GIRLS BASKETBALL Feeling a little defensive
Photos and Story
By Mike Maddock
Mike@TheColumbiaStar.com

Lower Richland's Morgan Stroman goes for the lay up. She led all scorers with 14 points. Here she is defended by Spring Valley's Elikia Spann. Spann scored four points for the Lady Vikings.

The Lower Richland Lady Diamond Hornets are feeling a little defensive. They are defending their 2006 state championship, and they are defending their home floor, and defending it well.

The Lady Diamond Hornets' defensive posture was on full display Tuesday, Feb. 6 when they played host to the Spring Valley Lady Vikings and defeated them 56- 23.

The Lady Vikings cut a 14- 2 deficit to 14- 9 by scoring the last seven points of the first period, but they would not score again until Ciara Robinson's lay up at the 4:32 mark of the third period. Robinson's basket ended a 21- 0 run by Lower Richland that spanned 1- 1/2 periods and over 11 minutes.

Lower Richland head coach Debbie Stroman used a fast- break offense and powerful inside game to overwhelm the Lady Vikings. Super sophomore Morgan Stroman led the Diamond Hornets with 14 points getting most of those from inside the paint. Junior Fannie Goodwin also had her way inside scoring nine points, seven of which came in the second period. Another sophomore, Dayshaun Richbow, added eight points sparking many of the Lower Richland fast break opportunities from the point guard position.

Lower Richland freshman Jasmine Harrison drives past Spring Valley's Stephanie Brown.

LeeAnn Robbins led the Lady Vikings with seven points which all came in the second half. Whitney Wiley scored five of Spring Valley's nine points in the first period, but was held scoreless for the remainder of the game.

The Lady Diamond Hornets improve to 19- 2 (7- 0) and will host Ridge View Friday, Feb. 9 in the regular season finally. The Lady Vikings drop to 8- 14 (4- 3) and will host arch rival Richland Northeast Friday.

Spring Valley: LeeAnn Robbins 7, Whitney Wiley 5, Jasmine Ruff 4, Elikia Spann 4, Bria Dawson 2, Stephanie Brown 1.

Lower Richland: Morgan Stroman 14, Fannie Goodwin 9, Dayshaun Richbow 8, Trina Muller 8, Sabrina Hagood 5, Stephanie Wilson 4, Sierrah Oates 4, Roshel Taylor 2, Jonita McCleary 2.