Subscribe
Community
Taking honors in hoops
Friday, Feb. 5, 2010
 Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photo by REID SILVERMAN
Ryken's Elijah Matthews was nominated to play in the McDonald's game.
|
E-Mail This Article
Tuesday, seven local Southern Maryland standouts were full of smiles as they were nominated to play in the 2010 McDonald's All-American Game on March 31 at the Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio, the home arena for Ohio State University.
In a press release distributed by McDonald's, Thomas Stone's Kendal Smith, Stephen Battle and Leandre Eackles were nominated as were St. Mary's Ryken's Kai Smith and Elijah Matthews for boys basketball, while on the girls side, North Point's Robyn Parks and Tiara Butler were nominated also for their standout ability on the hardwood.
"I would like to congratulate Kai and Elijah on the McDonald's All-American nomination," Ryken head coach Dave Tallman said. "This is a great honor that they truly deserve. Kai and Elijah have made solid contributions to our program and we are happy for them."
The seven standouts are each one of 64 nominees in the Greater Washington D.C. area competing to fill one of 24 positions on both the girls and boys teams.
The players were nominated by the McDonald's All-American basketball team selection committees, a group of 23 prominent basketball experts, including nationally-renowned coaches and top high school sports journalists.
The final rosters will be announced at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 11 on ESPNU.
"It's an outstanding accomplishment and we are very excited to know that such talented athletes have been nominated from our area", said Craig Welburn, Jr., a local McDonald's franchisee, in Tuesday's press release. "McDonald's is proud to have student athletes who serve as role models to their peers and we wish them the best of luck."
The eighth annual girls game will tip off at 5:30 p.m. March 31 and broadcast live on ESPNU, while the 33rd annual boys game will follow at 8 p.m. and air live on ESPN.
"It feels great," said Kendal Smith, who is averaging 13 points, eight boards and four assists for the Cougars, who currently lead the SMAC with a 15-0 overall mark, 6-0 in SMAC. "A lot has went on in my career and this is a big milestone. I just want to thank [head] Coach [Dale] Lamberth because without him we wouldn't have put the work in that we did, so I just want to thank the coaching staff in general."
The games will raise proceeds for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio.
Since 1977, more than 750 male players have competed in the McDonald's All-American Games, forming an elite list that reads like a who's who in basketball history.
