April 2, 2011

Lady Vol Basketball Signees Massengale and Burdick Star in McDonald's and WBCA All-America Games

Two incoming University of Tennessee Lady Vol basketball signees were on display this week at the 10th Annual McDonald's Girls All-America Game played at the United Center in Chicago, Ill., on March 30 and at the 20th Annual WBCA All-Star Game at the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind., on April 2.

Future Lady Vols, guard Ariel Massengale (Bolingbrook, Ill./Bolingbrook H.S.) and forward Cierra Burdick (Matthews, N.C./Butler H.S.) played for the victorious East team in Chicago (78-66) and the runner-up East squad in Indianapolis (83-73).

The first all-star game, sponsored by McDonald's, helped to raise monies this year for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana (RMHC-CNI) and the building of the country's largest Ronald McDonald House in downtown Chicago.

Massengale, playing in front of a hometown Chicago crowd, dropped in 13 points and added four assists. Fellow running mate Burdick, added seven points and grabbed eight rebounds in the win at the United Center.

The West turned the tables in Indianapolis on the Final Four court taking a 10-point win as Massengale tallied eight points and six assists while Burdick contributed 10 points.

The Lady Vols have been fortunate to have 18 previous signees make the McDonald's All American roster including: Nicky Anosike, 2004; Vicki Baugh, 2007; Angie Bjorklund, 2007; Alyssia Brewer, 2008; Kelley Cain, 2007; Tye'sha Fluker, 2002; Alex Fuller, 2004; Amber Gray, 2008; Alexis Hornbuckle, (2004 MVP); Glory Johnson, 2008; Alicia Manning, 2008; Candace Parker, 2004 (Slam Dunk Champion-M/W); Dominique Redding, 2003; Meighan Simmons, 2010; Shekinna Stricklen, 2008; Taber Spani, 2009; Sa'de Wiley-Gatewood, 2004, and Shanna Zolman (2002 MVP).

Tennessee has enjoyed wonderful representation on the WBCA High School All-America Team since its inception in 1992 with 41 players honored: Ariel Massengale, Cierra Burdick, 2011; Lauren Avant, Meighan Simmons, 2010; Taber Spani, 2009; Alyssia Brewer, Amber Gray, Glory Johnson, Shekinna Stricklen, 2008; Vicki Baugh, Angie Bjorklund, Kelley Cain, 2007; Alexis Hornbuckle, Nicky Anosike, Alex Fuller, Candace Parker, Sa'de Wiley-Gatewood, 2004; Dominique Redding, 2003; Tye'sha Fluker, Shanna Zolman, 2002; Shyra Ely, Brittany Jackson, Courtney Young, Loree Moore, 2001; Ashley Robinson, 2000; Gwen Jackson, Kara Lawson, April McDivitt, Tasheika Morris, 1999; Shalon Pillow, Michelle Snow,1998; Tamika Catchings, Kristen Clement, Semeka Randall, 1997; Kyra Elzy 1996; Chamique Holdsclaw 1995; Tiffani Johnson, Laurie Milligan 1994; Abby Conklin 1993, and Michelle Johnson and Latina Davis,1992.