PGH Triumph Region Kickoff – 16U and 17U GameChangers
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Spartanburg, South Carolina’s Upward Star Center hosted the first of two Prep Girls Hoops Circuit events that will emanate from the Palmetto State sports complex as part of this year’s Triumph Region.
The second will be later in the summer once the Triumph Region Finals takes place in late June to put what will surely be a fitting bookend to this year’s southeast-based Prep Girls Hoops Circuit region. This past weekend, teams converged on South Carolina’s Upstate from not only the host state but also North Carolina, Georgia, Florida and even Kentucky.
Even though only a few 16U teams took part, there was plenty of talent among the 2025 teams this past weekend. We unveiled our first and second teams among the 16U set. Now, without further adieu, here are our Gamechangers among those teams along with several from the 17U field.
Mack first played at the varsity level during the COVID season of 2020-21 as an eighth grader where she participated in eight contests for the 5A Patriots. She was a major reason why Charleston Raptors/TMP 2025 Black remained in Friday’s game with Carolina All-Stars 2025 from start to finish as she placed eight points on the board. She can display how effective she can be as a midrange jump shooter and is very gifted as a rebounder at an even six feet. As someone who primarily plays at the four, the ability to effectively set screens is another strong point to her game.
The 2025 standout from 3A Woodruff has become a fixture with Upward Stars Upstate over the years. One must particularly watch out for Burnette when she has the ball behind the 3-point line because she will take – and connect on – her attempts from downtown. Burnette will look to find spacing out on the perimeter, but also understands when the right time is to pass and when to score. She displays her versatility on defense with a willingness to defend either on the perimeter or in the interior and this only helps her prowess as a rebounder. Defensively, she can create additional possessions for her team with the number of steals she collects.
The lion’s share of the Upward Stars Upstate 2025 roster is comprised of noteworthy players from either 3A Woodruff or 5A Dorman. Turner is one of those Woodruff standouts and she had herself a noteworthy performance on Saturday against Carolina All-Stars when she placed nine points on the board. She is a multi-sport athlete who also participates in volleyball outside of her basketball pursuits. Turner’s improvement as a rebounder can be seen any time she steps on the court along with her knack for attacking the basket. Ball distribution, collecting steals and getting to the free throw line are other strong aspects of her game.
Mya Andrus
Mya Andrus
Andrus is one of the taller members of this year’s Charleston Raptors 2025 Red roster as she stands at 5-foot-11. That is more than an ideal height for Andrus given she primarily can operate in the frontcourt as either a three or as a four. When her team came from behind on Friday night to defeat Upward Stars Upstate 2025, Andrus chimed in with a 10-point performance. Among those 10 points were a pair of made free throws, displaying her ability to absorb contact and get to the line. Andrus also has the ability to switch on who she defends and get out to the perimeter to affect the trajectory of an opponent’s shot with her defense.
Anai Custodio
Anai Custodio
Charleston Raptors/TMP 2025 Black finished with two wins over the weekend. One of those two victories came at the expense of Florida-based Lady OTOD 2025 in a lopsided 50-20 result. In that victory, Custodio had herself a big game as she led her team with 11 points. All of 11 of hers occurred in the second half. Custodio managed to be effective in setting up shop near the rim and putting herself in position to convert on high-percentage shot opportunities. She also had opportunities to convert on attempts at the free throw line and used her 5-foot-8 stature to her fullest advantage.
Duncan is one of two listed on this year’s Shots United 2024 roster with the other being Alaina Graf Alaina Graf 5’7″ | SF James Island | 2024 State SC – also in the 2024 class. Her team was involved in a hard-fought contest against a tough Kentucky Blue Devils 2024 bunch. Duncan’s team was on the receiving end of a 46-43 decision, but she scored 10 points – seven in the second half – of that contest. Her ability to draw contact and get to the free throw line gave her plenty of opportunities to keep her team in the game. Six of the 10 points she scored were courtesy of the charity stripe. Duncan is poised to close out her high school career with an exclamation point next season with 4A James Island.
Prior to wearing the SC Eagles 2024 Black uniform for this AAU campaign, she previously was on the grassroots circuit with SC Future. Baker combines heads-up play with overall defensive skills to increase the number of steals she can collect. Look out if she starts draining 3-pointers as effective as her long range shot can be. Listed at around 5-foot-5, she is the only representative from Legion Collegiate Academy on this year’s roster for the SC Eagles 2024 Black team. And when she combines that with ball handling and rim attacking skills, Baker is one that is a challenge for defenses to keep in check.
Only two from this year’s roster for FCA SC Eagles 2024 Black are playing up in class. The 5-foot-5 sophomore from 5A Spartanburg is one of those two. Sainvil primarily plays in the backcourt at either of one of the two guard positions. Defensively, she has the ability to create additional possessions for her team with the steals she collects. The ability to make effective transition plays as well as accuracy from 3-point range are other strong points to her overall game. Those steals have the potential to translate to plays where she will deliver strong finishes at the rim.
The rising star from 3A Chapman is the other of the two for FCA SC Eagles 2024 Black currently playing up in class. While she does possess a highly potent ability to give her team production from behind the 3-point arc, she also has rim attacking capabilities. Between her ball handling, speed and knack for finding a way through a defense, those opposing defenses and coaches have to stay alert when noticing Wilder. She can also score from the midrange and will find herself in iso situations to set up her team’s offense. Rebounding, passing and collecting steals are other noteworthy elements to her complete game.