My main takeaways from the 2023-24 Cheboygan area girls basketball season

CHEBOYGAN – Just like that, it’s over.

Following Inland Lakes’ regional semifinal loss to St. Ignace on Tuesday, it concluded what was an exciting 2023-24 Cheboygan area girls basketball season. Many teams improved, some captured titles, and lots of players stood out. In the end, it was a ton of fun to cover. With the campaign now complete, here’s a few takeaways from an entertaining winter on the hardwood.

Bulldogs could be really good again in 2024-25

Back in the summer, Inland Lakes looked far from a solid product, as it was blown off the court by rival Onaway. But it’s amazing how things changed this season. Daryl Vizina once again worked his coaching magic by lifting the Bulldogs to three wins over the Cardinals, an outright Ski Valley Conference title, and a second straight district crown.

That’s sensational from Vizina and his staff, and his team also deserves so much credit for registering the kind of season it had had after having to replace all-time leading scorer Natalie Wandrie and others coming in. Players like Brooklyn LaBrecque and Chloe Robinson stepped up, as well as a host of youngsters like Molly Monthei, Addison Byrne, Mary Myshock and others. It’ll be tough to replace an excellent defender like Taylor Jones, but the Bulldogs look well-equipped for more success going forward.

INLAND LAKES FUTURE: Despite regional loss, the future looks bright for Inland Lakes girls basketball team

INLAND LAKES REGIONALS: Impressive Inland Lakes girls basketball season ends in regional loss to St. Ignace

Hanson has Cheboygan on right path

A year ago, the Cheboygan girls were a mess. Not only did they register just five wins, but their offense was erratic. Fast forward to this winter for the Chiefs, who improved immensely and captured 11 total victories under second-year coach Walter Hanson. Hanson’s impact on this program shouldn't go unnoticed.

Seniors Bella Ecker, Emily Clark and Kinsey Carpenter all provided quality leadership, while the Chiefs also benefitted from young talents in Cloee Rupp, Jaelyn Wheelock and Olivia Patrick.

Of course, it’ll be tough to replace the defense of Carpenter, the consistency of Ecker, and the scrappiness of Clark, but I think the Chiefs have some solid pieces going into next season. It’ll be fascinating to see how it all plays out in the new Northern Shores Conference.

BOYS SEASON TAKEAWAYS: Takeaways from the 2023-24 Cheboygan area boys basketball season

TAYLOR JONES: 'She's really underappreciated': Jones a defensive force for Inland Lakes girls basketball

End of an era in Mackinaw City

For six years, the Mackinaw City girls have been an unstoppable force in the Northern Lakes Conference, winning six titles and doing so with undefeated records each season. Not many programs out there can say they’ve done that.

But with senior twins Gracie and Jersey Beauchamp – the last two key players on the 2023 regional championship squad – finishing up their careers, that leaves the Comets in a tough spot. Those two, along with many former Comets before them, had such an immense impact on the Mackinaw City program, but young standouts like Kerry-Ann Ming, Rian Esper and Kenzlie Currie will look to sustain the success once next season arrives.

EMILY CLARK: 'When she speaks, people listen:’ Clark thrives as senior leader with Cheboygan girls basketball

BELLA ECKER: 'Bella's just awesome': Ecker playing best basketball at right time for Cheboygan girls

Can Onaway break through next year?

When you pick up 16 victories, you would probably consider that a highly successful season. Onaway likely feels that way, but after a third district final loss in six seasons, John George’s Cardinals are still looking to break through and win the big one. Onaway’s dreams of a district crown were shattered after a recent final loss to Inland Lakes.

With Charlotte Box, Kailyn George and Ema DeMaestri all returning to form a solid senior trio, as well as scrappy guard Marley Szymoniak being back as a junior, the Cardinals have the players to get it done in 2024-25. What will need to improve is the offensive play of the Cardinals, whose shooting let them down in the big games.

Let's see what next year brings.

Contact sports editor Jared Greenleaf at jgreenleaf@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @sportsCDT

This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Final thoughts on the 2023-24 Cheboygan area girls basketball campaign