Every year a new crop of underclassmen bursts onto the high school basketball scene across Texas. Some players are even instantly inserted into starting roles for reigning championship teams, a testament to their potential and skillset.
Here are some of the standout freshmen so far this season from the Dallas-Fort Worth area:
Boys basketballDavid Mata, G, Denton Guyer
Head coach Grant Long turned to David Mata to run the point for the reigning Class 6A Division 2 state champions. He’s averaging 7.7 points per game and 2.2 assists. During the Championship Basketball Tournament, Long credited his quick maturity stepping up to varsity.
“He’s the real deal, he’s a high level player,” Long said. “He’s played on a high stage before, but as soon as he got used to this speed, his skill level is so high. His ability to shoot the ball, handle the ball, and he’s just so unselfish as the ball moves through him. He just always makes the right basketball play.”
High School Sports
Jackson Rogers, G, Rockwall-Heath
Rockwall-Heath graduated a strong senior class last season and that’s paved the way for Jackson Rogers. The 6-4 perimeter player is averaging 6.9 points per game and is second on the team in scoring. He’s also one of the team’s best rebounders averaging nearly three per game.
Joseph Creal III, G Mansfield Summit
Another player who’s earning big minutes for a reigning state champion and also had a good outing at the Championship Basketball Tournament was Joseph Creal III, who dropped 16 and 17 points against Prosper and Denton Guyer, respectively.
Tristan Wade, G, Frisco Independence
The Wade Brothers have been boosting Frisco Independence this season with Kylan Wade leading the team with nearly 19 points per game in scoring but it’s his little brother, Tristan, who’s emerged as the team’s second-leading scorer with 9.6 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game.
Joshua Connally, G, Fort Worth Arlington Heights
Arlington Heights lost seven of its top scorers and that created opportunity for Joshua Connally, who has emerged as the team’s second-leading scorer with seven points per game including a season-high 17 points against Weatherford on Dec. 17.
Girls basketballAudrey Berry, G, DeSoto
Audrey Berry matched her season-high of 17 points in the team’s last district win over Mesquite Horn. She’s putting up 5.7 points per game and 1.8 rebounds. Fellow freshman Rahni Lee also currently leads the team in rebounds with 4.8 per game.
Brooklyn Monroe, PG, Saginaw
One of the top freshmen in the state has been Brooklyn Monroe averaging over 14 points per game, 9 rebounds and 2.5 steals. She’s scored over 20 points in three games this season with a season-high of 27 against Fort Worth Paschal.
Jada Square, G / Kamille Campbell, F, McKinney North
The only program with two freshmen on this list is McKinney North, currently 11-10 and 3-1 in district. Jada Square and Kamille Campbell are the team’s leading scorers averaging 13.5 points and 11.4 points per game. Campbell is also the team’s leading rebounder and shot-blocker at 11.1 boards and 1.3 blocks per game.
Sophia Johnson, G, Waxahachie
Waxahachie’s lone freshman is averaging 4.9 points per game and 4.2 rebounds over 22 games. She recorded a double-double against Mesquite Horn on Dec. 19 with 14 points and 12 rebounds.
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Find more high school sports coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.