Jere Bey, A.K.A. "Swami"

In all the years of watching different sports, Swami has never thought about this. Playing at a professional level, how many have reached that plateau? Not many. Playing organized basketball, say in the formative years, to high school, then onto college is amazing. A very few make the grade as to the vast amount that started out. Advancing to the professional ranks is slimmer yet. The All-Knowing-One can count on one hand, of the players he has seen in his 40 plus years, that have advanced to that level. That is not the real story he is talking about, but it is seeing that first year, just to dribble, make a pass and score is a feat. Progressing one has seen, the advancement to setting a pick and rolling to the hoop. The final step is to shoot beyond the arc in varsity action. Sometimes it is a good shot, but sometimes it is an ill-advised effort, to the sure grin of the coach that had called a different play. That’s is not the point, they are on a team and having the pure enjoyment, regardless of how long they play in a very competitive sport basketball. Swami has made it, now he has to see if he is competitive in his knowledge to make the right picks…..

PETOSKEY (6-4) at ALPENA (7-5) – (Boys) – Thursday – 7:00 p.m.

Game strategy of Alpena worked to perfection against Gaylord. Going into the contest, it was the mindset of the Blue Devils to stop the scoring of Bryton Nostrant and it nearly worked for three quarters as Gaylord built a double-digit lead. Alpena slowly rebounded in the third quarter as the Wildcats went to a pick and roll offense with Connor Tulgestka finding the openings in the seams of the Gaylord defense. When that didn’t work, Wyatt Srebnik found the range. Kia Peterson sealed the win with a rebound of a missed free throw in the four-point win. Swami could revert back to the beginning of the year, when a double team defense on Alpena would cause turnovers and points on the other end. Since that time, the Wildcats movement has given less of a chance of turning the ball over.

Petoskey fought hard against Traverse City keeping the contest within single digits. The Northmen just could not get over the hump, to be on the losing end of a 71-65 game. Overall, the Northmen are stronger this season with a pair of transfers in Braeden Flynn and Rider Bartel coming from Harbor Springs. The pair have not only shored up the offense, but have intensified the defense. Add in the point productions of Branden Fralick, and Taiven Wang the Northmen have a legitimate starting five. In a pair of wins earlier, Tate Russell and Jace Shaw came to forefront of the offense. Swami has to say, Petoskey has a variety of offensive weapons that can be called upon at any given time.

The All-Knowing-One says if the Wildcats play the way they did against Gaylord, there is very little the Northmen can do to stop them.

Swami Sez: Alpena 60, Petoskey 57.

HILLMAN (4-4) at ATLANTA (6-3) – (Girls) – Friday – 6:00 p.m.

Hillman had gotten over the 500 mark with two straight wins, before they are into Hale. Atlanta had strung together three straight, before the same happened to them against Mio. Now it is time for both to get back on the winning track, with this early starting game.

Madelyn Oswald led the Tigers with 12 points in the win over Fairview. Maci Klein and Jenna Bahrke not only helped on the offensive end, but were active on defense. Klein collected eight rebounds, to go along with five steals. Bahrke had two steals to her credit.

Atlanta has come out strong over the first half of the season, in having five returning players that spells for a strong nucleus. Alliyah Hagemeister might be the only senior on the squad, but her presence brings strong leadership to the team. Jyl Larsen and Ella Switalski have led the Huskies in scoring. Sophomores Sophia McLean, Alyssa Carigon, and Kaycie Moldenhauer have played importantly in Atlanta’s success. With freshmen Aleah Englehart and Crystal Freeman are also valuable addition to the team. Swami says with a young roster Atlanta will be a thorn in many team’s sides for years to come.

Swami Sez: Atlanta 48, Hillman 37.

HALE (1-9) at POSEN (7-3) – (Boys) – Friday – 6:00 p.m.

Posen started the year off on the wrong foot, but has found their footing in the last five games. Hale meanwhile, has struggled, but did avenge an opening night loss to Whittemore-Prescott, by taking a thrilling 49-48 win. It may have been their first win, but the Cardinals have been playing up to their potential of late. Swami has to say, anytime you can take a 22 point loss and turn it into a win, shows that things are moving in the right direction.

The Vikings offense is not one dimensional as proof in recent games. Colton Paull and Omar Perez led the way in scoring in a recent win. The following game it was Gavin Keller and Luke Chojnacki taking their turn in a hard-fought loss. The duo of Blaine Rondeau and Alex Soik have led the offensive charge as well. So Swami says on any given night, it could be theirs, with plenty of offense to back them up.

The Eagles did not have too much time to enjoy the win over the Cardinals. It is back to facing top notch competition before the game with the Vikings, having traveled to Hillman in a North Star tussle. It is back to the drawing board, with the Tigers handily taking a win. The All-Knowing-One says the Eagles must come up with an offensive plan that can control the efforts of the Vikings, and not dwell on yet another loss. The All-Knowing-One says it will be a very tall task.

Swami Sez: Posen 72, Hale 45.

TAWAS (5-2) at ROGERS CITY (3-4) – (Girls) – Thursday – 7:30 p.m.

Rogers City has been hovering around the 500 mark, but it hasn’t been because of a lack of effort. Tawas ran off five straight, before dropping back-to-back games to Mio and Oscoda. Tawas has combined experience with newcomers that have lifted the Braves up to the next level. The Braves have seven returnees off last year’s team that went 13-9. New to the varsity are juniors Vivian Malewska and Teresa Dalman, in addition to freshman guard Gia Lesneski. In an early game against Alpena, it was the stellar play of Lesneski that led the Braves to a win in a low scoring affair.

The Hurons have only one senior, in guard Chelsea Myers and sophomore center Katie Kravevich returning from last year’s team. They have provided the leadership to bring the team together. Rogers City is still searching for the right combination that can lead them to a string of wins.

Swami says like all good things, it just takes time, so this could be a learning experience season for the Hurons. It looks like the Braves have the upper hand in this game, but one never knows this might be the game that turns the season around for the Hurons.

Swami Sez: Tawas 50, Rogers City 40.