The 2023-24 Cottey College Comets Basketball season is in the books. The final chapter was in the quarterfinals of the American Midwest Conference tournament, where the Comets fell to Williams Baptist 55-73.

The game marked the end of the playing career for two seniors, Lauren Jones and Olivia Pruitt; it also was the final entry into Dr. Maryann Mitts' coaching career. 

Coach Mitts came to Cottey with the mandate to get the Basketball program back on track, a feat she accomplished in three short years. The Comets finished 17-12 this season, their best mark in NAIA competition, and is 2nd for most wins in a single season in program history. Coach Mitts finishes her collegiate coaching career with a record of 312-247. 

Lauren Jones finishes her Cottey career after joining the Comets from Neosho County Community College. She was an Academic All-Conference selection, and was a vital piece of the rebuild project of the Cottey program.

Olivia Pruitt finishes as the 3rd All-Time Points Scorer in Cottey Basketball history, with 897 points. She is the Career Games Played Leader, and her 2021-22 season ranks 7th in Single Season Points Scored. 

Mulitiple other records were set by the Comets this season: Sarah Hunt put up the 3rd most Single Season points scored with 481 for the year, while finishing with the 4th most 3-pointers made in a Single Season. She also recently passed 1000 points scored in her collegiate career. Claudia Hadlock and Dally Coulter moved into the Top 10 for Free Throw percentage for a single season, with Coulter taking over the top spot by shooting over 91% for the season. Coulter also moved into the Top 10 of the Single Season Rebounding category, taking over 6th with 226 rebounds. Freshman Akyria James battled injuries this season, but also moved into the Top 10 for Single Season 3-pointer percentage, finishing with 40% made. 

The Comets finished in a tie for 5th in the regular season standings at 9-9, both records for the program in the American Midwest Conference.

Assistant Coach Evan Belk will take over as Head Coach for the 2024-25 season. Dr. Mitts will transition to full-time Athletic Director Duties.