South Carolina approach is like any other matchup
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Aliyah Boston has played her share of All-americans this season, and each time, she and South Carolina have ended up victorious.
Facing Maryland’s Diamond Miller, a second-team AP All-american, is nothing more than the next step of a journey focused on success.
“I take it as another game,” Boston, a three-time first-team All-american, said Sunday, “just the opposing five players that we have to play against.”
The top-seeded Gamecocks (35-0) face the Terrapins (286) on Monday in the Greenville 1 Region for a trip to the Final Four in Dallas this week. It’s a rematch of a game at Maryland in November when South Carolina throttled the home team, 81-56.
The Terps were without Miller, a smooth, 6-foot-3-inch senior who leads the team with averages of 19.7 points and 6.5 rebounds this season.
“I’m not sure at that point of the season whether we would have had Diamond, it would have made a difference,” Maryland coach Brenda Frese said.
Miller has missed the past two games against South Carolina in 2021 and 2022 because of injury. Her lone appearance came in November 2019 when she and Boston were freshmen.
Boston had 14 points and seven rebounds in the Gamecocks’ 63-54 win while Miller finished with 10 points and five rebounds.
Boston has been as steady in her approach since she first stepped on the court at South Carolina. There were moments when coach Dawn Staley had to tweak and shape Boston’s practice habits early on, guidance she took to heart and improved.
With Boston a senior who swept the major national awards last season, Staley said her centerpiece performer is solely focused on the wins.
“She doesn’t care about stats. She doesn’t care about double doubles. She just wants to win,” Staley said. “I think she wants to go out as winners with her team.”
Boston has taken on her share of talented players this season. She had 14 points and 13 rebounds in a 76-71 overtime win at Stanford in November to overcome Cardinal star Cameron Brink’s 25 points.
Miller was disappointed she couldn’t play the past two against South Carolina and is excited to get another chance at Boston and the defending national champions.
“Aliyah is a great player,” Miller said. “They have a lot of great players, and our class of 2019 is really thriving right now. It’s going to be fun.”