Big performances, big wins, and some championships.
It was a fun girls basketball season in the Cheboygan area, as Inland Lakes captured a first-ever regional championship, while Burt Lake Northern Michigan Christian Academy won a first-ever conference crown, and Cheboygan and Mackinaw City collected winning records in the regular season.
With basketball season in the books, here’s a look at the Daily Tribune’s 2025-26 all-area girls basketball team, led by Cheboygan junior Cloee Rupp, the Tribune’s player of the year.
Daily Tribune 2025-26 All-Area Girls Basketball
First Team
Cloee Rupp, Cheboygan, Junior, Guard (Player of the Year) – It was another productive season for Rupp, who made the all-Northern Shores Conference first team for a second consecutive year. As a junior, Rupp averaged 14.9 points, seven rebounds, 4.7 steals and 1.7 assists. During most of Cheboygan’s wins, it was Rupp leading each night.
Chloe Robinson, Inland Lakes, Senior, Forward – The Daily Tribune’s 2025 player of the year delivered an excellent senior campaign, averaging 13 points and seven rebounds. Robinson’s impressive final season saw her lift the Bulldogs to a first-ever regional title and a fourth consecutive district crown. Individually, she reached 1,000 career points and made the Ski Valley all-conference squad.
Ava Belford, Inland Lakes, Sophomore, Center – One of the best frontcourt players in the area, Belford averaged 7.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and was a defensive menace. She played a big role in I-L’s district and regional runs. She also made the Ski Valley team as an honorable mention.
Addison Byrne, Inland Lakes, Senior, Guard – Coming up with an outstanding senior campaign was Byrne, who made the Ski Valley all-conference squad. One of the best outside shooters in the area, Byrne averaged 6.4 points and 2.5 rebounds. An excellent two-way player, Byrne was arguably the most improved player on any area squad.
Olivia Patrick, Cheboygan, Senior, Guard – Defensively, Patrick was a major standout and was pivotal for the Chiefs, who posted a winning record in the regular season for the first time in over 10 years. Patrick, who averaged five points, 2.3 rebounds, two steals and 1.5 assists, made the NSC second team.
Lauren Ferraiuolo, NMCA, Eighth Grade, Guard – The Northern Shores Conference’s player of the year was highly instrumental in leading the Eagles to their first-ever NLC title. One of the best young players in Northern Michigan, Ferraiuolo averaged 17 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals.
Diem Schley, Cheboygan, Sophomore, Center – One of the breakout seasons in the area came from Schley, who averaged seven points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.9 steals and one block during her first full season on the varsity squad. A solid two-way player, Schley earned a spot on the Northern Shores second team.
Second Team
Mary Myshock, Inland Lakes, Senior, Guard – Myshock’s defense was arguably the best in the entire area, as she locked down most of the opposition. In the end, she averaged 4.3 points and 4.3 rebounds, which earned her a Ski Valley honorable mention nod.
Kenzlie Currie, Mackinaw City, Junior, Guard – Playing her best during the second half of the season, Currie’s campaign was superb as she averaged 14.8 points, four rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.9 steals, which secured her a spot on the Northern Lakes first team.
Shanna Ferraiuolo, NMCA, Sophomore, Guard – Joining her sister Lauren on the Northern Shores first team was Ferraiuolo, who played her part in the Eagles winning a conference championship. She averaged 13 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
Marley Szymoniak, Onaway, Senior, Guard – Delivering a strong senior season was Szymoniak, a scrappy Onaway guard who averaged 10 points, four assists and 3.5 steals. Her play was good enough to secure a nod on the Ski Valley all-conference team.
Kerry-Ann Ming, Mackinaw City, Senior, Center – A versatile frontcourt player who showed a ton of improvement, Ming earned Northern Lakes second team honors after averaging seven points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.2 steals, two blocks and 1.9 assists in her final season with the Comets.
Ariel Tucker, NMCA, Senior, Forward – Despite battling through injuries during her last season, Tucker managed to average seven points, six rebounds and three steals, and made the NLC second team.
Third Team
Addison Ptasnik, Cheboygan, Senior, Guard – The Alpena Community College signee was a crucial part of Cheboygan’s winning regular season, averaging 4.4 points, 2.4 steals, two rebounds and 1.4 assists.
Jaelyn Wheelock, Cheboygan, Senior, Guard – After not playing for two years because of multiple knee injuries, Wheelock returned and was productive, averaging 2.9 points and 5.4 rebounds.
Emily Kruczynski, Mackinaw City, Freshman, Forward – Delivering an impressive freshman campaign was Kruczynski, who averaged 7.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.9 steals. A key frontcourt player for the Comets, she made the Northern Lakes second team.
Natalee Hyde, Onaway, Junior, Guard – Coming into her own as a strong two-way guard was Hyde, who earned Ski Valley honorable mention recognition by averaging seven points, four steals and three assists.
Lanie Irwin, Pellston, Senior, Guard – The top player for the Hornets, Irwin averaged 8.6 points, six rebounds, 5.7 blocks and three steals, which helped her pick up Ski Valley all-conference honors.
Andrea Ruppert, Onaway, Senior, Forward – Making an impact during her senior campaign was Ruppert, who averaged six points, six rebounds, and a team-best 52 blocks for the Cardinals.
Honorable Mention: Estella Redding (Cheboygan), Khali Woolard (Inland Lakes), Kalli Williamson (Inland Lakes), Faith Lehre (Inland Lakes), Rian Esper (Mackinaw City), Ella Kruczynski (Mackinaw City), Poppy Wallace (Mackinaw City), Maya Shimel (Onaway), Breanna Willis (Pellston), Otillia Styburski (NMCA), Isabel Hoffmeyer (NMCA)
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: Rupp, Robinson lead Daily Tribune’s all-area girls basketball team
Reporting by Jared Greenleaf, Cheboygan Daily Tribune / Cheboygan Daily Tribune
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