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Swami senses the heat

One would think after 30 plus years doing this column, Swami would not allow cabin fever to set in, but it has a way of sneaking in, when you least expect it. This being the first time of having extended single digit temperatures has the All-Knowing-One having wishes for spring or better yet warm temperatures. Feeding the outside wood burner for the day, with a snowmobile suite, extra heavy stocking cap and two pairs of gloves at four o’clock gets old quickly. It is at this point, Swami quickly fills the wood burner, in the back of his mind, a little voice comes forth at a feverish pitch, we are only half way through winter.

Once inside the warm confines, he reverses the thought, there would be no more basketball games, or chance to see area players put forth their best efforts, to see some premier opposition and finally see everyone improve. The cold seems like a distant element, when he is in the heat of the action at courtside on any given night.

ALPENA (9-1) at TRAVERSE CITY CENTRAL (6-4) – Friday – (Boys) – The Wildcats have withstood the home portion of the Big North Conference schedule very well, now it remains to be seen if they can produce the same results on the road. Traverse City Central provides another stiff challenge tonight. The Trojans are coming off a thrashing of Gaylord last Friday. With the Trojans having a week off, and playing at home has to give them an advantage. Tobin Schwannecke who has been a thorn in everyone’s side, continued his fine point production, canning 24 points, Preston Briggs having one of his better games came up with 19. On the inside Jack Sherwin and Henry Goldkuhle are not major scoring threats, but are a force on the backboards in double figures. The two of them could produce a problem for the Wildcat front line. Swami feels that might be legitimate, but he feels the athleticism of Alpena will far without weigh that point.

Monday, the road began with Bay City Western, a team that the Wildcats had beaten easily in a home encounter. Western provided a good match for Alpena, and the score was much closer in a 65-47 win. The difference the stingy defense of the Wildcats did not show up until the second quarter. Chris DeRocher coming ever so close to the school scoring record, dumped in 27 points. Bruz Copping also finished in double figures with 10. The emergence of Jack Schmanski off the bench has been welcomed by coach John Pintar. Swami feels the Wildcats can go nine deep and not miss a beat, which is something Alpena had missed for the last few years. A win tonight, will ensure the Wildcats remaining on top of the conference. The rugged road has to go through conference foes which are within striking distance of derailing the Wildcat express. But for now the All-Knowing-One feels the Wildcats streak continues.

Swami Sez: Alpena 65, Traverse City Central 62.

ALPENA (4-5) at PETOSKEY (1-7) – Friday – (Girls) – Judging where the Wildcats are at, it can be said this is where they can make up for lost ground. The Wildcats made the shortest trip to Lincoln, taking on the Tigers and gained confidence in themselves taking a 58-39 decision. It was a game that featured Alpena’s best balanced scoring attack of the season, led by 11 points from Allie DeRocher. Mollie Girard, Abbie Funk and Taylor Baker all finished with eight points as 10 players found the scoring column. The Wildcats will be a road wary team, who took on Tawas on Wednesday, before making the trek to Petoskey.

The Northmen have only one win that being against Traverse City Central by 18 points, it is the same Trojan team which Alpena took by nine, on their home floor. To the All-Knowing-One one can not jump on the band wagon for the Northmen, Alpena has slowly worked themselves into the mix of the Big North Conference, following a four game loosing streak. The Wildcats have put back-to-back wins going into Wednesday’s game, and sit at 2-2 in the conference.

Megan Kolp, Josie Smith and Peyton Miller all scored in double figures in the win over the Trojans. But in the seven losses, none achieved double figues. This is where the resurgence of the Wildcat defense will make a difference, just as it did when Alpena’s offense kicked in against Alcona. Alpena found the groove and rhythm on the offensive end, pumping 45 points after the first quarter, limiting the Tigers to just 28. The Wildcats must continue the offensive flow, if they are to stay in contention in this game. If they allow Petoskey to dictate the course, then the Wildcats will face an uphill battle. But if they can be the first on the board, then they should have the upper hand.

Swami Sez: Alpena 48, Petoskey 39.

ALCONA (5-3) at ROGERS CITY (5-3) – Friday – (Girls) – Two perfectly matched squads, with identical records and both playing in the Big Dipper Division of the North Star League. The only difference Alcona has played division leader Oscoda and fell pry to them, whereas Rogers City has not. Alcona stepped out conference play Monday and it might work to their advantage down the stretch. The Tigers matched the Wildcats in the opening quarter, before falling. Hailee Gordy paced the Tigers with a game high 15, while Rachel Layton, Megan Grove chipped in with seven and six points respectively. Swami feels the Tigers learned what must be done offensively and defensively, and could show as quickly as this game.

Rogers City sandwiched five straight wins between losses, the latest against St. Ignace, before taking on Hillman.

The outcome was not what the Hurons had hoped for. Rogers City was poised to build on their previous win a month ago, but the Tigers clawed their way to a 38-35 tight win. Taylor Fleming paced the Hurons with 17 of the 35 point effort.

All Swami can say is both are evenly matched on all aspects, with the exception of the Big Dipper, where the Hurons remain perfect, while the Tigers are a game behind. The All-Knowing-One sees Alcona with the upper hand in common opponent games.

Swami Sez: Alcona 40, Rogers City 38.

POSEN (4-6) at HILLMAN (3-6) – Friday – (Girls) – Two fighting for their identity, both at this point of the season, would have liked to achieve more. Posen in the midst of an eight game stretch on the road, including a trip to the Upper Peninsula against Cedarville, Monday. The Vikings did not enjoy the trip home, being on the receiving end of 58-39 loss. The Vikings were in the groove in the first quarter, but lost their touch over the last three. Brooke Ciarkowski and Madison Menzel shared scoring honors with 14 points a piece.

Hillman had a difficult beginning to their season, before putting together a three game winning streak, the latest coming against Rogers City. Defense took center stage resulting in 28 all tie with less than four minutes to play. Swami says there is a reason why you play until the final whistle, and the Tigers made the statement come true. Hillman ran off a 10-2 run over the final two minutes to pull out the win. It was definitely a confidence builder for the

Tigers, that can be carried over for the remainder of the season, that they can come from behind at any point. Bailey Shook and Alison Samp were instrumental in the come back and it showed in the scoring column scoring 19 and 10 points respectively.

Swami says both have sub 500 records, but both are vying for the top spot of the Little Dipper Division of the North Star League. The winner will be in first place, while the other will fall into a second place tie. One thing to remember the second half of conference play is yet to be played, so a lot can happen between now and then.

Swami Sez: Hillman 47, Posen 44.

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