Redeemed team: Camden reaches title game again, wins 3A basketball state championship
After more than 40 years without a state championship, the Camden High School girls basketball team was ready to get its hands on a trophy.
An excited group of Bulldogs players had to be held back at first Friday before getting the go-ahead to finally grab the state championship trophy after a 61-45 victory over Wren in the Class 3A girls finals at USC Aiken Convocation Center.
It was Camden’s sixth state championship in school history but the first since 1982. The Bulldogs also won titles in 1940, 1942, 1955 and 1957.
“Just so, so happy because we have worked so-so hard — players and coaches,” Camden coach Natalie Norris said. “After last year, we said it was this or bust. We are just so thankful we could do it.”
Camden lost in overtime to Keenan in last year’s championship game, and guard Morgan Champion dubbed Camden “the redeemed team.” The Bulldogs played like it all season.
The Bulldogs (29-2) didn’t lose to an in-state opponent and finished the season with a 27-game winning streak. Camden’s wins included a game against Mauldin, one of the Class 5A finalists, and North Augusta, which won the Class 4A championship on Thursday. The Bulldogs also beat Charlotte Catholic, which is in North Carolina’s Class 4A high school semifinals.
The city of Camden was ready for Friday’s moment.
Five busloads of students were among the many fans that made the trek to Aiken. School officials also were ready, surprising the girls by handing out championship T-shirts as soon as the buzzer sounded. The players doused Norris, a 1992 Camden grad and former South Carolina player, as she entered the locker room after the game.
Junior Joyce Edwards delivered in another big moment for the Bulldogs. The nation’s second-ranked prospect in the Class of 2024 had 33 points, 13 rebounds and five steals in the win.
Edwards also went over 3,000 points in her career. The forward hit the milestone with a pair of free throws with 1:27 left in Friday’s second quarter. She is the second Midlands player to accomplish that mark this season. Keenan senior MiLaysia Fulwiley did it last month against Saluda.
With a year left, Edwards has a chance to become the second girls player in the state to go over 4,000 points. Ivory Latta holds the state’s all-time scoring record at 4,319. Edwards is at 3,017.
Edwards had the ball in her hand as the final seconds ticked away Friday and threw the ball in the air as she was mobbed by her teammates at the center court. She also was the first player to put her hands on the trophy and raised it in the air for the Camden fans.
“It is every girl’s dream, every girl who plays high school basketball dream to win a state championship. I am glad I got to accomplish it,” Edwards said. “This means everything (to the town). I feel like every year we brought more and more fans and more awareness to girls basketball, and it is bigger than ever so I am so appreciative.”
Edwards has been the centerpiece of this Camden team, and the nucleus has been together for the last five seasons and building toward this moment. Senior Tateyonia Harris added eight points and nine rebounds.
Senior Riley Stack led Wren with 15 points, and Raina McGowens added 12 before fouling out. The Hurricanes were making their second state championship appearance but first since 1967.
Stack, the daughter of former Gamecock standout Ryan Stack, and McGowens got the Hurricanes off to a strong start by hitting a pair of 3-pointers in the first quarter as Wren took advantage of Camden’s zone defense by knocking down shots.
Camden eventually switched out of the zone and went to man-to-man defense for most of the rest of the game. The Bulldogs went on a 9-0 run in the first quarter to take a 23-12 lead. Camden hit four of its six 3-pointer in the first quarter., including one by Champion from the same spot where he missed the game-winning shot from the year before.
“I was trying to send a message so people would remember me from last year,” Champion said while holding the state championship trophy.”
The Bulldogs also were able to dominate the rebounding against a much bigger Wren team. Edwards and Harris combined for 22 rebounds as Camden out-rebounded Wren, 35-24.
W: Raina McGowens 12, Riley Stack 15, Randolph 8, Willingham 2, Hayes 4, Garrison 2, Lugo 2. C: Carter 3, Mungo 4, Champion 7, Joyce Edwards 33, Harris 8, Jeffcoat 6.
SC title game schedule, scores
Thursday
▪ Class 4A Girls: North Augusta 42, Westwood 29
▪ Class 4A Boys: Irmo 58, Lancaster 45
Friday
▪ Class 3A Girls: Camden 61, Wren 45
▪ Class 3A Boys: Wren 56, Crestwood 49
▪ Class 2A Girls: Gray Collegiate 40, Bishop England 32
▪ Class 2A Boys: Gray Collegiate 53, Oceanside Collegiate 43
Saturday
▪ Class A Boys: Scott’s Branch vs. Christ Church, late
▪ Class A Girls: Military Magnet vs. Denmark-Olar, late
▪ Class 5A Girls: Mauldin vs. Stratford, late
▪ Class 5A Boys: Goose Creek vs. Dorman, late
This story was originally published March 3, 2023 at 2:20 PM.
