BOSTON — The choice was never extraordinarily difficult for Tina Charles. Her mother wanted her to go through the recruiting process and make some official visits, but UConn was always the favorite over Big East-rival Rutgers and Duke.

Charles, a 6-foot-3 center from New York, appreciated the straightforward nature of Huskies' coach Geno Auriemma. He told her that nothing is guaranteed and that hard work is the direct avenue to extended playing time, which was just fine with Charles. She's worked hard for everything she's earned to this point. And, Saturday, Charles' vast ability was on display at the WBCA All-America game at Northeastern University's Matthews Arena. She earned Red MVP honors by finishing with 15 points, a game-high 12 rebounds, two assists and two steals in 28 minutes in a 68-61 victory over the White.

Fellow UConn-bound senior Kaili McLaren, a 6-2 forward from Washington, D.C., had eight points and two rebounds in 21 minutes for the White.

"It's going to be fun (next year)," said Charles, who missed a two-handed dunk after the buzzer sounded. "I'm going to bring a lot of energy. All of my life, I've been doing what my coaches have been telling me, so whatever it is. (Auriemma) told me already, 'You're the one that I wanted and you just have to be big.' Challenges help me to be a better player."

Charles will be the focal point of what is considered to be the No. 1 recruiting class in the nation by the Blue Star recruiting

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service. She was the consensus state player of the year and the WBCA and McDonald's national player of the year. She also led Christ the King, the nation's top-ranked team, to a 30-0 record and its second straight Class AA state Federation Tournament of Champions title.

Charles averaged 26.5 points this season and finished her career by winning her final 57 games.

"I'm just happy she's been able to have the kind of year, and her team has had the kind of year they've had," Auriemma said. "Tina desperately wants to win. She loves winning more than anything else. For her team to be No. 1 in the country and to be named the player of the year in the country, it's deserved on all fronts. She's a great kid and, I think, the best player."

While Charles was a more noticeable name at the start of the season, McLaren has continued to gain notoriety. She was named the Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year and a McDonald's and WBCA All-American. McLaren led Good Counsel (26-8) to its second consecutive Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship and its second straight city championship.

McLaren's biggest goal during the offseason is conditioning. She is currently running and working out with her older brother, Damion.

"Conditioning is my main thing right now," said McLaren, a wide-body type. "If I can get up and down the court better, then I know that I'll have a bigger impact on Connecticut basketball."