High scoring all-stars put on a show in Border Bash

By CORTNEY OFSTAD

Special to The Globe

Ironwood - Scoring was not in short supply as more than 400 points were scored between two games during the annual Kiwanis Classic All Star Border Bash on Thursday night at the Lindquist Center at Gogebic Community College.

The spectators in attendance got an offensive show during game 1, as the Northern Michigan girls defeated the Northern Wisconsin girls 118-98. According to Russ Maki, event organizer and Kiwanis member, it was a new record for the highest scoring game (previously 116) during the 10th annual event.

In game 2, it was a nail-biter, with the Wisconsin boys edging out the Michigan boys 98-95.

"It's wonderful. Absolutely terrific," Maki said of the showing in both games.

The Border Bash hosts the best 9 players from across the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and the northern portion of Wisconsin to help provide activities for kids.

"Kiwanis is all about kids, and our No. 1 goal is to give kids something to do," Maki said. "These are all high school seniors, we consider them to be kids, and this is a way to honor them."

After Thursday night, Maki said the Michigan girls edge the Wisconsin girls 6-4 overall, and the Wisconsin boys have won 7-of-10 against Michigan. When asked if they will continue the event, Maki said, "well into the future."

"We've gotten the word out, " Maki said. "People in Northern Wisconsin have heard about this event all the way down to Stevens Point. We've got kids coming from across the UP - St. Ignace, which is a 5-hour drive. ... I must have had 50 compliments and pats on the back for putting this on. Makes me feel real good. We'll keep going."

Girls Game

Gogebic County, Mich., and Iron County, Wis., were represented on both sides of the ball for the girls with Brooke Stanislawski, of Bessemer, and Jaana Aukee, of Hurley, taking the court.

For both girls, having another chance to wear their high school uniforms one more time was a dream.

"It was great to wear the jersey again, it was awesome," Aukee said. "Like, playing with all of these amazing girls, it was a whole new feeling. I loved it and really enjoyed having my last game here."

For Stanislawski, playing in the Border Bash was something she's "always wanted" to do.

"It was really fun and I've always wanted to do this," Stanislawski said. "I'm so glad I was able to put this jersey on one more time."

But it doesn't stop there. Stanislawski has one more time to wear the Bessemer blue and gold next week as she competes in St. Ignace for the annual Upper Peninsula All-Star Classic basketball game. She will be representing the UP West team.

But for Thursday, the packed gym was there to witness a shootout between high-scoring shooters on both sides of the court.

The game was tight during the first quarter with Michigan leading Wisconsin 25-19. But it was all Michigan in the second quarter, stretching their lead 59-38 heading into halftime.

During halftime, there was a series of events, including a 3-point shooting contest and a free throw shooting contest. Megan Marta, of Westwood, nailed 10 out of 10 free throws to secure her victory. Aukee completed 7/10 in the contest.

In the 3-point contest, it was Lily Treder, of Rhinelander, Wis., hitting 5 of 10 to claim her win.

The third quarter has Wisconsin outscoring Michigan 35-31, but it was too little too late. Michigan cruised in the fourth quarter, to seal the win.

Ella Mason, Miss UP Basketball from Negaunee, scored a game-high 20 points in the first half and finished with 36 points overall, clinching the game MVP and the win. She nailed six threes and was two-for-two at the free throw line. Lauren Zawada, of Bark River-Harris followed with 18 points for the Michigan girls.

Stanislawski finished with two points.

On the Wisconsin side, Hailey Zernicke, of Bonduel, Wis., finished with 18 points, and Mackenzie Tarman of Turtle Lake, Wis., snagged 17.

Aukee had 7 points.

Both Stanislawski and Aukee took a moment after the game to thank their parents and families for the support over the high school basketball careers.

It was a full-circle moment for Stanislawski who is set to continue her education at GCC next year. She will suit up for the Lady Samsons on the basketball court during her time there.

"I definitely (want to thank) all my coaches, my parents," Stanislawski said. "My Dad who is always taking me to shoot in the driveway."

Aukee will attend the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse to pursue a degree in elementary education.

"I want to thank my whole family for the love and support they have shown me over the last 9-10 years of my career," Aukee said. "They have always been there, and have always been in my corner. I just love them so much, and want to thank them for everything."

Boys Game

Big leads, big dunks, and bigger comebacks were the key pieces during an exciting 98-95 Wisconsin boys victory over the Michigan boys in game 2.

All eyes were on Associated Press Division 4 Player of the Year, Jonny Ingalls, of St. Ignace, on the Michigan side and Isaiah Kastern, all-time leader scorer for Solon Springs on the Wisconsin side.

Ingalls, who is set to play for Northern Michigan University next year, finished with a team-high 25 points for Michigan. Kastern, who is set to play at Bemidji State University, snagged a game-high 32 points for Wisconsin.

In the first half, it was all Wisconsin leading 59-34 at halftime. But it was short-lived, as Michigan put the pedal to the medal in the third quarter.

A series of missed shots and turnovers by Wisconsin, allowed Michigan to take advantage and claw their way back. They outscored Wisconsin 40-18 in the quarter. At the end of the third at the buzzer, Ethan McLean, of St. Igance, nailed a three to cut the lead to 77-74.

In the fourth quarter, no team could find the edge to pull away, trading baskets, turnovers, and fouls.

At the 3:43 mark, Levi Frahm, of Menominee, stole the ball and laid it up, giving Michigan a 95-92 lead.

However, a few minutes later, with 2:17 left, Ingalls went down with a cramp in his left leg. A timeout was called. Despite multiple stretching attempts by his teammates and even referee JJ Aspinall, Ingalls had to sit on the sidelines with the fans as he could not make it across the court back to his bench. He continued to stretch as game-play continued.

With Michigan missing a key piece of its offense, Wisconsin looked to take advantage.

Kastern was fouled by Gabe Popko, of Lake Linden, with 1:07 left giving him two chances at the line. Kastern missed the first free throw , but made the second, cutting Michigan's lead to 95-93.

Ingalls was able to return into the game at that point to help secure the lead.

However, with 12 seconds left, Will Getzinger, of Rhinelander nailed a three to give Wisconsin the lead 96-95. Michigan attempted a quick jumper, but it was Joseph Streveler, of Colby, Wis., snagging the rebound, and getting fouled in the process with just under five seconds left.

Getzinger was fouled twice during the last 5 seconds of the game, going two-for-four at the line, helping Wisconsin extend the lead to 98-95.

After Getzinger made his final free throw with 1.5 seconds left in the game Michigan Coach Doug Ingalls, of St. Ignace, called a timeout to draw up a play. But it fell short, as the inbound pass to Jonny Ingalls at half-court was bobbled and time ran out.

According to Maki, this is exactly the type of basketball he was looking for.

"What terrific games," he said.

During halftime of the boys game, there was a 3-point contest and a slam dunk contest. Frahm hit seven-of-10 three pointers to claim that competition, while Kastern pulled no punches in the dunk contest. In his third and final dunk, he pulled over his friend Giizhik Gauthier, of Bayfield, Wis., and jumped clean over her to bring home the trophy.

It wouldn't be the only trophy Kastern took home, as he also was named MVP for the boys.

"We gave a lot of hardware away tonight for everyone to take home," Maki said. "What terrific games and what a terrific place to play here at Gogebic Community College. What a venue."

Maki presented a check for $2,402 to GCC representatives during halftime of the boys game. He said it was all of the proceeds for the game, as well as half of the 50/50 raffle.

"(GCC) lets us use this gym for free. Lights blazing all day long with the electric bill, janitors cleaning up popcorn, and they don't charge us a thing," Maki said. "We want to give something back to them and I know that their athletic programs are always looking for funds. It will go to the college basketball programs, both men and womens, here."

Girls Score

Mich. Girls 25 34 31 28 - 118

Wisc. Girls 19 19 35 25 - 98

Michigan Girls

2s 3s FTs Total points

Anna Axtel 5 0 0-0 10

Kyley Elmblad 3 2 0-0 9

Jenna Maki 2 3 0-0 13

Keira Maki 3 0 0-0 6

Ella Mason 8 6 2-2 36

Megan Marta 7 0 0-0 14

Danica Shamion 3 0 4-8 10

Brooke Stanislawski 1 0 0-0 2

Lauren Zawada 6 0 6-6 18

TOTALS 38 11 12-16 118

Wisconsin Girls

2s 3s FTs Total points

Mackenzie

Tarman 7 2 0-2 17

Jaana Aukee 2 1 0-0 7

Lauren Hetfeld 2 1 2-2 9

Mia Ott 5 0 2-2 12

Lily Treder 1 2 0-0 8

Abby Cole 1 0 3-6 5

Hailey Zernickle 7 0 4-5 18

Avery Poppe 6 0 1-3 13

Scout Spadoni 3 0 3-4 9

TOTALS 34 6 13-24 98

Boys Score

Mich. Boys 16 18 40 21 - 95

Wisc. Girls 30 29 18 21 - 98

Michigan Boys

2s 3s FTs Total points

Levi Frahm 2 4 1-2 17

Connor Coduti 0 0 0-0 0

Jonny Ingalls 10 1 2-4 25

Ethan McLean 2 1 0-0 7

Andrew Niemi 3 0 2-2 8

Gabe Popko 2 1 1-1 8

Gavin Saunders 7 1 1-2 18

Matthew Schutz 1 2 1-2 6

Trevor Theuerkauf 1 1 1-2 6

TOTALS 27 11 9-15 95

Wisconsin Boys

2s 3s FTs Total points

Will Gretzinger 5 2 2-2 18

Gunner Greuel 0 1 0-2 3

Isaiah Kastern 14 1 1-6 32

TJ Lamb 1 1 0-2 5

Domanyck

Schwarzenberger 2 0 5-6 9

Brady Stewart 4 1 0-0 11

Joseph Streveler 3 3 0-0 15

Noah Weier 0 1 2-2 5

Toby Volkmann 0 0 0-0 0

TOTALS 58 10 10-20 98