Four USA Basketball U18 National Team Members Named 2009 WBCA High School All-Americans

Top 20 High School Seniors Selected for 2009 WBCA High School All-America Game presented by Nike

Atlanta - Feb. 13, 2009
Courtesy WBCA

The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced on Feb. 13 the nation's top 20 girls' basketball players selected to participate in the 18th annual WBCA High School All-America Game presented by Nike. Three of the four members from the class of 2009 who were on the 2008 USA Basketball Women's U18 National Team, Kelsey Bone, Skylar Diggins and Joslyn Tinkle, were named WBCA All-Americal; while Kelly Faris was selected an All-America honorable mention.

The players who have been chosen will be divided into two teams of 10 players. The college-style regulation game is scheduled to tip off at 4:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, April 4, at Washington University's Athletic Complex in St. Louis, Mo. This highly-anticipated event is part of the WBCA National Convention, which takes place at the site of the NCAA® Women's Final Four®.

-The 20 members of this year's High School All-America Team are a great representation of the future of the college game and beyond," said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. -I always look forward to watching this group in action and the committee has done a terrific job once again in selecting these talented young women. The 18th WBCA High School All-America Game presented by Nike will be one to watch and the WBCA is proud to play host for another year."

Below is the list of players selected to participate in the 2009 WBCA High School All-America Game presented by Nike:

-Congratulations to this year's 20 WBCA All-America game participants," said Gary Glasscock, Chairman of the High School All- American Team Selection Committee. -The All-Americans were selected through the conscientious efforts of nine District representatives. These nine District reps worked diligently in the past year to make sure that all corners of the country were canvassed to get the cream of the crop. Congratulations to the WBCA Selection Committee on a job well done. Good luck to the All-Americans in St. Louis."

A committee of WBCA-member high school coaches who represent nine geographical districts from across the nation selected the All-America squad. The 2009 WBCA High School All-America Game Selection Committee is comprised of: Gary Glasscock (Chair " St. Louis Metro Academic and Classical High School), Stacy Bilodeau (District 1 " Walpole High School), Bob Mackey (District 2 " Christ the King High School), Brian Robinson (District 3 " Bishop McGuinness High School), Pat Diulus (District 4 "Regina High School), Kelly Flynn (District 5 " South Sioux City High School), Teri Morrison (District 6 " Midway High School), Gail Hook (District 7 " Monarch High School), James Anderson (District 8 " Narbonne High School), Robert Mosley (District 9 " Ramsay High School), Brad Smith (Past Chair " Oregon City High School) and Daniella Trujillo (WBCA Staff Liaison).

This marks the 18th year that the WBCA has sanctioned a girls' high school all-America team. The inaugural WBCA's High School All-America Game was held April 17, 1992 at Oman Arena in Jackson, Tenn. The second and third annual games were also played at Oman Arena. The 1995 game, which marked the beginning of Nike's title sponsorship, was played in Altoona, Penn. The event moved east to Philadelphia in 1996 and south to Nashville in 1997. The game was then held in Hartford, Conn. from 1998 until 2002. The game made its debut as part of the -WBCA Night of All-Stars" in 2003 and now stands on its own at the site of the WBCA National Convention each year.

-Nike is honored to partner up with the WBCA on such a prestigious event," said Mary Thompson, Nike's Girl High School and Elite Youth Basketball Manager. -The WBCA All- America Game gives the best players in the country the opportunity to showcase their talents in a competitive atmosphere at the NCAA Women's Final Four in St Louis. We recognize the importance of women in sports. These 20 selected All-Americans are the future of women's basketball."

The 2009 class of WBCA High School All-Americans joins the list of well-known past participants such as Olympic gold medalists Tamika Catchings, Chamique Holdsclaw, Katie Smith, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi; as well as USA Basketball alums Alana Beard and Maya Moore.

The following 20 players have received Honorable Mention for the 2009 WBCA High School All-America Game presented by Nike:

Reserved seats are available for $15 and can be purchased by calling 813-287-8844 or by visiting wbca.org or www.ticketweb.com.