Photos: StudentandAthlete

Detroit Edison Public School Academy Early College of Excellence senior Ruby Whitehorn (2) drives to the basket against Detroit Cass Technical on Wednesday.

Ruby Whitehorn (2) poses with her McDonald's All-American jersey on Wednesday.

Posted Wednesday, February 23, 2022

    Division 2 No. 1-ranked Detroit Edison Public School Academy Early College of Excellence continued its playoff push, beating Detroit Cass Technical 72-33 on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at Edison.

   Edison was led by Miss Basketball favorite and Clemson-bound senior Ruby Whitehorn’s 24 points, eight rebounds, five assists, three steals, and one block.

   Whitehorn was honored at halftime as she was presented with her jersey as one of only 24 McDonald’s All-American girls basketball players in the nation.

   Whitehorn was the only player from Michigan selected to either the prestigious girls or boys McDonald’s All-American Games set for March 29 at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.

   Whitehorn is the first girls basketball player from Michigan to be named a McDonald's All-American since Edison’s Rickea Jackson in 2019. Jackson was named Miss Basketball the same year. Jackson was present at Wednesday's ceremony along with representatives from McDonald's.

   The past two years, the McDonald’s games have not been played because of the pandemic.

    Whitehorn was named the 15th-best girls basketball recruit for the class of 2022 in November by USA TODAY.

   After being edged on Feb. 15 by Division 1 No. 1-ranked West Bloomfield (65-62) to end a four-year winning streak against Michigan teams, Edison started a new streak, winning four straight over only six days. Edison beat Division 3 No. 1-ranked Ypsilanti Arbor Preparatory 60-52, Indiana powerhouse LaPorte La Lumiere on the road, 60-42, Division 1 No. 8-ranked Farmington Hills Mercy 67-44, before beating Cass Tech.

   Whitehorn scored 18 of her 22 points in the second half, nearly bringing Edison back against West Bloomfield. Whitehorn scored 24 points and dominated the final minutes against Arbor Prep and Miss Basketball candidate Mya Petticord.

  The next night, after a three and a half-hour drive to Indiana, Whitehorn had 20 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and three steals against La Lumiere. Whitehorn led Edison with 31 points against Mercy.

   Against Cass Tech, the Pioneers led 11-6 after one quarter and extended the lead to 37-11 at halftime.

   DePaul-bound senior Madisen Wardell had 17 points, seven rebounds, and three steals in the win. Myana Cooksey added seven points, six rebounds, and two blocks.

   Edison (11-3) hosts Saginaw Heritage (12-7) on Thursday, Feb. 24, to conclude the regular season.

   Edison hosts the Michigan High School Athletic Association District 56 playoffs on Wednesday, March 2, against Detroit Southeastern (11-2).

    Detroit University Preparatory faces Detroit University Preparatory Science & Math in the other district semifinal. The district final is Friday, March 4.