2021 All-Alpena News Boys Basketball team

Drew Hess, Oscoda

∫ 2021 Player of the Year

∫ AP Division 3 all-state first team

∫ Detroit Free Press Division 3 third team

∫ Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan’s Best Division 3

Rogers City's Nick Freel

∫ North Star League first team

∫ Averaged 18.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.9 steals per game

∫ Finished his career with more than 1,700 points

∫ Four-time All-Alpena News pick

Nick Freel

Oscoda's Owen Franklin

Rogers City

∫ North Star League first team

∫ Detroit Free Press Division 3 honorable mention

∫ Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan’s Best Division 3

∫ Averaged an area-best 24 points; also averaged 10 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 blocks per game.

Onaway's Jager Mix

∫ Surpassed 1,000 career points during the 2021 season

∫ Repeat All-Alpena News pick

Owen Franklin

Oscoda

∫ AP Division 3 all-state second team

Courtesy Photo/Cheboygan Daily Tribune Onaway's Kevin Pearson

∫ Detroit Free Press Division 3 honorable

mention

∫ Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan’s Best Division 3

∫ North Star League first team

∫ Averaged 17.9 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.1 steals

Oscoda coach Mike Poland

∫ Finished his career as Oscoda’s all-time leading scorer

∫ Three-time All-Alpena News pick

Jager Mix

Onaway

∫ AP Division 4 all-state second team

∫ Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan’s Best Division 4 honorable mention

∫ All-Ski Valley Conference first team

∫ Averaged 18.1 points, an area-best 13.5 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game

∫ Repeat All-Alpena News pick

Kevin Pearson

Onaway

∫ AP Division 4 honorable mention

∫ Detroit Free Press Division 4 honorable

mention

∫ Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan’s Best Division 4

∫ All-Ski Valley Conference first team

∫ Averaged 20.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 6.4 steals

∫ All-Alpena News second team in 2020

Coach of the Year: Mike Poland

With arguably the greatest collection of talent the program has ever seen, Poland’s Oscoda Owls did not disappoint in 2021. Though they vowed to take the season one game at a time, the Owls’ mission was clear: they wanted a long postseason run.

From the opening tip of their first game, the Owls didn’t miss a beat and won all 17 of their regular season games. They followed up another district title and advanced all the way to the regional semifinals, where they lost to eventual state runner-up, Iron Mountain. They ultimately finished 20-1.

Poland’s team didn’t shy away from playing at a high level and set a new standard for future Oscoda teams to follow. With the graduation of many of its key players this year, Poland will have a chance to guide a new group to future success.

Second Team

∫ Trenton Taratuta, Hillman

∫ Cooper Bright, Alpena

∫ Lucas Stone, Posen

∫ DJ Howe, Alcona

∫ Gavin Lueck, Oscoda

Honorable Mention

AJ Brunet, Posen; Aaron Cuzzort, Atlanta; Brennon Mills, Oscoda; Mason Mumford, Alpena; Matt Newhouse, Rogers City; Spencer Nash, Onaway; Zach Stephenson, Alcona; Drew Flewelling, Rogers City; Michael Gepfrey, Oscoda; Gavin Walker, Alcona; Caleb Hiveley, Hillman; Chase Dubie, Posen; Isaiah Ford, Fairview.