Findlay Prep duo named to the McDonald’s All-American team

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010 | 3:35 p.m.

Findlay Prep basketball players Cory Joseph and Tristan Thompson were named to the prestigious McDonald's All-American team on Thursday and will play in the 33rd annual McDonald's All-American game March 31 in Columbus, Ohio.

The top 24 boys and girls players are selected each year, including past participants such as LeBron James and Kevin Garnett.

Last year, Findlay guard Avery Bradley was chosen for the event and won its slam dunk contest. Bradley currently plays for Texas.

"It's a testament to not only those guys but their teammates and the program in general," Findlay assistant coach Todd Simon said. "There are few coveted spots for that team and to see two kids on there from the Las Vegas community is great."

Thompson, a 6-foot-10 forward who signed with Texas, is averaging 16.1 points and 9.5 rebounds per game for Findlay, which is ranked No. 3 nationally by USA Today and is the defending national high school champion. Joseph, who is uncommitted, averages 17.9 points and 4.8 assists per game.

The duo, who several recruiting services list among the top 30 players for the 2011 class, will play for the West team.

"It's an honor to be included with the best players in the nation who get to play in that game," said Joseph, who is considering Connecticut, Minnesota, Texas, UNLV and Villanova.

"I'm just going to enjoy the experience as much as possible. There will be some great caliber of players in that game and I'm going to enjoy playing with them."

Also, Bishop Gorman High's Aaryn Ellenberg was selected for the girls team.

Ellenberg, who signed with Oklahoma, averages 23.7 points a game and has scored more than 2,000 career points. She helped Gorman win the 2007 and 2008 large-school state titles.

"She is one of the most prolific scorers I have ever coached," Gorman coach Sheryl Krmpotich said in a statement. "When she is in the game I'm very calm because something good is going to happen. She is athletically gifted and a tough competitor."