Hillhouse's Holmes named McDonald's all-american

New Haven, Conn. (WTNH) - "There's good players that always play in it and it's the best of the best going against each other," said Bria Holmes.

Holmes is among them: one of the top 24 players in the country.

In late March she'll head to Chicago to test herself against the nations elite high school players.

"It wasn't big shocking thing because I work hard and do what I've gotta do," Holmes said, "but I was excited."

Being a McDonald's All-American is a big deal. It's an individual honor for a player who has helped Hillhouse achieve the ultimate team goal over and over again.

Soon Holmes and the Academics will play for a fourth straight state championship.

"It will be real nice because it was always something I wanted to show everybody," Holmes said, "but if not I'm happy with the three I've got cause I worked hard."

A starter since her freshman year, Holmes has elevated her game this season averaging over 28 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals per game. She's also closing in on 2,000 career points and she handles it like everything else, in stride.

"I didn't know really how much I had," Holmes said. "I just knew I was over a thousand because I got my thousandth point ball last year."

Blessed with talent and a hard worker, Holmes was recruited by a bunch of big time schools, settling on West Virginia.

"I fit in there with the team and coaching staff," said Holmes. "I got along with them as soon as I got down there. It was a perfect fit for me."

Holmes is expected to contribute right away for the Mountaineers, but part of her wishes West Virginia wasn't leaving the Big East for the SEC.

"Yeah I'm a little bummed by it, but there is nothing I can do," Holmes said. "I just have to play and follow my dreams."