Williams eyes N-S game

Aaron Morrison

Indian Land’s Mariah Williams (3) goes to the hoop in the Lady Warriors’ regular-season game with Andrew Jackson. Williams will play in the annual North-South All-Star game on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. at North Myrtle Beach High School.

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The Indian Land Lady Warriors’ basketball program will be front and center Saturday at the annual North-South All-Star basketball game at North Myrtle Beach High School.

Lady Warriors’ head coach Tamara Jacobus will guide the North stars and Lady Warriors’ senior star Mariah Williams will play for the North team.

“It makes you beam when you see Mariah in there,” Jacobus said. “I’m real proud of her.”

Williams’ participation in the elite game, which features the top senior girls players in the state, might have been in doubt late last summer when she had ACL surgery.

“Mariah deserves to be in this game because she has worked hard to have this chance,” Jacobus said. “Since our season ended, she’s been in the gym working as hard as ever to be ready for the game. 

“Her hard work and dedication are a big reason she’s playing in this game. Whatever it took earned her the chance to play,” Jacobus said.

Williams, a five-year member of the IL varsity and a four-year starter, said she’s thrilled  about being in the game.

“I’m excited about playing against some good competition,” said Williams, a two-time selection as The Lancaster News’ Lancaster County Player of the Year for girls basketball. “It’s a privilege and I didn’t know if I would make it because I was injured earlier in the season. I hope to perform well.”

Williams, who has scored over 1,200 career points, averaged 16.8 points a game this season for the Lady Warriors, who earned a Class AA Upstate playoff berth and finished 14-10.

Williams returned from the injury during the holiday break and keyed the IL girls to their postseason berth.

“I’m looking forward to the game,” Williams said. “I have another game to play.”

“Mariah has dedicated herself and this is a grand opportunity for her,” Jacobus said. “This is outstanding for her, our school, community and county.”

The game tips off at 11:30 a.m. at North Myrtle Beach High School.

Williams is one of two Lancaster County players in action Saturday in all-star play.

Lancaster High School Co-MVP and Class AAAA all-state pick Ron Trapps will play in the Carolinas Classic game at Socastee High School in Myrtle Beach.

The game, which features the top senior players in the Carolinas, tips off at 8:30 p.m. at the Socastee High gym in Myrtle Beach.

Trapps’ selection marks the first time a LHS boys player has been selected to play in the annual Carolinas all-star game.

Trapps averaged 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds this season as the Bruins went 19-8 and advanced to the Class AAAA Upper State semifinals before falling to Dorman High of Spartanburg.