PORTLAND — York County has a chance to have two basketball players win the state’s highest reward.

Biddeford’s Keila Grigware, Thornton Academy’s Andrew Shaw and Wells’ Alex Furness earned nominations as semifinalists for the annual Miss Maine and Mr. Maine Basketball awards, which recognizes the state’s best player.

Ten girls earned nominations as did 10 boys.

“I think I put the work in and this is nice since I didn’t have an ideal senior season,” Grigware said of the Tigers who didn’t make the playoffs. “We didn’t really have the season we wanted, but it was still fun.”

Furness, who transferred from Cheverus back to Wells at the beginning of the school year, said he felt honored to be recognized with the nine other players who were also nominated.

“It shows hard work pays off,” he said. “This is a really rewarding experience.”

Mr. and Miss Maine Basketball recognizes a players’ performance on the court  as well as their contribution to their team and to Maine basketball.

The finalists – three boys and three girls – will be announced after the completion of the high school basketball tournaments next weekend. The winners will be announced at the Maine McDonald’s High School Senior All-Star Banquet on Friday, March 11.

In addition to the Mr. and Miss Maine Basketball semifinalists, McDonald’s announced its Maine Senior All-Star teams.

Players from the Journal Tribune coverage area for girls, Class A/B West, are: Grigware, and Thornton Academy’s Hannah Ebling. Boys, Class A/B West, are: Shaw, Furness and Thornton Academy’s James Ek. Ryan Gallant of Old Orchard Beach was named to the boys Class C/D West squad. No girls from the area made the girls Class C/D team.

Wells Meaghan Lewia was named to the High School Senior All-State Academic Team.

McDonald’s also announced, for the first time, finalists for team of the year. This award recognizes a team’s behavior on the court as well as its contributions off the court.

Old Orchard Beach and  Wells are in the running for girls teams. The two teams selected for Team of the Year will receive $1,000 for their schools’ basketball programs.

The McDonald’s All-Star games will be played March 12 at Newman Gymnasium at Husson University in Bangor.

Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for children and are good for all four games.

The McDonald’s All-Star game raises money for the Ronald McDonald Houses of Maine, which are in Bangor and Portland. Last year the games raised more than $20,000.