Wayne Country Day's Joel Davis -- McDonald's A-A nominee

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on January 16, 2015 1:48 PM

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The decision paid off.

And it's turned into recognition Joel Davis never expected.

Davis transferred to Wayne Country Day after his sophomore season at Rosewood in anticipation of raising his stock as a basketball player. Since his arrival on campus, he's not only done that but achieved two bonuses -- a Division I scholarship offer and a nomination to play in the 2015 McDonald's All-American basketball game.

"(An) exciting opportunity," said Davis, who received a certificate from WCDS headmaster Todd Anderson during a school assembly this morning.

"(It) feels good to be one of the few nominated in the area. Just having the chance to be recognized is a blessing. It shows that working hard has paid off."

Davis is one of three eastern North Carolina players -- and two with Wayne County ties -- who have been nominated to play in the annual showcase game that features the country's top prep talent. Highly-touted Division I recruit Brandon Ingram of Kinston and Alonzo Tyson of Fayetteville Trinity Christian are also on the list.

Tyson started his prep career at Goldsboro High School.

However, just 24 of the 823 nominees nationwide will make up the All-American roster, which will be unveiled Jan. 28 on ESPNU. The All-Star game is scheduled for Apr. 1 at 8 p.m. at the United Center in Chicago.

"Joel is well deserving of this nomination," second-year WCDS head coach David Flowers said. "He's been a staple in this program for three years and has done some great things. He's been all-conference and on numerous all-tournament teams."

Davis is the 13th different male player to join the Chargers' 1,000-point club. The senior averages 18.8 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and four steals per game. The Chargers carry an 11-7 worksheet into tonight's road outing against Pope John Paul Catholic II High School.

In three campaigns, Davis has helped lead WCDS to a pair of elite eight appearances in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association Class 1-A playoffs and 51 total victories overall.

"Being at this school and getting to play the competition we play has helped me develop into a better player, and the opportunities to come from it have been a blessing, also" Davis said.

This year's list of McDonald's nominees hail from 47 different states and the District of Columbia. They were chosen by high school coaches, athletics directors, principals and members of the McDonald's All-American games selection committee.

"We are very pleased with the nominations of our local players for this year's McDonald All-American Games," said Wade Dixon, a local eastern North Carolina owner/operator of McDonald's. "These well-rounded student-athletes display remarkable dedication and commitment to the game, but also work hard off the court giving back to their school and community.

"As the long-standing top showcase of national basketball talent, it's an honor to have two players from eastern NC as nominees for the 2015 games."