Iron Mountain freshman Oskar Kangas wasted no time in making his mark with the Mountaineers and finished with an all-U.P. first team Division 1-3 selection. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

Kingsford junior guard Nic Nora and Iron Mountain freshman Oskar Kangas were selected to Division 1-3 first team, while North Central junior Luke Gorzinski was picked to the Division 4 first team.

Nora averaged 17.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.5 steals per game for the 15-7 Flivvers. Nora was also named to the Great Northern Conference first-team.

Nora said he’s worked hard to improve, both in the gym and studying the game, believing he is “capable of achieving anything” individually. Though, the junior hoopster emphasized his top priority is his team and teammates.

“It’s always nice to receive recognition, but I always choose team success over personal and I would do everything I can do to make the team better,” he added. “It’s a great honor and I wouldn’t be able to achieve it without my teammates and coaches.”

Kingsford junior guard Nic Nora’s splendid 2021-22 season was capped off with his selection to the Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters Division 1-3 first team. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

Kangas averaged 19.5 points, 11.4 rebounds, three blocks, 2.5 assists and two steals per game for the Mountaineers, who finished 16-6. Kangas was also selected to the West Pac Conference Dream Team and named to the Mid-Pen Conference First Team.

“I’m honored to receive this award and I wouldn’t have been able to receive it without my coaches pushing me to get better,” Kangas said. “And I am excited for next season to hopefully accomplish some big team goals.”

Gorzinski averaged 14.6 points, six rebounds and 5.4 assists per game for the Jets, who finished 19-5 and won the MHSSA Division 4 District 99 title. Gorzinski was also a unanimous pick for the Skyline Central Conference first team.

“I’d just like to say it’s an honor to be put in the same group as many of the great players I compete against in the U.P.,” Gorzinski said. “It’s nice to see the work you put in during the season pay off. All in all it is a testament to my coaches and teammates pushing me to be the best athlete I can be.”

Norway senior Nolan Amundsen and North Central junior Connor Florenski were both chosen for the Division 4 second team, while North Central senior Brady Anderson, Forest Park sophomore Gaven Rintala and Forest Park freshman Kevin Giuliani were given special mention (received two or more votes from the panel) in Division 4.

North Central guard Luke Gorzinski used his athletic gifts to put together an impressive junior season and was named to the all-U.P. Division 4 first team. (Dennis Mansfield/Daily News photo)

Local players given honorable mention included Iron Mountain junior Joey Colavecchi in Division 1-3 and North Dickinson sophomore Antonio Inglese, North Central senior Trenton Naser, Norway sophomore Alex Ortman, Norway junior Michael Peterson, North Central junior Jesse Sampson in Division 4.

Ewen-Trout Creek senior Jaden Borseth was named the 2022 Mr. U.P. Basketball by the panel and was also picked as the Division 4 player of the year. Menominee senior guard Aidan Bellisle was selected as the Division 1-3 player of the year.

The 2022 Dream Team was comprised of Borseth, Bellisle, Westwood senior Zach Carlson, Escanaba senior Colin Hudson and Jeffers senior Johnny Schutz.

In addition to Nora and Kangas, the Division 1-3 first team included Marquette senior Jonas Bicik, Westwood senior Zach Beckman and Menominee senior Brady Schultz.

In addition to Gorzinski, the Division 4 first team included Ewen-Trout Creek senior Eric Abramson, Rudyard senior Tate Besteman, Rudyard senior EJ Suggitt and Wakefield-Marenisco senior Kyle Sorensen.

Escanaba was picked as the Division 1-2 team of the year, state runner-up Menominee was chosen as the Division 3 team of the year and the Division 4 team of the year was state runner-up Ewen-Trout Creek.

Menominee’s Sam Larson was chosen as the Division 1-3 coach of the year, while Ewen-Trout Creek’s Brad Besonen was selected as the Division 4 coach of the year.