Gladstone star Lillie Johnson was victorious in the free throw competition as she defeated Ewen-Trout Creek’s Emma Besonen in a tiebreaker as well as being named Most Valuable Player for her girls All-Star Game.

Besonen captured the 3-point shootout, making 16 of 25 shots, in this game sponsored and conducted by the U.P. Sports Hall of Fame.

On the boys side, Westwood’s Ethan Marta — who was named Mr. U.P. Basketball in March by the U.P. Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association — won the 3-point contest by sinking 15 out of 25 shots. And he was also named boys’ Most Valuable Player.

Nick Miskovich of Ironwood was the winner in the dunk contest.

Negaunee's Tristan Slater, right, goes high to defend a shot attempt by Bark River-Harris’ Brayden Derouin during the boys game at the Upper Peninsula All-Star Basketball Classic on Wednesday evening at Bay de Noc Community College in Escanaba. (Escanaba Daily Press photo by Adam Hinch)

Girls game

The South won the girls game 71-66 as Johnson led the way with 19 points.

“It was great to put the Braves jersey on one more time,” she said. “It was awesome to be out there with (Braves’ teammate) Addy Blowers.

“We grew up together and she is one of my closest friends and to take the court with her one more time was a special moment.”

South jumped out to an early 6-0 lead but the North quickly responded with an 8-0 run of its own to take the lead. Ishpeming’s Jenessa Eagle had four of the North’s points in that early spurt and finished the game with 24 points.

Johnson scored 10 of her 19 points in the first half as the South led 36-28 at halftime. Marquette’s Lexi Curran had nine of her 18 points in the second half.

Eagle scored seven consecutive points in the fourth quarter to pull the North within two, 57-55, but was unable to close the gap further.

Boys game

Despite winning a narrow 88-83 decision, the North boys dominated throughout their first half to build a big 68-41 lead that was finished off by a layup from Westwood’s Caden Balzarini, who had 12 points.

The South responded with a full-court, man-to-man press to go on a 21-3 run.

“We didn’t come out the way we wanted to start the game,” said Pickford’s Gunner Bennin, who led the South with 21 points. “We came out playing more as a team in the second half and were aggressive on defense, forcing turnovers, and it got us back in the game.”

The South got as close as four points late before the North held on for victory.

“The boys all trust in me and I trust in them,” Marta said of his North team. “These are the best players in all of the U.P. and you know everyone is going to give it all they got.”

Marta finished with 17 points.