Freshman 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 five of our 2025 Freshman Player of the Year Finalists.   <a href="https://prepgirlshoops.com/2025/03/2025-sophomore-player-of-the-year-finalists-pt-2/">Read Freshman Player of the Year Finalists Pt 2</a>    Macy instantly became an impact player for Frankenmuth, averaging 11 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2 steals per game while shooting an efficient 50% from the floor as a freshman. She stepped up against a stout DEPSA team, leading the Eagles to an impressive win with 22 points and seven rebounds. Macy paced the offense again in a win versus St. Mary's Prep with 13 points. Frankenmuth earned statement wins against Flint Powers Catholic, Freeland, Detroit Country Day, Saginaw Heritage, Goodrich, Detroit Edison, and St. Mary's Prep. The Eagles won the TVC-Red title at 11-1 and ended the season 18-4. Macy's length, athleticism, and versatility to score from the perimeter or drive to the basket give her a high ceiling as a high school and college prospect.     Kenna stepped onto the court ranked number one and proved it all season. Her dominance on the court guided Lumen Christi to a 15-6 record with statement victories against Grass Lake, Toledo Central Catholic, Warren Regina, Columbia Central, Monroe St. Mary C.C., and Lake Leelanau St. Mary. Kenna impacted the team's success in every aspect of the game. She led the team in points (452), rebounds (159), assists (55), steals (87), free throws (83), 2PT FG's (119), 3PT FG's (43), and was second in blocks (19). Kenna averaged 21.5 points (46% 2PT, 31% 3PT), 7.6 rebounds, 4.1 steals, 2.6 assists, and 0.9 blocks per game. In her first game, Kenna dropped 27 points in a win vs. Columbia Central and added 30 vs. Toledo Central Catholic. She scored 18 vs. Monroe St. Mary C.C., 18 vs. Tecumseh, 28 vs. Warren Regina, 27 vs. L.L. St. Mary, and 19 with five steals vs. A.A. Fa. Gabriel Richard. Kenna was a major contributor during their win against D3 contender Grass Lake, scoring 18 points with seven rebounds and seven assists. Kenna earned All-Catholic honors and holds D1 offers from Western Michigan, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Kent State, and Akron.     Jayla shot lights out at BCAM's Reaching Higher Team Camp during the summer and led the high-octane Hawks offense all season. Jayla set a new single-game scoring record with 34 points against Carman-Ainsworth. She added 20 that week against Mount Pleasant, winning Feb. 2nd-8th Player of the Week. Jayla contributed in multiple categories, averaging 15.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.9 steals, and 1.9 assists per game. She helped Heritage to a 20-3 record (10-1 SVL) with statement wins against Sanford Meridian, Freeland, Flint Powers Catholic, Midland Dow, Kingston, Grand Blanc, Mount Pleasant, and West Bloomfield. Jayla led the team with 15 points and four rebounds vs. Kingston, 13 points, nine rebounds, and three assists vs. Powers, 20 points, four rebounds, and three assists vs. Mount Pleasant, 17 points, six rebounds vs. Midland, and 10 points, 3 assists vs. Frankenmuth. Jayla was voted Mlive's top Saginaw-Area Winter Sports Underclassmen Athlete and voted by SVL head coaches as All-Conference First Team.     Paisley earned All-Expo honors at our Freshman Showcase last August and proved why she's our top-ranked freshman point guard with Belleville on the big stage this season. Paisley stepped up to lead the Tigers to victory against Wayne Memorial in their second game with 33 points (4 3pt), seven rebounds, and four assists. She added 20 points, five rebounds, and four assists in their win versus Livonia Stevenson. Paisley uses her shifty handles and burst to beat defenders for layups or create high-percentage shots for teammates. She dishes passes on a rope with nine assists against Westland John Glenn, Dearborn Fordson, and Livonia Franklin.  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. Gabriel Richard, Northville, DEPSA, East Kentwood, Parma Western, Muskegon, West Bloomfield, and Livonia Stevenson. Paisley averaged 11 points and five rebounds per game, earning the highest conference honor of KLAA All-Conference Select Team. She holds D1 offers from Central Michigan, Dayton, and Detroit Mercy.     Lucy was the best forward at our Freshman Showcase, winning All-Expo honors and Most Valuable Prospect. As a freshman, she confirmed her reputation as the top forward in this class, having the most dominant statistical season in team history. Her impact also led Hackett Catholic Prep to their most successful regular season in team history. The Irish won a school-record 19 regular-season games with a school-record 16-game winning streak. Against their three toughest opponents, Lucy was at her best. H.C.P. defeated Kalamazoo Christian for the first time since 2021 as Lucy erupted for a single-game school record 41 points to go with 15 rebounds. She was dominant against Onekama with 31 points and 11 rebounds in the win. In two wins vs. Lawton, Lucy scored 18 points with 15 rebounds and 24 points with eight rebounds. She added another huge statistical performance with 35 points, 15 rebounds, and five steals in a win vs. South Haven. She set a single-season scoring record with 489 points in 22 games and surpassed 500 points with 21 points, eight steals, five rebounds, and two assists in Districts. Lucy scored double digits every game, with at least twelve games scoring 20 points and nine double-doubles. In 27 minutes (3 quarters played in 5 games), Lucy averaged 22.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 4.5 steals per game. She shot 47.9% from the field, 51.5% 2PT% and 26.8% 3PT%. Lucy secured a D1 offer from Western Michigan University in February.

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.