2023: Diamonds Classic
The day-long showcase, which was held at Spartanburg Christian Academy hosted 12 teams for six games and included a number of players from throughout South (and North) Carolina. As basketball fans know, this is an area with no shortage of talent and it was on full display in Spartanburg.
Prep Girls Hoops was on hand to observe many of these standouts and take in the festivities. Here is a list of names from the 2023 that shined in the South Carolina upstate.
Carly Garrity – Spartanburg Day School – The Griffins had, unarguably, the most lopsided victory of the Diamonds Classic and the play of Garrity contributed mightily to that. Garrity displayed a tenacity in scrapping for rebounds and showed her versatility with getting out in transition to create high-percentage shot opportunities. Garrity was one of many Griffins who closed out their game with Lake Norman Christian in double-digits for points. She had 11 points for the game and was one of three Spartanburg Day starters that scored at least once in every quarter of play. One of Garrity’s scores came by way of a 3.
Maddie Becker Maddie Becker 5'10" | PF Spartanburg Day | 2023 State SC – Spartanburg Day School – Maddie is a name that begins with the letter “M.” The word “most” also begins with the letter M – as in Most Valuable Player, an honor that was bestowed upon the Griffins’ sophomore forward after its tilt with Lake Norman Christian. Her 24 points in that game led all scorers and was one of several Spartanburg Day players that did not have a single foul called against her that afternoon. She is gifted at shooting from midrange as well as converting on shots around the basket. Becker will also sprinkle in a made shot from downtown as well, as she did twice.
A'Najiana Wade – Legion Collegiate Academy – Take one look up and down the Legion Collegiate roster and one will see guards, guards and more guards. Did we mention guards? Of the 12 players on the current listed roster, eight of them are guards. Wade is one of them. To opponents, do not cough up the basketball near Wade because she will go after loose balls in hopes of shifting possession to the Lancers. Wade is quick up and down the court and that speed also translates well to another sport she has taken part in. Wade has run track in addition to hoops.
Kelsey Carper – Legion Collegiate Academy – Carper is another one of the litany of guards that make up the 2020-21 rendition of the Legion Collegiate Lions. She is also one of many who is a dual-sport athlete. Scoring was at a premium for much of the Lions’ contest with Concord Academy, but Carper was one of those that managed to get on the board as she tallied three points. One of them came via a free throw as Carper will get to the line and draw contact against defenders. The other sport that Carper partakes in for Legion Collegiate is volleyball as she is listed as a middle for the Lions’ team.
Nadia Burns Nadia Burns 5'10" | SF Legion Collegiate | 2023 State SC – Legion Collegiate Academy – Burns, believe it or not, is not one of the guards but is actually one of the four forwards for the Lions. Listed at 5-foot-10, Burns managed to create shots in the paint. She scored the first pair of points for the Lions and by virtue of her height can be a force to be reckoned with on both the offensive and defensive glass. Burns will also collect offensive rebounds and put them back for two more. Burns finished the game with Concord Academy with eight points – including six that were scored in the first quarter.