PJ Washington honored for Jordan Brand Classic (Photo: Position Sports)

Finlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.) senior P.J. Washington was honored Tuesday as a Jordan Brand Classic All-American, as part of the Jordan Brand Classic Senior Night Tour presented by American Family Insurance.

“I’m blessed to be selected to the Jordan Brand Classic,” said PJ Washington. “A lot of former Findlay Prep players have been to the game and I look forward to continuing the Findlay tradition.”

Washington is ranked the No. 13 player overall and No. 5  power forward in the Class of 2017 by 247Sports Composite Rankings. The 6-8 forward has signed with Kentucky, which currently has the No. 1 ranked class in 2017.

PJ Washington presented his siblings, Spencer and Alexandria Washington, with the Dream Champion Award. (Photo: Position Sports)

As part of the event, Washington presented his siblings, Spencer and Alexandria Washington, with the American Family Insurance Dream Champion Award.

The Jordan Brand Classic is April 14 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Riley Sorn is 7-foot-3, so dunks basically look like this:

But Sorn is more than one dimension, as he has been a part of Richland (Wash.) advancing to the state 4A quarterfinals with a victory against Davis, 63-51, on Wednesday in Tacoma. Richland is the No. 11 seed; Davis was the No. 3 seed.

Sorn blocked seven shots and scored 13 points in the victory.

“Riley changes our whole defense,” teammate Cole Northrop told the Tri-City Herald. “They’ve gotta shoot over him, and that makes the other team really uncomfortable.”

Sorn’s mother is 6-2 and played basketball at Boise State. Dad is 6-6 and played at Treasure Valley Community College and his older sister is a 6-2 freshman at North Idaho College. The Sorns are big folks and love their hoops.

Sorn is not the obvious go-to guy on the team that his size might dictate, but he is playing a — ahem — big role.

“Riley’s changed his approach, and he’s pretty good in the full court now,” coach Earl Streufert told the Tri-City Herald recently. “He’s not the one key for us to win, but if he plays well on both sides of the court, he makes us a much better basketball team.”

Here are highlights of Sorn and Richland in an 84-58 victory against Moses Lake in the regionals.

David Wright of Hickory High in Chesapeake, Va., in 2001 (Photo: D. Kevin Elliott)

When David Wright was named to the American Family Insurance ALL-USA baseball team in 2001, he was asked to describe himself.

“Hard-working and dedicated individual,” the then-senior at Hickory High in Chesapeake, Va., said.

Those words have proved true throughout a 13-year major league career with the New York Mets. Wright was drafted No. 38 overall by the Mets after his senior year of high school. Wright hit .544 with six home runs, 20 RBI and 35 runs in 23 games for Hickory. He had a 1.018 slugging percentage.

Those words also again reflect why the Mets have hope – and confidence – that Wright can come back from his latest setback.

Two years ago, Wright was diagnosed with spinal stenosis. Last season, a herniated disk in his neck. Now, just three weeks into spring training, it’s Wright’s shoulder that has flared up, resulting in a setback that will sideline him indefinitely and almost certainly beyond opening day.

New York Mets third baseman David Wright (5) looks on along with manager Terry Collins, left, during a workout in spring training (Photo: David J. Phillip, AP)

The third baseman was examined Tuesday at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.

The last two seasons have clouded Wright’s future since he’s been limited to just 75 games due to the injuries, but the Mets’ Captain entered camp upbeat about possibly contributing more this year. Wright, 34, wants to be in the middle of it all while the Mets pursue a franchise-record third straight playoffs appearance.

“This guy is special,” manager Terry Collins said. “Every time he comes back from an injury you see him do something that people rave about. I just think that if anybody who can come back, he’s a guy who can do it. But we’ll have to see how he progresses.”

Jose Reyes, a longtime friend who will replace Wright once again, said he has no doubts that Wright will return this year.

For as optimistic as he may be though, this latest injury is yet another example of how cautious the Mets have to be when setting expectations for Wright for this year and the remaining three years on his contract.

“He’s got the right attitude to try to come back because it’s been tough the past two years,” Reyes said. “He plays how many games, and he’s still coming to the park and doing his rehab with the best attitude I’ve ever seen.”

Contributing: Matt Ehalt, NorthJersey.com

Tampa Catholic (Fla.) star Kevin Knox rarely fails to put on a show, but he was in rare form Wednesday.

Knox, playing in front of North Carolina coach Roy Williams, put up 40 points and snagged 20 rebounds in the Crusaders’ 92-67 win over the Villages in the Class 5A state semifinals.

Perhaps more impressive were Knox’s shooting numbers. He made 13-of-17 shots from the field, including a perfect 7-for-7 from three.

RELATED: 2016-17 American Family Insurance ALL-USA Preseason Boys Basketball Team

A five-star prospect, Knox is considering Duke, Kentucky, North Carolina, Florida State, and others.

Round 2 is complete in the American Family Insurance #DreamFearlessly Fan Vote to determine the final spots in the  American Family Insurance High School Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships.

Through two rounds of voting, 255,033 votes have been cast.

Four players advanced in the each of the slam dunk, men’s three-pointer and women’s three-point brackets and move to the semifinals, with voting set to begin Thursday at 1 p.m. The semifinals continue through March 9.

Fans can vote for their favorite players in the semifinals using an interactive bracket by entering the “#DreamFearlessly Fan Vote” website at AmFam.com/FanVote. The athlete with the most votes in each matchup will move on to final round.

Video highlight reels of each competitor on the website will help fans determine their choice

The eventual winner in each event will compete against competitors already selected in Phoenix, the Final Four host city, with the event to air on CBS on Sunday, April 2 at 3:30 pm. ET.

The following are the semifinal matchups in each contest:

Slam Dunk Championship

Jaylen Sebree vs. J.P. Moorman
Jay Shropshire vs. Anthony Duruji

3-Point Championship (Men’s)

Cooper Neese vs. Noah Vickery
Evan Wall vs. Josh Kollman

3-Point Championship (Women’s)

Natalie Sanchez vs. Kinzie Heineman
Bethany Wolph vs. Kaylee Benge

Megan Walker, the No. 1 girls basketball player in the nation, eclipsed 2,000 career points at Monacan (Chesterfield, Va.) advanced in the Virginia 4A state tournament.

Walker, a UConn signee, scored 18 points in a 71-32 victory against Charlottesville in the quarterfinals. The milestone points came in the third quarter.

Walker is a McDonald’s All American and Jordan Brand Classic All America and midseason American Family Insurance ALL-USA Player of the Year candidate.

Monacan, 28-0 and No. 6 in the Super 25 Expert rankings, plays Friday in the semifinals.

Sierra Canyon’s head coach Ty Nichols (far right) at the Hoophall Classic (Photo: Gregory Payan, Associated Press)

In a surprising move, Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, Calif.) head basketball coach Ty Nichols has made a strategic decision to turn over many of his duties to an assistant coach for the state playoffs, according to The Los Angeles Times.

Nichols said he remains the head coach and plans to remain the head coach, but assistant coach Andre Chevalier will bring “a freshness to the last half of the playoffs,” Nichols said.

“I want the kids to hear a different voice, a different style,” Nichols told The Times. “I’m still the head coach, still in charge but will ask him to lead. It’s a calculated decision to win more games. This is my decision as head coach to try to help my team win.”

Chevalier, a former head coach, will assume a larger role at practice and games.

Sierra Canyon is 27-2 and ranked No. 12 in the Super 25 after a loss to Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) in the Southern Section Open Division semifinals on Friday. The Southern California Regional Open Division playoffs begin next week.

Michael Porter Jr. had 36 points to lead No. 1 Nathan Hale (Seattle) to an 86-63 victory against Stanwood in the 3A state quarterfinal at the Tacoma Dome.

Hale, the top seed, will face Lincoln, the fifth seed, on Friday.

Hale (28-0) jumped out to a 20-10 lead after the first quarter and had pushed the advantage to 44-24 at halftime.

Hale also got 19 points from P.J Fuller and 13 points from Jontay Porter.

Chase Strieby’s 17 points led Stanwood. AJ Martinka had 12.

Defending Super 25 girls spring soccer champion Union (Tulsa) began the season ranked No. 1 in the USA TODAY Sports/National Soccer Coaches Association of America preseason rankings released this week.

But Union — winners of the last two state titles — had its 36-game winning streak snapped in the season opener Thursday against Broken Arrow.

The teams played to a scoreless tie in regulation before Broken Arrow won 5-4 on penalty kicks. Broken Arrow was among Union’s toughest foes during the winning streak as Union won 1-0 in overtime last season.

Union played Thursday without one of its top players, midfielder Taylor Malham. She was otherwise occupied for the Union girls basketball team, which lost 57-46 to Norman North in an area regional game as the playoffs continue.

March is Girls Sports Month. USA TODAY High School Sports will provide a series of pieces in which female athletes from high school to the pros and their mentors and coaches share their views on topics such as leadership, mentoring, perseverance and the important role athletics has played in their lives.

Destiny Littleton, shown with her honorary McDonald’s All American Games jersey, is leading the nation in scoring. (Photo: MCDAAG)

Destiny Littleton has a long list of accolades as a high school basketball player at The Bishop’s School (La Jolla, Calif.) — all-time leading scorer in California, among the 10 top scorers in girls high school basketball history, McDonald’s All American, Jordan Brand Classic selection, all-state honoree.

This week, she gets the chance to add San Diego Section Open Division champion.

Littleton and The Bishop’s School (29-2) play Mission Hills, which beat Bishop’s last season in the Open semifinals.

Bishop’s has not lost to a San Diego team this season.

Littleton, a USC signee, is leading the nation in scoring at 44.6 points per game and adds 11.4 rebounds. A 5-9 sparkplug, Littleton has used her strength and guile to succeed against players who are often bigger.

“Growing up, I was a post player and then I was transformed into a guard,” she said. “Being an undersized guard, you have to work a lot more on your game and your skills if you’re just not blessed with height. For me, it has been my heart, going against 6-3 to 5-7 girls.”

That heart also helped Littleton survive amid family problems. Coach Marlon Wells now serves as her guardian.

USA TODAY High School Sports spoke with Littleton as part of Girls Sports Month about the role athletics has played in her life, her role model and her advice for young kids following behind her.

Q: When did you know that sports was going to be a big part of your life? 

A: The summer going into 7th grade I knew basketball was going to be something I needed and something I wanted. I was dealing with a lot of family issues and used basketball as an outlet for my anger and feelings. From there, I grew to love the sport because I knew it was always something I could count on.

Q: How has being involved in sports impacted you?

A: It has transformed my life. If it wasn’t for basketball I probably wouldn’t be here and having the success in life that I’m having.

Q: Is there a female athlete that you looked up to growing up and why?

A: I have always looked up Maya Moore. She has been my idol and woman that I strive to be. Whether it is with the community or basketball, she has a big impact on the little kids and that’s what I want for my career. Not only do I look at her game and try to add things to my arsenal, I look at how she interacts with the kids and her teammates.

Q: Given the position athletes have in school and beyond, what responsibility do you feel to the younger kids who look up to you?

A: I feel a lot of responsibility to pave the way for the younger kids. To keep the game growing and the atmosphere competitive. Being a role model for the young kids keeps their confidence up and allows them to continue on with their dreams. It’s a great feeling when you hear a young kid say they look up to you, that means you’re doing something right.

To say that it’s expected that Paul Tyson, a class of 2019 quarterback and great-grandson of legendary Alabama coach Bear Bryant, would be an understatement.

But Tyson isn’t getting looks from the Crimson Tide—and others—due purely to nepotism.

The Hewitt-Trussville (Ala.) QB has great size at 6-4, 210, and he’s also gained interest from the likes of Clemson, Notre Dame, and others.

Still, it seems like it would be tough to get him out of Alabama.

“That’d just be an honor,” Tyson told 247Sports about getting an offer from the Crimson Tide. “They’ve always been a good team. That’d be amazing especially with my great-grandfather there. That’d be something special.”

According to 247Sports, Tyson plans to visit Clemson this weekend and he recently attended Alabama’s junior day.

Trevon Duval honored for Jordan Brand Classic. (Photo: Position Sports)

IMG Academy (Bradenton, Fla.) senior Trevon Duval was honored Wednesday as a Jordan Brand Classic All-American, as part of the Jordan Brand Classic Senior Night Tour presented by American Family Insurance.

“I’m happy and thankful for this honor,” said Trevon Duval. “I’m just ready to get there and do what I do and play the way I know how.”

Trevon Duval Blog: Duke and Kansas visits, DICK’s Nationals and more

Duval is ranked the No. 4 player overall and No. 1  point guard in the Class of 2017 by ESPN. The 6-3 point guard is uncommitted but is down to Arizona, Baylor, Duke, Kansas and Seton Hall. Duke is thought to be the leader.

Trevon presented his coach, Vince Walden (right), with the Dream Champion Award. (Photo: Position Sports)

As part of the event, Duval presented his coach, Vince Walden, with the American Family Insurance Dream Champion Award.

The Jordan Brand Classic is April 14 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Nick Richards honored for Jordan Brand Classic. (Photo: Jon Lopez)

The Patrick School (Hillside, N.J.) senior Nick Richards was honored Wednesday as a Jordan Brand Classic All-American, as part of the Jordan Brand Classic Senior Night Tour presented by American Family Insurance.

“This is a blessing and dream come true,” said Richards. “I have worked hard to get this great opportunity and I can’t thank God and my family enough for helping me, this is all for them.”

Richards is ranked the No. 11 player overall and No. 5  center in the Class of 2017 by ESPN. The 6-11 center has signed with Kentucky, which currently has the No. 1 ranked class in 2017.

Nick presented his mother, Marion Tenn, with the Dream Champion Award. (Photo: Jon Lopez)

As part of the event, Richards presented his mother, Marion Tenn, with the American Family Insurance Dream Champion Award.

The Jordan Brand Classic is April 14 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Jarred Vanderbilt honored for Jordan Brand Classic. (Photo: Xavier Burke)

Victory Prep (Houston, Texas) senior Jarred Vanderbilt was honored Wednesday as a Jordan Brand Classic All-American, as part of the Jordan Brand Classic Senior Night Tour presented by American Family Insurance.

“It is an honor to named to the Jordan Brand Classic,” said Jarred Vanderbilt. “It is going to be a good time. There are a lot of my future teammates playing in the game too, so we have to represent.”

Vanderbilt is ranked the No. 17 player overall and No. 5  small forward in the Class of 2017 by 247Sports Composite Rankings. The 6-8 forward is committed to Kentucky, which currently has the No. 1 ranked class in 2017.

Jarred presented his father, Robert Vanderbilt, with the Dream Champion Award. (Photo: Xavier Burke)

As part of the event, Jarred presented his father, Robert Vanderbilt, with the American Family Insurance Dream Champion Award.

The Jordan Brand Classic is April 14 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Brentwood (Calif.) High sophomore Braelee Albert hit an off-balance shot at the buzzer in overtime to give Brentwood a 55-54 victory against Burbank in the CIF Southern Section 3AA championship game. Albert went behind his back and then up to try to create more space.

Albert finished with 27 points and 11 rebounds and give Brentwood its first title since 1991.

Burbank forced the overtime with a tough floater by guard Cameron Sweeten at the end of regulation that erased an 11-point deficit.

It was a heartbreaker for Burbank, which was playing in its first CIF final in 91 years.

Both teams advance to the state regionals. The pairings will be announced Sunday.

Josh Paschal, a Kentucky signee who is ranked among the top defensive ends in the Class of 2017, took over a student-faculty basketball game at Good Counsel (Olney, Md.) and tore the house down.

Paschal, who is 6-4 and 255 pounds, went airborne for this dunk and you can see the crowd reaction.

Shane King from Mary Persons High (Forsyth, Ga.) unleashes this rocket via Hudl:

Zion Williamson ended his junior season by leading Spartanburg (S.C.) Day to a  29-6 record and second consecutive state title with a 76-51 victory against Christian Academy (Myrtle Beach) in the independent school association’s Class AA state title game.

In the final, he scored 51 points and continued to post highlight reel dunks.

Ranked as the No. 2 player in the Class of 2018, he averaged 36.8 points, 13 rebounds, 3.2 assists, three steals and 2.5 blocks a game, according to The State.

Calvin Shannon is 25 months old and “his love for basketball is like none other,” according to his parents’ Twitter feed. He even has a YouTube channel.

This video is labeled as the third compilation of his exploits.

He. Does. Not. Miss.

Here he makes four consecutive baskets from the upstairs balcony into the hoop below and was featured on ESPN.

From three wins last season to undefeated state champions. Nathan Hale (Seattle), the No. 1 team in the Super 25, won the Washington state 3A title with a 68-51 victory against rival Garfield on Saturday in Tacoma.

Michael Porter Jr. finished with 27 points, 17 rebounds and several highlight reel dunks, including a crazy alley oop and throwing the ball of the glass to himself for a late dunk.

It is the first state championship for the program, which was bolstered by the transfers of Porter an brother Jontay from Missouri  and the hiring of former NBA player Brandon Roy as coach.

Jontay Porter had 10 points and six rebounds in the title game and P.J. Fuller had 12 points and four assists, but it was a more assertive Michael Porter who led Hale’s second-half surge.

Garfield led 29-26 at halftime, but Hale (29-0) went on a 6-0 run early in the third quarter on three-pointers from Porter and Tre’Var Holland and would go ahead 35-31.

With Hale leading 40-38, Porter flushed an amazing one-handed dunk with 2:29 left in the third quarter in what seemed like a key moment. By the end of the quarter, Hale had gone on a 9-2 run and led 49-40.

While Garfield tried to hang in during the fourth quarter, Hale was on its way to the state title.

J’Raan Brooks finished with 15 points and Jamon Kemp had 12 for Garfield.

It was the fourth time this season that Hale beat its Metro League rival, including the league title game and a nationally televised game at Garfield, which is Roy’s alma mater. Garfield had been the state champion in 2014 and 2015 and reached the state semifinals last season.

Hale could next be headed to the DICK’S Sporting Goods Nationals. In early February, Mike Colbrese, the executive director of the WIAA, told USA TODAY High School Sports that the executive board waived a number of rules to pave the way for Hale’s inclusion if the school wanted to make the trip.

“We’ve had a boys basketball and a girls basketball team go to this event and two football teams that went to another Paragon event,” Colbrese said. “We’ve gotten very positive feedback from the coaches from those schools on those events.”