Two locals picked for McDonald’s games

Two area standouts, Prep Charter guard Kahleah Copper and Friends' Central forward Amile Jefferson, have been selected to play in the 2012 McDonald's All-American basketball games.

The event, which has featured the likes of Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, is set for March 28 at Chicago's United Center. The 11th annual girls' game, broadcasting live on ESPNU, will begin at 7:30 p.m.; the 35th annual boys' game, live on ESPN, will start at 9:30.

The 6-foot-2 Copper, who is ticketed for Rutgers, has led the Huskies to a 20-3 record. She is averaging 20.4 points, 14.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 2.5 steals.

On Wednesday, in a Public League Class AAA quarterfinal vs. Mastbaum, Copper posted 18 points and eight assists in an 88-21 romp over Mastbaum.

"The Prep Charter community is as proud as could be," Prep Charter coach Paul Reiser said. "The school is absolutely beaming."

Also tabbed to play for the East girls was 5-11 guard Brianna Butler, who starred at Penn Charter before transferring to Nazareth Regional in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Jefferson is ranked by ESPN as the nation's 18th-best boys' recruit. Copper is ranked as the 17th-best girls' recruit; and Butler, a native of King of Prussia, is No. 13.

The 6-8 Jefferson, a five-star recruit who has yet to make a college commitment, is averaging 20.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.7 blocks.

Jefferson is considering Duke, North Carolina State, Villanova, Kentucky, and Ohio State. He is expected to make his decision at the end of the season.

Copper also will play in the 2012 Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) All-America Game, slated for March 31 at the Pepsi Center in Denver.

Contact staff writer Rick O'Brien at 610-313-8019, robrien@phillynews.com, or @ozoneinq on Twitter. Read his blog, "The O'Zone," at www.philly.com/ozone