Grassroots Preview: Upward Stars 3SSB 2024

The Upward Stars 3SSB 2024 is a brand-new name here in the Palmetto State this coming spring. The Adidas sponsored team will be playing in Hoover, AL this coming weekend. All 3 programs with 3SSB will travel and play together in the same tourneys this spring and summer. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-411960" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/04/E5A5EB32-5B0C-4476-B787-68A97CE68AE3.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="171802" first="Kiara" last="Croskey"] - Sumter HS </strong> Croskey is ranked #3 in the 2024 Palmetto State Class. Kiara has scored over 1,200 career points entering her junior season for the Lady Gamecocks. She is smooth with the ball in her hands and changing directions to the basket. Kiara can connect on open shots on the floor and finish at the basket with her left-hand quite easily. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-411959" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/04/B4AACD94-216E-4C72-A511-75FFE019C840.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="175350" first="Jasmine" last="Frierson"] - AC Flora HS </strong> Frierson tends to play off the ball with Croskey here but primarily is another point guard. Jasmine brings constant effort and energy at all times while on the floor. She really gets her teammates involved into the offense as a pass first guard. Frierson won’t hesitate to get into a pile or take charge on defensive end of the floor. Jasmine averaged 8.8 ppg, 3.8 rebounds, 3.1 steals and 3 assists this season. Oh yeah throw in a few charges and floor burns every game. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-417139" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/04/0CE56B55-03A0-4164-914D-B82C81882168.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> <strong>Kendyll Moore - Corvian Community (Charlotte, NC)</strong> Moore came off the bench today and played some good minutes. Kendyll a 5’9 small forward played through some contact and didn’t hesitate to battle on the glass. She will be a good player moving forward for this Upward Stars program. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/04/2B3A7960-BD4A-4F29-82A3-6A98800F35CA-crop-1163x764-1650423491.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-417144" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/04/2B3A7960-BD4A-4F29-82A3-6A98800F35CA-crop-1163x764-1650423491-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="277957" first="Danielle" last="Earley"] - Legacy Early College </strong> Danielle is always in compete mode while on the floor for the Upward Stars program. She plays the extremely aggressive and really wants to score the ball from the wing position. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-358295" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/11/19F5C658-C397-43A6-A8E7-1AA41340FD93.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="357195" first="Kailyn" last="Ivey"] - Daniel HS (Central) </strong> Ivey is still picking up the game down in the paint. Kailyn will play with her back to the basket and really looks to carve out space down low. She still needs to get stronger with the ball and manufacturing an offensive post move to score the ball. Kailyn averaged 4.8 ppg and 5.3 rebounds this past season for the Lady Lions. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-333040" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2021/09/BF47F899-71A5-43A2-B61B-22C1CB3ED44B.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="299564" first="Lexie" last="Ransom"] - Seneca HS </strong> Ransom can play both guard positions in the backcourt really seems to be most comfortable off the ball. Lexie has a nice stroke from behind the arc and plays the game with a bit of a mean streak at times. She plays off the grid a bit up in the Northwest corner of the state. Lexie averaged 18.8 ppg and 6.3 rebounds this past season while throwing up 172 three pointers. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="252636" first="Zikira" last="Henderson"] - Blue Ridge HS </strong> Henderson was able to penetrate - kick out to the open teammate on the wing today. Zikira can connect on open shots and in particular three pointers. <a href="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/04/B6E90516-98FB-48DB-B8CF-B3A4CA3632C3-crop-1057x694-1650423588.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-417147" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/04/B6E90516-98FB-48DB-B8CF-B3A4CA3632C3-crop-1057x694-1650423588-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="355170" first="Tatiana" last="Fisher"] - Hartsville HS </strong> Fisher is still coming long and learning to finish around the basket. Tatiana stays in the paint and doesn’t mind mixing it up on the low block. She looks to be the building block for the Lady Red Foxes moving forward next season for Head Coach Justin Johnson. Fisher averaged 10.9 ppg and 7.8 rebounds this past season. <img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-417149" src="https://prephoops-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/pgh/uploads/2022/04/07F9555F-D8BE-42EC-9BE1-FF51A9BBFE5E-crop-1004x659-1650423660-300x197.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /> <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="261906" first="Adriana" last="Henderson"] - White Knoll HS </strong> Henderson showed some solid ball skills today with her play. She came off bench and provided a spark at times with her activity on the passing lanes and ability to look to score the ball. <strong>[player_tooltip player_id="331884" first="Q’nigue" last="Chambers"] - Woodmont HS (Piedmont)</strong> Chambers a left-handed guard really likes to have the ball in her hands when on the floor. Q’nigue has no problem making hustle plays and swarming the ball on the defensive end of the floor. She is just another talented guard on this team.