Lower Richland’s Morgan Stroman returns to coach the Diamond Hornets’ girls basketball program.
For the first time since 2016 there will be a Stroman leading the Lower Richland Diamond Hornets girls basketball program.
Morgan Stroman returns following a six-year playing career with Lower Richland where she helped the Diamond Hornets win four straight state championships from 2006 to 2009. She was named the South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year from 2007 to 2009 and she finished her career with 1,459 points.
“I think the stars just kind of aligned that way,” Stroman said about returning to Lower Richland. “I’ve been in college athletics for the past couple of years. I just took that leap into being a head coach and it lined up at the right time. I just went for it.”
After playing for the University of Miami from 2009 to 2013, Stroman played six years overseas before returning to the University of Miami as an assistant of player development. She worked her way to being a stand in assistant coach a couple of times for former head coach Katie Meier.
From there, Stroman coached a year at Bellarmine University in Kentucky before spending the last two seasons at Kennesaw State University.
“Having a great player rapport and just having trust in the players,” Stroman said of what she took from her previous coaching experiences. “I started with player development, and it is one thing I do enjoy, and it’s dear to my heart. Just being able to build those relationships with the players and seeing them gradually get better, gradually learn, both on the court and off. Being a part of their lives stuck with me. That’s one thing I want to continue to do and just being able to develop young ladies and help them grow and help them get wherever they want to get through basketball.”
Stroman is no stranger to the expectations of the Lower Richland program. Her mom, Deborah Wardlaw, who was also her high school coach, won 482 games and seven state championships at Lower Richland.
“I don’t really see it as pressure,” Stroman said. “My mom is my mom. We talk hoops sometimes. She’s always going to help guide me through life. I don’t really see any pressure behind it, but of course the legacy is there and one thing I wanted to do was follow in her footsteps. If anything, it’s just me being grateful to have the opportunity to coach and follow in her footsteps to have the greatness at Lower Richland and embody that legacy.”
While Stroman brings a lot of experience to the job, her experience as a student and player at Lower Richland may be just as important when it comes to relating to her players.
“Me being there and playing at the school and winning, it’s going to help as well,” Stroman said. “I know some of the teachers that taught me and coaches that coached me are still there. It still feels like home and that’s a comfort thing. I know some of the players and their parents from just growing up in the community.”
Stroman takes over a Diamond Hornet program that has won 85 games and three region titles over the last four seasons under head coach Aaron Lucas. Lower Richland made it to at least the quarterfinal stage of the playoffs each season, with semifinal appearances during the 2022-2023 and 2024-2025 seasons.
“It’s in great hands,” Stroman said. “I think Aaron Lucas did a great job and I want to pick up where he left off. I obviously want to put my own spin on it and I have my own goals, but I think it’s definitely going in the right direction.”
Stroman wants to play an aggressive style of basketball, but also focus on what the players do well. She said the team has had a strong offseason thus far.
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