TO RECOGNIZE AND COMMEND THE LOWER RICHLAND HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM FOR CAPTURING THE 2013 CLASS AAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE AND TO HONOR THE TEAM'S EXCEPTIONAL PLAYERS, COACHES, AND STAFF.

Whereas, on Saturday, March 2, 2013, the Lower Richland (LR) girls basketball team reached a new level of achievement by defeating Orangeburg-Wilkinson in the 2013 Class AAA State Championship game at Columbia's Colonial Life Arena; and

Whereas, proving that LR's reputation as a basketball powerhouse is not a thing of the past, the Lady Diamond Hornets capped a perfect 26-0 season with a 57-35 victory, netting the program its seventh state championship without a loss under Coach Debbie Stroman; and

Whereas, Lower Richland now stands in second place on the all-time girls hoops champions list, and no program, male or female, has as many titles on the books without at least one finals failure; and

Whereas, LR now joins the Columbia High boys, the Eau Claire High boys, and the long-gone Olympia High boys as the all-time Midlands leaders with seven state championships; and

Whereas, Lower Richland seized command of the game with a 24-3 run from 1:30 of the first quarter to 6:15 of the third, a burst that turned an 8-6 deficit into a 30-11 lead. The Lady Diamond Hornets were on cruise control the rest of the way, and the top-ranked Bruins could not deal with LR's defensive heat; and

Whereas, jubilant LR fans cheered in excitement as the Lady Diamond Hornets, playing as a team with one heartbeat, won the championship crown; and

Whereas, Coach Stroman, who had honed her players into a championship machine, saw the fruits of her labors as the title trophy was hoisted; and

Whereas, the Senate takes great pleasure in recognizing the young women of the Lower Richland High School girls basketball team for leading with excellence both in the classroom and on the court and expects to hear of continued great achievements in the years ahead. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize and commend the Lower Richland High School girls basketball team for capturing the 2013 Class AAA State Championship title and honor the team's exceptional players, coaches, and staff.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be provided to Principal Kelvin Wymbs and Coach Debbie Stroman of Lower Richland High School.