Two Future Bears Nominated for McDonald’s All-American Game

MACON, Ga. – Two members of Susie Gardner’s 2011 recruiting class have been nominated for the annual McDonald’s All-American game.  Erichea Barnes and Precious Bridges have been honored with consideration for participation in the nation’s premier showcase for high school talent.

Nominations are submitted by members of the McDonald’s All-American Selection committee and state representatives who are considered experts on prep basketball on a local level.  The voting process for the All-American team is a four-round progression culminating with February’s announcement of the 24 girls selected to participate in the game.

The girl’s McDonalds All-American game is scheduled for Wednesday, March 30 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill.   Tip-off is slated for 7:30 p.m. and the contest will be broadcast live on ESPNU.

Barnes was one of 26 players from the state of Georgia to be nominated, while Bridges was one of 37 considered from Florida.

Barnes will join Mercer after completing her senior season at Whitefield Academy with head coach Eddie James.  As a junior at Whitefield, Barnes averaged 16.9 points and 2.5 assists per game while shooting 32.9% from beyond the arc.

Aside from James, another important influence on Barnes’ development has been coach JD Davis of the Georgia Hoopstars AAU program. 

Bridges is enjoying her senior season at William T. Dwyer High School where she plays under direction of coach Jeryl Atkins.  As a junior, Bridges averaged 17.9 points, 6.2 rebounds and 4.5 steals per game, leading the squad to its first district championship since 2004. 

For her efforts, Bridges was selected as the Palm Beach Post All-Area Large School Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year following her junior season.

Bridges also exhibited her talents while a part of the Essence AAU girls’ basketball program, widely regarded as one of the top AAU basketball teams in the country.