COLUMBIA, S.C. — Just a few weeks before South Carolina began its campaign to defend its national title, fifth-year senior Te-Hina Paopao laughed and joked with teammates on the sideline during practice as coach Dawn Staley stood nearby and rattled off feedback to players conducting a full-court drill.
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Staley either didn’t notice or didn’t mind Paopao that October Monday (but given that it’s Staley, it’s fair to assume it’s not the former). A year ago, Staley would’ve characterized it as Paopao’s being unfocused. The constant chatter would have felt like disrespect to the game and that she was allowing distractions to enter this sacred space. But today, Staley doesn’t see
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