Lucy Beckham stymies pair of Fort Mill schools at SC lacrosse championships
Lucy Beckham lacrosse completed a sweep and denied a pair of Fort Mill schools their chance at state championships on Saturday.
The Bengal girls defeated Fort Mill 8-5, while the Lucy Beckham boys topped Nation Ford 14-5 to win the SC High School League’s Class 5A Division II championships at Irmo High School.
It was the first title for the Lucy Beckham girls while the boys won their fourth straight title but first in Class 5A.
Lucy Beckham moved up classifications this year because of SCHSL’s realignment, which happens every two years in the state.
Nation Ford was making its fourth straight championship appearance, having won back to back 5A titles in 2022-23 before losing to Wando last season.
“Four years in a row is a heck of a run,” Nation Ford coach Cory Turner said. “Guys that have been on the team for four years should hold their heads up high.”
After the game, Turner went to each player, giving them encouragement and telling them what they meant for the program.
The Falcons stayed step for step with Lucy Beckham in the first half and trailed 4-3 at halftime. But the Bengals scored three goals in the first five minutes of the third quarter and led 8-3 after three.
Henry Hankins had two goals in the third, and his brother Bear Hankins scored his second goal in the period.
Lucy Beckham poured it on the fourth quarter.
“I thought our game plan worked massively early on,” Turner said. “It is just like waves. They have so much and we just crashed. They have so much. They are a very talented team, and that is why they are the best team in the state. But for a half, we scared the heck out of them.”
Josh Ameo had two goals, while Chase Murray and Trevor Keaton each had one for Nation Ford. Keaton’s goal tied it 3-3 with 5 minutes, 34 seconds left in the second quarter.
Brendan Dick and Wyatt Coombs also had two goals for Lucy Beckham.
Young Fort Mill squad building on title appearance
The Fort Mill girls were making their fifth championship appearance and dropped to 1-4 all-time in title games. Getting back to its second straight championship game was a task for the Yellow Jackets, who graduated eight seniors from last year’s runner-up squad and started the season at 1-5 against mainly North Carolina teams.
Fort Mill knocked off unbeaten TL Hanna in the semifinals on Tuesday.
“Just a really young team,” Fort Mill coach Kirsten Terry said. “We have three sophomores and a freshman on attack, and they have a lot to learn. They have never been in a big situation like this or most of them haven’t. I feel like getting them back and having this experience, we will be back.
Lucy Beckham led 2-1 after the first quarter but scored five times in the second quarter to lead 7-2 and take control of the game.
Junior Iliana Kane scored three goals, including one at the buzzer in the second quarter to lead Lucy Beckham. Emily Butler added two goals for the Bengals.
Fort Mill kept it close in the second half as sophomore Cece Shia scored two of her three goals after halftime. Molly Bennett also had one.
SCHSL Lacrosse Championships
At Irmo High School
May 2
Class 4A Girls: Oceanside Collegiate 12, Bishop England 8
Class 4A Boys: Oceanside Collegiate vs. May River, ppd. Will be played Monday at Bluffton High School.
May 3
Class 5A Division I Girls: Lexington 12, Spartanburg 7
Class 5A Division I Boys: Wando 18, Dorman 1
Class 5A Division II Girls: Lucy Beckham 8, Fort Mill 5
Class 5A Division II Boys: Lucy Beckham 14, Nation Ford 5
