Thursday, Mar. 12, 2009

Diamonds shine: Q&A with coach Stroman

Lower Richland’s girls basketball team routed Darlington 68-42 to win its fourth consecutive state championship. The win also saw an end to the high school careers of three Lower Richland seniors — Morgan Stroman, Dayshaun Richbow and Stephanie Hayes — who played on all four championship teams. The Diamond Hornets have won 83 consecutive games against in-state teams and finished the season 26-1. Coach Debbie Stroman talked with The State’s Gerald Davis about the season.

DID YOU AND YOUR PLAYERS HAVE COLLECTIVE SIGHS OF RELIEF FOLLOWING SATURDAY'S CHAMPIONSHIP?

“I guess it came after the first quarter, when we got into our groove. At that point, I felt in control of the game and knew we were on our way to the fourth.”

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECT TO THIS SEASON?

“The most challenging thing about the season was letting go of some of my responsibilities as a coach to the seniors and allowing them to play the way they wanted to play. I realized this during some of the practice sessions; they wanted to try other things like playing up-tempo and pressure all over the court.”

FROM THE BEGINNING OF HER CAREER, ONE OF MORGAN STROMAN'S GOALS WAS TO BE SELECTED A MCDONALD'S ALL-AMERICA. HOW REWARDING WAS IT FOR YOU?

“It's been a long time coming. We both thought she needed the big numbers to make the team. Then she began making some of the other All-American teams, Student Sports as a freshman, The Sporting News as a sophomore and junior and EA Sports her senior year so I figured out that she should focus on the things she does well, which were a lot. We talked to a couple of people to make sure she played in front of the right people and went from there. I'm happy she got her wish.”

FOUR CHAMPIONSHIPS IN FOUR YEARS. WHEN DID WINNING THE FOURTH SINK IN?

“I thought about it while I was watching Marion and Pendleton play (the Class 2A championship). As I watched the celebrating, I thought that could be us. After getting on the floor and playing and coming in at the half, things seemed to settle down and we were all about business then. I knew it was coming. After the game I sat on the couch outside the locker room to take it all in.”

WHAT WAS THE FIRST THING YOU THOUGHT ABOUT SECONDS AFTER THE WIN?

“I thought about how hot and thirsty I was. I guess waiting for that moment to come was a little overwhelming. I just wanted to let the girls celebrate a little and go to the back to relax.”

WHAT HAS IT BEEN LIKE COACHING YOUR SENIORS?

“Coaching the seniors is the easy part. They know what to expect and they were able to deliver. When you have players like that, they come to you with suggestions and you listen to see if it fits what you want to do. It's more of a give and take. I have had a great time with the girls this season. I just hope that they leave some of the desire to win with the others.”

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