Marquette, Mi – June 8th, 2026 – Last Thursday, Gogebic Community College hosted the annual Kiwanis Border Bash, an all-star showcase featuring some of the top graduating basketball players from Northern Michigan and Northern Wisconsin.
The girls game opened the event, with Northern Michigan’s roster made up of Lauren Adams (Norway), Jenessa Eagle (Ishpeming), Kara Roberts (Baraga), Emery Chynoweth (Hancock), Jaelyn Novascone (Ironwood), Emma Besonen (Ewen-Trout Creek), Cassie Olson (Kingsford), Irelynd McGeshick (Ewen-Trout Creek), and Clare O’Donnell (Negaunee). The squad was coached by Negaunee’s Mike O’Donnell.
Northern Michigan seized control with a dominant second quarter, building a 60-44 halftime lead. Northern Wisconsin responded after the break, cutting the deficit to just five points heading into the fourth quarter and turning the game into a battle down the stretch.
When it mattered most, however, Northern Michigan answered the challenge. The team outscored Wisconsin by eight points in the final period to secure a 121-108 victory, improving Michigan’s all-time advantage in the series to 7-5.
Kara Roberts led a balanced offensive effort with 23 points, while Jenessa Eagle put together the night’s top performance. The Ishpeming standout poured in a game-high 27 points and was named the Kiwanis Border Bash Girls MVP.
The boys game gave Northern Michigan a chance to complete the sweep. The roster featured Jaxon Clark (Rudyard), Tanner Theuerkauf (Menominee), Ethan Marta and Caden Balzarini (Westwood), Nick Miskovich (Ironwood), John Wheeler and Anthony Pineda (Ishpeming), Liam Tourtellot (Dollar Bay), and Connor Firestine (Marquette). The team was coached by Westwood’s Luke Gray.
Northern Michigan came out firing, taking a 25-21 lead after the opening quarter. The highlight of the period came when Ethan Marta beat the buzzer with a running scoop shot from the elbow. In the second quarter, Tanner Theuerkauf delivered a buzzer-beater of his own, knocking down a tough shot from the elbow over two defenders to send Michigan into the locker room with momentum.
The second half, however, belonged to Northern Wisconsin. Wisconsin gradually pulled away before putting together a huge fourth quarter to turn a competitive game into a runaway, earning a 123-82 victory.
Despite the loss, Ethan Marta put on an offensive clinic, finishing with a game-high 32 points to lead all scorers.
