2022 All-Alpena News Boys Basketball Team
Courtesy Photo Hillman's Trenton Taratuta
News File Photo Alpena senior Cooper Bright (33) shoots the ball during a game at Alpena High School. Bright was recently named the Big North Conference Co-Player of the Year and earned a Division 1 all-state honorable mention from the Associated Press.
Courtesy Photo Hillman's Trenton Taratuta
News File Photo Alpena senior Cooper Bright (33) shoots the ball during a game at Alpena High School. Bright was recently named the Big North Conference Co-Player of the Year and earned a Division 1 all-state honorable mention from the Associated Press.
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2022 Co-Player of the Year -- Trenton Taratuta, Hillman
∫ 2022 Co-Player of the Year
∫ Associated Press All-State Division 4 First Team
∫ Detroit Free Press Division 4 Honorable Mention
∫ Detroit News Third Team All-State
∫ BCAM First Team All-State Division 4
∫ North Star League Little Dipper First Team
∫ Led the area in scoring (24.6 points per game) and averaged 7.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 5.7 steals per game
∫ Second team All-Alpena News selection in 2021
2022 Co-Player of the Year -- Cooper Bright, Alpena
∫ 2022 Co-Player of the Year
∫ Associated Press Division 1 Honorable Mention
∫ Detroit Free Press Division 1 Honorable Mention
∫ BCAM First Team All-State Division 1
∫ Big North Conference Co-Player of the Year
∫ Big North Conference First Team
∫ Averaged 23.4 points, 11.1 rebounds and 7 assists for the season
∫ Second team All-Alpena News selection in 2021
Jager Mix -- Onaway
∫ AP Division 4 all-state Second Team
∫ All-Ski Valley Conference First Team
∫ BCAM First Team All-State Division 4
∫ Averaged 14.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4 steals and 1.75 blocks per game
∫ Three-time All-Alpena News First Team pick
Austin Veal -- Onaway
∫ All-Ski Valley Conference First Team
∫ Averaged 14.1 points, 3.1 steals and 2.6 assists per game
∫ Key contributor on a team that won a district championship and the program's first Ski Valley Conference title since 1963
Ethan Soik -- Posen
∫ All-North Star League Little Dipper First Team
∫ Averaged 15 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 steals per game
∫ Leading scorer for the Vikings and a key player on a team that finished second in the North Star League's Little Dipper division.
Second Team
∫ Bridger Peel, Onaway
∫ DJ Howe, Alcona
∫ Cole Krajniak, Posen
∫ Jadin Mix, Onaway
∫ Landen Timm, Hillman
Honorable Mention
Justin Kramer St. Germain, Onaway; Nik Tulgestka, Rogers City; David Sharboneau, Alcona; Spencer Whitford, Rogers City; Caleb Hiveley, Hillman; Trenton Whitt, Atlanta; Sean Henigan, Hillman; Brady Firman, Hillman; Ethan Purol, Posen; Colton Reeves, Atlanta; Joey Konieczny, Posen; Mason Mumford, Alpena; Ryan Voltz, Alpena.
Coaches of the Year — Eric Muszynski and Eddy Szymoniak
Szymoniak's Onaway Cardinals were a team on a mission this season and turned in one of the best seasons in program history. With good balance on both ends of the floor, Onaway stormed through the Ski Valley Conference to capture its first conference title since 1963 and came within a game of winning a regional championship.
Muszynski's Hillman Tigers were a model of consistency all season, winning 22 straight games before their first loss in the regional playoff round. Along the way, the 2021-22 Tigers became just the third team in program history to achieve a 20-0 regular season and won North Star League Little Dipper and district championships as well.
Putting together long winning streaks and winning championships is tough in any season, but Szymoniak and Muszynski had their teams ready to go every time they took the floor and their teams were rewarded for their hard work. Both coaches have built their programs into consistent winners and both programs have bright futures ahead.