Camden's Joyce Edwards finalist for Gatorade National Player of the Year for girls basketball

           Camden – Camden High School’s Joyce Edwards has been considered one of the top two high school girls basketball players in the Class of 2024 throughout her career. She is now in the running to officially be named as the top player in the country.

         The 6-foot-3-inch Edwards has been named the South Carolina Gatorade Player of the Year for the second straight season and is one of three finalists for the national award.

         “We are so excited and proud that Joyce is a finalist for Gatorade’s National Player of the Year,” said Camden head coach Natalie Norris. “This is an incredible honor for Joyce and one that she has definitely earned through her hard work and the incredible season she put together.”

         Edwards, who has been on the Camden varsity since seventh grade, has led the Bulldogs to consecutive AAA state championships. The University of South Carolina signee averaged a season double-double of 31.3 points and 13.3 rebounds per game. Her floor game was just as impressive as her scoring and her work on the boards. Edwards averaged 4.5 steals, 4.0 assists and 3.3 blocked shots.

        Edwards, who is ranked second in the ESPN HoopGurlz 2024 class, is vying for the Gatorade national honor along with Ohio State signee Jaloni Cambridge from Montverde Academy in Florida and Southern California signee Kennedy Smith from Etiwanda High School in California.

        Cambridge is the No. 3-rated prospect. She played her first three seasons at Ensworth in Nashville, Tennessee, before playing her senior season at Montverde. She averaged 20.4 points and 8.5 assists.

        Smith is the No. 6-ranked player and the No. 1 wing prospect. She scored 20.2 points with 7.5 rebounds per game and led the Eagles to a state title.

        The winner will be announced later this month.

        The No. 1 recruit in the class is Sarah Strong of Grace Christian in North Carolina.

               Edwards, who has been selected to play in the McDonald’s All-America Game, was also named the MaxPreps Player of the Year for South Carolina and the AAA Player of the Year by the South Carolina Basketball Coaches Association. She was also selected to participate in the Jordan Brand Classic.

               Edwards finished her high school career with 3.964 points. In her final high school game, Edwards scored 27 points, grabbed 20 rebounds and had six blocks in Camden’s 44-22 state championship win over Wren.