MunisingÕs Kane Nebel, left, drives against Bark River-HarrisÕ Johnnie Robinette during their MHSAA Division 3 district tournament boys basketball game played in Harris on Monday, March 9, 2020. (Escanaba Daily Press photo by Austin Hemmingson)

MARQUETTE — It’s a little harder for underclassmen to make any of the Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association boys basketball teams, but Munising’s Kane Nebel had the stats to back up his argument.

As a result, the sophomore earned a spot on the All-U.P. Division 4 Second Team last week at the UPPSA’s annual meeting. He averaged 15.7 points per game, 5.5 rebounds, four assists and three steals, while also making the Skyline Central Conference First Team.

“Kane’s just a basketball junkie,” Mustangs head coach Terry Kienitz said. “He spends so much time in the gym in the offseason and he just puts so much work into basketball.

“That just shows offensively how good he is. He’s a really good shooter, he’s smart, a lot of good assists. He’s just so good at every aspect of the game, and defensively I always match him up against the best player on the other team.

“He’s our best offensive player, he’s our best defensive player and he’s just a good team leader, too. He’s just such an all-around good ballplayer, offensively, defensively. Off and on the court, he’s a 4.0 (grade-point average) student.

“Just an all-around great kid, always positive. Just can’t say enough good things about him.”

Other Second Team honorees were Bessemer’s Jack Matrella and Lane Kortemeier, Ewen-Trout Creek’s Eric Abramson, Rudyard’s Tate Besteman, Carney-Nadeau’s Beau Koffman, Cedarville’s Caleb Kohlmann, Rapid River’s Mason Kudlick, Brimley’s Grady Newland and Chassell’s Karl Rautiola.

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