USC signee Joyce Edwards does double duty in MLK weekend events

Joyce Edwards started her day Saturday doing something she was accustomed to but ended in a familiar spot.

The Camden basketball standout and South Carolina signee spoke at the Martin Luther King Unity Celebration in Camden. By the end of the night, she finished leading her team to a 64-32 win over Hilton Head Christian in the MLK Bash at Eau Claire High School.

It was Camden’s third straight victory in the annual event.

“The MLK event was interesting. It was the first time speaking publicly with that many people,” said Edwards, the No. 2- ranked player in the nation for the class of 2024. “But it was a good way to honor Martin Luther King on his birthday.

“Then, a couple hours later I came in and got some shots up to prepare for the game.”

Edwards said her speech focused on her journey in her athletic career, emphasizing sacrifice, failure and a support system as the three things one needs to focus on in a career.

Against HHCA, Edwards finished with a game-high 32 points and 15 rebounds in the matchup of state champions. Camden is the defending SC High School League champion. Hilton Head Christian won the SC Independent Schools Association title.

It was the ninth time Edwards has scored more than 30 points in a game this season. She became the state’s second-leading scorer last week, passing former Chester great Allison Feaster (3,427).

Edwards has 3,468 points in her career, trailing only Ivory Latta’s mark of 4,319 set from 1997-2003 at York Comprehensive.

The reigning SC Gatorade Player of the Year is likely to reach another individual milestone this week. She is a nominee for the McDonald’s All-American game, which features some of the top high school basketball players from across the country. Rosters will be announced Tuesday during a nationally televised segment on ESPN2.

“It would be really special,” Edwards said of the McDonald’s selection. “A lot of people dream about it and I never thought I would be in this position when I started playing. I am honored and grateful to be in this position and have the opportunity.”

If Edwards is selected, she would be the third consecutive girl from the Midlands to play in the annual game, joining Cardinal Newman’s Ashlyn Watkins (2022) and Keenan’s MiLaysia Fulwiley (2023). She will be teammates with Watkins and Fulwiley next year at South Carolina.

Edwards attended the Gamecocks’ game against Mississippi State last week and remains in contact with coach Dawn Staley and the USC staff.

Edwards is looking to put an exclamation point on her star-studded career as she aims to lead Camden to a second straight state championship. The Bulldogs won their first title since 1982 when they defeated Wren in the title game.

Camden is the favorite to repeat and came into the game as the No. 1-ranked team in the SC Basketball Coaches Poll.

“It’s very important to get another ring because it is the last time we are going to be together,” Edwards said. “We have been together since middle school and these girls are like family and [the] last time we will be playing together.”

MLK Bash Scores

Westwood 50, Lower Richland 44

W: Destiny Omiere 17, Makiah Thompson 12, Britt 8, Curry 5, Davis 8. LR: Chi’nya Isaac 20, Taelor Hiller-Johnson 11, Green 2, Sumter 6, Foster 2.

Andrew Jackson 68, Military Magnet 56

MM: Sanders-Smith 3, Watson 17, Davis 9, Mitchell 12, Pugh 9, Willis 4, Harris 2. AJ: Delly 7, Asbelle 13, McCall 7, Alexander 13, Tamia Watkins 28.

South Pointe 64, AC Flora 49

SP: Lucas 16, Morris 16, Woods 11, Cunningham 21. ACF: Delaney 8, Gray 14, Skylar McCray 10, Mickens 6, Curnell 4, Campbell 5, McDonald-Craft 2.

Wren 51, Ridge View 36

W: McGowens 21, Hayes 14, Randolph 9, Howell 5, Powell 2. RV: Bailey 9, Banks 2, Drakeford 8, Johnson 2, Harvey 5, Carter 4, Lewis 2.

North Augusta 34, Gray Collegiate 25

NA: Armistead 7, Williams 1, Celena Grant 14, Walker 2, McCain 12. GC: Tatum 6, Walker-Lee 9, Phelps 6, Salaam 4.

Camden 64, Hilton Head Christian 32

C: Carter 4, Mungo 8, Joyce Edwards 32, Morgan Champion 14, Jefferson 4, Wright 2. HHCA: Yarde 7, Taylor 2, Scott 10, Hutchinson 12, Langhals 1.

Monday’s MLK Bash Boys Schedule

At Eau Claire High School

Crestwood vs. Irmo, 10:30 a.m.

Hilton Head Christian vs. Sumter, noon

Cardinal Newman vs. South Florence, 1:30 p.m.

Byrnes vs. Keenan, 3 p.m.

Lancaster vs. Wilson, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday’s Midlands scores

Girls

Blythewood 66, Nation Ford 32

Dutch Fork 69, White Knoll 35

Eau Claire 55, Ridgeland-Hardeeville 46

Boys

Lexington 85, River Bluff 54

L: Cam Scott 29, Jaxon Prunty 16, Kaleb Evans 11, Belll 8, Byrd 8, Rollins 6, Campbell 2, Hazewinkle 2. RB: Luke Chapman 16, Yasir Cromer 12, Wilson 12

White Knoll 47, Dutch Fork 31

Camden 66, Latta 45

C: Izzy Macklin 22, Vonte Williams 11, McLoud 9, Stratford 7, Moore 5, Jones & Williams 4, Cook 2, Haunter 2.

Blythewood 70, Nation Ford 61

B: TJ Lewis 18 Will Olden 15 Kishan Chung 11. NF: J. Burnham 22 B. Chuttey 14 C. Giles 11

Atlantic Collegiate 54, Brookland-Cayce 39

Dreher 66, Ridgeland-Hardeeville 44

D: Jamere Singleton 20, Austin Glasscho 11