Father, Son Relationship Carries Over to Hardwood
By David Latva

The Closs family: Chelsey (in front, holding a sign), Lynn (in back), Chase, Debby, and Trevor after the Mackinaw City's game against Wolverine Friday, February 9, when Chase, a senior, scored his 1,000th point of his basketball career.

Fathers hope and dream that someday they can sit in the bleachers and watch their sons play the game of basketball that each one also loves and was successful at while in high school. For Lynn Closs, it is a double pleasure as this season he has been enjoying watching his two sons, Chase and Trevor, play as teammates for the Comets squad.

Lynn Closs, 1970 graduate of LaSalle High School, was part of a very successful St. Ignace program during his years with the Saints. He moved to Mackinaw City after he married Debby (nee LaTocha). The couple are raising their children, that, along with their two sons, includes a daughter, Chelsey.

Trevor, a freshman, joined his big brother, Chase, a senior at Mackinaw City and four-year varsity player, for the first time this season. The pair has led the Comets to a 12-3 season so far for first-year coach Garth Law of St. Ignace.

Elena Alexander, three-yearold daughter of Chris and Janet Alexander of Carp Lake, shows her support for Chase Closs with his number 11 printed on her cheek. Her older sister, Claudia, made the sign that acknowledges Closs reaching the 1,000th milestone.

The elder Closs started part-time as a junior and became the starting guard for Saints Coach Gene Shank during his senior year, helping them to titles at the conference, district, and regional level. In 1970, St. Ignace defeated Charlevoix in the quarterfinals, Pontiac Catholic in the semifinals, before falling to Muskegon Christian in the Class C state finals.

"I'm probably tougher on Chase and Trevor than Coach Law," said Mr. Closs. "We hash out the games when they get home, but sometimes I need to tone down my attitude."

Mr. Closs has passed his strong work ethics and talent to his boys that they have implemented in their game, as they have been a big part of the Comets' success on the hardwood, posting an 8-1 Northern Lakes Conference (NLC) record and 12-3 overall mark, so far.

Chase scored his 1,000th career point Friday, February 9 at Wolverine and is one of the top players in the NLC. Trevor, in his rookie season as a varsity player, has stepped up and is blending well with the Comets.

Chase will be graduated in June as salutatorian of his class, while Trevor is a member of the Class of 2010. The boys' sister, Chelsey, expected to be graduated in 2016, will then be looked upon to carry on the basketball tradition for the Closs family.