5 locals finish high school hoops careers by the Bridge

ST. IGNACE — Dillon Gordon had one more chance to wear a Ewen-Trout Creek uniform — and not worry about his ankle.

He took advantage, scoring 16 points for the North, which beat the South 94-81 Saturday in the U.P. All-Star Basketball Classic at St. Ignace.

His ankle was at 100 percent three weeks after the season. Gordon, E-TC’s second all-time leading scorer, hurt it in the final regular season game and was limited in playoff action during his senior year.

He wasn’t limited Saturday. He splashed 3s; hit floaters and shined on a floor full of all-stars that included MVP Brett Branstrom of Mid-Peninsula, Mark Pap of Marquette and Negaunee’s Tanner Uren.

“It felt good to be on the court in a game like this and just go out there and have fun,” Gordon said. “The last time in uniform, it’s a bittersweet moment knowing I won’t put that on again.”

The North split into two groups of five and Gordon played with Porcupine Mountain Conference rivals Taylor Smith of Bessemer and Eric Lane of Wakefield-Marenisco.

“It was good playing with those two,” Gordon said. “After being rivals with them pretty much my whole life, playing with them was a good experience.”

Smith and Lane played together for the Gogebic Miners football team and will join forces again Saturday in the U.P. Football All-Star game at the Superior Dome in Marquette.

But this was their first time on the same basketball team, after battling underneath as rivals.

“It was nice, to finally be on his team, working together. It was fun,” Lane said.

“Going from always playing against each other to playing with each other is different. You’re not used to it,” Smith said.

Both of Gogebic County’s representatives had a great time. Lane scored five points and Smith had two.

“It was fun,” Lane said. “I was really honored to be here and play with all these guys and at least get a chance to play a game of basketball with all these good guys.”

“Everyone is so good that you’re not used to it and everyone wants to show their talent,” Smith said. “It was fun.”

Smith said he was impressed with Wade Schetter, who co-led the South with 12 points, is Carney-Nadeau’s all-time scoring leader and will play at Northern Michigan.

“He’s so fast,” Smith said.

Two local players suited up for the North girls — Ontonagon’s Chelsea Truscott and Ewen-Trout Creek’s Zoey McGeshick. Truscott scored nine points and McGeshick two as the North fell 62-53 to the South All-Stars.

Truscott was the team’s fourth leading scorer.

“I haven’t been really been scoring much,” she said. “My dad always tells me to shoot, shoot, shoot.”

She said all-star weekend was a good experience.

“I got to wear my jersey one last time,” McGeshick said.

St. Ignace’s Sarah Cullip was named MVP on her home court. She totaled 13 points, 15 rebounds and three assists. The Saints were state champions in 2013 in Class C during an undefeated season. It was hard to match her intensity Saturday.

“I watched her in the championship game, so it was nice to actually see how she plays,” McGeshick said.