Berkeley girls capture state basketball title
By David Shelton
Senior Writer
Moncks Corner - In 1940, Thomas Wolfe penned a book titled “You can’t go home again.” Wolfe obviously never met Berkeley High girls basketball coach Crystal Peace.
More than two decades after completing her playing career at Berkeley, Peace, a two-time all-state selection, has delivered something that no other girls basketball coach has ever done. A state championship.
Berkeley held off Greenwood, 60-54, to win the AAAAA Division II state title, completing the best season in school history with a 24-4 record.
“It’s unbelievable to think that after all the tough times we’ve been through that we finally celebrating a state championship at Berkeley,” said Peace, who returned to Moncks Corner after her playing career at Liberty University.
The first several seasons of Peace’s tenure at Berkeley was a struggle. Year two and three netted a combined seven wins. But the coach knew that if she stuck to her plan and could find enough players who could deal with her hard coaching style, she could win. And win big.
“It has been long time coming but I felt this team had an opportunity to make history,” Peace said. “I worked them hard and I coach hard. I’m so proud of them for putting up with me and pushing through. I am so happy for them, for the school, and the community. People stuck with me.”
Berkeley used a 7-0 run early in the fourth quarter to rally from a 52-50 deficit to a five-point lead. The Stags would never trail again in what was a close, competitive game from start to finish.
Berkeley was led offensively by three double figure scorers, all underclassmen. Sophomore Amani McCray scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Junior Madison Thomas added 15 points while freshman Alaina Carter scored 13 points. Thomas and Carter hit three 3-pointers each.
“This group has a chance to do some really special things over the next few years, if they stay focused and hungry,” Peace said.
Berkeley trailed 32-31 at the half,, due in large part to 14 turnovers. The Stag cleaned up that part of the game in the second half, committing just three turnovers.
“God put me here for a reason,” Peace said.
