Sports

Edwards leaves Nazareth, heads to Blair Academy

DISTRICT HEIGHTS, Md. – Sadie Edwards will not return to Nazareth next season.

The explosive Class of 2014 guard told The Post she is leaving the Brooklyn Catholic school to attend Blair Academy in New Jersey. An All-City second team selection by The Post, Edwards said she and her family felt it was the best decision for her, academically and basketball-wise.

“At Nazareth it wouldn’t have worked out,” said Edwards, who went there for greater exposure and to play for coach Apache Paschall, who died of a heart attack in January.

She also did not return to play her travel ball with Exodus and coach Lauren Best, a co-coach at Nazareth. Edwards joined the newly formed Epiphanny Prince Elite Club, with whom she is playing with at the USJN/Nike National Championships this week.

Edwards transferred into Nazareth last season from Our Lady of Mercy (Conn.). Along with Brianna Butler and Destini Feagin, Edwards was initially ruled ineligible by CHSAA Brooklyn/Queens before additional paperwork proving parental change of address reversed the decision.

She was a key component to the Lady Kingsmen’s run to the CHSAA Class AA state title. The versatile 5-foot-10 guard had 21 points to lead Nazareth over Moore Catholic in the championship game and 19 in the semifinals against St. John the Baptist. Edwards also poured in 21 of her 28 points in the first half during a win over Christ the King. She helped form arguably the nation’s best backcourt with the graduated Butler, Darius Faulk and rising junior Bianca Cuevas.

“It’s going to be tough to say goodbye to Sadie,” Best said. “She is a great kid. She fit our style of play. I wish her the best.”

The summer has brought a return to the point guard position for Edwards, who is playing alongside New Jersey guards Katelynn Flaherty and Marina Mabrey. She was on the wing mostly with the Lady Kingsmen as Faulk ran the point. Being able to do both only adds to her versatility.

Edwards is ranked No. 17 in her class by Hoopgurlz and fourth at her position. Edwards has offers from Boston College, Kentucky and UTEP and has drawn interest from host of other Division I schools.

“I had to learn how to be effective without having the ball,” Edwards said. “That was a good experience. … Now when I get to college I will be a combo guard. I’m not set with one position.”

She is used to starting fresh at a new school. This will be her third institution in the last four years. Once described as the Michelle Obama of the Nazareth team, Edwards feels she is personable enough to fit in at Blair.

“It’s a stable place to live, it’s a good academic school,” Edwards said. “I liked it when I visited. I liked the coach.”

jstaszewski@nypost.com