Mackinaw City girls beat Burt Lake NMCA, claim fifth straight NLC title
MACKINAW CITY – For a fifth consecutive year, the Mackinaw City girls basketball team can call itself Northern Lakes Conference champions.
The Lady Comets captured their fifth straight NLC crown by cruising to a 74-25 victory over Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian Academy in a battle of the conference’s first and second place teams on Friday night.
“I am so proud of this group for all of the hard work they have put in over the last four years to pull off winning five straight conference titles,” said Mackinaw City coach Jake Huffman. “It is the longest streak in any sport for girls at Mackinaw City High School, and they have the opportunity to close out five straight years of undefeated conference basketball next Monday at Alanson.”
The Comets (19-1, 11-0 NLC) started off fast once again, building a 17-5 lead after one quarter of play. By halftime, they held a 33-13 advantage.
Senior Madison Smith recorded another triple-double with 21 points, 16 rebounds, 11 blocks, four assists and four steals, while Gracie Beauchamp tallied 16 points, six rebounds, six assists, three steals and one block, Marlie Postula added 16 points, four steals, three rebounds, three assists and two blocks, Julia Sullivan had 15 points, seven rebounds, four steals and one assist, and Larissa Huffman recorded six points, seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and one block. Rian Esper (one assist), Alaina Brown (one assist) and Kenzlie Currie (one rebound) rounded out the Comets.
“The NMCA Eagles are very improved and are going to be a team to be reckoned with moving forward in the area,” Huffman said. “Coach (Josh) Ferraiuolo's Eagles play hard and defend well. We had a great shooting night and fought for every basket throughout the game. The girls controlled the boards with a 40-25 rebounding edge and assisted on 23 shots.”
It was a tough evening for the Eagles (13-7, 9-2), who were unable to hang with the high-powered Comets.
“What can I say, we got waxed by a very good team,” said Ferraiuolo. “We did our best to compete and hang on, but they (Mackinaw City) make you guard every square inch of the floor. Very difficult to do. I’m proud of my girls across the board, they came to compete and they never quit. I’m very proud of them. I hope Mackinaw City goes far (in the state tournament). They deserve it.
“Our league will never see a team like this again. Much respect to them and to Jake (Huffman). I actually do like where my team is at, they are competing at a high level, and some success will follow. Looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Senior Brooke Ferraiuolo led the Eagles with 10 points, four assists and three rebounds, while Addie Pietrowski recorded six points and two steals, Shanna Ferraiuolo netted five points, and Otillia Styburski finished with two points and nine boards.
This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Mackinaw City girls beat Burt Lake NMCA, claim fifth straight NLC title
