Mr. UP Candidates (24-25)

MAJOR CONTENDERS

Gavin Grodin - Kingsford - 6'1" - Guard - Senior

Making Gavin's Case: The best player on a team that made the Division 2 State Semi-Finals, tough to not be in the running at that point. Kingsford was co-champions of the Great Northern Conference with a 7-1 record. He was named the Great Northern Conference Defensive Player of the Year. Ended the regular season averaging 23.7ppg and 4.3rpg. Headed to Lake Superior State University next season.

Jacob MacPhee - Marquette - 6'6" - Forward - Senior

Making Jacob's Case: Marquette might have been the best team in the UP this season, unfortunately they ran into Flint Carman-Ainsworth in the Division 1 Quarterfinals. Marquette was co-champions of the Great Northern Conference with Kingsford. MacPhee was named Great Northern Conference Player of the Year. Marquette was the highest scoring team in the Upper Peninsula. On top of all of that, he was named to Michigan HS Basketball D1 All-State Team 4 already since the season ended. Headed to Michigan Tech University next season.

IN THE RUNNING

Oskar Kangas - Iron Mountain - 6'5" - Wing - Senior

Making Oskar's Case: Kangas had some big games this year helping Iron Mountain win a share of the West PAC Conference title. Along with that he was named co-conference Player of the Year. Had some big scoring nights including: 38 points against Negaunee, 31 points to beat Kingsford in OT, and 30 against Escanaba. Headed to UW-Oshkosh next season. 

Ethan Marta - Westwood - 6'3" - Guard/Wing - Junior

Making Ethan's Case: I do think it will be tough for him as a junior to win the award, mostly because there are seniors who had the same accomplishments. Marta was Co-Player of the Year in the West PAC Conference. Westwood shared the conference title with Iron Mountain and also made a run to the Division 3 State Semi-Finals. Based on this list, I would assume if Marta can have a similar season next year, he'll be at the top of the list for Mr. UP.

Jaxon Jurmu - Marquette - 6'1" - Guard - Senior

Making Jaxon's Case: It's safe to say MacPhee and Jurmu were big reasons why Marquette had the season they had, and Jurmu helped MacPhee put up his numbers as well. Jurmu broke multiple records during his senior season (career assist record, single season assist record, single game assist record, season season FT% record), along with scoring his 1000th career point. Jurmu was selected 1st-Team All-Great Northern Conference. I think he'll get overlooked by MacPhee for Mr. UP, but I would say he has to be a lock for All-UP Dream Team.

DARK HORSES

Caden Luoma (Ishpeming) - 6'1" - Guard - Senior

Making Caden's Case: Caden made a name for himself during his senior season. He was named to the Dream Team for the West PAC Conference. During the season he became the all-time leading scorer at Ishpeming, in a game where he scored 40 points against Menominee. The season included a school record 49 points against Hancock in January. Showed he was an explosive scorer, but I don't know that Ishpeming won enough for him to be Mr. UP.

Trevor Nolan - Munising - 5'10" - Guard - Senior

Making Trevor's Case: Trevor put up bigs numbers and helped Munising win a lot of games this season. I don't know that it'll be enough to get him above some of these previously listed guys who accomplished the same feats at higher levels. Munising was 19-3 and at one point had a 14 game winning streak, including wins over Pickford (state qualifier) and Escanaba. Two of their losses came to Westwood and Crystal Falls Forest Park, both lost in the state semi-finals of their divisions.

Austin Gordon - Ewen-Trout Creek - 6'1" - Guard - Senior

Making Austin's Case: I think this one is a bit of a stretch, strictly because Ewen-Trout Creek didn't make a big post-season run. He was named Porcupine Mountain Conference Player of the Year and Ewen-Trout Creek was co-champions of the conference. I don't know if that'll be enough to put him above some of these other players.  I would've needed to see some bigger non-conference wins for me to be persuaded to move Austin up this list.

Morgan Sleik - Kingsford - 6'6" - Forward - Senior

Making Morgan's Case: Kingsford had a great season (as stated under Grodin), and Sleik was a big part of that. He was named 1st-Team Great Northern Conference selection this year. He missed some games at the start of the season, which I think would be tough for him to make up. He was able to pick up some of the scoring load this year, and was a big part of Kingsford making their run. Headed to Carroll University next season.

Upper Peninsula 24-25 Team Scoring Breakdown

MICHIGAN OFFENSE

Rank	High School	GP	Points	High	Low	PPG
1	Hannahville Nah Tah	23	1763	102	49	76.65
2	Marquette	26	1976	105	52	76.00
3	Houghton	23	1596	91	43	69.39
4	Kinross Maplewood	23	1572	104	48	68.35
5	Pickford	26	1701	88	40	65.42
6	Westwood	28	1808	86	32	64.57
7	Crystal Falls Forest Park	28	1800	83	39	64.29
8	Iron Mountain	25	1594	82	47	63.76
9	Brimley	25	1563	89	41	62.55
10	Dollar Bay	25	1557	89	47	62.28

Most Points Scored (Single Game): 105 - Marquette

Most 100+ Point Games: 1 - Hannahville Nah Tah, Kinross Maplewood, & Marquette

Total 100+ Point Games: 3

MICHIGAN DEFENSE

Rank	High School	GP	Points	High	Low	PPG
1	Munising	23	890	64	14	38.70
2	Pickford	26	1008	58	13	38.77
3	Iron Mountain	25	995	67	22	39.80
4	Kingsford	26	1081	60	15	41.58
5	North Dickinson	24	1013	69	14	42.21
6	Crystal Falls Forest Park	28	1226	82	25	43.79
7	Bessemer	26	1160	67	18	44.62
8	Superior Central	23	1028	65	28	44.70
9	Ewen-Trout Creek	23	1042	80	18	45.30
10	Westwood	28	1285	77	20	45.89

Fewest Points Allowed (Single Game): 12 - Marquette

Most Less Than 20 Point Games Allowed: 2 - Pickford & Gwinn

Total Less Than 20 Point Games: 16

Season Best Plus/Minus: +26.65 - Pickford

Northern Minnesota Top 10 All-Time Leading Scorers

Rank	Player	High School	Total Points
1	Anders Broman	Lakeview Christian ('13)	5,119
2	Bjorn Broman	Lakeview Christian ('15)	4,130
3	Asher Zubich	Mountain Iron-Buhl ('23)	3,576
4	Isaiah Dahlman	Braham ('06)	3,366
5	Tyler Vaughan	Braham ('12)	3,340
6	Isaac Asuma	Cherry ('24)	3,318
7	Joel McDonald	Chisholm ('91)	3,292
8	Brooks Johnson	Duluth Marshall ('25)	3,156
9	Dylan DeChampeau	Greenway ('20)	2,989
10	Cory Johnson	Duluth East ('06)	2,960
11	Noah Asuma	Cherry ('26)	2,721
12	Jaylon Holmes	Mountain Iron-Buhl ('17)	2,707

Upper Peninsula Top 10 All-Time Leading Scorers

Rank	Player	High School	Total Points
1	Foster Wonders	Iron Mountain ('21)	2,286
2	Gage Kreski	St. Ignace ('16)	2,178
3	Dom Jacobetti	Negaunee ('62)	2,140
4	Jim Manning	Ewen-Trout Creek ('61)	2,137
5	Bob Gale	Ewen-Trout Creek ('66)	2,086
6	Marcus Johnson	Iron Mountain ('20)	2,076
7	Jaden Borseth	Ewen-Trout Creek ('22)	2,073
8	Ethan Marta	Westwood ('26)	2,069
9	Jason Whitens	Powers North Central ('17)	2,062
10	Jonny Ingalls	St. Ignace ('24)	2,029
11	Jim Hammerberg	Baraga ('96)	2,010

*Jim Manning and Bob Gale both graduated from Trout Creek High School before it combined with Ewen to form Ewen-Trout Creek.*

2025 Commitments

Player	High School	Height	Position	College
Elliot Bessen	Eau Claire North	6'1"	Guard	UW-Platteville (D3)
Zander Bigger	Superior Central	6'4"	Forward	Gogebic (NJCAA D2)
Gage Braiedy	Mora	6'1"	Guard	UW-Superior (D3)
Carson Brown	Cherry	6'1"	Guard	Rochester CC (NJCAA D3)
Jack Charbonneau	New Richmond	6'5"	Forward	Bethel (D3)
Marnaries Ferguson	Duluth Denfeld	5'11"	Guard	Central Lakes (NJCAA D3)
Gavin Gores	Cumberland	6'9"	Forward	Wyoming (D1)
Gavin Grondin	Kingsford	6'1"	Guard	Lake Superior State (D2)
Jordan Guenette	Negaunee	6'0"	Guard	North Central Michigan (NJCAA D2)
Josh Heggernes	Mora	6'2"	Guard	Luther (D3)
Dakota Holm	Winter	6'5"	Forward	Barclay (NCCAA)
Jaxon Jurmu	Marquette	6'1"	Guard	Alma (D3)
Brooks Johnson	Duluth Marshall	6'5"	Wing	Minnesota-Duluth (D2)
Oskar Kangas	Iron Mountain	6'5"	Wing	UW-Oshkosh (D3)
Lane Laux	Houghton	6'2"	Guard/Wing	Gogebic CC (NJCAA D2)
Alex Lester	Nevis	6'7"	Forward	Valley City State (NAIA)
Caden Luoma	Ishpeming	6'2"	Wing	Gogebic CC (NJCAA D2)
Jacob MacPhee	Marquette	6'6"	Forward	Michigan Tech (D2)
Sam Majeske	Unity	6'0"	Wing	Judson (NAIA)
Wesley Mboga	Eau Claire Memorial	6'4"	Wing	UW-Stout (D3)
Trevor Nolan	Munising	5'10"	Guard	Bay (NJCAA D2)
Noah Oberfeld	Mora	6'5"	Forward	Dakota Wesleyan (NAIA)
Zack Orr	Rice Lake	6'0"	Guard	UW-Stevens Point (D3)
Connor Raleigh	New Richmond	5'11"	Guard	Northwestern-St.Paul (D3)
Ty Rhoem	Luck	6'4"	Forward	Northwestern-St.Paul (D3)
Jayden Sagataw	Hannahville Nah Tah	6'0"	Guard	Bay (NJCAA D2)
Kyler Sager	Marquette	6'1"	Guard	Bay (NJCAA D2)
Waylon Sales	Gwinn	6'6"	Forward	Alma (D3)
Morgan Sleik	Kingsford	6'5"	Forward	Carroll (D3)
Evan Strand	Rice Lake	6'1"	Guard	Bethel (D3)
Zak Walters	Luck	5'11"	Guard	Northwestern-St.Paul (D3)
Kingsly Whitebird	Cass Lake-Bena	6'2"	Wing	United Tribes (NJCAA D2)
Jehiel Zielke	Mellen	6'4"	Forward	Gogebic (NJCAA D2)

Top 10 College Prospects (2023)

My list of the Top 10 players currently in the Northwoods who I think will make the biggest impact once they get to college. This is based on statistics, in person evaluation, and my personal preference for style of play. Only high school players from the 2022-2023 season are listed, graduating classes of 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026.

1. Isaac Asuma (Cherry) - The Minnesota Gopher commit made it clear that he's every bit as good as what people are saying. Earning himself a Top 200 ranking in the 2024 class for the nation according to some websites. From what I've seen in AAU this summer he's looking like he has developed even more since last season. Hopefully people on the Iron Range enjoy the last season with Asuma at Cherry!

2. Brooks Johnson (Hermantown) - Had some great games on a struggling Marshall team as a sophomore. Transferred to Hermantown heading into his junior season. Averaged 31.4ppg as a sophomore. Scored over 40 points six times, including a career-high 56 points on two separate occasions. The 6'5" wing has been looking pretty bouncy in the summer AAU season. Already owns D1 offers from Northern Illinois and Charleston and a D2 scholarship offer from Minnesota-Duluth.

3. Gavin Gores (Cumberland) - The 6'8" forward came on strong during his sophomore season. Averaged 16.3ppg and 9.6rpg while shooting 57.8% from the floor. Those are solid numbers and he'll need to improve on those as he continues to mature. Gets up and down the court very well. The nice thing with him is he has plenty of room to develop and continue to grow his game. Landed his first D1 offer from Loyola Maryland in July 2023. 

4. Grant Warren (Marathon) - Had a strong sophomore year, then followed it up with a Marawood Conference Player of the Year his junior year. The 6'9" forward will look to build on his 24.0ppg and 13.4 rpg from last season. A versatile player that can step outside and drive/knock down threes, score in the post, or get out and run in transition. Owns an offer from Michigan Tech heading into his senior season.

5. Jobe Juenemann (Duluth East) - The 6'2" guard had a great senior season along with being named a semi-finalist for the MBCA McDonald Award in Minnesota. Has deep shooting range to go along with being a good athlete. Averaged 16.3ppg and shot 41% from three as a senior. I'm a little surprised he didn't garner more D2 interest. Committed to Bemidji State.

6. Isaiah Kastern (Solon Springs) - The 2024 6'5" forward really took his game to another level during his junior season. Should be the favorite for the Northern Lights Conference Player of the Year, and hoping to lead his team to the WIAA State Tournament. Averaged 23.4ppg and 11.0rpg as a junior. Very strong athlete who can finish at the rim through contact or step out to the perimeter and be a scoring threat. Has garnered plenty of D2 interest, but I'm currently unaware of any official scholarship offers.

7. Austin Josephson (South Ridge) - Finished his high school career with over 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. The 2023 6'9" forward has still been developing and should benefit from some consistency at the college level. Has great length and size, just needs to combine everything to become more well-rounded. Committed to Bemidji State.

8. Oskar Kangas (Iron Mountain) - One of the better players in the Upper Peninsula currently, and still has two years of high school (class of 2025). The 6'6" wing-forward is a tough matchup for a lot of opponents. He can go inside and outside and is a very willing passer for his team. 

9. Ryan Popowich (Bruce) - Has been a staple for Bruce since his freshman season. The 2024 6'5" wing has caused some problems in the Lakeland Conference. He'll need to step up his production this season if Bruce wants to remain towards the top of the conference. That might be a lot asking him to build off Lakeland Player of the Year, 23.2ppg and 8.9rpg. 

10. Stephen McGee (Greenway) - The only 2026 player on this list is the 6'8" forward. A relatively unknown player from Greenway, Minnesota. There is plenty of room for him to grow his game over the next couple of years for the slender lefty forward. Capable of knocking down three pointers, has a soft touch around the rim, and is a willing passer. Once he adds more weight and confidence he has the potential to be a real threat in the Northwoods!

Breakdown Basketball Summer Series @ Mountain Iron-Buhl (2023)

Participating Teams: Barnum, Cromwell-Wright, Deer River, Grand Rapids, Hibbing, Mountain Iron-Buhl, Rock Ridge

Tuesday, July 11

Hosted at Mountain Iron-Buhl High School

8:00am (Court 1) - Grand Rapids vs. Mountain Iron-Buhl

8:55am (Court 1) - Deer River vs. Hibbing (Game #4)

8:55am (Court 2) - Grand Rapids vs. Barnum

9:50am (Court 1) - Barnum vs. Mountain Iron-Buhl

9:50am (Court 2) - Rock Ridge vs. Cromwell-Wright (Game #5)

10:45am (Court 1) - Winner of Game #4 vs. Winner of Game #5 (Game #6)

10:45am (Court 3) - 3-Team Consolation Pool A vs. C

11:40am (Court 2) - 3-Team Consolation Pool A vs. B

11:40am (Court 3) - 2nd Place 3-Team Pool vs. Loser of Game #6 (3rd Place Game)

12:35pm (Court 1) - Winner of 3-Team Pool vs. Winner of Game #6 (Championship Game)

12:35pm (Court 2) - 3-Team Consolation Pool B vs. C

3-Team Pool: Barnum, Grand Rapids, Mountain Iron-Buhl

3-Team Consolation Pool: Loser Game #4 (A),  3-Team Pool 3rd Place Team (B), Loser Game #5 (C)