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Get to Know University of South Carolina – Upstate Women’s Basketball Commit, Haylie Lamonde
- goldenstateservicesj
- Sep 7, 2025
- 4 min read
Name: Haylie Lamonde
Hometown: McDonald, Pennsylvania
High School: South Fayette High School
Sport: Basketball
High School Accolades: Three-time varsity letter winner in basketball, three-time sectional champion in basketball, two-time varsity letter winner in volleyball, two-time WPIAL champion in basketball, one time PIAA state champion in hoops, first-team all-section, Almanac Elite 11 First-Team All-Star, Big 56 All-Star, averaged 12 points, 3.6 steals, 2.3 boards, and 2 assists per game as a junior, and received NCAA Division I and II full scholarship offers from more than a dozen schools.
Commitment: To play basketball for the University of South Carolina – Upstate (USC – Upstate) Spartans. The Spartans are members of the Big South Conference and NCAA Division I. The institution is a member of the University of South Carolina system and is located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The school is home to nearly 5,000 students.
Why She Chose Spartans Women’s Basketball: “Everything about USC Upstate was amazing. I wasn’t planning on making my decision this early, but every time I had talked about my process with my family, it always came back to Upstate. When I went on my visit there, I loved everything about it from the campus, to the gym, to the players, to the coaches. They made it feel like home. Having a place and a culture that makes being so far from home feel like you never left is something so special. I am so excited to start this next chapter with them.”
Intended Major and Future Plans: Lamonde is interested in medicine and plans to become a physician assistant or work in sports medicine after wrapping up her playing career and finishing her studies.
Her Basketball Beginnings: “I began playing basketball when I was little, but I didn’t really start getting into it like I am now until about fifth grade. Basketball has changed my life in so many ways — it’s given me lifelong friendships, taught me discipline and hard work, and given me a place where I feel confident and motivated to keep improving.”
AAU Basketball Experience: Lamonde is a proud player for SLAAM Basketball. “SLAAM has changed my perspective on basketball. The culture Coach Jamal brings to his organization is something I believe every basketball player would be fortunate to experience. Coach Jamal has been in my corner since the moment I stepped in the gym with him. The first question he asked me was ‘Do you want to play division one basketball’ I told him ‘Yes’ and he responded back by saying ’We are going to make that happen I promise’. Here we are now; he believed in me and put his trust in me, and I returned the same. My teammates from SLAAM are my best friends for life, and I love all of them so much. It is going to be so sad not to play with them anymore.”
Pride in Being a South Fayette Lady Lion: “Sporting that green and white is honestly my everything. These girls are my best friends and I wouldn’t trade playing with them for the world. My coaches support us like no other and we have such a great support system around us, which makes for a great team. The South Fayette community has been great and always shows us how much the women’s basketball team means to them. Wearing the green and white jersey will always hold a special place in my heart.”
Becoming a State Champion: “Winning a state title was one of the best experiences I have ever had in my life. When we lost the WPIAL title game last season, I walked into the gym every day of practice and said to the team “we are not losing again”. And we didn’t. The experience we shared together as a team, words can’t even describe how happy we were. We have the talent and the determination to get back to where we were last year, it just depends on how we execute it. So many of my teammates are back and I love them all to death. The bond we share is incredible and that is one of the reasons we are tough to beat on the court because of our bond off of the floor.”
Favorite Basketball Memories: “Aside from winning the state title earlier this year, I’m grateful I was a part of the team as a freshman in the 2022-2023 season that became state runner-up. My all time favorite memory was spending only 16 minutes in Hershey’s Chocolate World my freshman year after the game. Though it was just a few minutes, those moments in the sweetest place on earth with my teammates I’m grateful for. There are too many memories with this team that I can’t even list them all from silly practices to winning WPIAL and the title. I wouldn’t trade it for anything and am grateful senior year is here. I want to make it count!”
Her Support System: “First, I would like to give a shout out to my family. They have done nothing but support me in this whole process and have my back through it all. I would like to thank Coach Bennett and the rest of the South Fayette Girls Basketball coaching staff for developing me into the player I am today. Thank you to Coach Jamal and the SLAAM organization for getting me to the place I am in my recruiting process and in skill development. I would also like to thank Coach Gould and Coach Semplice for all of their hard work, training, and countless hours put into me. I appreciate you all!”
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