South Carolina opened SEC play with a statement after Head Coach Dawn Staley entrusted freshman guard Agot Makeer to start at point guard against the Alabama Crimson Tide. The decision came in the conference opener and carried added weight with star guard Ta’Niya Latson sidelined by an ankle sprain.
Staley confirmed the injury on Jan. 1, noting that Latson was hurt on Dec. 28 against Providence. Despite the absence, the No. 3 South Carolina Gamecocks improved to 14-1 with an 83-57 victory over the previously unbeaten Crimson Tide. Makeer, a 19-year-old Canadian, handled the role as South Carolina controlled the game from start to finish.
Dawn Staley Addresses Agot Makeer Lineup Move, Ta’Niya Latson Injury
South Carolina opened SEC play without one of its top guards. Still, Head Coach Dawn Staley made it clear the adjustment was planned, purposeful, and rooted in trust. With Ta’Niya Latson sidelined by an ankle sprain, freshman Agot Makeer earned her first career start in the Gamecocks’ 83-57 win over Alabama on Jan. 1.
Staley said the choice to insert Makeer into the starting group was driven by development and lineup balance.
“The decision was, ‘Well, we got to get her going.’ That’s one,” Staley said. She added that the staff also wanted to avoid playing multiple point guards for extended minutes together. “It’s usually probably Mouse, Maddy[McDaniel] but I didn’t want to put out both the point guards in the game at once because, a lot of times, we play our point guards heavy minutes.”
Staley explained the rotation allowed South Carolina to maintain continuity when turning to the bench.
“We just wanted to have an opportunity to bring someone in off the bench that really understands what we’re doing,” she said.
The approach also paid dividends for Maddy McDaniel, whom Staley said delivered her most complete performance of the season. “Mouse, I think she played by far her best game on both sides of the basketball. We need her to get going. It was the best of both worlds.”
Makeer finished with nine points in 20 minutes against the No. 24 Crimson Tide. She entered the game after posting a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds against Providence, where Latson was injured. South Carolina improved to 14-1 with the victory.
Latson’s absence remains fluid. Staley provided her most detailed update following the Alabama game, describing the guard’s status as day-to-day.
“She’s day to day, it’s a sprain,” Staley said. “It’s her pain tolerance, it’s an ankle that she rolled earlier this season and it just kind of got irritated again.” Staley has not offered a specific timeline for Latson’s return.
South Carolina briefly lost momentum late in the second quarter before regaining control after halftime. Staley said adjustments were necessary to counter Alabama’s execution.
Defensively, Staley emphasized the need for improved engagement after the break.
Staley also praised Raven Johnson’s aggressiveness, saying no extra encouragement was needed. “I just knew she would do exactly what she did,” Staley said. “She actually does what’s needed to win basketball games.”
South Carolina next plays Florida in Gainesville on Jan. 4.
