Members of the Daniel team included Marian Turnipseed, Adrienne O’Brien, Courtney Collins, Katie Whitfield, Gillian O’Brien, Emileigh Swords and Coach Andy Swords.

It wasn’t what the team hoped for, but it was hard for the Daniel Lions to be too disappointed with their finish at the AAAA High School championship played at Hilton Head.

The Lions went Shark hunting and came up a little short. The St. James Sharks held off the challenge from Daniel to win the state championship.

“Our team came to the course every day with a real determination to compete and make St. James work for the championship,” said Daniel coach Andy Swords. “We did not catch them, but we let the know we were here,” he added.

St. James shot an opening round of 301 and followed up with a 306 in the second round for a 607 total.

Daniel trailed after the first round by 9 shots, but cut the St. James lead to just five shots by the end of the tournament.

“We set a school record with our first round 310 and then we broke it with the 306 today (second round). The second place finish is the best finish for our school. We didn’t win, but we had a good year and have something to build on for next year.

Future USC golfer Smith Knaffle held her individual lead and won the AAAA individual championship for the second straight year. Knaffle shot rounds of 68 and 71 for a two shot victory.

Daniel’s Katie Whitfield finished second after shooting rounds of 72 and 69 for a 141 total.

Three golfers tied for third place as Jordan White, Kennedy McGaha from BHP and Ashley Looper from Travelers Rest all finished with a score of 8-over par and earned All-State honors.

Also making the All-State team were Emma Charles, Daniel’s Emileigh Swords and Gillian O’Brien, Katelyn Lee from Wren and Sarah Kennedy from Greenville.

Rounding out the top-five teams were Hartsville in third, Pickens was fourth and Chapin finished fifth.

AAAA Team and Individual Scoring