Utah doesn't boast a lot of basketball All-Americans, but 14 seniors in the state have made the cut to be make the roster of one of the most prestigious games there is.
Six hundred players across the country were tapped this week as nominees for the McDonalds High School All-American basketball. Obviously the chances of making the final 48 24 boys and 24 girls are quite slim, but a few might have a good chance of making it.
Highlighting the list are West Jordan's Jordan Loveridge and Syracuse's Brittney Martin. Loveridge is averaging 23 points and more than 14 rebounds per game for the Jaguars, who have only one loss on the season. He's committed to the Utes. Martin is averaging about 19 points per game for the undefeated Titans, and the Oklahoma State commit is ranked the No. 18 prospect in the nation by ESPN.
There are definitely some names on the list that stick out, but some that don't. Several of the seniors selected aren't leading any statistical categories for their teams or play relatively limited minutes.
There are also several notable snubs, such as Alta's McKenzie Morrison, any of American Fork's Division I prospects and several other players who were All-staters last season and probably will be this season.
The spokesperson for the selection committee was not immediately available for comment on how the nominees were selected.
Anyhow, these are the athletes who have been nominated:
BOYS
• Clint Bateman, Payson
• Morgan Berg, Northridge
• Brady Borkland, Bonneville
• Jordan Loveridge, West Jordan
• Keegan McQueen, North Summit
• Ryan Nemelka, Jordan
• Tanner Newbold, Payson
• Joel Swallow, Millard
• Zach Wertz, Brighton
GIRLS
• Miranda Averett, Carbon
• Amber Daly, Layton
• Brittney Martin, Syracuse
• Sydney Richards, Judge Memorial
• Abby Wilson, Bountiful
Kyle Goon
kgoon@sltrib.com
Twitter: @kylegoon