High School Sports Feature: McDonalds All-Americans

With the McDonald's All-American basketball game upon us today (5:30 pm ET for girls, 8:00 pm ET for boys) from the "U" (University of Miami for those unaware of what the "U" is, they have also asked not to be confused with the "O") I thought it would be a good time to highlight some local talent playing in this game.

Playing for the East team will be Guard Peyton Siva out of Franklin High School. Siva who is fresh off of leading the Quakers to the 3A state championship, and being named MVP of the tournament, will be heading to Louisville to play for Rick Pitino and the Cardinals. Scout.com has Siva ranked as the #7 rated point guard in his class. His strengths are listed as perimeter shot, speed/quickness and that he is a true point guard. Improvements are listed as decision making and mid-range game.

For the West side the state of Washington is represented by two players who up until this past season had been playing together on AAU teams or with Bellarmine Prep High School since 7th grade, in Abdul Gaddy and Avery Bradley. Last year Bradley transferred to Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nevada. Bradley will be heading to Texas as the #3 rated shooting guard according to scout.com and his attack mode and mid-range game are his strengths. His passing and 3-point range could use improvement.

Abdul Gaddy who attended Bellarmine Prep will be staying home to play for Lorenzo Romar and the Washington Huskies. He is listed as the #2 rated point guard with scout.com and his ability to create, instincts for his position and the fact that he is an impact player are serious strengths. He still could work on his strength to handle the college game and is not considered a big-time scorer. I think with Isaiah Thomas and Quincy Pondexter returning for the Dawgs he will have time to build strength and won't be counted on right away to be a major scoring threat.

Also of note, with John Calipari leaving Memphis to coach at Kentucky a number of his recruits with the Tigers have re-opened their recruitment. One of the players in Calipari's class, DeMarcus Cousins, who is from Mobile, Alabama had the University of Washington in his top 5....and with him now being back on the market.....I'm just saying. It would be great to add a 6-10, 245 pound Center to the recruiting class.