Grassroots Preview: Upward Stars 2025 Upstate

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With a total of nine new state champions crowned across the Palmetto State's high school ranks, the 2022-23 season is in the books. But so much for an offseason for many of South Carolina's premier talents.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the next few months, travel basketball will capture the attention of many a hoops aficionado. This, of course, will include several NCAA live periods where these talents hope to put forth some of their best performances in front of many a college coach.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We at Prep Girls Hoops are just now getting things started with AAU coverage over the next several months. One of the many Palmetto State teams that will hit the grassroots circuit hard is Upward Stars 2025 Upstate. Here is our preview of this year's rendition of the Devario Burnside-coached team. <em>#RecruitThePalmettoState</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":468505,"width":316,"height":237,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/07/4D48A3B8-B504-4D3A-98CE-A0E3D80EF0E1-scaled.jpeg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-468505" width="316" height="237" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='305507' first='Sadie' last='Burnette']</strong> – The younger of the two Burnette sisters at Woodruff, Sadie came off another impressive season with the Wolverines. Burnette led Woodruff with 13.2 points, five rebounds and 3.3 steals per game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='281053' first='Skyler' last='Ellison']</strong> – Ellison has participated at the varsity level since she was an eighth grader. She played in 21 games this past season for the Mustangs.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":551655,"width":265,"height":173,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/11/IMG_1234-scaled-crop-1731x1137-1668957577.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-551655" width="265" height="173" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='496240' first='Jensyn' last='Turner'] </strong>– Another element to the young core at Woodruff. Turner is a two-sport athlete who also plays volleyball in addition to her accomplishments on the basketball court.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":552325,"width":269,"height":176,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none"} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepgirlshoops.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2022/11/IMG_1283-scaled-crop-1650x1083-1669007312.jpg?w=800" alt="" class="wp-image-552325" width="269" height="176" /></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>[player_tooltip player_id='305511' first='Rihanna' last='Wallace']</strong> – Wallace once again fits in well with an Upward Stars 2025 Upstate assembling that is comprised almost entirely of Woodruff and Dorman standouts. She played her first season with the Cavaliers in 2022-23 and was a transfer from the Wolverines.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mattie Bandy</strong> – Bandy will play up a year in class. One of several Dorman players on this year's team, she is the lone center listed on this year's Upward Stars 2025 Upstate roster.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Maddie Skipper</strong> – More than half of Upward Stars 2025 Upstate's team is playing up in class. More than half of this year's team hails from Dorman. Skipper has the distinction of both.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Annastyn Smith</strong> – Smith is one of three 2027s listed on the Upward Stars 2025 Upstate roster. She brings experience at the junior varsity level.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sydney Davis</strong> – Davis is one of three forwards who is listed on the Upward Stars 2025 Upstate roster. Chemistry is sure to be no problem for this bunch with the noteworthy Cavaliers presence that Davis adds to.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Kimora Evans</strong> – Evans also brings junior varsity experience to this year's team. She claimed Player of the Game honors when her JV Cavaliers defeated the junior varsity Spring Valley Vikings in a matchup at the Lexington Christmas Classic.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong><em>Schedule</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>LBI Opening Day – Apr. 1-2 – Greenville, SC</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Triumph Region Kickoff – Apr. 7-8 – Spartanburg, SC</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Apache Memorial – Apr. 21-23 – Knoxville, TN</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Basketball In The Ville – Apr. 28-30 – Greenville, SC</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Queens of the Court – May. 6-7 – Charlotte, NC</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Beast of the East – May. 19-21 – Greensboro, NC</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Memorial Day Classic – May. 27-29 – North Carolina</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Triumph Region Finals – Jun. 30- Jul. 2 – Spartanburg, SC</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>Run For the Roses – Jul. 6-8 – Louisville, KY</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>War Games – Jul. 20-21 – Duluth, GA</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><em>ATL Super Slam – Jul. 22-24 – Duluth, GA</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->