Top spot goes to Jackson
Albany Academy guard contributed impressive statistics, leadership
Albany Academy guard contributed impressive statistics, leadership — making him Athlete of the Year.
There were no trips to showcase his skills in places such as California, Florida, Nevada or Delaware. In fact, the Albany Academy boys’ basketball team didn’t play a single contest this season outside of Section II because of the coronavirus pandemic. Jackson may not have been afforded the opportunity to show college coaches all of his improvements, instead unleashing his hard work upon the opponents on the Cadets’ schedule.
“Beggars can’t be choosers at this point,” Jackson said. “I just tried to make the best of it.”
The senior point guard delivered 49 points, 10 rebounds, six steals and four assists in an 86-72 victory against Bishop Maginn, tallied 13 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists and five steals in the Cadets’ 75-40 decision over Ichabod Crane and concluded his scholastic career with 45 points in a 77-73 win against La Salle. In true teamfirst fashion, Jackson produced whatever was required that day in order for his team to prevail.
“He learned how to value things other than scoring the ball,” Albany Academy coach Brian Fruscio said. “So many players tend as they get up in age to value scoring more than anything else. He values passing the ball, he values getting down in a (defensive) stance, he values
diving for a loose ball and he values being a good teammate.”
Jackson’s fourth varsity campaign saw him produce teambest averages of 27.9 points, 9.2 assists, 8.0 rebounds and 5.7 steals per game. He delivered a triple-double with 11 points, 14 rebounds and 15 assists in a 101-61 triumph over Catholic Central, an outing in which teammate Preston Graber scored 43 points and knocked down 10 3-pointers.
“At that point, I knew we only had a few games left. I focused on getting seniors on the (scoreboard) and some of the players that did not play much. I wanted to set the example of ‘This is how we play at Academy,’” Jackson said.
“He is special,” Fruscio said. “I think coaches are starting to pay attention.”
Although he has generated interest from several Division I schools, Jackson is leaning toward playing a year at the prep level.
“I hit a point when I didn’t think we were going to play,” Jackson said. “I was struggling to find a gym to work out in. I made sure to keep working and be ready if we did end up playing.”
“Marcus has really evolved as a player,” Fruscio said. “He understood when to pass and when he needed to score. It was a simple numbers game: when help came, the ball was off his fingertips.”
In accomplishing the same honor as his older brother Andre Jackson did in 2020 as a Times Union Athlete of the Year in basketball, Jackson joined August Mahoney (2019) and Hameir Wright (2017) in giving the Cadets’ program four of the past five awards.
First team
A Alex Barnhill, Sr., F, Mekeel Christian Academy: The standout wing player, who was named the 2020 Section II Class A Tournament’s Most Valuable Player, did not get the chance to lead the Lions back to another title as the sectional and state tournaments were canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic. The star landed his second straight Times Union firstteam selection after averaging 25.3 points, 10.9 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. Barnhill, a member of the program’s 2018 Class B state title team, finished his career with 1,327 career points.
A Chris Dufort, Sr., F, Saratoga Springs: The 6-foot-5 forward, brought up to the varsity level as a sophomore, continued his overall evolution as a senior and dazzled for the Blue Streaks to earn Suburban Council Player of the Year honors. Dufort averaged 16.7 points, 10.8 rebounds and shot 52 percent from the field in helping Saratoga advance to the Suburban Council Tournament semifinals. Displayed the ability to score inside, mid-range and in transition.
A Devin Dzikas, Sr., G, Shenendehowa: The sharp-shooting guard garnered Suburban Council first-team honors as he averaged 16.5 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.8 steals for a team that entered the Suburban Council Tournament as the top seed and completed a 15-0 campaign with a 57-54 title triumph over Troy. If the Plainsmen needed points, Dzikas usually provided them. If the team required taking a charge, getting a key steal or making a backdoor feed, the senior often was the player delivering in the clutch. Dzikas will next play at Suffolk University.
A Preston Graber, Sr., G, Albany Academy: In his lone campaign as a season-long starter with the Cadets, Graber displayed his usual long-range exploits to go along with several enhancements to the other aspects of his game. Named to the Times Union’s third team in 2020, the standout guard delivered averages of 22.0 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.1 steals per game in his final scholastic season. Graber, who pumped in 43 points and knocked down 10 3-pointers in a 102-62 win against Catholic Central, is mulling over either next playing at the Division II level or prep basketball.
A Marcus Jackson, Jr., G, Albany Academy: Named a Times Union first-team selection as a junior, Jackson earned another nod after averaging 27.9 points, 9.2 assists, 8.0 rebounds and 5.7 steals per game in helping the Cadets finish undefeated. Jackson, a starter on both the 2019 Class A Federation championship team and the 2020 squad ranked No. 1 in the state when the coronavirus forced the cancellation of the Federation Tournament, Jackson is considering Division I scholarships or playing at the prep level during the 2021-22 season.
Coach of the Year
A Tony Dzikas, Shenendehowa: The coach, who also garnered Coach of the Year honors in 2020 when he guided the Plainsmen to the program’s fourth Section II Class AA title since 2015, repeated in what proved to be his final season leading the program. Shenendehowa culminated a 15-0 season with a 57-54 Suburban Council Tournament championship victory over Troy.
Second team
A Mason Courtney, Jr., G, Shenendehowa
A Hagen Foley, Sr., G, Christian Brothers Academy
A Marko Gibbons, Sr., F, Bethlehem
A Josh Rodriguez, Sr., G, Troy
A Dayshaun Walton, Jr., G/F, Green Tech
Third team
A Isaiah Austin, Jr., G, Albany
A Luke Britton, Sr., G, Saratoga A Kenyon Coleman, Sr., G, Niskayuna
A Trevon Gifford, Sr., F, Green Tech
A Gabe Lucarelli, Sr., G/F, La Salle