Ishpeming's Jenessa Eagle puts up her arms while playing defense in a high school girls basketball game played against Iron Mountain at the Hematites gym in Ishpeming on Jan. 19. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

MARQUETTE — While the Michigan Sports Writers organization put out what many would consider the definitive list of high school basketball all-state teams, there have been some others compiled, too.

The MSW evolved from what The Associated Press did for many years with its statewide panel of sportswriters, becoming independent but still having its list released by the AP.

One of the other leading all-state lists comes from the Detroit Free Press, for a long time a flagship newspaper in the state along with its now sister paper, the Detroit News.

The Free Press put out its all-state compilation in March, and five area players made it on the girls basketball list.

Like with the Michigan Sports Writers, Ishpeming senior Jenessa Eagle was the leading honored player from our area. With the MSW, she was named Player of the Year in Division 4; with the Free Press, she’s been named captain of the five-player First Team in that same division.

Ishpeming's Jenessa Eagle, left, looks to pass while defended by Ewen-Trout Creek’s Bree Besonen during their MHSAA Division 4 regional championship game played at Westwood High School in Ishpeming on March 11. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

Her senior teammate Mya Hemmer earned a berth on the five-player Second Team as the pair led the Hematites to their second state championship in three years at Michigan State University on March 21.

In addition, Baraga’s Kara Roberts earned a spot on the D-4 Third Team.

Similarly, Negaunee junior Gretel Johnson was named to the Third Team in Division 2.

And one player from the area who missed honors with the MSW was Marquette freshman Avery Osborne, who was named honorable mention by the Free Press in the tough-to-crack Division 1, made up of the state’s largest schools.

That was possible because while the Free Press actually had fewer total spots for its First, Second and Third teams, it incorporated quite a few more on its honorable mention.

Marquette’s Avery Osborne, right, cuts toward the net while defended by Traverse City Central’s Kylie Ball during their MHSAA Division 1 district championship game played at the Barb Crill Gymnasium in Marquette on March 6. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

Division 1, for example, had a total of 15 spots — three per team — for the First, Second and Third teams, but included 58 players in its honorable mention.

That helped Osborne, who as a first-year player — her school isn’t anywhere near small enough to be allowed to have eighth-graders play varsity ball — on a team with a losing record to get much attention statewide.

Even though the Sentinels made noise by reaching its D-1 regional, Marquette is the lone school in the large division in the Upper Peninsula.

Some other U.P. players also made the Free Press honor lists.

Lillie Johnson of Gladstone won a spot on the Division 2 First Team, while Aubrie Moore of Kingsford, Ellie Hainault of Houghton and Piper Bell of Sault Ste. Marie made D-2 honorable mention.

While the U.P. was shut out in Division 3, Division 4 also had Norway’s Lauren Adams on the Third Team, while honorable mention included Katie Halberg of St. Ignace and Lakelyn Bunker of Mackinac Island.

Free Press writer Jared Ramsey, whose authorship was listed for his newspaper’s all-state teams, also came out with his five-player, all-division Free Press Dream Team. His headliner is Lilly Williams of Division 1 Howell, who was also named Miss Basketball.

The rest of his Dream Team is made up of junior Mia McGregor of Division 4 Mio-Au Sable, sophomore Kenna Hunt of Division 3 Jackson Lumen Christi, senior Mariah Sain of Division 1 Muskegon and junior Sydney Savoury of Division 1 Belleville.

Bernard Loudermill of D-1 Muskegon was named the Dream Team coach.

Story contents based on email received from Dr. Michael Osborne of Marquette. Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee’s email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.