Mackinaw City Comets Varsity Basketball team includes (from left) Erin Sullivan-15, Callan Martin-24, Kristen Darrow-24, Head Coach Paul Wallin, Betsie Frye-10, Allison Allen-22, and Caitlin Spencley-12. Missing from photograph is Katie Smydra. Coach Paul Wallin, in his eighth season as the Mackinaw City head coach, will have six returning girls to bolster the Comets and the return of the junior varsity program after a two-year absence is a positive plus for the girls basketball program.

Betsie Frye (center-forward) heads the list of returnees as the senior. She is back for her fourth varsity season, while classmates Callan Martin (forward), Kristen Darrow, and Erin Sullivan (guards) return for their third campaign.

Mackinaw City Comets seniors include (from left) Erin Sullivan, Callan Martin, Kristen Darrow, and Betsie Frye. Junior Katie Smydra (guard) returns for her third season and freshman Caitlin Spencley (guard) begins her second year on the varsity, while first-year player is sophomore Allison Allen (guard).

"We have some experience returning, and that is important to build your team," said Coach Wallin. "We lost four seniors that gave us valuable playing time, but this group of girls will pick up the slack. I’m pleased to have our junior varsity program back. This will make our entire program much better."

The Mackinaw City Comets Junior Varsity Basketball team includes Coach Aaron Grant and players Kristina Keilman-25, Jory Anderson-24, Mollie Frye-40, Katie LaLonde-35, and Jessica Sefton-20. Missing from photograph is Cheyenne Withey. Mackinaw City can use eighth grade students to play high school hoops and that has made it possible to field a junior varsity squad that will be coached by Aaron Grant.

"I was pleased with our team camp at Lake Superior State University. The girls played hard and showed positive steps that will carry into the season. Each girl will be asked to play a variety of positions. We are lacking size, but have speed, quickness, and hustle."

The Comets will be in the thick of the Northern Lakes Conference race, but Harbor Light Christian and Vanderbilt are the teams to beat. Boyne Falls, Ellsworth, Alba, and Wolverine will also play tough. The non-league schedule that includes Pellston, Engadine, DeTour, Alanson, Pickford, and Cedarville is very strong and that will prepare the Comets for the Class D tournaments.

MACKINAW CITY COMETS

Girls Basketball

August

30 at DeTour

September

1 at Pellston

6 Alanson

13 at Alba

15 Vanderbilt

20 at Wolverine

22 Engadine

27 at Pickford

29 at Harbor Light

October

4 at Ellsworth

6 Boyne Falls

11 Pellston

13 Cedarville

18 Alba

20 at Vanderbilt

25 Wolverine

27 Harbor Light

November

1 at Engadine

8 Ellsworth

10 at Boyne Falls

MACKINAW CITY COMETS GIRLS BASKETBALL

Head Coach - Paul Wallin

Assistant Coach - Aaron Grant

Name Year Position

Kristen Darrow 12 Guard/Forward

Betsie Frye 12 Forward/Center

Callan Martin 12 Forward

Erin Sullivan 12 Guard

Katie Smydra 11 Guard

Allison Allen 10 Guard

Caitlin Spencley 9 Guard