WP Celtics To Defend Home Turf At Suwanee TOC

The Wallace Prather Celtics Black 17 team entered the 2014 travel season as the No. 1 rated unit among the Deep South Classic teams, and the club backed up that praise by finishing second in Raleigh. Coach Renardo “Nard” Hudson was pleased with that effort, and he is eager to see just how high his squad can fly this summer.

“I was very, very proud of the way all six of our teams played at the Deep South,” Hudson said. “It was a great tournament with a great set up and great competition, and I thought we played very well. We have some very talented players in the older group, but we also have a lot of great young players. We have kids who work hard, they are humble, and they respect the game. We have a number of young players who are going to be big time.”

The Celtics will be showcased in their own backyard at the Suwanee Tournament of Champions from July 5-8. The event will include 96 elite travel teams, with game being played at the Suwanee Sports Academy just outside Atlanta. The Suwanee TOC was previously called the FILA Nationals.

Hudson’s top team in Suwanee will be loaded with Division I talent, including 2015 prospects Aliyah Mazyck (5-10, PG, rated as the No. 20 prospect in the class nationally by the All Star Girls Report), Tynice Martin (5-11, G, No. 34), Abby Grant (5-9, SG. No. 281, Syracuse Commitment), Davion Wingate (5-6, PG) and Terriana Kemp (5-8, CG).

“This is a really strong group,” Hudson said. “Aliyah is a player from Charlotte, and her stock just keeps rising higher and higher. Tynice is a phenomenal player who is proving to everyone how much talent she has. Abby might be the best high school shooter in the country. Davion has really stepped up this year, and Terriana is a player a lot of people don’t know, but they are going to know about her soon.”

All Star Girls Report analyst Bret McCormick also added his perspective on the Wallace Prather Celtics’ prospects:

Tynice Martin: “She is a very athletic wing who is an explosive leaper. She can score in a lot of ways — she shoots the three, attacks the basket, and she has a nice mid-range game because she elevates so well.”

Aliyah Mazyck: “Mazyck is a phenomenal athlete who has improved her game, especially her shot. She is explosive, and she can get to the rim against anyone, and she can finish against contact. She is a great passer and a great scorer.”

Davion Wingate: “She is a quick penetrator. She has a nice floater in the lane and she has three-point range.”

Abby Grant: “She is simply a great shooter with NBA three-point range. She is a gym rat who loves the game.”

Terriana Kemp: “Kemp is a strong athlete who can score off the bounce, and she can hit the three.”