Leah Macy, right, waits to congratulate ZaKiyah Johnson during Monday’s game. (FIBA Photo)
Kentucky high school standouts ZaKiyah Johnson and Leah Macy made their debut for Team USA in a 97-51 victory over Brazil Monday in the FIBA U18 AmeriCup in Colombia Monday.
Sacred Heart’s Johnson started and had nine points on 3-for-5 shooting, three rebounds, three assists and one steal in 17 minutes. Bethlehem’s Macy, a Notre Dame commit, played 10 minutes and went 0-for-3 from the field but did have three steals and one rebound.
George Rogers Clark coach Robbie Graham has competed against both players several times and said last week he was glad to see two of the state’s premier players get this chance on an international stage knowing that his star, Ciara Byars, would have had a chance to make the team if not for a knee injury.
“I think it’s good for our state. Obviously, it’s good for those individual programs because they’re representing our state and the programs and I think it’s just good all around for our kids in Kentucky,” Graham said. “Those kids are tremendous players and tremendous young ladies and I couldn’t be happier for them.
“They represent our state. I am very proud of them. They’re gonna do a great job representing our state.”
Byars was also happy to see two players she knows well getting “exposure” for Kentucky high school girls basketball.
“That’s such an honor to be able to represent the country and then to have two girls represent our country and our state nationally is amazing. I mean, we’ve grown up knowing each other, so I’m just super proud of them,” Byars said.
“For a change they are not competing against each other. I bet it’s cool that they finally get to play together. Hopefully we’ll be playing against both of them in February and March (in the state tournament) and battle with them.”
