Whatcom County’s own Anthony Canales and Devin Coppinger were among only five seniors from Washington state to be nominated to play in the 2024 McDonald’s All-American Games, it was announced Tuesday, Jan. 9.
Canales, a 6-foot-4 wing from Lynden, and Coppinger, a 5-11 guard from Nooksack Valley, were nominated along with 722 other boys and girls from 43 states to participate in the prestigious high school showcase in Houston.
The nominees will be narrowed down to 24 boys and 24 girls, who will participate in games in April. The others selected from Washington were Jacob Cofie of Eastside Catholic, Katie Fiso of Garfield, and Ava Smith of Union.
Canales has led the Lions to the past two Class 2A state championships and was named state tournament MVP both years and first-team all-state last year.
This season, he is averaging more than 23 points a game to lead the Northwest Conference and shooting more than 57 percent from the field and 40 percent on 3-pointers. His Lions are 9-3 overall and tied for first in the NWC with a 7-0 record.
Coppinger is a two-time all-state player, who led the Pioneers to the past two Class 1A state finals and the school’s first state title last March.
This season, she is averaging 24 points per game to lead the NWC and through her first 11 games is in the top five in the league in rebounding (7.5 per game), assists (2.8), and steals (4.0) all while shooting 54 percent from the field, 46 percent on 3-pointers, and 66 percent on free throws. Her Pioneers are 11-1 overall and tied for first in the NWC with a 7-0 record.
Since the boys all-star games started in 1977, only 16 players from Washington have been selected as McDonald’s All-Americans, including Blaine legend Luke Ridnour in 2000. Since the girls games’ inception in 2002, only seven players from Washington have been honored, the latest being Hailey Van Lith from Cashmere in 2020.
For the ScoreBook Live story, check out McDonald’s All-American Game.
EDITOR’S NOTE: A big thank you to Tyler Anderson of Whatcom Preps for the updated stats. Be sure to check out WhatcomPreps.com.
