Five area athletes nominated to 2007 McDonald’s All-American High School Basketball teams

Five varsity high school basketball players from laceName>AtlanticlaceName> laceType>CountylaceType> were among the 54 athletes from the Greater Philadelphia Region that have been nominated for selection to the 2007 McDonald’s All American high school basketball teams.

Holy Spirit High School’s Brian Crilley, Cliff Spiller and Chelsi Johnson, all of Absecon, join laceName>Atlantic CitylaceName> laceType>High SchoollaceType>’s Darnell Davis and Jamal Edwards, both of Atlantic City, in the group of nominated athletes.

The McDonald’s All American Basketball Team Selection Committee nominated the players and will announce the final team roster Feb. 24.

“We’re proud to recognize our local nominees for their exceptional performance as students and athletes,” said Mike Anton, president of the Greater Philadelphia Region’s McDonald’s Owner/Operator Association. 

The players rank among the top 2,500 high school basketball players, competing to be named to the 24-member boys and girls All-America roster.

The All-Americans will play in an East vs. West contest to be played March 28 in Freedom Hall in Louisville, Ky., and aired on ESPN.

Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana. The event has raised $5 million to date.

McDonald’s All-American alumni include current WNBA MVP candidate Seimone Augustus; NCAA stars Ivory Latta, Tina Charles and Candace Parker; NBA basketball greats Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony; and current college standouts, including Greg Oden and Kevin Durant.