David Hinojosa, mysanantonio.com, March 29, 2017
Nerves built up for Wagner senior Kiana Williams as she took the court at Chicago’s United Center on Wednesday to play in the biggest game of her life.
It was understandable considering she was one of 12 players suited up for the West in the 16th edition of the McDonald’s All-American Girls Game, which was televised on ESPN2. But, shortly after the tip, it was all about basketball and Williams found her comfort zone.
“My hands were sweaty and I was tight, not loose like I usually am before a big game,” Williams said. “Once we went up and down the court a few times, it was fine.”
Williams recorded nine points, three rebounds and three assists in 17 minutes for the West, which lost to the East 80-74 in overtime.
Williams made 3 of 10 shots from the field and was 3 of 3 from the free-throw line.
The West led by as many as 13 points in the first half before the East fought back to send the game to overtime.
The game offered Williams a chance to spend time with future Stanford teammate Maya Dodson, a 6-foot-3 forward from Saint Francis in Alpharetta, Georgia. Dodson, who played for the East, was entered in Monday’s slam dunk contest.
“We talked it up the whole time,” Williams said of Dodson.
Williams will attend Stanford’s national semifinal game against South Carolina on Friday in Dallas, and she said was she was going to text Dodson updates from there.
Williams is the fifth girl from the San Antonio area to play in the prestigious game. Others include her former Wagner teammate Amber Ramirez (2016), Clemens’ Kyra Lambert( 2015), FEAST’s Recee’ Caldwell (2014) and Steele’s Meighan Simmons (2010).
Next up for Williams is the Jordan Brand Classic, another national all-star game, scheduled for April 14 at Barclays Center in New York. She was one of 12 players selected to play for the East. Ramirez played in the game last year.
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