Lower Richland girls dominate Bishop England, advance to state basketball semifinals
Aaron Lucas was well aware of the history and tradition of the Lower Richland girls basketball program when he became head coach.
All Lucas had to do was step on the floor in the Lower Richland’s gym called The Diamond Mine and look at the championship banners hanging in the rafters. The Diamond Hornets won seven titles under Debbie (Stroman) Wardlaw, second most in South Carolina girls high school basketball history.
Now, Lucas, the former South Carolina standout has the Lower Richland girls a win away from playing for another title. The Diamond Hornets used a dominating second quarter to defeat Bishop England, 54-37, on Wednesday in the third round of the Class 4A Lower State playoffs.
Lower Richland will face North Augusta, 49-20 winners over Gray Collegiate, at 3 p.m. Monday at the Florence Center with the winner advancing to the state championship on March 7.
It is the second state semifinal appearance under Lucas, the former South Carolina Gamecock point guard who was hired by Wardlaw in 2019.
“When I came here, I knew there was a rich history so me and my staff are trying to do our best to uphold that tradition,” Lucas said. “We got big shoes to fill but we have been working hard every year. We have gone through these battles before and I think some of our experience is starting to show up. Hopefully, that will carry us through.”
This is Lucas’ best season since taking over Diamond Hornets, who won their 25th game on Wednesday, most since 2014. Lower Richland has only lost once, to University (West Virginia) on Dec. 21. All but two of its wins have been by double digits.
Lower Richland used a dominant stretch over the second and early into the third period to take control against the Bishops, another powerhouse program with six state titles, but in their first season in Class 4A.
The Diamond Hornets held BE scoreless in the second quarter and without a point for a 10-minute stretch as they led 43-21 after three quarters.
Junior Jhnai Sumter was hot early, scoring nine of her game-high 17 points in the first quarter. Sumter also went over the 1,000-point mark for her career in the game and was presented with a game ball after the contest.
“She is a multi-faceted player. She does so many things for us,” Lucas said of Sumter. “Some nights, she can score. Other nights, she might get double digit rebounds in assists or steals. It is just a matter of what the game calls for. All of these young ladies are playing their roles. They are stepping up in the moment and when their time is called.”
Senior Chi’Nya Isaac added 14 points for the Diamond Hornets.
North Augusta girls sweep Gray Collegiate
Ashley Walker scored 17 points and Celena Grant had 12 as North Augusta defeated Gray Collegiate, 49-20, in the 4A Girls Lower State playoffs.
It was NA’s third win over the War Eagles this season.
Diamond Tatum led Gray with eight points and Kadence Walker Lee had six.
Westwood’s run ends at Berkeley
Westwood boys’ season ended against Berkeley, 41-32, in the third round of the Class 5A Division II playoffs.
Berkeley will play Goose Creek in the Lower State championship at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
Deuce Kinloch and John Cleveland each scored 11 points to lead the Stags. Larry Brown and D’Marcus Thomas each had 10 to lead the Redhawks.
B-L loses at High Point Academy
Batesburg-Leesville’s best season in more than 20 years ended with a 84-51 loss to High Point Academy in the Class 2A Boys Upper State playoffs.
High Point will play Liberty for the Upper State championship at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Florence.
This was the Panthers’ first trip to the third round since 1998.
Braylen Davis led B-L with 12 points and Ta’Maj Gilliam added 11.
Chonci Miller led HP with 14 points, Trapp Morman had 13 and Jaden McNeil 12.
This story was originally published February 26, 2025 at 10:10 PM.
