Amidst the confetti showering the championship stage, Raven Johnson found closure, dispelling the lingering specters of humiliation and defeat.
Addressing the euphoric South Carolina crowd inside Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Johnson proclaimed triumphantly into the mic, "All I have to say is the revenge tour is over!"
In Sunday's 87-75 national championship victory against Iowa, Johnson's individual scoring contribution was modest, with just three points and ten missed shots. However, her defensive prowess proved pivotal in neutralizing Hawkeyes star Caitlin Clark, ultimately tipping the scales in South Carolina's favor.
Initially, with Bree Hall assigned to guard her, Clark soared to a first-quarter championship game record of 18 points, propelling Iowa to a commanding lead. However, a strategic move by South Carolina coach Dawn Staley in the second quarter changed the game's trajectory significantly. Johnson was tasked with containing Clark, and the dynamic shifted dramatically thereafter.
Under Johnson's vigilant defense, Clark's scoring was stifled, with a meager 12 points and a 5-of-20 shooting performance for the remainder of the game. Additionally, Clark committed four turnovers while being defended by Johnson.
Reflecting on her performance, Johnson remarked, "I was ready for the moment. I studied her moves, and I was ready. I had confidence this year. I was telling myself, last year was not going to happen again."
Last year, as a freshman in the Final Four, Johnson struggled to assert herself on such a grand stage. The memory of Iowa's victory over South Carolina, propelled by Clark's extraordinary 41-point performance, lingered. Particularly memorable was Clark's dismissive gesture toward Johnson during the game, which went viral.
Far from letting that moment define her, Johnson used it as fuel throughout her sophomore season. After Iowa's triumph over UConn in the Final Four, Johnson immediately texted Hall, signaling their collective resolve for a rematch.
Praising Johnson's defensive tenacity, Hall remarked, "I'm so proud of her, and the work that she's put in has really paid off. Her defense was really big. She was really locking [Clark] down."
The defining moment of the first half underscored Johnson's impact. Intercepting the ball from Clark, Johnson embarked on a decisive layup, her only field goal of the game, symbolizing South Carolina's resolute stance.
Teammate MiLaysia Fulwiley echoed the sentiment, remarking, "Sometimes I feel like I wasn't even playing defense. I was just sitting there watching Raven defend Clark. I'm so excited I got to see it."
Staley acknowledged her faith in Johnson's defensive capabilities and recognized the significance of the matchup in determining the game's outcome.
Clark, gracious in defeat, commended Johnson's resilience, both before and after the game. Reflecting on Johnson's growth, Clark acknowledged her improved 3-point shooting and lauded her defensive efforts.
As Clark transitions to the WNBA, Staley emphasized that Johnson can now move forward unencumbered.
"For Raven, I think it was psychologically helpful to be able to play Iowa and Caitlin, to just release. As a player, you want to release certain things that have held you captive," Staley said. "And I do think the waving off in the Final Four last year held her captive. It's pretty cool that Raven was able to just kind of check off a goal and move forward."
For Johnson, the championship victory was not just a triumph on the court but a personal vindication—a redemption tour fulfilled.
