The recent photo of the 1965-66 Wildcat basketball team brought back a fond memory of Alpena sports.

It was March 1966 and the underdog Wildcats were in the hunt for a state championship.

I was a student at ACC. On game nights, my roommate and I would listen to WATZ AM radio to catch the tournament basketball games.

The drama and excitement matched that of the famous “Hoosiers” movie.Typically, Alpena would be down several points near the end of the contest. They would rally and win! This was usually done by the talent and skills of Harvey Marlatt.

The big showdown came against Flint Northwestern. I rode down with some APS teachers. The scene at the gym was totally electric. Hundreds of fans were cheering loudly the whole game.

Alas, the game ended and Alpena came up short against the better team. Perhaps that was Alpena’s best basketball team ever.

I might add that Harvey Marlatt made the Detroit Pistons.

CARL BUCHNER,

Harrisville