Trio of Signees Picks Up National Honors
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Three South Carolina women’s basketball signees earned spots on the 2019 Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Girls’ All-America Teams with two adding Gatorade Player of the Year honors in their respective states. Guard Zia Cooke picked up first-team honors from the Atlanta Tipoff Club, while post player Aliyah Boston was a second-team selection and wing Breanna Beal made the third team. Boston and Beal went on to collect Gatorade Player of the Year honors for Massachusetts and Illinois, respectively.
With 22.5 points, 6-5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season, Cooke has helped her Rogers High School team to its eighth-straight City League championship and into the regional finals tonight. In addition to McDonald’s All-America recognition and being named a finalist for the Naismith National Player of the Year award, the 5-foot-9 senior point guard also earned the district player of the year honors for the second time in as many seasons.
Boston led Worcester Academy to a 24-1 record and second-straight New England Prep School Athletic Council Class AA tournament championship this season, Her 17.3 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game helped her onto the Naismith All-America Second Team as well as her third Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year recognition and McDonald’s All-America status.
Beal is also a three-time winner of her state’s Gatorade Player of the Year award after a season that saw her average 24.8 points, 14.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.6 steals. The 6-foot-1 wing led Rock Island to a 30-2 record and the Class 4A Super-Sectionals. She closed her high school career with 2,720 points and 1,285 rebounds. Beal also earned McDonald’s All-America honors earlier this season.
This trio along with local guard Olivia Thompson and early enrollee Laeticia Amihere make up the Gamecocks’ 2019 signing class, which ranks No. 1 in the nation.
The #12/13 Gamecocks (21-8 13-3 SEC) earned the second seed in this week’s SEC Tournament in Greenville, S.C., and will face 10th-seeded Arkansas tonight at 6 p.m. on SEC Network.
With 22.5 points, 6-5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game this season, Cooke has helped her Rogers High School team to its eighth-straight City League championship and into the regional finals tonight. In addition to McDonald’s All-America recognition and being named a finalist for the Naismith National Player of the Year award, the 5-foot-9 senior point guard also earned the district player of the year honors for the second time in as many seasons.
Boston led Worcester Academy to a 24-1 record and second-straight New England Prep School Athletic Council Class AA tournament championship this season, Her 17.3 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.2 blocks per game helped her onto the Naismith All-America Second Team as well as her third Massachusetts Gatorade Player of the Year recognition and McDonald’s All-America status.
Beal is also a three-time winner of her state’s Gatorade Player of the Year award after a season that saw her average 24.8 points, 14.0 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.6 steals. The 6-foot-1 wing led Rock Island to a 30-2 record and the Class 4A Super-Sectionals. She closed her high school career with 2,720 points and 1,285 rebounds. Beal also earned McDonald’s All-America honors earlier this season.
This trio along with local guard Olivia Thompson and early enrollee Laeticia Amihere make up the Gamecocks’ 2019 signing class, which ranks No. 1 in the nation.
The #12/13 Gamecocks (21-8 13-3 SEC) earned the second seed in this week’s SEC Tournament in Greenville, S.C., and will face 10th-seeded Arkansas tonight at 6 p.m. on SEC Network.
2019 Jersey Mike’s Naismith High School Girls’ All-America First Team
Paige Bueckers, Jr., G, Eden Prairie, MN
Zia Cooke, Sr., G, Toledo, OH
Azzi Fudd, So., G, Washington, DC
Jordan Horston, Sr., G, Columbus, OH
Haley Jones, Sr., W, Santa Cruz, CA
Paige Bueckers, Jr., G, Eden Prairie, MN
Zia Cooke, Sr., G, Toledo, OH
Azzi Fudd, So., G, Washington, DC
Jordan Horston, Sr., G, Columbus, OH
Haley Jones, Sr., W, Santa Cruz, CA
Second Team
Aliyah Boston, Sr., P, Worcester, MA
Samantha Brunelle, Sr., F, Ruckersville, VA
Nyah Green, Sr., G, Allen, TX
Rickea Jackson, Sr., W, Detroit, MI
Ashley Owusu, Sr., G, Woodbridge, VA
Third Team
Kierstan Bell, Sr., G, Canton, OH
Breanna Beal, Sr., W, Rock Island, IL
Francesca Belibi, Sr., F, Aurora, CO
Jakia Brown-Turner, Sr., W, Temple Hills, MD
Anaya Peoples, Sr., G, Danville, IL
Gatorade Players of the Year
Illinois: Breanna Beal, Sr., W, Rock Island
Massachusetts: Aliyah Boston, Sr., P, Worcester
–– www.GamecocksOnline.com ––
