Senior guard Nick Ackerman was named Most Valuable Player for the Pine River-Backus boys basketball team at its season-end banquet on Thursday, April 12.
"Nick is the best leader and captain I have ever coached," coach John Riewer said. "I mean that ... Because of that leadership, we won the games we were supposed to win. I have learned a lot from him, and I hope he has learned a lot from me."
Ackerman led the team in scoring, rebounds and steals en route to a 15-13 overall record and a 7-7 conference record. He was also the lone all-conference athlete for the Tigers.
"It's the most underrated conference in Class A basketball," Riewer said. "Cass Lake made the state tournament. Red Lake made the state tournament the year before. Walker had a very nice basketball team this year, and all of the other teams are improving."
Torry Hirschey was recognized at the banquet for earning an all-conference honorable mention, as well as leading the team in assists and blocks. Brady Raph also earned an all-conference honorable mention, and led the team in 3-pointers made and free-throw percentage with 81 percent - edging Ackerman by one percentage point..
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Sophomore Louis Bueckers was named Most Improved Player for the Tigers.
