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Alpena claws its way to first district championship in 21 years

News Photos by Jonny Zawacki The Alpena High girls basketball team celebrates after defeating Traverse City Central 48-46 on Friday to win their first district championship since 2001.

ALPENA — The stage was set for an instant classic in a Division 1 district final.

An electric atmosphere at Alpena High School added to the intensity of Friday’s clash between Big North Conference rivals Alpena and Traverse City Central, this time a district title was at stake.

The two teams delivered and in the end, it was the Wildcats scratching, clawing and erasing a 10-point deficit to win their first district championship since 2001, defeating the Trojans 48-46.

“We never gave up. We knew it was going to be tough. Central is an amazing defensive team and credit to them tonight, but credit to our girls for never giving up,” Alpena coach Laura Dubey said. “Our girls kept their heads up. We’re a team that plays together and never gives up. I’m so proud of these girls because they earned this championship.”

The Wildcats now advance to Tuesday’s regional semifinal matchup against No. 2 ranked Midland Dow at 7 p.m. in Gaylord.

Alpena’s Franciska Treiliha (30) goes to the basket during the fourth quarter.

The Wildcats faced their biggest deficit of the game, trailing by 10 late in the third quarter before getting a basket, but still trailed 40-32 heading into the fourth quarter.

Allie Urlaub started the fourth with a basket and converted the and-one opportunity to jumpstart the Wildcats, bringing them to within five.

The Trojans responded with a basket of their own, but Alpena’s Franciska Treiliha drilled a three to cut the lead to four.

Central added another basket to take a 44-38 lead with five minutes to play, but the Wildcats clamped down defensively and responded by putting together an epic comeback.

Treiliha nailed another triple to cut the lead to three and was huge for Alpena down the stretch, leading all scorers on the night with a game high 14 points.

The triple ignited the Wildcats who went on to hold Central scoreless for over four and a half minutes.

Alpena got a basket from Alayna Trelfa to cut the lead to 44-43 with 3:15 to play and the rest of Alpena’s scoring was done at the free-throw line as the Trojans unraveled in the fourth.

Jenna Leeck put the Wildcats on top 45-44 after connecting on a pair of free-throws with 1:22 left.

Alpena continued to cause problems on the defensive end for the Trojans and refused to relinquish the lead.

Treiliha converted the front end of a one-and-one opportunity twice to give Alpena a 47-44 lead with a minute left.

The Trojans ended the Alpena run, scoring with 18 seconds left to cut the lead to 47-46.

Treiliha was once again fouled and split a pair of free-throws with 14 seconds left.

Central called a timeout and took the ensuing inbound down the court, passed it around, but failed to get a shot off as the Wildcats suffocated Central defensively and the celebration was on and the district championship drought was over.

“Our crowd coming out pumped us up. That was a huge factor tonight and I loved that our crowd was into it because it really helped us out,” Dubey said. “Our girls fed off the crowd and just believed in themselves. They kept battling and I couldn’t be more proud.”

Defense was the story early as both sides brought the intensity in the defensive end in a physical game right from the opening tip.

The Wildcats kept Central in check, holding the Trojans scoreless for a five and a half minute stretch, but the inability to cash in at the free throw line early.

Scoring picked up in the second and Central got into a rhythm offensively scoring eight straight to take its first lead of the game.

The Trojans extended its lead to 16-11 midway through the quarter after back-to-back threes from Jakiah Brumfield and Halli Warner.

The Wildcats clawed back and evened the score in the final seconds of the quarter and looked to take a lead into the break after Marah Wisniewski got a shot to fall, but Brumfield nailed a three at the buzzer to put the Trojans up 26-24 at the half.

Alpena was forced to play without guards Avery Dubey and Reese Wisniewski for much of the second due to foul trouble, but the Wildcats stayed afloat.

The Trojans carried the momentum of that last second shot into the second half as Central caught fire to begin the third, scoring 10 of the first 14 points to extend the lead.

The Trojans took a 40-30 lead with 1:48 left in the quarter before the Wildcats scored a basket late to trim the lead to 40-32 after three quarters.

“It’s surreal. I coached these seniors in eighth grade and to be the head coach during their senior year is just so special,” Dubey said. “It’s amazing how hard these girls play and they deserve all of the credit. We’ll enjoy this night and we’ll get back to work. We know we’ll have a challenge ahead and it’s one game at a time. I know these girls are capable of anything.”

— — —

BOX SCORE: Field Goals Made/Free Throws Made/Free Throws Attempted/Total Points

ALPENA (48): A. Urlaub, 3 2-5 7; J. Leeck, 2 3-6 7; M. Wisniewski, 1 0-0 2; R. Wisniewski, 1 0-0 2; A. Dubey, 1 3-3 5; A. Trelfa, 3 0-0 6; F. Treiliha, 4 7-9 14.

TC CENTRAL (46): J. Brumfield, 2 1-2 7; H. Warner, 3 1-3 8; S. Simon, 3 0-2 6; A. Hill, 4 0-0 8; B. Roy, 1 0-0 2; C. Heethuis, 2 1-2 7; L. France, 4 0-0 8.

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