On this occasion, balance won out over star and complement, but women's title game confirms both paths viable | Opinion

Apr. 7—Thanks to a confluence unlike any ever seen in women's college basketball to date, an age-old sports debate provided an answer — at least for a day — emanating from the national championship game April 7 between Iowa and South Carolina at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

What prevails in the end: Is it a team with an indisputable star and capable help? Is it a team with impressive, perhaps generational depth and balance? Or can both paths be viable?

History was going to be made either way. But what April 7 was in part was a tribute to the complexities that propel the best teams to the big stages. Not to mention to prove both paths can work to get a shot at them.

On the day, it was the brilliant balance of South Carolina in an 87-75 win for its third national championship and a perfect 38-0 season, with a breakout performance along the way.

"We've come a long way," Gamecocks guard Te-Hina Pappao said. "It's been a long journey. We've trusted each other so much over the season. We have so much confidence with each other, so much love. We're going to sound like a broken record, but it's love throughout this whole program, throughout this whole team."

PHOTOS: South Carolina vs. Iowa women's basketball, April 7, 2024

There is a selflessness that is a prerequisite to make both paths viable: Iowa's, with a generational superstar in Caitlin Clark and willing complement regardless of its definition, or South Carolina's, leaning more toward balance and depth.

By the way, that's not to imply the Gamecocks don't have a "star." Kamilla Cardoso will be a lottery pick in the WNBA draft and should enjoy a long pro career. It's just that South Carolina has a litany of options to fill that headline role depending on circumstances.

In the former, no superstar can be at their best without being surrounded by those who can accentuate their premier qualities while being willing to play to and capitalize on those complementary strengths. In the latter, any one player in the rotation can step up to be a main option, making them a nightmare for which to tactically prepare.

In either scenario, it requires all principles involved to check ego at the door — and both of these outstanding teams are a testament to that. Both found a path to a national championship game.

And in the process, teams across sports and across levels — yes, including the high school student-athletes I cover — can pay attention and, hopefully if they're willing, learn something.

The Gamecocks dug a 10-0 hole, and Clark already had 18 by the end of the first quarter, including two trips to the line after getting fouled on 3s.

South Carolina started the game down 10-0.

They go into the half with the lead pic.twitter.com/tDcuHIm0ng

— ESPN (@espn) April 7, 2024

Never shy to incorporate her incredible arsenal off the bench, though, Dawn Staley subbed out 60% of her starting lineup. From there, South Carolina chipped away back into the game, all the way to a 49-46 halftime lead.

One massive contribution en route to that, and in turn displaying that depth, came from Tessa Johnson. The 6-foot freshman guard from Albertville, Minn. — a Minneapolis-St. Paul suburb, population 7,896 — and the pride of St. Michael Albertville High School probably could have gone virtually anywhere else in the country, started right away and sought more stats and individual spotlight.

Instead? Johnson ventured to Columbia to play for Staley's powerhouse. She came off the bench for nine points, which helped stabilize what could have been disastrous if Clark got even hotter from range and the Hawkeyes built better on that 10-0 start. Johnson also contributed a pair of 3s as the Gamecocks built a lead of as many as 11 and led, 68-59, entering the fourth.

What a pendulum it's been for Johnson. As a sophomore on high school, she broke her leg and missed the season. As a senior, she led her squad to its first girls basketball state title in more than a decade. Then, a year later, she led her college team to hardware, too, with a virtuoso performance off that deep bench: a team-high 19 points on 7-for-11 shooting from the floor.

"Tessa was due for a breakout game," Paopao said. "What to do better than on a national stage? She's trusted her process here. She's trusted her journey. And for her to do that on such a big stage, I'm so proud of her. Her confidence has grown so much."

Just how dominant was that bench play? To the tune of a 37-0 scoring advantage for the Gamecocks.

"To have a roster that goes nine, 10 deep is — it's a privilege, it really is," Staley said. "But it has to be developed slowly and the right way."

Cardoso got hers, with 15 points and 17 rebounds, both of which were punctuated by an offensive board and putback with 2:27 left to make it an 83-75.

Clark got hers, too, with 30 points, eight rebounds and five assists in her final college game.

But seemingly, Clark knew the totality with which South Carolina had struck.

Her trademark logo 3s weren't as prevalent here, pestered by great defense much of the afternoon by Raven Johnson. But down eight after Cardoso's putback with a little more than two minutes left, Clark pulled up for a deep 3, trying for a spark that wasn't to be.

Here's to hoping Clark isn't judged too adversely by the lack of a college title, because her impact on advancing the game means so much more.

"For me, just the emotions will probably hit me over the next couple days," Clark said. "There's a lot to be proud of. But there's going to be tears. It is sad this is all over, and this is the last time I'm going to put on an Iowa jersey."

The Iowa-LSU regional final smashed records with 12.3 million viewers ... only to be toppled days later by the Iowa-Connecticut national semifinal with 14.2 million viewers.

Remember, not just for women's college basketball. The prior standard bearer for most-watched basketball game at any level on ESPN was the Cavaliers' 2018 Eastern Conference finals Game 7 against the Celtics — with 13.51 million viewers.

And that will likely go by the wayside once figures are available for this battle of titans, each in their own way, between Iowa and South Carolina.

"I don't really get offended when people say I never watched women's basketball before," Clark said. "I think, one, you're a little late to the party, yes. But, two, that's cool. We're changing the game. We're attracting more people to it."

Forget smashing records and perception. That's obliteration.

All the while showing us all an important lesson about how teams can aspire with their own formula for success.

Highlighted by a confluence unlike any other, in which balance had the final word on this landmark day when it all aligned in Cleveland.