Aliyahna “Puff” Morris, Grace Knox and Addie Deal help West team roll to 104-82 victory in McDonald’s All-American girls basketball game; UCLA commit Sienna Betts is MVP

Following a pair of impressive head-to-head showdowns involving their respective teams during the California high school postseason schedule, Mater Dei standout Addie Deal and Etiwanda seniors Aliyahna “Puff” Morris and Grace Knox had an opportunity to join forces as teammates Tuesday on the West roster at the McDonald’s All-American girls basketball game at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.

The West scored the first 18 points and never trailed against the East in a 104-82 victory, improving to 14-8 in the history of the girls all-star event, which began in 2002.

West girls team | Photo courtesy of Pamela Smith, McDonald’s All-American game

Sienna Betts, a UCLA-bound senior at Grandview High in Colorado, received MVP honors after producing 16 points, seven rebounds and two assists for the West, which recorded its largest margin of victory in the series since a 92-64 triumph in 2013.

Morris, a Cal signee, had 10 points – including a pair of 3-point field goals – plus two rebounds and two assists, with the LSU-bound Knox adding five points, two blocked shots and a game-high 10 rebounds, as well as Iowa commit Deal contributing six points, three rebounds and two assists for the West, which held a 31-14 advantage following the first quarter.

Morris was one of six West athletes to score in double figures, with Brynn McGaughy of Central Valley High in Washington accounting for the final 10 points by the team to finish with a game-high 17, in addition to grabbing seven rebounds.

Aliyahna “Puff” Morris, left, and Jaida Civil | Photo courtesy of Pamela Smith, McDonald’s All-American game

Despite missing its first 11 shots, the East lineup cut the deficit to 41-35 in the second quarter, but wouldn’t pull any closer.

With the West holding a 54-45 halftime advantage – featuring 10 points each from Ayla McDowell of Cypress Springs in Texas and Jazzy Davidson of Clackamas High in Oregon – the lineup opened the third quarter with nine consecutive points to cruise to the team’s second victory in the past three years.

After Deal scored late in the third to help extend the West lead to 79-66 entering the final quarter, Morris opened the fourth by hitting her second 3-pointer and the sixth for the team overall.

ZaKiyah Johnson, left, and Mia Pauldo, center, with Addie Deal | Photo courtesy of Pamela Smith, McDonald’s All-American game

Knox helped the West produce a 63-51 rebound advantage, with Betts contributing to a 74-52 scoring edge in the paint for the victorious lineup.

Knox was also the only female competitor participating in the slam dunk contest Monday as part of the Sprite Jam Fest at the Barclays Center, receiving a score of 47 points from judges following a one-handed attempt.

Aliyahna “Puff” Morris, left, with Aaliyah Crump, center, and Grace Knox | Photo courtesy of Pamela Smith, McDonald’s All-American game

Aaliyah Chavez of Lubbock Monterey High in Texas, who scored 10 points Tuesday, also won the girls 3-point shootout Monday with 18, before being edged by a 28-25 margin in the Battle of the Sexes showdown against Mikel Brown, Jr. from DME Academy in Florida.

Jordan Speiser of St. Charles Lutheran High in Missouri won the girls knockout competition Monday, defeating McDowell in a back-and-forth battle among the final two athletes.

Deal, the seventh Mater Dei female competitor in program history to participate in the McDonald’s All-American contest, is expected to be teammates again with both Knox and Morris – the second and third athletes ever to represent Etiwanda at the event – as part of Team Flight in the Jordan Brand Classic all-star showcase April 18 at CareFirst Arena in Washington, D.C.

Knox has also been selected to participate April 12 for the Team USA women’s roster at the 26th annual Nike Hoop Summit at the Moda Center in Portland, Ore.