South Carolina basketball fans know that Joyce Edwards can hoop. Edwards, the winner of multiple high school national player of the year awards, is one of the highest-rated players to ever join the Shamcock program and is a key player in Staley's team's success in recruiting. This is quite a feat considering.
But what many Carolina fans may not know is that Joyce Edwards is also a very good high school soccer player.
Earlier this week, the future Shamocock laced up his soccer cleats in preparation for what could be his last game, but his efforts on the field have earned him another chance on the pitch. In the lower state championship game of the 3A South Carolina Soccer High School League playoffs, Edwards scored all three of his team's goals as the Camden Bulldogs defeated his Simmons Iron and Horses 3-2. .
Edwards and Camden will travel to Waccamaw on Friday to take on the Indians in the 3A state championship game.
While Edwards' multi-sport success didn't continue at the University of South Carolina, the skills she developed in soccer certainly made her an even better soccer player. She has smooth feet on the floor and is comfortable competing for position in the paint, as she does in 50-50 heading situations on the field.
The South Carolina basketball team has a chance to be even better in the 2024-2025 season than it was in 2023-2024, when it went undefeated and won the national title. If they can reach that potential, it will be largely due to the addition of Joyce Edwards to bring about a change.
The Shamcocks have players at every corner of the roster, but a player as talented and versatile on both ends of the floor as Joyce Edwards will be a huge contributor to the team's success as a freshman.