These Diamonds are flawless!
The Lower Richland Lady Diamond Hornets win their third straight South Carolina Girls Basketball Class 4A State Championship and finish a perfect 26- 0.
By Michael Orr

Photos by Morgen Orr The Lower Richland Lady Diamond Hornets: 26- 0 and South Carolina Girls Basketball Class 4A State Champions (Their third straight). They are joined by Lower Richland cheerleaders, administration, trainers, coaches, and others.

The Lower Richland Lady Diamond Hornets won their third consecutive 4A girls state championship on February 29 over the Dorman Lady Cavaliers 47- 45 by playing strong defense and making clutch free throws in the game's final quarter. Morgan Stroman led the Diamond Hornets with 13 well - earned points and the team scored eight of its ten fourth quarter points from the line to defeat the Cavaliers in the Colonial Center for the third straight year.

Each team opened the game looking inside for scoring. Stroman and Fannie Goodwin got LR off to a good start, making tough, contested shots in the paint. Dorman countered with Ashlen Dewart's physical play and the teams were even throughout most of the quarter. While the Diamond Hornets controlled the pace of the quarter, they were unable to gain a meaningful advantage, leading 9- 7 after one.

LR's Morgan Stroman shoots over Dorman's Lauren Moore in the first half. Stroman led the Diamond Hornets with 13 points.

Dorman started strongly in the second quarter pushing to a 16- 11 lead midway through the quarter. Much stronger defensive effort on the Cavaliers' part made easy shots hard to come by for Lower Richland. Dorman's Danielle Gibson scored five points in the second, stretching the limits of the LR defense. Late in the quarter, however, the Diamond Hornets made a run of their own, catching and eventually passing the Cavaliers. A Roshel Taylor jump shot just before the first half buzzer gave Lower Richland a 22- 21 lead at half time, a lead they would not relinquish.

The third quarter featured a concerted effort by Lower Richland to run its offense through Morgan Stroman. While she did not score the most points, her ability to handle the ball away from the basket as well as post up inside gave the Diamond Hornets offensive flexibility that was missing in most of the first half. Goodwin came alive inside in the third scoring six points and providing a perfect balance for Stroman in the process. The Diamond Hornets stretched their lead to as many as ten points late in the quarter before a furious comeback by the Cavaliers. Dewart scored five points inside and LaShana Booker's buzzer- beating jumper brought Dorman within two points entering the fourth quarter, 37- 35.

Lower Richland's Stephanie Hayes battles for the ball with Dorman's Fanchon Sartor. Hayes scored ten points for the Diamond Hornets.

In the fourth quarter, the game played out in a recurring and very tense order. Lower Richland would get fouled and make its free throws. Dorman would return down court and score a basket to bring the score back within two. This scenario played out three times in the game's final minutes. The Diamond Hornets' success at the line kept the Cavaliers at bay for most of the quarter, though several key turnovers in the final minute allowed Dorman the chance to steal the title. LR's Stephanie Hayes made the second of two free throws to give the Diamond Hornets a three point lead and forcing Dorman to shoot from outside to have a chance to tie. On the game's final play, Dorman's Fanchon Sartor was fouled in the act of heaving a desperation three- pointer and was awarded three free throws, which could tie the game and force overtime. Sartor was unable to convert the shots, sending the Diamond Hornets into a gleeful and relief- filled celebration at mid- court having secured their third consecutive crown against the Cavaliers.

LR's Roshel Taylor scored five points against Dorman.

Dorman (23- 5): Danielle Gibson 14, Ashlen Dewart 11, LaShana Booker 6, Alexis Gilliam 5, Lauren Moore 2, Franchon Sartor 4, Allison Karabinos 2, Mikala Scott 1.

Lower Richland (26- 0): Morgan Stroman 13, Fannie Goodwin 12, Stephanie Hayes 10, Roshel Taylor 5, Sabrina Hagood 2, Tykeria Capers 2, Jasmine Harrison 2, Dayshaun Richbow 1.

Lower Richland's Fannie Goodwin was a big part of the Diamond Hornet powerful front line. She scored 12 points. LR's Tykeria Capers got two points for the Diamond Hornets. LR's Sabrina Hagood added two points for the Diamond Hornets. Dayshaun Richbow led the Hornets at the point guard position. LR's Jasmine Harrison got two points for the Diamond Hornets.