Comets Capture Districts With 65-61 Win Over Hornets
Class D Districts at Pellston High School
By David Latva

Logan Paquet Mackinaw City

Mackinaw City captured the district championship with a 65- 61 win over the Pellston Hornets in the title game Friday, March 9, and upended Harbor Light Christian 75-59 in the semifinals Wednesday, March 7.

The Comets split with the host Hornets during the regular season, but this time the difference was that Coach Garth Law took his squad to Pellston for a practice before the tourney, shooting more than 1,000 shots.

"We needed to get comfortable in their gym and I felt we took better shots than the game back on February 6 when we lost," said Law. "Balanced scoring was another key as different players stepped up."

Mackinaw City held a 16-15 scoring edge after the first eight minutes and increased the margin to 35-29 at halftime after a 19-14 advantage in the second quarter.

The Hornets outscored the Comets 32-30 in the second half, with Mackinaw City holding a 15- 13 edge in the third quarter, and Pellston closed out the game with a 19-15 score in the final period.

Mackinaw City battled Posen in the regionals hosted at St. Ignace Tuesday, March 13.

The Comets scored 23 field goals, nine treys, and 11 of 13 from the free throw line and the Hornets made 27 field goals, one triple, and six of eight from the charity stripe.

Trevor Closs Mackinaw City

Mackinaw City stats: Trevor Closs, 23 points, eight rebounds, three steals, three assists; Logan Paquet, 14 points, three steals; Chase Closs, six assists, two steals; Austin Martin, seven points, nine rebounds; Zach Milholin, four points, six rebounds; Klaus Jaggi, four points, four rebounds.

Pellston stats: Jake Campeau, 22 points; Justin Litzner, 16 points; Ridge Hahn, 11 points.

Mackinaw City Downs HLC

Eight players scored for the Comets during their win over Harbor Light Christian (HLC). Mackinaw City drained 11 threepoint field goals, led by Chase Closs and Logan Paquet with five each.

"We shot the ball well and caused 29 turnovers," said Coach Law. "I was pleased with our effort."

Mackinaw City held a 14-13 scoring edge after the first eight minutes and extended the lead to 31-22 at halftime with a 17-9 margin in the second quarter.

The Comets offense exploded to a 44-37 advantage in the second half, which included 18-16 in the third quarter and 25-22 in the final period.

Mackinaw City stats: Chase Closs, 21 points; Logan Paquet, 17 points; Trevor Closs, 11 points; Kevin Darrow, nine points; Barry Paquet, eight points; Klaus Jaggi, six points; Austin Martin, two points; Zach Milholin, one point.