Girls Basketball Dream Team Barnowski, Miller claim MVP
This year’s girls basketball season showcased the rise of new talent. Teams from Glen Lake, Lake Leelanau St. Mary, Suttons Bay, and Leland lit up the courts, proving why girls basketball in Leelanau County is a must-see.
More than 10 players were nominated for the seven-member Dream Team, which includes a Player of the Year and a Sportsmanship Award, making it challenging to narrow down to a top-five.
The 2024-25 Leelanau Enterprise Dream Team is chosen by sports reporter Brian Freiberger along with local high school coaches Brad Fosmore (Glen Lake), Matt Barnowski (St. Mary), Ryan Knudsen (Leland), and Mariah Kalchik (Suttons Bay).
MVP: Kyla Barnowski (St. Mary) and Elli Miller (Leland)
This year’s girls basketball season was so exciting that two players earned Dream Team MVP.
MILLER TIME
Leland senior Elli Miller led the Comets during a historic season.
Miller averaged nearly 13 points per game, 5.3 rebounds, 4.2 steals, and 2.7 assists per game.
“Elli impacted play on both sides of the basketball court and is among the leaders on our team in all statistical categories. Her scoring, rebounding, and passing were instrumental in our overall success as a team. She stepped up as a leader on and off the court, and her leadership made a big difference for our team this season,” Leland coach Ryan Knudsen said.
Leland competed tough during the gauntlet Northwest Conference and advanced to the district championship.
Miller is pleased with how the Comets played this season, and she will remember the bond that
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grew the team together during the 2024-25 season.
Going into her freshman season, she was able to play a fifthquarter role that allowed her to grow throughout the years.
“I’ve just worked on my skills and tried my best. I think senior year, I knew it was my last, so I just wanted to have fun, go out there, and do the best I could,” Miller said.
Miller will never forget hanging out with her teammates, telling jokes, and dressing up as coach Knudsen on ‘Dress Like a Teacher Day.’
“I’m definitely going to look back on years from now and just smile because it was so much fun with them (my team),” she said.
Miller’s favorite moment on the court was making a buzzerbeater against Glen Lake and the countless deep 3-point shots where she found the bottom of the net.
BARNOWSKI MAGIC
Lake Leelanau St. Mary senior Kyla Barnowski earned her spot as co-Dream Team MVP after having a terrific season for the Eagles.
“It was my favorite (team) by far, and I think we all improved this season a lot and grew closer together. It was definitely a memorable one. We had our ups and downs, but I think towards the end, we started to pull everything back together ... It didn’t end how I wanted it to, especially not being able to play (in the district final), but I think it was awesome that our girls still were able to do as well as we did for the last game,” Barnowski said.
Barnowski led the Eagles with nearly 15 points per game and 8.4 rebounds, dominating defensively night in and night out.
The Eagles defeated the Comets during the regular season, and Barnowski scored 21 of 32 points for St. Mary. Barnowski is the second lady Eagle in a row to claim an MVP title after Delana Kirt won last season.
Barnowski will always cherish hanging with her teammates and playing for each other.
“It’s going to be really tough to never play the sport again, especially with these people, but I think it taught us many lessons, especially about teamwork and the bond,” Miller said.
During this season, Barnowski was coached by her father, Matt Barnowski, something she will cherish forever “It was something really different that I never really knew … Having him when I was older meant much more. I got to spend a lot of time with him, especially for my senior year, so that was awesome,” Barnowski said.
Barnowski will take with her the fun times at overnight camps at Northwoods and playing YMCA basketball over the summer.
“I’m glad the opportunity came up in order for me to do it and so super glad that I was able to, and Lyla came to me and asked then, of course, it’s hard to say no to your daughter,” St. Mary coach Matt Barnowski said. “It wasn’t gonna be easy sailing, and she was all about it.
Cathryn Mikowski (St. Mary)
Lake Leelanau St. Mary senior Cathryn Mikowski finishes her remarkable career for the Eagle with a spot on the Dream Team.
“(Mikowski) is one of the best athletes that I’ve ever been around, whether male or female … she wanted to get better, and she wanted the team to succeed,” St. Mary coach Matt Barnowski said. “(Mikowski) always has to guard the toughest girls out there and be physical with them. She did everything a coach would want her to do, so I’m super proud of the athlete she became.”
Both Mikowski and Barnowski have been part of the winningest girls’ basketball teams in school history. Mikowski, a three-sport athlete, has been an essential vocal point for any blue and white team she has been on.
Mikowski led the team to a district semifinal appearance against Leland. She scored 16 points and 10 rebounds to defeat TC Christian in the district quarterfi nal.
Every night she was on the court, Mikowski competed and produced with the best of the top girls who have come through the recent success for St. Mary.
Ella Knudsen (Leland)
Leland senior Ella Knudsen finds her way onto the dream team by leading the Comets with her leadership and consistency.
The senior averaged five points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and nearly two assists a game.
“Ella was a tremendous defender and rebounder as a point guard, and she almost never turned the ball over, which allowed us to control the pace of the games. She was a disruptive force on defense by sprinting in transition, rotating on help defense, contesting shots, and deflecting passes, all the little things that make a huge impact on winning, which allowed us to be extremely competitive this season,” Leland coach Ryan Knudsen said.
Lydia Fosmore (Glen Lake)
Glen Lake sophomore Lydia Fosmore makes the Dream Team for the second straight year. In her second year playing at the varsity level, she has grown into a facilitator role for the Lakers.
“We ask a lot of her, and as far as handling the ball, she just did a great job rebounding for us,” Glen Lake coach Brad Fosmore said.
Lydia was a leading rebounder for the Lakers and faced the toughest defenders in each game. She did all the little things, especially as the primary ball handler.
“Lydia has a challenge every night because she usually gets the opposing team’s toughest defender. She did a great job rebounding and playing a strong floor game,” coach Fosmore said.
HONORABLE MENTION: Glen Lake senior Jessie Pugh has made the dream team because of her athletic ability, which was essential for the Lakers all season long.
Pugh leaves behind a long legacy for the Lakers. As a sophomore, she contributed to the state championship team and helped lead Glen Lake to a regional final appearance as a junior.
“Jessie is the ultimate competitor. Whether it is in practice or in games, she always gives 100% and plays with great energy. We rely on Jessie to usually guard the opposing team’s best player while also counting on her to be one of our leading offensive players, so we ask a lot of her. Jessie cemented her legacy at Glen Lake by being a contributor as a sophomore on the state championship team 2 years ago. As a junior, she helped us to a conference and district championship. Jessie is a person who leads by example by her tireless work ethic.
We will miss having Jessie and the great competitiveness she brings to the game of basketball,” coach Fosmore said.
Other nominations for Glen Lake include Grace Noonan and Avery Flores.
Noonan made her way onto the dream team for her gritty play and smooth shots, which had the Lakers relying on her in many circumstances.
“(Noonan) has a deadly shot, so that’s what we like about her; she’s an offensive-minded player,” coach Fosmore said. “(Avery) was one of our most improved players. She got stronger as the year went on around. She’s got the height to play the post, and she rebounded,” Bradford said.
Leland junior Lorna Wiesen earned a spot on the dream team with 7.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 2.9 steals per game during the Comtes’ breakout season.
“Lorna had a breakout season for us and did a fantastic job of becoming a more consistent player on both sides of the court. She always stepped up in big moments and made big plays for us throughout the season. She was our second-leading scorer and helped raise the overall competitive level of our entire team,” Leland coach Ryan Knudsen said.
For Suttons Bay, Ada Wetherbee, and Brooke Wilson for leading the Norsemen all season long. Wetherbee led the Norse offense as the primary ball handler, and Wilson cleaned up the board and prided herself on defense.
