Published on: Thursday, January 31, 2013

By Brandy L. Simms

A dozen student athletes with ties to Montgomery County have been nominated to participate in the 2013 McDonald’s All-American Games.

The boys and girls all-star games are scheduled to take place on April 3 at Chicago’s United Center.

High school coaches, athletic directors, principals and members of the McDonald’s All-American Games Selection Committee nominated more than 800 student-athletes from 39 states and Washington for the games.

“This list of McDonald’s All-American Games nominees represents the finest prep talent in the country, and we are privileged to acknowledge them for their career success on the court, in the classroom and in the community,” said Morgan Wootten, McDonald’s All-American Games Selection Committee Chairman. “Today we celebrate these young players, and we look forward to selecting the final team next month.”

The final roster of 24 boys and 24 girls who will be selected to play in the 2013 games will be announced on February 14 during the McDonald’s All-American Games Selection show on ESPNU.

The list of local nominees includes DeMatha’s BeeJay Anya and Jairus Lyles along with Good Counsel’s Louie Brill, Andrew Calomeris, Eric Rupperecht, Amanda Fioravanti and Lindsey Spann.

Anya, a Gaithersburg resident, and Lyles, of Silver Spring, are both committed to Division I college programs. Anya has signed with N.C. State and Lyles is headed to Virginia Commonwealth University.

Josh Hart, a Silver Spring resident, transferred from Wheaton High to Sidwell Friends School in Washington a few years ago and has emerged as one of the area’s top players this season. Hart has signed with Villanova.

The Montrose Christian trio of Jordan Swopshire, Mark Williams and Ishmail Wainwright has also been nominated for the prestigious honor, along with Magruder senior Nick Griffin, who holds the distinction of being the lone public school player from Montgomery County nominated to play in the all-star game.