After a strong performance for South Coast at the 2021 NSW Combined High Schools tournament, Phillips was named in their 10-person squad to compete at the NSW All Schools tri-series.

"It was a nice moment hearing my name called out for the CHS team," Phillips said.

"It is a pretty big achievement and something I'm very proud of.

"Making the team alongside a couple of my friends made it even better."

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This selection was based on the Nowra High School's students play with her South Coast side, during the May 4-6 tournament at the Maitland Federation Centre.

South Coast, coached by Lauren Brahe, opened with a commanding 111-46 win against North West, before smashing North Coast 106-48.

Then on day two, Phillips' squad made it three from three by downing Sydney East 57-48.

But their winnings run came to an end in game four, losing 71-48 to hosts Hunter.

These results saw South Coast finish second in their pool, pitting them against Sydney North in the semi-final.

Despite a courageous effort, South Coast lost 77-71.

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That put them into the bronze medal match, which they won 81-61 against Sydney West - with Hunter downing Sydney North 68-58 in the grand final.

"The team performed really well over the week, winning the majority of our games and securing the bronze medal - which we were all stoked with," Phillips, who was representing South Coast for the third time, said.

"For me personally, it was one of the better tournaments I have been a part of, performance-wise.

"I led the tournament in scoring, averaging 22.5 points a game.

"I was happy with that and this will give me a lot of confidence moving forward."

Following the gold medal match, Phillips and nine other athletes' names were read out as part of Lauryn Curtin's NSW CHS women's side.

Joining Phillips in the squad are Hunter quartet Saffron Shiels, Kelsey Crossan, Hannah Chicken and Holly Keeble, Sydney East duo Tenayah Logan and Sidney Mahinya, Sydney North's Carla Pitman, Sydney West's Caitlyn Martin and Sydney South West's Azaleeah Oloapu.

"This is a goal I've had my eye on for a while," 17-year-old Phillips said.

"Making teams like this and receiving the opportunity to represent NSW CHS will only improve my game and give me the chance to play against some of the best players in the state."

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This squad will now head to the Hills Basketball Stadium on May 31 to compete in a tri-series against teams from the Combined Catholic Colleges and Combined Independent Schools - where they'll decide who gets named in the NSW Merit team.

"They are picking a merit team this year as there are no nationals due to COVID-19 but it would still be an amazing achievement," she said.

"To achieve this, I'll just keep doing what I'm doing training wise and keep working hard on my game."

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