Gelow leads Blue Devils on All-BNC basketball teams
GAYLORD ― This season wasn't exactly what everyone expected from Gaylord's Luke Gelow, but that was largely out of his control.
The junior combo guard has been among the rising stars in the Big North Conference for a while, but this season was set to be his breakout year if it weren't for an injury, a torn labrum suffered on opening night, setting him up for what could've been a big let down.
But he didn't complain; he just kept working.
That work has paid off as he continues to receive recognition for his play this season, leading the Blue Devils with first-team honors when the All-Big North squads were released earlier this week.
"He played the entire season with a torn labrum in his shooting arm and didn’t complain once," said head coach Zach Napont. "I think it’s a no-brainer, he’s the best player in the area."
Gelow's mix of size and athleticism made him a tough cover for nearly everyone in the conference, and he used that to his advantage on a near-nightly basis. When he was healthy, he usually got his, averaging 21.4 points per game through his 20 games played.
His season-best scoring performance came against Traverse City West where the junior put up 38 points in an overtime victory over a Big North foe.
He averaged six rebounds and 1.8 assists as well, showing the versatility of his game. With another offseason to grow from and (hopefully) an injury-free senior season, Gelow's name might be getting mentioned a bit more by this time next season.
Other individuals on the All-BNC list included senior Luke Enders and junior Brady Pretzlaff, both on the honorable mentions lists.
Enders averaged 8.9 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.2 assists in his final high school basketball season, serving as one the main ball handlers and floor generals from his forward position.
"Luke is one of the smartest basketball players in Northern Michigan. He is a floor general and a great leader," said Napont.
Pretzlaff, the other honorable mention honoree, served his role down low as a defensive specialist, averaging 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists in his 21 games played.
"Brady was our anchor on defense. When he was in the game, teams had a very difficult time getting the ball inside," said Napont. "A lot of Brady’s work on the boards doesn’t show up on the stats, but he did a great job keeping other teams’ players off the boards."
The Blue Devils fifth overall in the conference, going 3-7 in 10 conference games, while wrapping the season with a 13-10 overall record.
Full list
First team
Anthony Ribel, TC CENTRAL (Player of the Year)
Jaden Montague, CADILLAC
Cade Trudeau, PETOSKEY
Charlie Howell, CADILLAC
Luke Gelow, GAYLORD
Second team
Ben Habers, TC WEST
Shane Izzard, PETOSKEY
Jack Hogan, TC CENTRAL
Quentin Gillespie, TC WEST
Teegan Baker, CADILLAC
Honorable Mention
Jimmy Marshall, PETOSKEY
Colt Gray, ALPENA
Landen Miller, TC CENTRAL
Tucker Bright, ALPENA
Lincoln Lockhart, TC WEST
Gavin Goetz, CADILLAC
Brayden Halliday, TC CENTRAL
Luke Enders, GAYLORD
Eli Main, CADILLAC
Michael Squires, PETOSKEY
Miles Smith, TC CENTRAL
JJ Dutmers, TC CENTRAL
Ian Robertson, TC WEST
Brady Pretzlaff, GAYLORD
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Luke Gelow leads Blue Devils on All-BNC basketball teams
