Press Release :: Women's Basketball Coaches Association

ATLANTA, Ga. - The Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced today the nation's top 20 girl's basketball players selected to participate in the 14th annual WBCA High School All-America Game, presented by Nike.

The players who have been chosen will be divided into two teams with ten players each. The college-style regulation game is scheduled for Saturday, April 2 at the University of Indianapolis' Nicoson Hall in Indianapolis, Indiana. The game is scheduled to tip-off during the "WBCA Night of All-Stars" at 4:30 p.m. (Indianapolis time) followed by the WBCA All-Star Challenge, which will feature 20 of the top senior collegiate players in the nation. This capstone event tips-off the 24th Annual WBCA National Convention, which takes place at the site of the NCAA Women's Final Four.

"The WBCA High School All-America Game Selection Committee has done a fantastic job assembling a great crop of talent," said WBCA CEO Beth Bass. "As always, basketball fans will have the privilege of watching twenty of the best high school players in the country. The WBCA is once again proud to be hosting the High School All-America Game along with Nike, continuing the rich tradition of showcasing the future of women's basketball."

Below is a list of players selected to participate in the 2005 WBCA High School All-America Game:

"This year's talent pool was so deep," remarked Brad Smith, chair of the WBCA High School All-America Game Selection Committee. "I felt the selection committee's decision on picking twenty players was difficult, but well thought out. The event will showcase twenty fabulous athletes."

A committee of WBCA-member high school coaches who represent nine geographical districts from across the nation selected the All-America squad. The 2005 WBCA High School All-America Game Selection Committee is comprised of: Leslie Davis (District 1 - Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School - Cambridge, MA), Mary Klinger (District 2 - Rutgers Prep School - Somerset, NJ), Kenny Carter (District 3 - High Point Central High School - High Point, NC), Reggie Lee (District 4 -Brookhaven High School-Columbus, OH), Gary Glasscock (District 5 - St. Louis Metro Academic and Classical High School - St. Louis, MO), Samantha Marrow (District 6 - Mansfield Summit High School-Arlington, TX), Caryn Jarocki (District 7 - Highlands Ranch High School - Highlands Ranch, CO), James Anderson (District 8 - Narbonne High School-Carson, CA) and Angie Hembree (District 9 -Collins Hill High School-Suwanee,GA).

This marks the 14th year that the WBCA has sanctioned a girls' high school All-America Team. The inaugural WBCA 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 from 1998 until 2002.

"Nike is proud to be involved with the WBCA High School All-America Game," said Mary Thompson, Nike Elite Youth Basketball Manager. "I congratulate all the student-athletes that have been selected to participate in such a prestigious event. The selection committee has done a tremendous job selecting the top 20 players in the country. This game gives these student-athletes the chance to come together and showcase their talents on a national stage. This year's game should prove to be one of the most exciting."

The 2005 class of WBCA All-Americans joins the likes of past participants such as: Tamika Catchings, Chamique Holdsclaw, Katie Smith, Sue Bird, Diana Taurasi and Alana Beard.

The following 20 players have received Honorable Mention for the High School All-America Game: