Michael Gilchrist ended his St. Patrick career with a disappointing loss to St. Anthony in the unofficial high school national championship.
But the Kentucky-bound senior wing rebounded with a win in the McDonald’s All-American Game.
The 6-foot-7 Gilchrist tallied 16 points, 12 rebounds and four assists and Florida signee Brad Beal of Chaminade (St. Louis) added 17 points and four assists to lead the East team to a 111-96 win over the West before a sellout crowd of 20,019 at Chicago’s United Center.
It was largest crowd in the 34-year history of the game. The largest previous total was 18,728 in 2003 at Cleveland’s Gund Arena when LeBron James played.
Gilchrist and North Carolina signee James McAdoo of Norfolk (Va.), who added 17 points, were named Co-MVPs.
McAdoo, the nephew of former NBA MVP Bob McAdoo, competed before the largest crowd he had ever played before.
“That was at [East Carolina] when I played against Reggie Bullock [as a junior],” McAdoo said, according to USA Today. “That prepared me a little bit. When I first came out tonight, I had the jitters a little bit, but as the game went on, I got into the flow of the game.”
Mount Vernon coach Bob Cimmino, who on Sunday won his fourth career New York State Federation ‘AA’ championship before flying to Chicago, had said Tuesday he was surprised by Gilchrist’s leadership abilities.
“I would say two things surprised me,” Cimmino said, according to USA Today. “One, Michael Gilchrist’s leadership. I knew him as a great player. I didn’t know him as a leader and Brad Beal seems to be one of those guys who will play better for you once the lights come on.”
Another Kentucky commit, Anthony Davis of Perspectives Charter (Chicago), led the West with 14 points, six rebounds, four blocks and two steals.
“I had to represent Chicago,” Davis said, according to USA Today.
Duke-bound Austin Rivers finished with 14 points for the West. He played in front of his father, Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who was a McDonald’s All-American in 1980.
“I don’t like losing, point blank,” Austin Rivers said. “I’m just lost. That’s how I am. I’m competitive. They outhustled on defense and offense. It’s frustrating.”
Wayne Blackshear played despite injuring his left shoulder in practice. The Louisville recruit and Chicago Public League star scored two points.
(The AP contributed; photo courtesy McDonald’s)
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BostonCat / March 31, 2011
congrats to mike. kid is a winner. davis is a special talent.
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erod / March 31, 2011
Congrats to McAdoo for the CoMVP. Congrats to Beal for scoring 17 points. Congrats to the whole east team for the small supporting role they played in the 15 point win. Congrats to all the special talents that are not going to Kentucky and made it on one of the two teams. And congrats to St. Anthony for defeating Gilchrist and St. Patricks to win the NJ Championship and finish the season ranked #1 as High School National Champs.
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GasCan / March 31, 2011
And congrats to you “erod” for being able to express yourself in a way that shows how incredibly petty you are.
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erod / March 31, 2011
I guess it’s not up to the usual standards of the post that are put on this blog. If you can’t take it then maybe you shouldn’t follow sports. Sorry to offend our sensitive readers.
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GasCan / March 31, 2011
Oh no, I’m not offended in the least by your comments erod, just an observation. I am fully aware that Zag has created a place for the mental midgets and smart-asses to play; I fall in the latter category, and you I’m guessing, fall in the former.
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JonHuskyMS / March 31, 2011
So Gascan, where does “SiJessieWildcat” fall? Basketball genius category?
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erod / April 1, 2011
Not sensitive,not offended as he hurls insults in his post.lmfao Note:Asses are not smart, they are just full of crap.
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GasCan / April 1, 2011
@JonHuskyMS; Is JessieWildcat a basketball genius? Two words for you… fo’ sho!
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