Munising’s Jenna Matson, center, tries to draw a foul from Carney-Nadeau’s Taylor Kedsch, front left, during an MHSAA Division 4 regional semifinal game on March 29 at Westwood High School. (Journal photo by Ryan Stieg)

MARQUETTE — There weren’t many local Division 4 girls honorees at Wednesday’s Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association meeting, but Munising’s Jenna Matson definitely stood out.

The 5-foot-3 junior guard earned a spot on the All-U.P. Second Team after an impressive season. She led the Mustangs offensively with 15.6 points per game, 7.3 rebounds, 3.9 steals and 3.3 assists. She was also named to the Skyline Central Conference First Team and not surprisingly, Munising’s team MVP.

“Besides having to run our offense, she has to score for us, too,” Mustangs head coach Matt Mattson said. “So that’s a pretty big load to put on anybody and she does a pretty good job with it. And she was also an all-conference defensive player, too. So she’s a pretty complete player and she’s one of our leaders and she does her job real well.”

Matson is known for being effective in the paint, but Coach Mattson said that she also has added an effective jump shot to her arsenal.

“I think her shot has improved, and next year she has a 3-point shot that people have to defend, so she’ll be even more of a weapon because she’s fantastic going to the hole right now,” he said. “If she works a little bit on her 3-point shot, she’ll be better yet.”

When it comes to defense, Coach Mattson said player Matson just gets to where she needs to be and does what she can to shut down opponents. He also says she has the potential to have an even better senior year.

“She just positions well, moves her feet well, doesn’t get in foul trouble and still has three steals, four steals a game,” he said. “So just a fantastic defensive player.”

Ryan Stieg can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 252. His email address is rstieg@miningjournal.net.