All-area boys basketball teams loaded with versatility

The three finalists for The Daily News Journal's Boys All-Area Basketball Player of the Year undoubtedly had big seasons.

Oakland sophomore guard Keishawn Davidson, Riverdale senior forward Johnathan Matthews and Blackman center Brandon Thomas are the three finalists for the area's top honor, which will be announced at a reception near the end of the school year.

The three are joined on the all-area first team by Blackman's Donovan Sims and Trent Gibson.

Davidson, who earned 7-AAA Player of the Year honors, averaged 14 points, 4.6 assists, 2.0 steals, 3.0 rebounds and just 1.1 turnovers a game while shooting 41 percent from 3-point range, leading Oakland to the Class AAA state tournament.

Matthews averaged 15.1 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists a game and led the Warriors with 52 steals. The All-District 7-AAA selection finished his career with 1,256 points — fourth all-time at Riverdale.

Thomas was a force inside for the Blaze, averaging 13.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and shot 68 percent from the field (72 percent from 2-point range). The Blaze finished the season with 26 wins, reaching the Class AAA Sectional before being upset by East Hamilton.

Reach Cecil Joyce at cjoyce@dnj.com or 615-278-5168 and on Twitter @Cecil_Joyce.