North Central High School retired the jerseys of past boys basketball players Jason Whitens and Dawson Bilski before Monday night’s home game against Bark River-Harris. From left are Whitens' parents Gerald and Faye Whitens, Whitens' brother-in-law and sister Cory and Paige Gylock, Jason Whitens, Dawson Bilski, Bilski's mother Lisa Bilski, Bilski's brother Bryce Bilski and Bilski's father Tim Bilski. (Escanaba Daily Press photo by Austin Hemmingson)

POWERS — Three seasons ago, Jason Whitens and Dawson Bilski helped North Central win their third straight Class D state title in basketball.

On Monday night in Powers, Whitens and Bilski became the fourth and fifth Jets to have their jerseys retired in front of a full crowd prior to North Central’s 65-53 win over Bark River-Harris.

Whitens, who wore No. 30, holds North Central school records in career points, rebounds, assists and steals. He went an incredible 108-1 as a varsity player, scoring 2,062 points, which ranks fifth all-time in the Upper Peninsula. He is one of only 50 players in Michigan to score 2,000 points.

Whitens was also named All-U.P. Class D Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017, a four-time All-U.P. Dream Team selection and three-time Skyline Central Conference MVP.

“It’s great to just come back and reminisce,” said Whitens, a redshirt sophomore starting for NCAA Division I Western Michigan University. “Around this time of year with the holidays, it’s just good to be around family and friends.

“Getting to share tonight with (Bilski) was just really special.”

Bilski, who wore No. 14, scored 1,266 points in his career, earning all-state honors in 2016 and 2017. He holds school records for 3-pointers in a game (10), season (76) and career (182). He was also the MVP of the 2017 U.P. All-Star game.

“I want to thank all my teammates, because if it wasn’t for them I wouldn’t have did everything that I did in my high school career,” said Bilski, a junior starter at Michigan Tech. “As a team, it’s just so awesome … all those state titles. I’m just thankful to be able to see them (tonight).”