With the best of the best in the area being announced tonight with the unveiling of the Metro Detroit boys and girls basketball Dream Teams and Players of the Year, we're kicking things off with announcing the top freshman players for the year.
This year's selection for Freshman of the Year include two players that were intricate parts to the success of their respective teams. Both playing with experience beyond their years, the sky is the limit for Detroit Consortium's Josh Jackson and Bloomfield Hills Marian's Bailey Thomas.
Metro Detroit boys basketball Freshman of the Year: Joshua Jackson, Detroit Consortium
There probably wasn't a more talked about freshman player in the state than Josh Jackson this year. Stepping into a Consortium lineup that already consisted of one star in senior Vincent Hunter, Jackson shined and wowed crowds wherever he went.
Averaging 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and four blocks per game, the 6-foot-6 Jackson made believers out of many who watched him play this year. He had a big coming out performance against Romulus back on Feb. 5 in which he scored 23 points in an entertaining 66-59 loss.
“Can you name 10 players better than him in the state?” Romulus coach Nate Oats said following the game. “He’s the top five or 10 in the state, period -regardless of Class.”
Many tend to agree with Oats. Jackson can hit shots from all angles and in all situations and has great vision to also find the open man on the floor. Playing as a team captain alongside UTEP commit Vince Hunter, much is expected of Jackson moving forward.
After leading Consortium to its second straight Class C title game, Jackson will look to raise the bar higher next year with a host of returning players. In a season overshadowed by the passing of head coach Al Anderson in February, Consortium will be placing its hopes in Jacksons hands in the next three seasons.
"We should be loaded down with juniors next year, we have about five of them," Consortium interm coach James Mitchell said after the end of the season. "Along with Josh, I look to have a very bright future with these guys.”
As the only freshman in Michigan to earn All-State honors by the Associated Press and being named to the MLive.com Metro Detroit Wayne County Second Team, the future is bright for Jackson, indeed.
Metro Detroit girls basketball Freshman of the Year: Bailey Thomas, Fr., Guard - Bloomfield Hills Marian
Thomas joined Marian this year with plenty of raw athleticism. However, it was no coincidence that, as Thomas' play on the court developed, Marian experienced more and more success.
"She improved dramatically as the season wore on," Marian coach Mary Cicerone said. "Her confidence peaked toward the end of the season and helped carry us. We had good balance but, as a freshman, she did a really nice job in those pressure situations."
With great quickness on the floor and excellent hands, Thomas contributed on both ends of the floor in a roster that played a lot of girls. Averaging just over nine points and 3 assists a game on offense, Thomas snagged just over three steals a game on average as well.
Going through the gauntlet that is the Catholic League Central Division, Bailey was on the floor often and gained valuable minutes against quality teams and players.
"She did a really nice job of being one of our two point guards," Cicerone said. "We put the ball in her hands a lot ... Towards the end, she was a huge offensive threat as she improved her 3-point shooting and she did a great job of running the offense for us."
Named to the MLive.com Metro Detroit Oakland County Second Team, expect Thomas to rise through the ranks in what should be a stellar career.