Can’t be stopped: Keenan girls roll to second title in three seasons
MiLaysia Fulwiley and her Keenan teammates left Colonial Life Arena last season disappointed and frustrated.
On Saturday, the Raiders left with a state championship trophy in their hands after the 53-33 win over Marion in the Class 3A title game.
It was Keenan’s fourth state title and second in three seasons, but its first since moving up to Class 3A. The Raiders lost to Bishop England 54-46 in last year’s title game.
Keenan (21-6) rode another strong performance from Fulwiley, the freshman phenom and Class 3A Player of the Year. She finished with 29 points, eight rebounds and eight steals. She had 14 of her points in the first quarter and played all 32 minutes.
Fulwiley had the ball in her hands as the final seconds ticked off and threw it into in air as the final buzzer sounded.
“I was just so excited. To win a second state title and just being a freshman,” Fulwiley said. “That was all I was aiming for and thinking about. Now I am so excited that it happened.”
Fulwiley, who was brought up to varsity as a seventh-grader two years ago, made big strides during her freshman year and improved in every statistical category. The Raiders needed it, especially after senior guard and Newberry signee Dyani Burke tore her ACL in a Christmas tournament.
Keenan coach Reggie Mclain said his team needed to learn how to play without Burke in the lineup. They were up to the challenge. The Raiders finished the season on a 17-game winning streak.
“MiLaysia also stepped up and they all stepped up,” McLain said. “We were used to having the other guard to shoot and handle the ball. But the kids got together, figured out their different roles and stepped up.”
With Fulwiley at the helm for the next three years and only three players graduating, the Raiders are in a good position to contend for more titles.
“My motivation is, two is not enough,” Fulwiley said.
Keenan’s defense suffocated Marion’s offense and held the top-ranked Swamp Foxes (29-2) to just 19 percent shooting. Marion
The Raiders, who led 26-18 at halftime, went on a 9-0 run in the third quarter and led 39-23 in with 3:48 left in third.
K: Lewis 4, MiLaysia Fulwiley 29, Jones 4, Oree 3, Woods 5, Davis 6, Johnson 2. M: Barnes 6, Davis 4, Moody 3, Britt 6, Lester 5, Rogers 2, Davis 7.
This story was originally published March 7, 2020 at 4:54 PM.
