Mackinaw City Downs Ellsworth for Northern Lakes Lead

Logan Paquet Mackinaw City

The Mackinaw City High School basketball team took sole possession of first place in the Northern Lakes Conference (NLC) after defeating Ellsworth 54-49 Friday, January 12, and Alba 92-48 Tuesday, January 9.

Comets Outlast Lancers

Mackinaw City outlasted Ellsworth in the battle of the NLC undefeated teams, improving to 5-0 in the league and 8-1 on the season.

The Closs brothers combined for 41 points in the win over the Lancers, but Mackinaw City trailed by one point going into the final period.

Ellsworth led 15-13 after the first eight minutes before Mackinaw City sent the game into halftime tied at 39, with a 16-14 scoring edge in the second quarter.

The Lancers took a 47-46 lead into the final period, but the Comets outscored their visitors 18- 12 to post the NLC win. Trevor Closs notched nine points with three of four from the free throw line, Chase Closs scored seven points, shooting four for four from the charity line, and Klaus Jaggi chipped in two in the final eight minutes.

"We played better team offense in the fourth quarter, and that was the difference," said Comets Coach Garth Law. "We continue to play well as a team and that pleases me."

Comets Stats: Chase Closs, 23 points, eight rebounds; Trevor Closs, 18 points, six rebounds; Barry Paquet, six points; Logan Paquet, three points; Klaus Jaggi, two points, nine rebounds, Austin Martin, two points.

Comets Dominate Wildcats

Mackinaw City led 34-12 at halftime and outscored Alba 58-36 in the second half.

Comets Stats: Chase Closs, 26 points, five assists; Trevor Closs, 19 points, 10 assists, eight rebounds; Logan Paquet, 15 points, four assists; Barry Paquet, 13 points; Klaus Jaggi, five points, nine rebounds, six steals, five assists; Zach Milholin, four points, four steals; Kevin Darrow and Nick Dullack, four points; Austin Martin, two points.

Mackinaw City's next games are Friday, January 19 at Boyne Falls, then Tuesday, January 23 at DeTour.