The Daily Gamecock

PHOTOS: Meet the fans who came out for the Gamecocks in the Final Four

South Carolina supporters, many dressed in garnet and black, filled fan spaces and streets in Phoenix, Arizona, as they gathered for the NCAA Final Four. Fans posed for photos, played basketball-themed games and stopped to read displays, while others lingered outside the arena in jerseys bearing familiar names. Families, alumni and longtime supporters traveled across the country to be part of the moment.

Charlotte resident Richard Lancaster stands in front of the NCAA sign at Tourney Town during March Madness on April 3, 2026. Lancaster said he became a fan of Dawn Staley during the '90s Olympics and when she started coaching at Temple University, and has been coming to Gamecock women's basketball games since the late 2010s.
Charlotte resident Richard Lancaster stands in front of the NCAA sign at Tourney Town during March Madness on April 3, 2026. Lancaster said he became a fan of Dawn Staley during the '90s Olympics and when she started coaching at Temple University, and has been coming to Gamecock women's basketball games since the late 2010s.
Phoenix, Arizona, resident Kevin Trechsel and Cincinnati, Ohio, resident Juliana Trechsel pose together in front of a basketball game at Tourney Town during March Madness in Phoenix on April 3, 2026. Juliana is a Gamecock alumna who came down to visit family in Phoenix, which Kevin said is a huge spot for all sporting events.
Phoenix, Arizona, resident Kevin Trechsel and Cincinnati, Ohio, resident Juliana Trechsel pose together in front of a basketball game at Tourney Town during March Madness in Phoenix on April 3, 2026. Juliana is a Gamecock alumna who came down to visit family in Phoenix, which Kevin said is a huge spot for all sporting events.
Myrtle Beach resident Landon Ross jumps to catch a ball during a time trial game at Tourney Town during the Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 3, 2026. Ross said he hopes to cheer the Gamecocks on to a championship win.
Myrtle Beach resident Landon Ross jumps to catch a ball during a time trial game at Tourney Town during the Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 3, 2026. Ross said he hopes to cheer the Gamecocks on to a championship win.
Asheville, North Carolina, resident Linda Sharp poses in front of a Gamecocks-themed photo booth at Tourney Town in Phoenix, Arizona, during the Final Four on April 3, 2026. Sharp said Staley has cultivated a great team and is hoping for a championship win.
Asheville, North Carolina, resident Linda Sharp poses in front of a Gamecocks-themed photo booth at Tourney Town in Phoenix, Arizona, during the Final Four on April 3, 2026. Sharp said Staley has cultivated a great team and is hoping for a championship win.
Virginia residents Nicki and Clarence Hudson look over the history of the NCAA women's basketball program on a display at Tourney Town during the Final Four on April 3, 2026. The Hudsons love Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks and are hoping the team succeeds over the UConn Huskies.
Virginia residents Nicki and Clarence Hudson look over the history of the NCAA women's basketball program on a display at Tourney Town during the Final Four on April 3, 2026. The Hudsons love Dawn Staley and the Gamecocks and are hoping the team succeeds over the UConn Huskies.
St. Michael, Minnesota, resident Brenda Ugalde shows off her Tessa Johnson shirt at Tourney Town during the Final Four on April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. Ugalde said Johnson is the best player in the tournament and is excited to see both the Gamecocks and Huskies play live.
St. Michael, Minnesota, resident Brenda Ugalde shows off her Tessa Johnson shirt at Tourney Town during the Final Four on April 3, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. Ugalde said Johnson is the best player in the tournament and is excited to see both the Gamecocks and Huskies play live.
Gamecock alumna Margaret Jennings shows off her black and red dyed hair at the Great Clips stand at Tourney Town at the Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 3, 2026. Jennings attended South Carolina in the '70s as a biology student and worked at the university for a long time.
Gamecock alumna Margaret Jennings shows off her black and red dyed hair at the Great Clips stand at Tourney Town at the Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 3, 2026. Jennings attended South Carolina in the '70s as a biology student and worked at the university for a long time.
Savannah, Georgia, resident Haley McNeil poses on the streets at Tourney Town during the Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 3, 2026. McNeil traveled with her friends' family, all of whom are Gamecock fans, to Phoenix, which has become a tradition.
Savannah, Georgia, resident Haley McNeil poses on the streets at Tourney Town during the Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 3, 2026. McNeil traveled with her friends' family, all of whom are Gamecock fans, to Phoenix, which has become a tradition.
Columbia residents Caitlyn and Cameron Flemming pose together at Tourney Town during the Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 3, 2026. The Flemmings have been Gamecock fans their whole lives, and Caitlyn plays basketball for the Palmetto 76ers.
Columbia residents Caitlyn and Cameron Flemming pose together at Tourney Town during the Final Four in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 3, 2026. The Flemmings have been Gamecock fans their whole lives, and Caitlyn plays basketball for the Palmetto 76ers.
San Carlos, California, residents Kayla Kitcheyan and Jennifer Gutierrez sit outside the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona, while wearing Dawn Staley jerseys before the Final Four on April 3, 2026. The two came out to see Staley since it is the closest she has come to where the two live.
San Carlos, California, residents Kayla Kitcheyan and Jennifer Gutierrez sit outside the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Arizona, while wearing Dawn Staley jerseys before the Final Four on April 3, 2026. The two came out to see Staley since it is the closest she has come to where the two live.