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Meet the 2017-18 Daily News Journal all-area boys basketball team

Cecil Joyce
Murfreesboro Daily News Journal
Blackman's Trent Gibson drives to the basket during the Class AAA state tournament. Gibson is a finalist for the all-area boys basketball player of the year.

Boys basketball around Rutherford County was on an upward swing in 2017-18, with Blackman getting back to the state tournament and Riverdale reaching its first state in more than 30 years.

Talent around the area was strong as well.

The Daily News Journal's all-area boys basketball team is abundant with talent, including player of the year finalists — Oakland's Keishawn Davidson and Blackman's Trent Gibson and Brandon Thomas.

Davidson, an MTSU commitment, averaged 17.5 points to lead the Patriots to the Region 4-AAA semifinals.

Gibson helped Blackman to a 32-1 record and Class AAA state tournament appearance by averaging 16.4 points, five rebounds and 5.5 assists.

Thomas was a key cog in Blackman's state tourney run, averaging almost 14 points and 5.5 rebounds and shooting 73 percent from the field.

The all-area boys basketball player of the year will be announced at an all-sports ceremony in May.

The Daily News Journal's 2017-18 all-area boys basketball team includes:

FIRST TEAM

Blackman's Trent Gibson.

Trent Gibson

Blackman, Sr., G

Why chosen: Led the 32-1 Blaze into state tournament by averaging 16.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists. He was the District 7-AAA MVP.

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Blackman's Brandon Thomas.

Brandon Thomas

Blackman, Sr., F

Why chosen: Averaged 13.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and shot 73 percent from the field, helping lead Blackman to the Class AAA state tournament.

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Oakland's Keishawn Davidson.

Keishawn Davidson

Oakland, Jr., G

Why chosen: The MTSU commitment averaged 17.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and shot 39 percent from 3-point range.

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Riverdale's Elijah Cobb.

Elijah Cobb

Riverdale, Jr., F

Why chosen: Averaged 10.8 points, five rebounds and 2.6 assists in leading Riverdale to the Class AAA state tournament.

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Siegel's James Franklin Jr.

James Franklin

Siegel, Sr., G

Why chosen: The all-district performer averaged 17 points and six rebounds.

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SECOND TEAM

F: Ethan Cobb, Eagleville, Jr.

G: Timmy Goodrich, Oakland, Jr.

F: Nick Hamlett, Central Magnet, Sr.

G: Nate Howell, MTCS, Sr.

G: Deron Perry, Riverdale, Jr.

THIRD TEAM

G: Will Carver, Central Magnet, Jr.

F: Tyler Erdman, Siegel, Jr.

G: Devin Kline, La Vergne, So.

F: Nathan Nelson, Blackman, Sr.

F: Brayden Siren, Riverdale, Jr.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Michael Voss

Riverdale

Why chosen: In his third season at the helm, Voss helped the Warriors improve from 13-18 the previous season to 26-8 and a berth in the Class AAA state tournament, the team's first since 1986.