When it comes to promoting our local athletes, students and coaches, it is always refreshing to know that the rest of the country feels the same about them as we do.

For veteran basketball coaches Darryl Burrows of Dillard and Abby Ward from South Broward, state titles and individual accomplishments have always taken a back seat.

What Burrows and Ward represent in this community are people who care about taking their student/athletes to the next level. They have always helped to showcase their hard-working players, and in the process, have given them an opportunity to achieve things they may never have had the opportunity to do on their own.

This year, with South Florida serving as a spotlight for some of best high school basketball players in the nation, both Burrows and Ward were chosen as coaches for the 2009 McDonald’s All American High School Games, which will be held Wednesday, Apr. 1, at the BankUnited Center on the campus of the University of Miami. The Boys Game will tip-off at 8:00 p.m. EST. The Girls Game begins at 5:30 p.m. EST.

The honor to serve as coaches for an event of this nature is certainly the pinnacle for any high school coach who has put in the time to elevate talent through the years.

Having known both of these coaches for several years, working closely with Coach Ward, who built one of the most successful girls' programs in Broward County history at South Broward, it is an honor to see them receive such a prestigious assignment.

While we never get to know much about what it is that the coaches in the BCAA mean to any sport, it is quite gratifying to see that they are recognized nationally for what they have done to qualify for such an honor.

This game has long represented what high school basketball is all about. Think back to all the years we had the pleasure of watching the top male and female players in the country and you will understand how unique this honor truly is.

We will be on hand for this special event and will follow Burrows and Ward as they make history for the BCAA and all of South Florida.

The McDonald’s All American Games are regarded as the premier showcase for the top high school basketball talent in the country. Annually, 24 boys and 24 girls are selected from a pool of more than 2,500 nominees nationwide and chosen by a committee of basketball experts for demonstrating exceptional skills on and off the court.

Since 1977, more than 900 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 NBA greats LeBron James, Kevin Garnett, Alonzo Mourning, Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant.

Former female All Americans include Seimone Augustus, Ivory Latta and Candace Parker who made  history at the 2004 McDonald's All American Games when she became the first woman to win the slam dunk contest at POWERade® Jam Fest.

Among the local boys nominated for the game from BCAA schools are Brett Bailey (St. Thomas Aquinas), Bryan Bynes (Boyd Anderson), Bryce Clark Blanche (Ely), Blake Foeman (Cypress Bay), Martavious Irving (Boyd Anderson), Daniel Munoz (St. Thomas Aquinas) and Dillon O'Sullivan (St. Thomas Aquinas). Also, Kenny Boynton (American Heritage), Raymond Taylor (American Heritage) and Edward Waite (Pine Crest Preparatory) have also been included in the list.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities 
Ronald McDonald House Charities, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) corporation, creates, finds and supports programs that directly improve the health and well being of children. Its programs are grassroots-driven to enable the Charity to offer help where children need it most — right in their own communities. RMHC makes an immediate, positive impact on children’s lives through its global network of local Chapters in nearly 50 countries and regions and its three core programs:
Ronald McDonald House®, Ronald McDonald Family Room® and Ronald McDonald Care MobileTM. RMHC and its global network of local Chapters have awarded more than $460 million in grants and program services to children’s programs around the world. For more information, visit www.rmhc.org.  

This year, proceeds from the 2009 Games will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC®) of South Florida. Millions of dollars have been raised for RMHC and its local Chapters from proceeds generated at the McDonald’s All American Games.

NEXT WEEK: Signing day will showcase some of the area’s top football players.

You can reach Larry Blustein via e-mail at FloridaKids1@hotmail.com. He can also be heard every Thursday night (9-10) on the Miami Dolphins High School Gridiron Report on WQAM (560 AM).