SCHSL Class 5A Lower State: Stratford vs Sumter

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Prep Girls Hoops was in the building at the Florence Center on Monday for the Class 5A Lower State Championship Game. The game featured Stratford HS (Goose Creek) vs Sumter HS. Who won this battle of Class 5A programs? What was the score? Well, we have you covered right here on your source for basketball coverage in the Carolinas and beyond. <strong><em>#RecruitThePalmettoState</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em><strong>Physical Game Goes Down to Wire</strong></em>: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":607081,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/B117CEB4-A9BA-4C34-B18C-B527F2F270F4.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-607081" width="256" height="192" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lady Knights were saddled with 3 technical fouls including two to <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='175385' first='Kaleyia' last='Brown']</strong> who was ejected with 0:28 seconds left in the game. The game featured plenty of pile ups on the floor and some quick tempers at times. Very physical game to say the least. The Lady Knights would prevail 38-35 and punch a ticket for USC-Aiken on Saturday night vs Mauldin HS. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Cook Led The Way: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='299566' first='Yasmine' last='Cook']</strong> played like a seasoned veteran here today for the Lady Knights. Cook a UNSIGNED Senior took high percentage shots all day long and finished with 15 points. Yasmine has a good skills package to play multiple positions on the floor for the Lady Knights. She was able to drop the floater in the lane when she wasn't finishing with her left hand at the rim. Yasmine connected on a few short mid-range jumpers to help the Lady Knights advance. She never showed any hesitation to jump on the floor for a loose ball or an opportunity to help her team win this game. Yasmine is the ultimate team player looking to finish her high school career on top. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>7th Grader Stands Tall: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":607077,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/5F97EE76-30B7-4D82-8548-D06AB7F52F17.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-607077" width="256" height="192" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='553681' first='A'raina' last='Ross']</strong> made a name for herself yesterday if she already hasn't to others around the Palmetto State. Prep Girls Hoops has seen her play now three times this season. Ross finished with 15 points and 7 rebounds in a tough loss to Stratford HS. A'raina played extremely aggressive and assertive for the Lady Gamecocks. She didn't backdown from any challenge. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Lady Knights Spark 16-0 Run:</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":607079,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/5584DB8E-3C5C-47F0-B8D7-2AACC337250B.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-607079" width="256" height="192" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Stratford was behind 12-6 yesterday before going on a 16-0 to close the half with a 22-12 lead. Post player <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='606874' first='Ta'Liya' last='Griffin']</strong> was able to manufacture some points around the paint while coming off the bench. She finished the night with 8 points. UNSIGNED Senior Point Guard <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='588286' first='Kirstin' last='Prudhomme']</strong> set the tone for the offense all day long. Prudhomme a left-handed guard plays the game under control and knows when to push the ball for the Lady Knights. She finished with 7 points and a few assists and rebounds for her efforts this evening. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Sumter Finishes the Season: </em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The Lady Gamecocks finished the season at (19-6). Sumter HS will lose UNSIGNED Seniors <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='383713' first='Shamira' last='Andrews'] </strong>and <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='383712' first='Alyssa' last='Johnson']</strong> to graduation. Andrews an athletic forward plays in the post area for the Lady Gamecocks. Andrews finished with 4 points and 4 rebounds while it seemed at times, she picked up several deflections. Johnson a guard got into a little skirmish at the 3:05 mark of the 3rd quarter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Lady Gamecocks Will Be Back</em></strong>: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":607078,"width":256,"height":192,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2023/02/D538F112-2E8A-4464-9D76-1DB0F1CBEFEB.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-607078" width="256" height="192" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='190150' first='Rickell' last='Brown'] </strong>and<strong> [player_tooltip player_id='195517' first='Keziyah' last='Sanders'] </strong>both will be seniors next year for the Lady Gamecocks. Brown finished with 11 points while Sanders added 4 points. Sumter HS played without the services of junior <strong>[player_tooltip player_id='171802' first='Kiara' last='Croskey']</strong> all season long. Croskey who has been out with an injury was in uniform last night. Kiara a Top 10 player in the 2024 player class back with Brown and Sanders has Head Coach Jeff Schaffer happy. Oh yeah don't forget a promising young 7th grader. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->