High School Sports

Introducing the 2022-23 Fort Worth Star-Telegram preseason all-area boys basketball team

By Brian Gosset
Byron Nelson’s Finley Bizjack, Birdville’s Gehrig Normand and Martin’s Kornelius Jefferson are among the Fort Worth-area’s top basketball players.
Byron Nelson’s Finley Bizjack, Birdville’s Gehrig Normand and Martin’s Kornelius Jefferson are among the Fort Worth-area’s top basketball players.

The 2022-23 Texas high school boys basketball season is underway and look for the Fort Worth-area to shine again with some of the best players in the state.

Here is a look at the Star-Telegram preseason all-area awards and first-team selections.

Important dates

February 20: Playoffs start

March 9-11: State Tournament

Most Valuable Player

Finley Bizjack, Sr., Byron Nelson

College: Butler

Last season: Led the Fort Worth-area with 25 points per game. 3.5 assists and over 80 3-pointers

About Bizjack: The Butler signee has won a district award multiple times, including District 4-6A MVP last season. He’s also been named to the all-region team, all-state team and all-area team more than once. He’s set to break the school record for career points. Bizjack is ranked No. 15 in the state by GASO.

Byron Nelson guard Finley Bizjack (3) brings the ball down court aead of Haltom guard Jonathan Frausto (3) during the first half of a high school 6A Region 1 Bi-district playoff basketball game at UTA College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. Byron Nelson led Haltom 28-23 at the half. (Special to the Star-Telegram Bob Booth)
Byron Nelson guard Finley Bizjack (3) brings the ball down court aead of Haltom guard Jonathan Frausto (3) during the first half of a high school 6A Region 1 Bi-district playoff basketball game at UTA College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, Monday, Feb. 21, 2022. Byron Nelson led Haltom 28-23 at the half. (Special to the Star-Telegram Bob Booth) Bob Booth Bob Booth

Offensive Player of the Year

Kordelius Jefferson, Sr., Arlington Martin

College: Houston

Last season: 9.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 2.1 steals

About Jefferson: The Houston signee helped the Warriors to the regional final last spring and was named to first team in District 8-6A. He was named all-region and all-area. Jefferson is ranked No. 8 in the state by GASO.

Martin guard Kordelius Jefferson (23) brings the ball down court ahead of Duncanville guard Rassaun Colier (10) during the Whataburger Basketball Tournament at Mansfield Legacy High School in Mansfield, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. Duncanville defeated Arlington Martin 61-55. (Special to the Star-Telegram Bob Booth)
Martin guard Kordelius Jefferson (23) brings the ball down court ahead of Duncanville guard Rassaun Colier (10) during the Whataburger Basketball Tournament at Mansfield Legacy High School in Mansfield, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021. Duncanville defeated Arlington Martin 61-55. (Special to the Star-Telegram Bob Booth) Bob Booth Bob Booth

Defensive Player of the Year

David Terrell, Sr., Mansfield Summit

College: UTEP

Last season: 3 steals, District 8-5A Defensive MVP

About Terrell: The future UTEP Miner was defensive MVP in one of the hardest districts in the area, helping the Jaguars to a co-district championship and another long playoff run. Terrell was also all-area DPOTY last spring.

Timberview’s Cameron Taylor (2) grabs a defensive rebound from Summit’s David Terrell (30). Mansfield Summit played Mansfield Timberview in the Spring Creek Barbecue Classic Tournament in high school basketball at Lake Ridge high school gym Friday, Dec. 6, 2019.
Timberview’s Cameron Taylor (2) grabs a defensive rebound from Summit’s David Terrell (30). Mansfield Summit played Mansfield Timberview in the Spring Creek Barbecue Classic Tournament in high school basketball at Lake Ridge high school gym Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. David Kent Special

Utility Player of the Year

Gehrig Normand, Sr., Birdville

College: Michigan State

Last season: 12 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals

About Normand: The all-area and all-district member did a little bit of everything for the Hawks last spring. The Spartans signee is ranked No. 20 in the state by GASO and No. 8 by 247Sports

Birdville guard Gehrig Normand (11) drives past Aledo guard Clark Crawford (1) for two-points during the first half of a 5A Bi-district Boys High School Basketball game played at Richland High School, February 20, 2021 in North Richland Hills, Tx. (Steve Nurenberg Special to the Star-Telegram)
Birdville guard Gehrig Normand (11) drives past Aledo guard Clark Crawford (1) for two-points during the first half of a 5A Bi-district Boys High School Basketball game played at Richland High School, February 20, 2021 in North Richland Hills, Tx. (Steve Nurenberg Special to the Star-Telegram)

First Team

Mark Rucha, Sr., Richland

97 3-pointers

District 6-5A First Team

East Central commit

Myles Rigsby, Sr., FW Wyatt

24 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4 steals

District 7-5A MVP

TABC All-Region

Troy signee

Isaiah Manning, Sr., Mansfield Legacy

TCU signee

Ranked No. 25 in the state rankings

Ranked No. 19 by 247Sports

Grant Rein, Sr., Grapevine Faith

16 points, 98 3-pointers in 2020-21

43% 3-point shooting

3 rebounds, 2 steals

Parker Hannah, Sr., Keller

11 points, 3 rebounds

3 assists, 2 steals

McNeese State signee

Sammon Johnson, Sr., Colleyville Heritage

Team leader in points scored last season

District First-Team

No. 74 in the state by GASO

Koreyan Davis, Jr., North Crowley

9 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2 steals

District 3-6A Defensive MVP

Helped the Panthers to the regional tournament

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