Despite falling 71-49 to Traverse City Central, many notable events took place.

First, the Wildcats honored its four seniors, Tucker Bright, Easton Srebnik, Caleb McEwen, and Avery Samp, for senior night during the team’s final home game.

Next, Alpena’s Bright eclipsed 1,000 points over his career as a Wildcat.

Finally, Alpena coach John Pintar coached his final game after a 30-year tenure of managing Alpena’s basketball.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey Alpena High School boys’ basketball plays Traverse City Central on Thursday in Alpena. The Wildcats lost to the Trojans 71-49.

“It’s an emotional night for sure, and I wish we could’ve gone out a little bit better, but it was such a great night for many reasons,” Coach Pintar said. “We fell early and could never really find our way back into it. I’m pleased with how we competed in the second half, and we start fresh for districts on Monday.”

While this night ended in complete celebration, the start of the game was dominated by the Trojans.

Brendan Slack and Anthony Ribel got things going early offensively, combining for 14 of Central’s 22 points scored during the first quarter.

That 22-point statement was mostly attributed to constant Alpena turnovers leading to fastbreak points.

Despite struggling early, Bright knocked down two early threes, securing himself as the fifth member in Alpena basketball history to ever reach 1,000 career points.

News Photos by Owen Kinzey Easton Srebnik goes for the layup in Thursday night’s game in Alpena. The Wildcats played the Traverse City Central Trojans, taking an unfortunate loss of 71-49. Srebnik was one of the four seniors honored during the team’s final home game. He rounded out the night with 12 points.

Going into the second, the Wildcats entered a 22-11 deficit, desperate for offensive production.

The Wildcats managed to score more points in the next quarter, even getting to the free-throw line for some easy baskets, but a massive run by TCC outscored Alpena again.

Slack led the run with 13 points, a substantial number for just one quarter.

Heading into the half, Alpena fell 41-24, praying for a miracle in the following half.

In order to make the comeback, the Wildcats would need plenty of offensive firepower, and during the third quarter, that spark came from Connor Cameron.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey Eddie Prue steadies himself for a free throw in Thursday night’s game in Alpena. AHS lost to TCC 71-29.

Sinking three three-point shots, Alpena continued its success from beyond the arc.

Conversely, Traverse City found offense from several players, especially Ribel, who finished with nine.

Central still outscored the Wildcats by a score of 19-14 and extended its lead to 60-38 going into the game’s final period.

While the game was out of reach for the Wildcats, Alpena lived out the remainder of its senior night, honoring all four players.

Srebnik could finish strong with five final points on his homecourt, and McEwen even made a three-point shot as well.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey Alpena High School boys’ basketball plays Traverse City Central on Thursday in Alpena. The Wildcats lost to the Trojans 71-49.

Both sides finished with an 11-point quarter, resulting in a 71-49 loss for Alpena.

“What a night all around, but I’d really like to highlight the success accomplished at this school by Tucker Bright. He’s been in this gym since he was just a baby, and to see him grow up and score 1,000 points in the league we play in is just an incredible scene from someone who works so hard,” Pintar said.

Cameron finished as Alpena’s top scorer on the night with 15 points.

Srebnik was shortly behind with 12.