THERE ARE A LOT of “dynamic duos” that have changed the game in their own respective ways over the years. Scottie and MJ, Shaq and Kobe, Lauren Jackson and Sue Bird. The list goes on and on. But there’s a duo right now that’s looking to the future. Nestled in quiet Blairstown, NJ, is Blair Academy, which is home to one of the greatest duos that girls high school basketball has ever seen: Dominique Darius and Olivia Miles.
Liv and Dom are a nightmare combo for any team to defend. The two are both top-30 players in the Class of 2021 and have led Blair to multiple state championships in their division.
“Dom, she’s the first one at practice, she’s the last one to leave, she’s constantly getting up extra shots,” Blair Academy head coach Quint Clark shares with SLAM. “Olivia’s the same way. They’re naturally talented, but in addition to their talent, what made them successful is their hard work, their determination, their competitiveness, and their willingness to lift their game and their teammates' game.”
Each of their skill sets are unique and bring something to the program that culminates in a nearly unstoppable product on the court.
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THE THIRD Coming
FOR DJ WAGNER, SON OF DAJUAN AND GRANDSON OF MILT—BOTH FORMER NBA PLAYERS—BASKETBALL RUNS IN HIS FAMILY’S BLOOD. OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS, HE’LL USE THAT TALENT AND HIS NO. 1 RANKING IN THE CLASS OF 2023 TO LEAD CAMDEN HS TO THE TOP OF THE BASKETBALL WORLD (AGAIN).
STATE of the UNION
CHRIS PAUL HAS BEEN A NATURAL LEADER SINCE AS FAR BACK AS HE CAN REMEMBER. BUT THROUGH 2020, AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE NBPA, PAUL HAS LED ALL 450 NBA PLAYERS THROUGH THE MOST TURBULENT OF TIMES—THROUGH A PANDEMIC, A SOCIAL JUSTICE MOVEMENT, A BUBBLE, AND A SEASON THAT SOMEHOW STRETCHED 355 DAYS—AND THOSE LEADERSHIP ABILITIES HAVE BEEN MORE CRUCIAL THAN EVER. WE SPOKE WITH CP3 ABOUT THE LEGACY OF THE PAST YEAR AND MUCH MORE.
The Fresh Princesses of Blair
IT’S STRAIGHT UP DOMINATION WHEN OLIVIA MILES AND DOMINIQUE DARIUS, TWO OF THE BEST GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PLAYERS IN THE COUNTRY, ARE ON THE FLOOR AT THE SAME TIME.
BREAKING BOUNDARIES
MEET THE SALAM SCHOOL STARS—AN ALL-MUSLIM GIRLS’ TEAM THAT’S CHALLENGING GENDER-NORMS WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY.
Back For More
ATHLETIC PROPULSION LABS’ first basketball sneaker got banned from the NBA because it gave wearers an “advantage.” The brothers who launched the company have returned to the game 10 years later, with a duo of brand new sneakers.
3 the HARD WAY
THREE NBA CHAMPIONSHIPS WITH THREE DIFFERENT TEAMS MEANS DANNY GREEN KNOWS A THING OR THREE ABOUT WINNING. AS HE WRITES HERE, THE THIRD WAS THE MOST SATISFYING.
Hollywood
Though her first year in the WNBA was anything but normal, Atlanta dream star Chennedy Carter is on her way to a long career in front of the bright lights.
NO MERCY, NO FEAR
THE NBA IS BACK AND NEW ORLEANS PELICANS STAR ZION WILLIAMSON IS AS CONFIDENT AS HE’S EVER BEEN. LET THIS BE YOUR FINAL WARNING.
THE PEOPLE'S CHAMP
NATASHA CLOUD HAS ALWAYS FOUGHT FOR WHAT’S RIGHT. BY OPTING OUT OF THE 2020 WNBA SEASON TO FOCUS ON SOCIAL JUSTICE, THE REIGNING CHAMP CONTINUES HER FIGHT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY.
PACK MENTALITY
MEET ROBBY SIKKA, THE SUPERFAN TURNED DOCTOR TURNED NBA TEAM VP WHOSE EXPERTISE HAS BEEN CRUCIAL FOR THE NBA THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC.
HERO NEVER GAVE UP ON MISSING GIRL, 13!
Clever cop goes motel to motel in search of perv who allegedly took her
Dad's Prayer
I thought I knew my father well: his devotion to family, his solid faith. A slip of paper in a forgotten Bible revealed more
The Long Game: Covid Changed The Way We Play, Watch, Cheer
It’s the predictable rhythm of sports that draws us in.
SCOTT'S SPORTS SPOT - Basketball returns
Brown sinks 1,000th point
SUPER MAN
James Brown on what matters most: faith, family, football, and following your heart
KOBE BRYANT & DAUGHTER DIDN'T STAND A CHANCE!
Gianna and Kobe died while on their way to a girls’ basketball tournament
PANINI ANNOUNCES KOBE REDEMPTION PLANS
KOBE BRYANT’S SUDDEN PASSING IN JANUARY CREATED A LOT OF HOLES. WHILE MOST ARE EMOTIONAL, THERE ARE SOME MORE PRACTICAL THINGS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. TO THAT END, PANINI HAS ANNOUNCED PLANS FOR THE REMAINING KOBE BRYANT AUTOGRAPH REDEMPTIONS.
THE SCOUTING REPORT - 2020 PANINI IMMACULATE COLLEGIATE BASKETBALL
2020 Panini Immaculate Collegiate Basketball takes the premium brand online as an exclusive for the company’s website. And while the distribution may be smaller, the focus on incoming rookies and high-end cards remains the same. Five of the six cards in each hobby box are either autographs or memorabilia cards.
GOOD VIBES ONLY SOFI TUKKER
This month's cover story features 2X GRAMMY nominated musical duo that we have been a fan of for awhile now.
PLANNING TRAVEL BECOMES MORE COMPLICATED DURING PANDEMIC
Planning travel for college basketball teams can be complicated. Flights and hotels have to be booked, buses rented, meals planned. Schedules have to be worked around practices and games.