Atlanta, Ga.—While the action was on the court in Atlanta Wednesday, the big winner once again was the Ronald McDonald House Charities. The 2018 McDonald’s All American Games annually honor some of the nation’s top scholastic basketball players but the biggest reward goes to the over 50,000 families who have benefited by the popularity and success of the games over the years. The Atlanta Ronald McDonald House Charities are the beneficiaries this year while the crowd in the stands of Phillips Arena traded their support for some top tier basketball.
While the geographical titles of the “East” and “West” team may stretch any map or GPS to its limit, it was the West Team led by UConn signee and John R. Wooden MVP Christyn Williams who claimed bragging rights in the 2018 classic by a 82 – 79 margin. Ironically they were outscored in three of four periods but their decisive nine point edge in the second quarter was the deciding factor when the final horn sounded.
Williams posted an double – double of 22 points and 12 rebounds while shooting 9 for 16 from the floor including an eye catching 4 of 5 from three point range. Baylor bound Queen Egbo added 13 more on 6 of 11 shooting while pulling 8 boards and providing 5 blocks on the defensive end. Aquira DeCosta, another Baylor signee, added 10 more rebounds to the West’s winning cause. The East had three players go for double digits. Madison Williams, a future Oklahoma Sooner and Jack Daly Sportsmanship Award winner, led the way with 13 while Texas signee Sedona Prince chipped in 12 and South Carolina’s Destanni Henderson offered 11 more.
Neither team “lit it up” from the floor as the West was 37.8 percent from the floor on the evening while the East trailed slightly at a 36.9 percent clip. The West claimed a 64 – 54 edge on the glass but turned it over 24 times to the East’s 21 for the game. A statistical highlight, particularly for an All Star game was both teams topping the 20 assist mark. The West had 24 in the win led by Honest Scott-Grayson’s (Baylor) five while Jordan Nixon (Notre Dame) led the East with five of their 21 total.
For a look at some earlier images and coverage from the McDonald’s All Americans time in Atlanta, follow the link below for more from Blue Star Media.
https://bluestarmedia.org/mcdonalds-all-american-games-ready-to-tip-in-atlanta/
North Carolina signee Nassir Little led the West to a win in the boys game offensive showcase 131 – 128. Little had 28 points and five rebounds in the win and was named John R. Wooden MVP Award winner.
Today we offer up a game photo of each of the 2018 Girls McDonald’s All Americans and their stats from Wednesday’s game in Atlanta. The Jordan Brand Game looms on the horizon for 22 of the 24 with tip off scheduled for Sunday April 8th in New York City.
