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Schools

Lady Devils Win 66-46, Moving to State Finals

Big win last night at the Gwinnett Arena.

The House of Blue was strong tonight at the Gwinnett Arena, with the Lady Blue Devils moving on to play for a second state title tomorrow. 

Diamond DeShields hit the first 3-pointer just 22 seconds into the game. She scored 21 points, moving her team to a 66-46 victory over the Campbell Lady Spartans. 

Norcross jumped out to an 8-0 lead as DeShields had a block and an assist in the run but Campbell fought back to cut it to 8-6 as Erica Norwood scored the first six for the Lady Spartans. But Norcross went on an 8-2 run to close the period leading 16-8.

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Norwood hit a 3-pointer at the start of the second period but again Norcross took the floor. DeShields got the Lady Blue Devils rolling again and reserve Shayla Cooper came off the bench to give the defending champs a boost.

Coach Randy McClure was beside himself and took off his coat with 4:19 left as DeShields was fouled on a drive to the basket. Norcross opened its biggest lead at 28-15 but Campbell went on a 6-3 run to close the half trailing by 10 at 31-21.

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At the half, DeShields had 12 while Norwood led Campbell with nine.

Campbell came out in the third quarter and used a 13-3 run to tie the game as Norwood scored 10 of her game high 24 in the period. But after the score was tied at 34, Norcross got a DeSheilds basket and two free throws from Tori Carter to take a 38-34 lead.

Campbell got another 3-pointer, this time from Chikesia Miller, to trim the lead to 38-37. That was as close as the Lady Spartans would get. Norcross ran off three points to end the period and led 41-37 going into the final frame.

In the fourth it was all Norcross.  Dearica Hamby, who had 7 at the half, started to heat up as did Cooper. Both picked up the slack and hit easy shots inside to run out to a 20 point lead at 63-43. Hamby finished with 17 and Cooper had 11 including seven in the fourth period.

Norcross will now play for its second straight state title tonight at 7 p.m.

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