Austin Hemmingson | Daily Press Escanaba’s Nicole Kamin shoots over Bark River-Harris defenders Grace Peterson (30) and Makena Lockwood (12) Jan. 24 at Escanaba. Kamin was selected to the All-U.P. Dream Team after averaging 19.2 points and 11.5 rebounds per game this season.

ESCANABA — The prestigious postseason awards just keep on coming for Nicole Kamin.

Just a few days after being named to the Associated Press All-State second team, Escanaba’s 5-foot-11 junior forward was selected to the All-U.P. Dream Team by the Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association. The voting was done online last week in place of their annual meeting due to COVID-19.

Kamin averaged 19.2 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 2.5 blocks per game this season to help lead the Eskymos to a 13-8 record and their first district title in 20 years. She shot 75% from the free throw line, scored over 30 points twice, and currently sits at 944 points for her career. She was a great defender on top of that, being named to the Great Northern Conference All-Defensive team as well as the GNC first team.

“I wouldn’t trade Nicole for any player in the U.P.,” Esky coach Mike Beveridge said. “Her skill set is unmatched. It was fun to watch her grow throughout the season and help lead our team. As good as her game is, she’s going to continue to develop and grow into an even better player next year, and she’s going to do great things in her college career (at Grand Valley State).”

The rest of the Dream Team consists of Menominee’s Emma Anderson, Westwood’s Tessa Leece, St. Ignace’s Hallie Marshall, Forest Park’s Mercedes Simmons and Ewen-Trout Creek’s Elise Besonen.

Anderson was also selected as Ms. U.P. basketball after leading the U.P.’s top-ranked Maroons to an undefeated regular season and outright GNC title.

For the second straight season, Gladstone’s Megan Crow was named to the Division 1-3 first team. The 6-foot-3 junior center averaged 14 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and 2.1 assists while shooting 80% from the free throw line and 54% from the field. She missed five games due to injury, but continued to fight and played most of her games while not at 100%.

“Due to her skill set and size, she has become one of the most individually prepared for players across the U.P. — if not the most,” Braves coach Andy Cretens said. “She demands at least a double team every time she touches the ball with her back to the basket. If teams decide not to double, she scores at a high rate. Not only is she tough to stop down low, she can can also step out and consistently knock down a mid-range shot.

“To add to that, she is a great passer out of the post. You cannot foul her because she shoots 80% from the free throw line, and she is one of the most impactful players across the U.P. on the defensive end with the way she protects the rim.”

The rest of the first team consists of Westwood’s Madelyn Koski, Negaunee’s Alyssa Hill, West Iron County’s Emily Nelson and Calumet’s Elli Djerf.

No area players were named to the second team, but five received honorable mention including Escanaba’s Taylor Ray, Gladstone’s Maddie Ahlgren, Bark River-Harris teammates Grace Peterson and Allison Richer and Manistique’s Emilee McDaniel.

Ray had a standout senior season for the Eskymos, averaging 13 points, 6.8 rebounds and two steals per contest.

“Taylor is one of the more underrated players in the U.P.,” Beveridge said. “She always made clutch shots in big games and played great defense. She was truly a senior leader and just fun to be around. We wouldn’t have won half the games we did without her and Nicole.”

Ahlgren was Gladstone’s most consistent piece all season as a senior point guard, playing a key role on both sides of the ball. She averaged 9.6 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals.

“Maddie is the ultimate competitor and impacts the game in more ways than stats can show,” Cretens said. “She is a four-year varsity starter at the point guard position and is as dependable as they come. She played all 23 games this season and very rarely came off the court (averaged 30+ minutes a game).

“When we needed a spark, she always stepped up. She leads by example and demands her teammates to rise to her intensity level. Words cannot describe it, but if you talk to anybody that has played against her or has witnessed her play, they will know exactly what I am talking about. She is a special player that is hands down a top player in our region and worthy of commendation.”

Richer and Peterson were the key cogs in Bark River-Harris’ backcourt.

Richer averaged 10 points, 5.2 assists and 4.0 rebounds while shooting 43% from the field and 38% from 3-point range. She led the Broncos in points and assists, was second in rebounds and made 31 3-pointers.

“She’s a point guard and was our best player all year,” BR-H coach Matt Richer said.

Peterson averaged 10 points and five boards and was an All-Defensive team selection in the Skyline Central Conference.

“She was a three-year starter who was second in points for us and led us in rebounds,” coach Richer said. “She was our enforcer and one of our team leaders.”

McDaniel averaged 10 points per contest and was a Mid-Peninsula Conference All-Defensive team selection.

The 6-0 senior center helped the Emeralds finish 7-14 to more than double their win total from last year. She will be attending Lake Superior State to play volleyball in the fall.