Sports

Classifications for Michigan High School Athletic Association elections and postseason tournaments for the 2023-24 school year have been announced, with enrollment breaks for postseason tournaments posted to each sport’s page on the MHSAA Website.

The Munising Pool League has ended its 202223 season, with the Barge 2 team passing Bear Trap in the final week. “Practically everything came down to the last week: first, second, MVP,” Munising Pool League President Chris Agnello said.

More new leadership is coming to the Mustang tennis program, but it comes with familiar faces. Taking over the boys tennis team this Spring will be Munising alumni Noah Ackerman and Chase Nebel.

The all-U.P. awards have also been released for the 2022-23 girls basketball season by the Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association. Four Alger County players were named to various teams across the region.

South Shore Fishing Association Vice President Jesse Bianchi presents a check for $15,329 to Alger County Undersheriff Steve Blank on Thursday, March 30. Ross Anthony and Pam Basil of the SSFA join members of Rescue 21 outside the Alger County Courthouse for the presentation. The money was raised through the inaugural Munising Bay Ice Fishing Derby in February, which was organized through the SSFA as a fundraiser for Rescue 21. Local organizations donated prizes and raffle items while Rescue 21 volunteers assisted in the event gameday operations. The check was presented after all expenditures and prize payouts were completed.

A team-based victory, focused on fundamentals, pushed the Munising Mustangs past the Marine City Cardinal Mooney Cardinals 54-44 at the MHSAA Division 4 Semifinals on Thursday, March 23. Munising wasted no time getting on the board as Trevor Nolan popped a three pointer just 18 seconds into the contest.

The Munising Mustangs will have some familiarity when heading down to East Lansing. Head Coach Terry Kienitz played in the 1994 state finals with Superior Central. Kane Nebel attended basketball camps at MSU. Many of the players and staff have a connection or two to the state semifinals and finals venue.

To return to the finals, Tri Unity Christian had to go through another coastal town with a public school, the Frankfort Panthers. The Defenders led throughout, defeating the Panthers 54-37.

The trophy was presented on the floor of the Breslin Center in East Lansing, but the 2023 MHSAA Division 4 boys basketball championship was won in a Best Western in Okemos. In room 156 — the hotel room for Munising Assistant Coach Chris Prunick — coaches, alumni and family members used whatever electronic device available to break down game after game of Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian’s season before the championship final took place on Saturday.