Sports photo by Steve Jakuncinn Alpena High School boy’s basketball freshman standout Bryton Nostrant prepares to take a free throw during a game against Sault Ste. Marie earlier this season.

ALPENA – Until recently, the last time a player in any grade scored 42 points or more in an Alpena Wildcats varsity boy’s basketball game was 55 years ago.

Bryton Nostrant mirrored that feat earlier this month and will have many more opportunities to duplicate it before he graduates.

Nostrant, a freshman, scored his career high against Gaylord earlier this season and his scoring outburst ranks third for most points scored in a game in team history, Nostrant told The News.

The future is bright for Nostrant and if you have been following the team this season, you are aware of the capabilities and of the untapped potential he has that will likely come out as he gains more experience.

Alpena coach Evan Neff said Nostrant is a leader on the court and he entrusts Nostrant to call out the plays and get his teammates in position during action.

Nostrant said his role as a leader and the pressure taking on the role as a freshman is something only made possible because of the trust and faith his teammates have in him and the respect he shows them on and off the court.

“I enjoy being the leader and the challenges that come with it. It is a great opportunity to be able to be a leader early in my basketball career,” Nostrant said. “I’m thankful to my teammates and how they trust me in that role.”

Despite Nostrant’s young age, Nuff trusts him because he is a student of the game and the hard work he puts in off the court.

“Bryton has probably played the most basketball of anybody on our team,” Nuff said. ” He loves the game, he is a student of the game, he plays against high-level competition, and he puts in work year-round,”

The passion for the game of basketball developed as far back as Nostrant can remember. He said the love of basketball was also instilled into him by his father, who was a basketball coach.

“My love for basketball started when I was young and my dad was coaching,” Nostrant said. “I would be in the gym everyday for practices and on the sidelines during games.”

When Nostrant moved to the Alpena area in junior high school it was obvious when he picked up a basketball, he was a special kind of player, his coach said.

“You could see he had a different basketball IQ and different knowledge of the game than we are used to seeing at that age,” Neff said. “It’s been a blessing as a coach. He is basically an extension of me on the court.”

Neff has put a lot of trust in the freshman this season as a leader, and that responsibility is something he does not take for granted.

“He (Neff) has trusted me as a freshman to play a big role on the team, and that trust has given me the confidence this year to have an impact within the basketball program,” Nostrant said.

Nostrant favorite NBA player is New York Knicks’ point guard Jalen Brunson, who he tries to emulate on the court.

“The way he creates space, his toughness, and how he is able to score on all levels,” Nostrant said. “He is a great competitor and teammate, and those are things I try to implement into my game.”

Nostrant is motivated by good competition too, and the fact his coaches and teammates rely on him to step up when playing more skilled opponents is something he uses as motivation.

“My coaches and teammates rely on me and that motivates me to give my best effort, and always strive to get better,” Nostrant said.

By the time his high-school playing career is over, he wants to be remembered for his relentless work ethic, and his ability to lead his teammates.

“I want to build a reputation in the state for being a good leader, and my leadership ability,” Nostrant said. “I want to make an impact on my team, and I hope to make a playoff run before my high school career is over.”

After his high school career is finished, Nostrant has a goal of playing on the professional level and he hopes to coach one day too, just like his father before him.

“My goals are to play college basketball and stay involved with the game after college whether it is playing professionally overseas, or coaching, I just want to stay involved with the game,” Nostrant said.