Whitko’s Aly Reiff stands with McDonald’s representative Emily Kreiger at center court with recognition of her All-American nomination Thursday night. (Photo by Nick Goralczyk)

SOUTH WHITLEY — Just add it to the list.

Prior to Thursday night’s conference game with Tippecanoe Valley, Whitko’s Aly Reiff received yet another great honor for her efforts on the hardwood. Reiff, a Xavier University commit, was presented with a certificate from Emily Kreiger for being nominated as McDonald’s All-American nominee. Kreiger was on site as a representative for McDonald’s.

The list of this year’s nominees represented 45 states and the District of Columbia. Reiff was one of just eight girls players in the state of Indiana to receive this prestigious nomination. She is currently averaging 18 points per game and leads her team in every major statistical category on the season.

“I think it’s really cool,” said Whitko head coach Brandon Bradley. “I’ve been around coaching for 21 years, most of it coaching travel kids. You see a lot of those kids. It’s just another achievement that she has more than earned.

“For me, knowing how a lot of the all state teams are voted for, it’s nice to see her get recognition wherever she can. She’s had an outstanding career, obviously. She’s on top of most of our statistical records. Again, it’s just nice for her to be recognized by someone nationally and not just locally or in the state.”

Reiff was preoccupied following a loss to Valley, but offered comment on the most recent of her long list of accomplishments.

“It feels really great,” Reiff explained. “Ever since I was little I’ve always had this dream of playing basketball and it just means that all of the hard work is paying off.

“I feel blessed. My dad, he pushed me to be better. We worked in the gym for hours and it’s just nice to see it pay off. I’m just very blessed and excited for the future.”

While Reiff is anxious for her future career at Xavier and pleased with what she’s done so far at Whitko, she still wants to bring some hardware home to South Whitley.

“Sectional is the goal right now, or part of the goal,” expressed the Wildcat senior. “We want to win the first sectional in school history and keep going. We want to go all the way. We want to take this as far as we can.”

Reiff and the Wildcats are currently ranked first in Class 2-A and boast a 16-4 overall record.