Joyce Edwards wins SC Gatorade Player of the Year, named finalist for national award
Joyce Edwards has added another accolade to her resume.
The Camden High School standout and University of South Carolina women’s basketball signee was named the S.C. Gatorade Player of the Year for the second year in a row. She was also named one of three finalists for the national award, along with Ohio State signee Jaloni Cambridge from Montverde Academy in Florida, and Southern Cal signee Kennedy Smith from Etiwanda High School in California.
Edwards is the second player in state history to win back-to-back S.C. Gatorade Player of the Year awards, joining Morgan Stroman of Lower Richland, who won in 2007, 2008 and 2009.
The Gamecocks signee is the No. 2 Class of 2024 recruit in ESPN’s HoopGurlz ranking. She was named a McDonald’s All-American along with fellow USC signee Maddy McDaniel. Edwards helped guide the Camden Bulldogs to a second-straight Class 3A championship with Gamecocks coaches Dawn Staley and Jolette Law in attendance.
Edwards also was named S.C. MaxPreps Player of the Year and averaged 31.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4.5 steals, 4 assists and 3.3 blocks this season.
2024 Gatorade Player of the Year finalists
- Joyce Edwards (F), Camden
- Jaloni Cambridge (G), Montverde
- Kennedy Smith (G), Etiwanda
South Carolina Gatorade Players of the Year from the Midlands
2024 – Joyce Edwards, Camden
2023 – Joyce Edwards, Camden
2022 – Ashlyn Watkins, Cardinal Newman
2019 – Danae McNeal, Swansea
2017 – Jaelynn Murray, Dreher
2016 – Jhileiya Dunlap, Dreher
2014 – A’ja Wilson, Heathwood Hall
2013 – Alaina Coates, Dutch Fork
2012 – Asia Dozier, Spring Valley
2011 – Xylina McDaniel, Spring Valley
2009 – Morgan Stroman, Lower Richland
2008 – Morgan Stroman, Lower Richland
2007 – Morgan Stroman, Lower Richland
2004 – Keturah Jackson, Dreher
2000 – Nikki Jett, Columbia
1997 – Elena Vishniakova, Heathwood Hall
1992 – Natalie Funderburk, Camden
1989 – Jessica Barr, Batesburg-Leesville
This story was originally published March 14, 2024 at 8:00 AM.
