Northern Wisconsin defends way to all-star game win

IRONWOOD — "You guys just played defense in an all-star game."

That was the proud message Northern Wisconsin coach Kellen Anderson had for a group of five players coming out of the game in the first half with a 35-20 lead.

Northern Wisconsin held on to beat Northern Michigan 76-68 in Tuesday night's Kiwanis Classic Border Bash all-star girls basketball game at Gogebic Community College's Lindquist Center.

Bessemer's Whitney Trcka was one of three Northern Michigan players in double figures with 12. Northern Michigan's comeback attempt came too late as it was only able to cut the deficit to single digits in the closing moments.

Watersmeet's Frannie Zelinski scored only two points, but she grabbed seven rebounds and got after it whenever she was in the game. Ewen-Trout Creek's Molly Niemi scored three points and grabbed four rebounds.

Defense was a point of emphasis from a 45-minute practice earlier in the day.

"We just talked, we wanted to get ball pressure and really try and help and talk," said Anderson, who is the head coach at Lakeland in Minocqua. "There wasn't a whole lot of talking. It's tough to talk because the girls don't even know each other's names. But the girls really just gave a lot of really good effort and I liked the defensive work."

Wisconsin never let go of its early lead as its defensive play caught Michigan a bit off guard.

"They were brutal and they were rough," Zelinski said. "I think they just got into our heads and made us mad."

Ashland's Nicole Huber scored 14 points to lead four Northern Wisconsin players in double figures. Huber, who finished as the second leading scorer in Ashland history, boys or girls, was named MVP of the game.

"She was super aggressive out there," Anderson said. "She was able to get some buckets, she'd get a defensive board and bring it up the court and make something happen. She played a really nice game. We had a lot of girls just really playing good, aggressive basketball. It was fun."

Maryssa Paulsen of Flambeau scored 13 points and Kyncaide Diedrich of Athens and Kylie Hunter of Rhinelander both had 11.

Hurley's MaKayla Wolfe scored seven points.

With the 48-minute game, Anderson was able to get all 10 all-stars playing time. That would be tougher in the 32-minute high school game.

"It'd be tough having 10 girls that good, just trying to find playing time for them all. It'd be really tough, but it'd be a good problem to have," Anderson said.

Northern Michigan's Maria Wiltzius of Kingsford had a strong case for MVP despite being on the losing team. She scored 22 points, grabbed five boards and shot 6 of 6 at the line and 8 of 19 from the field.

Lexie Rowe of the Class C State champion Copper Kings scored 11.

Jeffers' Haley Makela led Northern Michigan with 13 rebounds. Michigan outrebounded Wisconsin 64-47 in the loss.

The second annual Border Bash came on the hottest evening of the year, but everyone seemed to enjoy it anyway.

"It was really great, you had people who wanted to play and who were good enough to be just the best of everyone around," Zelinski said. "It was fun. They were all friendly. They were all so nice. We became friends before the game and I think it helped us play. Even though we lost, it was still fun because everyone had a good time."

Northern Wisconsin — Alyssa Misselt 6, Kyncaide Diedrich 11, Maryssa Paulsen 13, Clara Schroeder 4, Cassidy Preston 2, MaKayla Wolfe 7, Kylie Hunter 11, Nicole Huber 14, Shawnie Sarkkinen 8. FTs: 17-28. Fouls: 18. Fouled out: None. 3-pointers: Hunter 2, Wolfe 1.

Northern Michigan — Ellie Olsen 4, Frannie Zelinski 2, Haley Makela 5, Molly Niemi 3, Lexie Rowe 11, Whitney Trcka 12, Baylee Wells 2, Maria Wiltzius 22, Ellen Twardzik 7. FTs: 20-30. Fouls: 21. Fouled out: None. 3-pointers: Trcka 3, Niemi 1.

Half: Wisconsin 39-24.