Bearettes’ Rhyne Howard further motivated by All-American game snub

Bradley Central's Rhyne Howard (23) has increased her scoring average from 18.3 points per game to 20.4 in the Bearettes' last two games after finding out she was not selected to play in the 2018 McDonald's All-American girls' basketball game. Bradley Central's Rhyne Howard (23) has increased her scoring average from 18.3 points per game to 20.4 in the Bearettes' last two games after finding out she was not selected to play in the 2018 McDonald's All-American girls' basketball game.

By Kelley Smiddie January 26, 2018 4 min read

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Bearettes’ Rhyne Howard further motivated by McDonald’s snub

Since finding out she was not selected to play in the 2018 McDonald's All-American girls' basketball game, Rhyne Howard, left, has made a statement by scoring 79 points in Bradley Central's last two games.

Rhyne Howard (23) is a key reason Class AAA Bradley Central is ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press girls' high school basketball state poll, and she's a viable candidate for her classification's Miss Basketball award despite not being selected a McDonald's All-American.

Bradley's Rhyne Howard (23) passes on a fast break while Cleveland's Sydni Callaham (23) defends. The Cleveland Lady Raiders visited the Bradley Central Bearettes in TSSAA basketball action on January 5, 2018.

Bradley's Rhyne Howard (23) dribbles downcourt after a rebound. The Stone Memorial Panthers visited the Bradley Central Bears in the girls's Region 3-AAA semifinals on February 27, 2017.

CLEVELAND, Tenn. – Please forgive Rhyne Howard if she never eats at McDonald’s again.

It has nothing to do with what’s on the menu. It has everything to do with a basketball game scheduled March 28 at Philips Arena in Atlanta.

That’s when and where the 41st McDonald’s High School All-American games will take place. The girls’ game will be televised by ESPN2.

But Howard, a standout guard at Bradley Central who has signed with Kentucky, won’t be participating. She was at home during the middle of this month when she found out the players who were chosen to compete in the game, and her name wasn’t among them.

“My heart like dropped,” Howard said. “I thought I should’ve made it, but I guess other people didn’t think so.”