PETOSKEY Before the state of Michigan and Michigan High School Athletic Association shut things down in November, Petoskey, like most girls basketball teams around the state of Michigan, had the benefit of getting at least a weeks worth of practices in before closing up shop.

But, that was approaching three months ago.

Petoskey senior Jamisyn Karr makes a layup during a drill in Tuesday's practice.

A lot has changed in that time, though not with a whole lot benefiting high school basketball teams.

On Tuesday, the Petoskey varsity girls were back on the court, trying to build chemistry and prepare for the start of a season thats already been moved a few times.

Still, Petoskey head coach Bryan Shaw and his group of 12 girls are keeping a positive mindset.

It is what it is, said Shaw. Theyve been great this week, but two and half weeks without contact will be tough. Well just do drills and walk them through offense and transition stuff.

Petoskey's Gabriella Guy sends a pass down to a teammate during a drill.

Shaw has perhaps his most talented group of players since taking the reins of the girls program six years back, though theres two big questions facing this group still.

The first hurdle that players and Shaw will deal with is meshing.

The team features six varsity returnees, five that are back as returning starters, along with two players off the junior varsity and another four as newcomers to the school and program altogether.

With just a week of practices before the initial shutdown and the inability to have any close contact on the court during practices now, building chemistry is the tricky part for Shaw.

Thats the bummer is that there was no summer (activity), no fall and we had one week (in November) but we had three kids gone, he said. So, we dont know yet and probably wont until we play. Off the court, its been great and during drills its been very good. I just dont know what its going to look like when we play for real.

From top to bottom of the roster, theres a whole lot to like about Shaws 2021 group.

Petoskey's Dana Cole shoots a free throw during practice on Tuesday.

Returning guards Kenzie Bromley, Hayley Flynn and Ellie Pollion, who all started as freshmen and sophomores last season, bring good ball handling and passing skills, along with the ability to score on the fastbreak.

Returnees Jamisyn Karr and Sydney Mann have also each shown a good shot in years past, both with the ability to knock down shots from three-point range.

Then theres sophomore newcomers Eva, Grayson and Caroline Guy, as well as senior sister Gabriella Guy, who bring height, athleticism and a great deal of basketball talent to the court.

Add in Paige Simard, Dana Cole and Hope Wegmann to the mix and you get to the second problem of where exactly does everyone fit?

All five starting jobs are up for grabs and court time wont be easy to come by, though, thats a good problem to have for Shaw.

Our strength is going to be our competitiveness because weve got a lot of girls who are competing for jobs and theyre pushing each other, said Shaw.

Petoskey players (from left) Eva Guy, Caroline Guy and Kenzie Bromley listen to head coach Bryan Shaw during a break in practice.

For the first time in a while, the Petoskey girls program also seems to finally have true basketball players dedicated to the sport, rather than just good athletes staying in shape for sports in other seasons.

Its evident in the smoothness of practices, both before and after the pause, and the competitive nature of the group Shaws working with in a condensed 16-game regular season.

And anyone who knows Shaw and assistants Gina Wittenberg and Sean Pollion knows the group of coaches are always excited to get the season started, though this year there seems to be a bit extra pep in their step.

Gina, Sean and I have been like kids at Christmas the last few months and here we are getting pushed back, added Shaw. Were excited.

Note: story and photos will run in the Thursday, Jan. 21 print edition.

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Petoskey girls return to the court, focus on building chemistry for talented group - Petoskey News-Review