Entire Mackinaw City starting five makes All-NLC girls basketball first team
MACKINAW CITY – It’s not too often when you'll see an entire starting five make the all-conference first team.
But that was the case this season for the Mackinaw City Lady Comets, who saw each of their five starters earn spots on the All-Northern Lakes Conference girls basketball first team.
Leading the way for the Comets were seniors Larissa Huffman, Marlie Postula, Madison Smith and Julia Sullivan, while junior Gracie Beauchamp joined those four on the squad.
Huffman, arguably the best all-around player in the conference, was named the NLC's Player of the Year.
Each of the five played major roles in the Comets capturing the NLC crown for a fifth consecutive season. Huffman, Postula and Beauchamp were all terrific guards for the Comets, while Smith was an exceptional forward and Sullivan delivered as the team’s center.
In addition to winning a fifth straight NLC championship, the Comets recently captured a fourth district title in five seasons and claimed the program’s first-ever regional crown. The Comets made it all the way to the MHSAA Division 4 state quarterfinals before bowing out to eventual state runner-up Baraga. Mackinaw City finished with a 25-2 overall record and a perfect 12-0 clip in NLC play.
Earning a spot on the All-NLC second team was Mackinaw City junior Jersey Beauchamp, a solid all-around post player who unfortunately saw her season cut short after suffering a knee injury.
NMCA’s Ferraiuolo makes NLC first team
The five Mackinaw City starters weren’t the only area players to secure a nod on the NLC first team.
Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian Academy senior guard Brooke Ferraiuolo also made the first team after a strong final campaign with the program. Ferraiuolo helped lead the Lady Eagles to a second-place finish in the conference this winter.
The Eagles saw three other players make the NLC second team, including Addie Pietrowski, Alexis Fosmore and Shanna Ferraiuolo.
Rounding out the NLC first team were Harbor Light’s Laney Jakeway, Ellsworth’s Avery Strange, and Alanson’s Gretchyn Bowman.
Also finding spots on the NLC second team were Harbor Light’s Jade Evoy and Ava Kenwabikise, Boyne Falls’ Riley Zbacnik, Ellsworth’s Isabella Essenberg, and Wolverine’s Kelsi Brassuer.
NLC honorable mention recognition went to Christina Midyett (Alanson), Allison Peters (Alanson), Alice Loper (Boyne Falls), Kerri DeYoung (Ellsworth), Anne Chamberlain (Harbor Light), Kara Deuden (Wolverine), Brooke Stafford (Wolverine) and Brooklyn Stewart (Wolverine).
All-Northern Lakes Conference Girls Basketball Team
1st Team
Larissa Huffman, Mackinaw City (PLAYER OF THE YEAR)
Marlie Postula, Mackinaw City
Madison Smith, Mackinaw City
Julia Sullivan, Mackinaw City
Gracie Beauchamp, Mackinaw City
Brooke Ferraiuolo, Burt Lake NMCA
Laney Jakeway, Harbor Light
Avery Strange, Ellsworth
Gretchyn Bowman, Alanson
2nd Team
Jersey Beauchamp, Mackinaw City
Jade Evoy, Harbor Light
Riley Zbacnik, Boyne Falls
Alexis Fosmore, Burt Lake NMCA
Isabella Essenberg, Ellsworth
Ava Kenwabikise, Harbor Light
Shanna Ferraiuolo, Burt Lake NMCA
Kelsi Brasseur, Wolverine
Addie Pietrowski, Burt Lake NMCA
Honorable Mention
Christina Midyett, Alanson
Allison Peters, Alanson
Alice Loper, Boyne Falls
Kerri DeYoung, Ellsworth
Anne Chamberlain, Harbor Light
Kara Deuden, Wolverine
Brooke Stafford, Wolverine
Brooklyn Stewart, Wolverine
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Entire Mackinaw City starting five makes All-NLC girls basketball first team
