Deep South Classic – 2025 Top Performers (Part 1)
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In the shadow of NC State University – home to one of the nation’s premier women’s hoops programs – many of the top AAU players and teams from the region and country converged on North Carolina’s capital ready to show…
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Continue ReadingIn the shadow of NC State University – home to one of the nation’s premier women’s hoops programs – many of the top AAU players and teams from the region and country converged on North Carolina’s capital ready to show up and show out.
This year’s Deep South Classic emanated from downtown Raleigh at the Convention Center. Teams from as far away as Connecticut and Washington State were on in addition to one’s typical slate of teams from the southeast.
We at Prep Girls Hoops were on hand for the weekend’s action. Anyone who follows Palmetto State high school hoops knows its 2025 class is deep and that was on full display this past weekend.
Crosland is looking to translate what was a banner 2022-23 high school season into AAU success as her Spring Valley Vikings are fresh off a trip to the 5A Upper State Final. Instead of green and gold, she wore the black and gold of her Capital City Tyrants 16U uniform and had a nine-point showing (all in the second half) in what was an uptempo contest against North Carolina-based Team Griggs 16U. Crosland uses her height to her advantage to give her team an edge in the rebounding game. She will convert on tough shots near the rim and is willing to absorb contact to give her team chanes at the free throw line.
Highlights
Mariana Moody
Mariana Moody
Two of Capital City Tyrants 16U’s top performers in its game against North Carolina-based Team Griggs 16U were Spring Valley standouts. One of those was Moody who led all point-getters in that contest with 15 points. Among the rebounds she can get are those she hauls in on the heels an opposing team’s missed free throw. Moody uses her height to her advantage, enabling her to make plenty of plays near the rim. She will absorb her fair share of contact which will pace her at the free throw line. Making tough shots near the rim and playing perimeter defense are two other areas of her game she excels in.
Taleyah Hartzog
Taleyah Hartzog
Team USC Unleashed Summerville put together a come-from-behind victory on one of the final matchups of Saturday’s play. Hartzog’s heroics had a hand in lifting the Lowcountry-based team to victory. Hartzog scored 19 points in that victory. She showcased how quick of a passer she can be in addition the accuracy she can display from distance. If she gets fouled, she will take her opportunities at the free throw line. She has showcased throughout her career an ability to play all sorts of positions on the floor – including as a wing and at either of the forward positions as either a three or a four.
Team USC Unleashed Summerville 17U’s second-half surge can be attributed to at least two of its 2025 mainstays from 5A schools. One was Hartzog from Ashley Ridge and the other was a resident stock riser from Fort Dorchester. With 24 points, Tucker managed to will her club team to a come-from-behind triumph. Along with showcasing how consistent a scorer she can be, Tucker will find herself in iso situations with the ball on occasion. While listed as primarily playing as a one, her rebounding skills are more indicative of a four or a five. Tucker scored 16 of those 24 in the second half of play.