Morgan Wootten "Player of the Year" nominees named

From McDonald’s All-American central, edited to include only the female nominees:

McDONALD’S® ANNOUNCES FINALISTS FOR MORGAN WOOTTEN ‘PLAYER OF THE YEAR’ AWARD

Four Boys and Four Girls from the 2011 McDonald’s All American Teams Named Finalists for High School Player of the Year Honors

OAK BROOK, Ill. (March 2, 2011) – McDonald’s announced four male and four female finalists today for the Morgan Wootten Player of the Year Award. The annual award, named after DeMatha High School coaching legend Morgan Wootten, recognizes the nation’s top boys and girls high school senior student-athletes. In addition to their skills on the court, the winners must demonstrate outstanding character and exhibit leadership, both in the classroom and in the community. Winners will be announced March 15, 2011.

The female finalists also rank among the tops in girls basketball on the ESPNU 100 list. In alphabetical order: Cierra Burdick (Butler High School – Mathews, N.C.), Ariel Massengale (Bolingbrook High School – Bolingbrook, Ill.), Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis (Mater Dei High School – Santa Ana, Calif.) and Elizabeth Williams (Princess Anne High School – Virginia Beach, Va.).

“As leaders in the community, in academics, as well as on the basketball court, these eight finalists embody what it means to be a McDonald’s All American,” said Morgan Wootten, McDonald’s All American Games Selection Committee Chairman. “Although each athlete possesses the necessary skills to win this award, only two will be selected as the national high school player of the year.”

Tickets to the McDonald’s All American Games are available via Ticketmaster and charge-by-phone at 1-866-909-GAME with proceeds benefiting the Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) of Chicagoland & Northwest Indiana. The chapter will use those funds to help build the nation’s largest Ronald McDonald House in downtown Chicago. Millions of dollars have been raised for the charity since the first Game was played in 1978. Every 2011 McDonald’s All American player will visit the host city’s Ronald McDonald House.

The 2011 McDonald’s All American Basketball Games will be played on March 30 at the United Center in Chicago, Ill. The Girls Game begins at 7:30 p.m. ET, and will broadcast live on ESPNU. The Boys Game will tip-off at 10:00 p.m. ET, and will broadcast live on ESPN.

For more information on the McDonald’s All American Games, please visit: www.mcdonaldsallamerican.com.

GIRLS (in alphabetical order)

Cierra Burdick

Burdick is one of the top forwards in this year’s McDonald’s All American Game. She was named the North Carolina State Player of the Year while leading her team to a State Championship in 2010. In addition to basketball, Burdick won the 2007 women’s outdoor and 2010 women’s indoor State High Jump Championship. She is a member of the National Honor Society and is a four year honor-roll student. Burdick will attend The University of Tennessee in the fall.

Ariel Massengale

Massengale is currently one of the top point guards in the 2011 class. She led her team to back-to-back State Championships in 2009 and 2010, and claimed several awards along the way. In her spare time, she volunteers at her church, school and several different community organizations, including Ronald McDonald House Charities. Massengale will join Burdick at The University of Tennessee in the fall.

Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis

Mosqueda-Lewis is a six-foot guard and top prospect on the ESPNU 100 list. As a three-point specialist, Mesqueda-Lewis gets comparisons to Ray Allen. As a Junior, she was named the ESPN Player of the Year and Parade All American. Off the court, she is a member of student council, campus ministry and volunteers at both a homeless shelter and a school for the blind. She will attend the University of Connecticut in the fall.

Elizabeth Williams

Williams has received comparisons to prominent NBA and WNBA centers because of her size and basketball fundamentals. The perennial award winner averages a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Williams is a two sport athlete who competes in the 400 meter dash and high jump. She volunteers at a local basketball camp in her community. Williams will attend Duke in the fall.