TAMPA, Fla. — Sarah Strong and Joyce Edwards have been familiar foes since their middle school days. As two of the most sought-after girls basketball prospects in the U.S., they initially faced off in AAU competitions. Their talents have since led them to share honors as co-MVPs at the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Girls Game and to reunite on USA Basketball’s Under-19 team. These former rivals continue their journey as they face each other once again in a crucial match-up during the national championship game in Tampa, Florida, where No. 2 seed UConn will battle top-seeded South Carolina.
Edwards, who honed her skills at Camden High School, earned the title of 2024 Gatorade National Player of the Year. On the other hand, Strong excelled at Grace Christian School, earning the Naismith High School Player of the Year accolade for 2024. Strong reminisces about her past encounters with Edwards, noting the formidable team she faced back in those AAU matches. “They had a great team. They beat us,” she reflects. “It is what it is.”
Both players have embarked on impressive freshman seasons at prestigious programs. Strong, recognized as the top recruit of her class, averages 16.2 points for the Huskies and leads the team in rebounds with 8.7 per game, following closely behind Paige Bueckers in scoring. She’s made a remarkable entry into college basketball, ranking among the top 10 UConn freshmen historically in several statistical categories and matching milestones only achieved by basketball legends like Maya Moore and Candace Parker.
“Sarah — how do I say this? In the next three years, she might be the best player to come out of UConn,” says South Carolina coach Dawn Staley, acknowledging Strong’s impressive composure and extraordinary skill set that strengthens an already formidable UConn team. She further praises Strong as the vital connector that enhances the team’s dynamics.
Strong shares a connection with Staley beyond the court, as her mother, Allison Feaster, was Staley’s teammate on the WNBA’s Charlotte Sting. Despite this relationship, and while South Carolina courted Strong, her commitment to UConn had been long in the making. “We probably came in a little bit late on Sarah. I think UConn was recruiting her much earlier,” Staley acknowledges, reflecting on the recruiting process.
Joyce Edwards brings her own set of talents to South Carolina. Leading her team with an average of 12.7 points per game this season, her contribution has been significant. Although relatively quiet during the initial stages of the NCAA Tournament, Edwards delivered an impressive performance in the semifinals with a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds, complemented by six assists and a steal.
“I’m happy for Joyce because I know as a young person, you’re struggling in the very thing that you love to do,” Staley expresses. Edwards’ determination and hard work, whether in analyzing game footage or through rigorous workouts, have paid off, earning her the respect and support of her teammates during her tournament sluggishness. “I feel I was more definitive,” Edwards describes of her resurgence. “More open-minded. Giving what the game gave me, not overthinking, not second-guessing, just going.”
This encounter between two rising stars will be a pivotal moment as both seek to lift their teams to victory in the national championship showdown.