The Philly Freedom Stars first went to the Deep South Classic in 2007, and they just keep coming back.
“We go every year because it’s a special event,” said Coach Ryan Garner. “The competition is always great, and you get to play teams from all over the country — you don’t have to play against the same teams you see all year long. Plus, the exposure at the Deep South is unrivaled. There are always a ton of college coaches at the event.
“So you have exposure, competition and a great facility, and that makes for a great event.”
The 2017 Deep South Classic will be held in Raleigh, NC from April 20-23. The event, which will feature some of the finest travel teams in the nation, will be played at the Raleigh Convention Center. There will be 20 courts in the building, keeping the entire event under one roof in downtown Raleigh.
The Philly Freedom Stars will be paced in Raleigh by an impressive post player, and she will have plenty of backcourt support. Brittany Garner (the coach’s daughter) is a 6-4 post player who is listed as the No. 45 prospect nationally in the Class of 2018 according to the All Star Girls Report. Nyah Garrison (5-9, G, 2018) is ranked at No. 372 by ASGR, and Jaycee Lowe (5-8, G, 2019) is at No. 231 in her class.
“Brittany missed most of last year after she was injured in high school ball, but she’s at 100 percent now,” Garner said. “She started playing late last summer, but she wasn’t at 100 percent. I’m very excited to see what she can do this year.
“Brittany is a hybird because she has a strong body and she can play on the block, but she can also really run and move. She can run the floor with the guards, and she has quick feet and hands. That combination makes her a dynamic player.
“Nyah is a very good shooter from the three-point line and in the mid-range. If they close out on her, she will go around them. Nyah is also a high motor player who can rebound and defend taller players because of her strength. She is also an elite student, which is going to open up a lot of different doors.
“Jaycee is a very athletic, very smart player. She can shoot the three, and her athleticism helps her finish when she attacks the basket. Jaycee is also a great on-ball defender. Her brother is playing at Temple.”