2025 Sophomore Player of the Year Finalists Pt 1

Inspired by the Miss Basketball award, which seeks to honor the best senior basketball players in the state, we wanted to add our flavor to postseason awards. Danyle and I have collaborated to determine a list of deserving high school prospects for every grade that we wish to nominate as Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Player of the Year Finalists.   This award emphasizes individual accomplishments and performances during the 2024-25 season. Prospects who compete on teams that excel in their division, conference, and against competitive teams were prioritized. To be included as a finalist, a player must have played for a high school team ranked by an authoritative girls basketball resource and demonstrated consistent impactful performances throughout the season. Two Player of the Year Finalists will be selected for each grade. The girls chosen are those who we believe impact their team with such significance that their team would not be in the same competitive category without them. Their performance throughout the scope of this season stands above other finalists and makes them the most deserving recipient of what we hope will be a highly respected award for years to come. This is our attempt to offer a fresh award to several of the best basketball players in the state, on the best teams in the state. Here are four of our 2025 Sophomore Player of the Year Finalists.    Cece sprinted out the gates as a freshman, scoring 16 points with nine rebounds, 2.5 assists, and two steals per game. She earned Associated Press D2 Second Team Honors and followed that up with a strong sophomore campaign. Country Day finished with a 16-5 record, securing statement victories against Grass Lake, Dexter, Clarkston, St. Mary's Prep, Stoney Creek, and West Bloomfield. Cece was a major contributor, averaging 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals per game. She went off for 30 points, adding six rebounds, and five steals against Groves; 21 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists against Marian; 21 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists against Toledo Start. Cece produced 11 double-doubles and was +341 this season. She has 886 career points and demonstrated why she's the best combo guard in the 2027 class.     Jozelynn was on watch for a breakout sophomore season and that's exactly what she did for Freeland. The Falcons earned their first TVC-Red title since 2020, splitting wins with Frankenmuth and ending the season 11-1 against conference opponents. Freeland added statement wins against Sault St. Marie, Midland, Sanford-Meridien, Hemlock, and Mount Pleasant. Jozelynn had a night to remember against Garber, scorching the nets with eight triples (8/10) and 32 points in the first half: she finished with 39. Jozelynn averaged 14.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game. She produced 308 points, 86 rebounds, and 59 assists this season. Jozelynn is a sharpshooter, she made 41 three-pointers (37.6%) and shot an efficient 56.3% from the field. In their win against Frankenmuth, she led the Falcons with 18 points, five rebounds, and three steals.     Addi stepped onto the court as a freshman and instantly made her presence felt in the paint. She earned Associated Press Second Team honors, averaging 10.5 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. Addi set the school record for rebounds in a game with 24, breaking a record that stood since 1985. She also set a school record for rebounds in a season with 287. As a sophomore, Addi averaged 13.7 points, 9.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game. She's immovable in the paint and finishes shots at a high clip of 64%. Addi has a soft touch around the basket, strong hands with the ball, and good footwork. She grabbed a season-high 18 rebounds during their win against a tough Detroit Renaissance squad. She helped Tecumseh go 21-1 (10-0 SEC) with additional wins against Temperance Bedford, Detroit Edison, Chelsea, Lumen Christi, and Northville.     Sydney was Associated Press D1 All-State as a freshman, leading Belleville to a semifinal appearance at the Breslin Center. She averaged 27 points, seven rebounds, and three assists per game. As a sophomore, Sydney shined again for the Tigers, averaging 27.1 points, seven rebounds, and three steals per game. Belleville won their second straight KLAA-East and KLAA conference title with a 21-1 record (13-1 Division). They are one of two favorites to make the state finals and are picked by many to win it all; Belleville finished as our top-ranked team in all divisions. The Tigers split wins against Wayne Memorial, while earning additional statement wins against A.A. Fa. Gabrierl Richard, Northville, DEPSA, East Kentwood, Parma Western, Muskegon, West Bloomfield, and Livonia Stevenson. Sydney was dominant during their Edison victory, leading the charge with 34 points. She dropped 38 points against Livonia Stevenson and set the single-game scoring record with 41 points versus Livonia Churchill. Sydney surpassed 1,000 points this season and proved why she's our top-ranked prospect in the 2027 class.

Inspired by the Miss Basketball award, which seeks to honor the best senior basketball players in the state, we wanted to add our flavor to postseason awards. Danyle and I have collaborated to determine a list of deserving high school prospects for every grade that we wish to nominate as Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, and Senior Player of the Year Finalists.