Jan. 3, 2007

Columbia, S.C. – Lea Fabbri’s sigh of relief could be heard throughout the entire Colonial Center. The senior guard immediately looked up to the sky following her first three pointer in Monday’s win over Winthrop. The basket not only highlighted a 15-0 first half run, but it ended a long personal shooting drought.

“It was really frustrating,” said Fabbri, who went more than a month between field goals. “In practice, I was making my shots. But during games, it seemed like the basket was cursed. Once I hit that first one, I was more comfortable.”

Fabbri finished with 8 points and a team-high 6 assists in a 75-30 romp, the Gamecocks’ fifth straight victory. Carolina now stands at 10-4 heading into SEC play, which kicks off Thursday night at Kentucky. Head Coach Susan Walvius believes that the play of the point guards, both Fabbri and fellow senior Lauren Simms, will be one of the keys to their success.

“The point guard is the catalyst on the floor,” said Walvius. “She’s the first person to play defense, and she’s always in charge of the basketball. If she exudes confidence, then the entire team will.”

The position is nothing new to Fabbri, who’s played it her entire Carolina career. But Simms is a different story. The Columbia native was primarily known as a shooting guard during her first three years, but she made the switch last month during the team’s extended break for final exams. It was all part of a search for offensive chemistry. So, Walvius broke up the Gamecocks into two squads, with Simms leading one and Fabbri leading the other.

“Our confidence has changed since that break,” said Simms. “We really focused on our offensive execution by learning what each other’s strengths are, and trying to bring them out.”

Simms is thriving in her new role, averaging nearly 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game as the starting point guard. The move has coincided with the Gamecocks’ current five game winning streak.

“I’ve come a long way,” said Simms. “Each game I’m getting better and more comfortable. I need to keep making my teammates better being the leader on the floor.”

The Gamecocks are hoping this newfound team chemistry will translate into victories in the grueling SEC, which has already seen 10 of its 12 teams win at least 10 games. But, whichever unit is in the game, Carolina now has the confidence and the experience to make another postseason run.

“After a few losses at the beginning, we knew we had to pick up our game,” said Fabbri. “We’ve practiced hard, and now it’s paying off. We’re ready for the SEC. We know now what we have to do to win.”

Spoken like a true point guard.

Programming note: Don’t miss the season premiere of the Susan Walvius TV show, Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. on Time Warner Cable Channel 7.