and advanced to their fourth @WFinalFour in the past seven tournaments. pic.twitter.com/VvoyqCnANb
— The Naismith Trophy (@NaismithTrophy) March 30, 2022

For the second time in three seasons, Dawn Staley of Final Four-bound @GamecockWBB is our National Coach of the Year. https://t.co/9TEeoUkweR pic.twitter.com/w8ENo3z1CW
— U.S. Basketball Writers Association (@USBWA) March 30, 2022

Aliyah Boston has been named the 2022 Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year. Boston has averaged 8.3 defensive rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game this season.

𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐘𝐄𝐑 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐘𝐄𝐀𝐑 🏆

South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston has been named the 2022 Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year!

Boston has averaged 8.3 defensive rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game this season.@aa_boston x @GamecockWBB 🤙 pic.twitter.com/chZyAbaLXy
— The Naismith Trophy (@NaismithTrophy) March 30, 2022

On Wednesday the team let their fans know they arrived in Minneapolis and provided send off details.

TUESDAY MARCH, 29, 2022

Tune in Thursday, March 31, 2022 for a special report at 7 p.m. on the Gamecocks at the Final... — Tune in Thursday, March 31, 2022 for a special report at 7 p.m. on the Gamecocks at the Final Four.(WIS News 10)

Made it safely to Minneapolis and ready to see the FAMS on Friday! Check out the send off details ⬇️

🗓 Friday, April 1
📍 Marquette Hotel (710 Marquette Ave)
⏰ 3:55 p.m.#WFinalFour pic.twitter.com/DoxFsdEGxX
— GamecockWBB (@GamecockWBB) March 30, 2022

Stepped off the plane and walked into a #WFinalFour party 🤩@MarchMadnessWBB pic.twitter.com/nV3lXg1O1q
— GamecockWBB (@GamecockWBB) March 30, 2022

The team posted Tuesday a change to their travel plans.

Slight change in travel plans, we won’t be able to see you all before our trip to Minneapolis. We love you FAMS and can’t to see you at the @TargetCenterMN ❤️
— GamecockWBB (@GamecockWBB) March 29, 2022

Our Rick Henry and Judi Gatson will start our coverage Thursday where they’ll be providing updates on the tournament both on air and on-line. The game is scheduled for Friday April 1, 2022 at 7 p.m. in the Target Center.

Hey @GamecockWBB FAMS … who’s meeting us in Minneapolis? @MarchMadnessWBB #FinalFour #NetWorth pic.twitter.com/uTYLUf21WP
— Judi Gatson (@JudiGatson) March 29, 2022

Stay up to date with the latest details here and with our social media on Facebook and Twitter. Be sure to tune in Thursday at 7 p.m. to WIS 10 for a special report on the tournament.

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