I spent more time in basketball gyms in March during the 2025-26 season than I have in years.
Much of that is attributed to a quarterfinal run by the Petoskey girls and another trip into regionals for the Harbor Springs girls.
And, it looks like I might only be getting started with my late-season gym time in the years ahead.
Both Petoskey and Harbor are loaded with impact freshmen and sophomores, which became even more clear when putting together the 2025-26 News-Review All-Area Girls Basketball teams.
You’ll find six total Northmen and Ram players that are either freshmen or sophomores between the squads.
The News-Review Player of the Year is also an underclassmen from Boyne City, adding to the excitement for next season already.
With travel ball or open gyms ahead over the summer or fall months, could we finally get an Emmet or Charlevoix County girls team to the Breslin Center?
GIRLS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Addy Burns, Jr. — Boyne City
One of the best overall athletes around northern Michigan currently, Burns puts much of her focus into her game on the court and it showed in 2025-26. She made an instant impact in her third varsity season, showing huge gains as an outside shooter and slashing to the basket, where her athleticism really shows. She led the area in points a game with just under 16 and made the same kind of impact defensively.
FAN VOTE
Makenna Brey, So. — Harbor Springs
Fans and family got behind Brey to help her earn the Player of the Year Fan Vote, following a season of averaging just over 10 points a game. Brey is a quiet leader that came a bit out of her shell as a sophomore and shows a ton of potential for her final couple seasons as a Ram. She improved in every metric on the court this season and really showed confidence driving to the basket.
TOP GUARD
Elaina Flynn, Fr. — Petoskey
You really have to applaud the job Flynn did running the point this season for Petoskey. She became a starter five games in, thrown right into a schedule full of Division 1 and 2 teams. She took off late, averaging 15 points against Sault Ste. Marie, Negaunee, Big Rapids and Flint Powers from the district finals to quarterfinals. She also had some tough matchups defensively, from Piper Bell at the Sault, to Nuray and Nalaya Fricke of Big Rapids and Kendyl Smith of Powers, each an all-state guard.
TOP POST
Ella Sulitis, Fr. — Petoskey
Another freshman for Petoskey, Sulitis played well beyond her years right from the start. A 6-foot center with developed moves to the basket, Sulitis could back defenders down, though also has nimble feet that often caught opponents off guard. She also showed a knack for a clutch side, delivering two game-winners in the final seconds against the Sault. One helped deliver a conference title, the other a district title. The future is really bright in the Petoskey paint.
MOST IMPROVED
Makayla Beach, So — Harbor Springs
Beach has as much potential on the basketball court as some of the top players around northern Michigan and she started showing it over the 2025-26 season. She’s 6-foot-1 and really became more comfortable on the court in year two with the Rams. She’s a monster defensively, averaging three blocks a night. Fouls are about the only thing that slow Beach, but once she can pick and choose which shots to go after, she’ll be a force. There’s a lot to look forward to as she becomes even more comfortable scoring as well.
2025-26 NEWS-REVIEW GIRLS ALL-AREA TEAMS
FIRST TEAM
Elaina Flynn, Fr. — Petoskey
Really blossomed into an impact varsity starting point guard. Earned first team All-BNC. Averaged a team-high 13 points, 2.8 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 3.3 steals a night.
Addy Burns, Jr. — Boyne City
Area POY, first team All-Northern Shores. Took off this season averaging 15.9 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.8 steals. Shot 30.3% from 3-point range.
Lillian McShannock, So. — Harbor Springs
Stepped into the lead PG role and shined as a scorer and distributer, averaging 10.8 points and 3.9 assists, to go with 3.6 steals a night. First team All-NSC.
Ella Sulitis, Fr. — Petoskey
Became a force from the start in the paint, averaging 10 points and 7.1 rebounds. Added 22 blocks for the season. Earned second team All-BNC.
Lyla Janes, So. — Petoskey
First team All-BNC guard can do it all. Averaged 10 points, 2.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2 steals a game. Tough, lockdown defender.
SECOND TEAM
Makenna Brey, So. — Harbor Springs
Smooth player with game all around the court. Averaged 10.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.4 steals, showing that versatility.
Delaney Little, Sr. — Boyne City
Another consistent season averaging 7 points. 6.3 rebounds and 2.6 steals. Earned first team All-NSC honors.
Kenzlie Currie, Jr. — Mackinaw City
Took off for a 15-win Comets team and averaged 14.8 points, 5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.9 steals a game. Earned first team All-NLC.
Lauren LaHaie, Sr. — Petoskey
Senior sharpshooter from outside and a leader for PHS. Made 42 3-pointers, averaging 7.2 points and 4.2 rebounds a game.
Stefi Reskevics, Jr. — Harbor Springs
Another consistent Ram in the lineup and a true athlete. Averaged 9.3 points and 4.1 rebounds. One of the top on-ball defenders, averaging 3.5 steals a game.
THIRD TEAM
Ayla Kemp, Jr. — Charlevoix
Claimed first team All-NSC honors. The main focus for opposing teams. Averaged 7.5 points, 5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.9 steals.
JoJo Kirkpatrick, Jr. — East Jordan
Kept the Red Devils competitive in the Ski Valley. Averaged 8 points and 10.4 rebounds a game, both top on the team.
Makayla Beach, So. — Harbor Springs
Started to show her immense potential as a sophomore. 6-foot-1 center, averaged 6.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3 blocks. Multiple games with more than 5 blocks.
Kerry-Ann Ming, Sr. — Mackinaw City
One of the best rim protectors in the area and huge defensive piece. Averaged 7 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.2 steals and 2 blocks a game.
Kaelyn Matelski, Sr. — Boyne City
Back fully healed, impressed as another scoring option, averaging 6.8 points and 5.8 rebounds a game.
HONORABLE MENTION
Lily Snyder, Sr. East Jordan; Taryn Carey, Jr. Charlevoix; Makenna Vandock, Fr. Harbor Light; Leah Sulitis, Sr. Petoskey; Laine Irwin, Sr. Pellston; Elle Wilson, Jr. Boyne City.
Contact or send game stats/info to Sports Editor Drew Kochanny at dkochanny@petoskeynews.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DrewKochanny, and Instagram, @drewkochanny
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: News-Review All-Area Girls Basketball teams set up for years to come
Reporting by Drew Kochanny, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
