Middle Village, N.Y. — Alterique Gilbert's crazy busy day kicked into gear like a one-man fast break around 3:30 a.m. Thursday when he left his hotel in Chicago and headed to the airport.

After his New York-bound flight landed, he hustled over to his Miller Grove (Ga.) High School basketball team's hotel, arriving about 10 a.m., took roughly a one-hour nap and then got in a little workout to prepare for that night's Dick's Sporting Goods High School Nationals.

"After that, it was time to go," Gilbert said.

There's no time to rest for one of the nation's top high school point guards and future UConn Husky.

Once Gilbert, a 5-foot-11 point guard, stepped on the Christ the King High School court for his second elite level game in less than 24 hours, he showed no signs of fatigue playing in the national quarterfinals against Findlay Prep.

The rush of adrenalin, his always hot running motor and burning desire to lead his team to an upset of the fifth-ranked team in the country, fueled him and kept his tank from running dry coming off Wednesday night's McDonald's All-American game in Chicago.

"The McDonald's game was a wonderful experience for me," Gilbert said. "Traveling from Chicago to New York was kind of tiring on my body. But once I stepped on the court, I didn't feel nothing at all when I'm with my teammates. We just wanted to come out and have fun and compete and get the win."

Gilbert, the No. 28 rated player in the country and Gatorade Player of the Year in Georgia, and Miller Grove checked off every item on their wish list on Thursday.

Led by Gilbert's team-high 20 points, Miller Grove posted a tough 67-65 victory. His team's run ended on Friday in the semifinals, falling to powerhouse Oak Hill Academy 47-46. He contributed a game-high 19 points in his final high school performance.

Judging from numerous recruiting services and rave reviews from Miller Grove coach Sharman White and UConn coach Kevin Ollie, Gilbert has star potential on the collegiate level.

White will greatly miss Gilbert, who carried Miller Grove to its seventh Georgia state title in eight years and 31-3 record overall, as a player and person. Gilbert is averaging about 21 points and six assists.

"It's been a great ride," White said. "I get emotional when I talk about this kid because he came through our doors at Miller Grove as a freshman.  I had known him since he was in the seventh grade and knew he was coming to our school.

"To see him just flourish the way he has, because when he walked through our doors, he wasn't a McDonald's All-American in everybody's eyes. But he had a plan and I had a plan with him. ... And he stuck to the plan. And he believed in me, he believed in our program and believed in our system, and it's paying off for him.

"He's just getting the fruits of a lot of hard labor. ... I'm just so happy for him and so happy for his future. He's one heck of a player, but I can tell you right now he's an even better person and that's what makes me proud as his coach."

Miller Grove was at a size and strength disadvantage against Findlay Prep. But Thursday's game was more about heart and competitive spirit, and Miller Grove won both those critical areas.

Gilbert, who's blessed with Ryan Boatright type speed, tenacity and defensive mindset, showcased his all-around game. He was aggressive on both ends of the floor, attacking the basket off the dribble and stepping into the passing lane to pick off passes.

He showed off his shooting range and ability to finish in traffic around the rim, two shortcoming this past season for UConn. He finished 7-for-17 from the field (3-for-10 from 3) and also chipped in four assists, two rebounds and only one turnover in 27 minutes.

On Wednesday night, Gilbert also managed to hold his own against some immensely talented competition in the McDonald's All-American game, contributing seven points, five rebounds, four assists and one steal in 12 minutes. He also had a few careless moments, committing four turnovers.

He admits that he sometimes doesn't make the best decisions, forces shots and penetrates too deep into the lane. But his experience this week — off the court as well, mentioning his humbling visit to the Ronald McDonald's House in Chicago — will be valuable in his overall development and prepare him for the rigors of major Division I basketball.

"It's definitely getting me better for the future, just playing against better competition and bigger guys," Gilbert said. "Especially at the McDonald's game, bigger guys were guarding me and I had to adjust and get better to things that I wasn't used to doing. ... I'm just looking forward to get to UConn and better myself."

Gilbert kept close track of the Huskies, watching their postseason run. He's excited about playing in the backcourt with Jalen Adams. He's part of an impressive recruiting class that's ranked in the top 10 in the nation.

"I think I'll fit in really well," Gilbert said. "Me and Jalen should be a wonderful backcourt, in my opinion. I'm just excited to get up there."

His relationship with Ollie is a big reason why he selected UConn. Ollie's background as a former NBA point guard also helped seal the deal.

"First and foremost, my relationship with him was great," Gilbert said. "But he's been to where I want to be. For about 12 to 13 years (in the NBA), he's fought through adversity, played on (numerous) teams throughout the years. He's just taught me a lot as a young man, what I have to do and what I'm going to do to get there."

His whirlwind journey didn't end in New York. He'll play in the Jordan Brand Classic on April 15 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.

Rest can wait for now.

g.keefe@theday.com