Photo by Josh Jambor Alpena Wildcat player Amelia Soltysiak launches a shot from three-point territory. Alpena lost to Sault Area 54-33 on Tuesday.

ALPENA – The Alpena Wildcats girl’s varsity basketball team lost to Sault Area Blue Devils 54-33, on Tuesday night.

Freshman guard Amelia Soltysiak got the offense started for Alpena early in the first quarter, connecting from three-point territory, making the score 4-3, Sault Area.

Freshman Emma Kinsel gave Alpena their only lead of the game midway through the first quarter when she collected an offensive rebound and connected on the put-back. Making the score 5-4, Alpena.

All throughout the first half of play the Sault played full-court press. The defensive pressure from the Blue Devils proved to be too much for the young Lady Wildcats squad.

Despite that, Alpena has gained a reputation for playing hard until the final whistle, regardless of the score.

Wildcats Head Coach Mark Toppi said he appreciated his team’s resilient effort.

“We fought until the final buzzer. That is the first step in us becoming a great team,” Toppi said.

Despite the outcome, the Lady Wildcats are making progress.

“When we played them at the beginning of the season we lost by 41 points, tonight we lost by 21, that was a good improvement,” Toppi said.

Soltysiak led all Alpena scorers with 12 points.

Next up for Alpena is a trip to Traverse City for a Friday matchup with Traverse City West.