November 10th 2024.
People from all walks of life came to the Los Angeles stadium for the Saturday afternoon game. Some were regular citizens, while others were basketball stars, all anticipating an exciting performance. The crowd was a mix of seasoned fans, ready for the second year of the JuJu Watkins Era, and notable figures like rapper Saweetie, program legend Cheryl Miller, and WNBA mogul Chiney Ogwumike, all sitting courtside. There were also some present to scout potential talent, with Dallas Wings general manager and former Sparks head coach Curt Miller keeping a close eye on top WNBA prospect Kiki Iriafen. And for some, it was a heartwarming experience, as Iriafen's grandparents, visiting all the way from Nigeria, watched their granddaughter play collegiate basketball for the first time from a few rows up from Miller.
The atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation, as this was no longer just any ordinary game for the Los Angeles Sparks. They were now a powerhouse team, with high expectations and a pregame hype video showcasing their impressive national ranking, under the guidance of fourth-year head coach Lindsay Gottlieb. The audience was in for a treat, and they could have left after just 10 minutes of gameplay, as USC dominated the game from the very start, defeating Cal Poly 90-35.
Gottlieb had challenged her players to come out with energy and heart, and they certainly delivered. The coach was proud of her team's performance, stating, "I thought we did that." USC's season had begun with a slightly sloppy win over 20th-ranked Ole Miss, but they quickly bounced back and showcased their potential in their home opener. Gottlieb had pointed out some flaws in their previous game, emphasizing the importance of reducing turnovers. And that's exactly what her team did, with only 3 turnovers in the first half.
The game started with a bang, as USC went on a 28-0 run after a few minutes, thanks to their impressive full-court press defense. It was a one-sided affair, with USC relentlessly pursuing the ball and dominating their opponents. Gottlieb reminded the team that it was still early in the season and that they couldn't fast-forward to the Elite Eight, but they could continue to establish their identity.
Local player Rayah Marshall, who had been a part of Gottlieb's rebuilding process for four years, reached a career milestone in the first quarter, scoring her 1,000th point. JuJu Watkins, who had a rough start in the previous game with 9 turnovers, showed great composure in the post and even blocked 4 shots. Freshman guard Kayleigh Heckel proved to be a crucial player off the bench, providing a spark for the team's future. By the end of the first quarter, USC had a commanding 40-6 lead, the highest-scoring quarter in program history since the NCAA changed to 10-minute quarters.
Heckel continued to impress in the second quarter, battling through contact and scoring an impressive and-one layup, bringing USC's lead to 57-17 at halftime. The team had improved on their floor-spacing issue, but there were still some concerns as they only made 6 out of 28 attempted 3-pointers. However, their dominance inside the paint, led by players like Iriafen and Marshall, made up for it, with USC grabbing 20 offensive rebounds in the game. Heckel finished the game with 16 points, Watkins with 16 and 4 blocks, and Marshall with 15. Sophomore Malia Samuels also stepped up in the second half, scoring a career-high 12 points with 3 three-pointers. The game ended with the crowd erupting in applause, as the team's first home game of the season was a resounding success.
Gottlieb acknowledged that it was just the beginning of the season, but she was determined to build on this performance. "It's a new season," she said, "but we want to build from that." The team had shown their potential, and now they were ready to take on whatever challenges came their way.
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