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Taking honors in hoops
Friday, Feb. 5, 2010
 Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photo by EMILY BARNES
North Point senior Tiara Butler was nominated to the McDonald's game as did teammate Robyn Parks.
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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 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."
"I am very proud that these young men were recognized for their recent, past accomplishments," said Lamberth on his three nominees via e-mail Thursday morning. "It not only speaks to their individual recognition, but to their contribution to the basketball program while at Thomas Stone as a whole. I hope they take this nomination in stride and continue to improve academically, socially and athletically."
When told that she was chosen as a nominee Parks was at a loss of words by the moment.
"I'm speechless," said Parks, who signed her letter of intent to attend Virginia Commonwealth University before the season began. "First off I would like to give my honor to God because without him I wouldn't be blessed with the gift and the talent. I've been staying in the gym after hours working on my shooting, ball handling and it has paid off for me."
Parks noted how proud she was of Butler, who she's played alongside during her four years in high school and in the summer.
"I'm glad Tiara was selected to," Parks said. "She is like a sister to me, we do everything together and I enjoy playing with her."
"From where both of these players have come from their ninth grade year it is amazing," said North Point head coach Keith Spencer via e-mail Thursday morning. "I think from a basketball standpoint it has been a pleasure coaching both of them. From a preparation standpoint, I think our school's motto is complete when it says; ‘The real world starts here."'
For the local players the nominee selections are special, but Thursday will be even more special if they get selected to play on the big stage come March.
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.
McDonald's All-American athletes include basketball greats Alonzo Mourning, Magic Johnson, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant. It also include WNBA talents Seimone Augustus (Minnesota Lynx) and Candace Parker (Los Angeles Sparks).
