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

People tend to keep the same schedule when they were working, after retiring. Swami attempted to get back in the swing on Monday as he had an early morning appointment, coupled with a busy day thereafter. No, the All-Knowing-One is not going back in time. By two o’clock it was time for a nap. Then he almost could not motivate himself to get to an early evening basketball game. He knows of people that do keep the same schedule, he has to tip his hat to them. His world has changed since the day of walking out the door. Before, he would attempt to be in the element of sleep, by ten o’clock at the latest, and be up by four. Now there too many things going on, it might a later in the evening sports event, or it might working around the house as there is something always that element of surprise. Anything from working on a leaf blower that had been only used a handfull of times, to an ice maker that will not drop ice, as Swami seems to get interested in those tips of repair, much later, as he feels this is his quiet time. So the ten to four sleep mode would really throw him off his game.

Really the can be said about high school basketball, it becomes routine after the first week, practice and playing games. Now that is where a wrech is thrown in the mix. Schedules are made out to accomodate every team involved. Not like the days, when the All-Knowing-One was growing up games where mainly played on Fridays, only on a rare occasional another contest would be played during the week. In todays world, you can play three games in a week, with poseponments due to weather. So it is easy to see, why teams can look well tuned on one night and be completely off the next as the routine is broken. Let’s see if Monday has any bearing on this week’s predictions……..

TRAVERSE CITY WEST (9-4) at ALPENA (9-8) – (Boys) – Thursday – 7:00 p.m.

Alpena has been within the reach of the elusive 500 mark most of the season. A win against Bay City Central on a rare Monday night, due to an earlier postponement, is what the doctor ordered. The early moments of the contest, brought back ill memories as the Wolves raced out to a lead. After a quick time out, the Wildcats relaxed and played their game of pushing the ball up the floor and running offensive plays, for an easy win. It was the trio of Bryton Nostrant, Chase Coulon and Conner Tulgestka that combined for 36 of the 75 scored by the Wildcats. A quick Tuesday night trip to Sault Ste. Marie produced another tight 51-46 win over the Blue Devils, pushing them above 500. Tonight produces the biggest challenge of the week another home game against Traverse City, to face the powerhouse Titans.

Traverse City West paid a visit to cross town rival Central on the same night. The Titans are perfect in conference play and are within two wins of winning the Big North Conference crown. The Titans kept the slate clean taking a 68-54 win over the Trojans. The Titans used treys to open up the inside play. Camden Tkach had the range getting the Titans off to a comfortable lead with the 3-ball. Aston Royle and Graham Hetherington also did damage from the outside, when that did not, they drove for easy buckets. The Trojans matched fire power for three quarters, but it was the rebounding of the Titans and the bombs from outside that did Central in.

Swami thinks the Wildcats must match the Titans on both ends of the floor to even have a hope for a conference game upset. West took an easy win on their home floor. The All-Knowing-One thinks it is going to take a miracle to remain above 500. Stranger things have happened.

Swami Sez: Traverse City West 72, Alpena 56.

CHARLETON HESTON ACADEMY (8-4) at ALCONA (6-8) – (Boys) – Friday – 7:30 p.m.

The Big Dipper portion of the North Star League has a surprise. Charleton Heston was known for being competitive last season, but this year is different. The Patriots find themselves not in the middle of pack, but owning a ½ game lead, despite having played one less conference game. This portion of the league could come down to the last game for five within range of taking the championship. Despite their overall record to this point, Alcona is one of those teams only a game behind. The Tigers have a chance to leap frog the Patriots with six games to play. Alcona has shown their ability to play on the same level as fellow conference teams. The game that might come back to haunt the Tigers is their first encounter with the Patriots leading to a 46-32 loss. The Tigers can not afford to take another loss with time running out on them.

Wednesday Alcona had an away contest against Ellsworth, which is team that has been on a tear lately. Swami has to say Ellsworth will probably pull out the win, which go accordingly to the way the season has unfolded for the Tigers. Alcona has been alternating wins and losses over the past month. With that thinking, Alcona should on pace to pick up a win against the Patriots. In order to do so, the Tigers three scorers will have to be at the top of their game. Alcona has been led by Gavin Dellar, Cole Upper and Edju Hechlik, any of the three are capable being the leading scorer on any given night. One factor that might play into the hands of the Tigers, is the fact that tonight is their Winterfest game. Swami has to say, Homecoming or Winterfest always adds the adrenaline rush that pumps not only the student body, but does wonders for the team.

Two standouts on Charleton Heston that has lifted them to a winning season to this point are Owen Romancky and Deslyn Klumpp in scoring honors. Dylan Cichowski, Garrin Teed and Dominic Coleman also have contributed heavily to the winning season.

Swami Sez: Charleton Heston 54, Alcona 42.

TAWAS (7-6) at OSCODA (6-8) – (Boys) – Friday – 7:30 p.m.

It is funny that Swami should pick this game to be in his column this week. It seems like he is following the theme of games in the Big Dipper division. Tawas and Oscoda are two of the other teams trying to get to the top of the conference standings. Depending of the outcome of the game between Charleton Heston and the Owls, there could be a change at the top as only a game separated the two. Needless to say Tawas is also in the mix, being the same position to make the jump.

Tawas started what is hope to be another winning streak after handling Johannesburg-Lewiston with ease. The Braves had their three game streak broken by a loss to Alcona. So there is no clear path to the top of the Big Dipper. Reuben Edwards once again was the mainstay in the win over Johannesburg-Lewiston. The play of Aidan Smith, Vance Spencer, Truman Bush, Carson Selman and Preston help cement the win. A win over Alcona that began the three game winning swing, was an important win leaving them only a game out, instead of being two down with a loss for Oscoda. In the first matchup with Tawas, the Owls were on the wrong end of a 45-37 contest. The Owls were led by Hunter Vincenty-Cole, along with scoring help from Dustin Filipiak, Reed Curley, Crue Weisenstein and Randy Eschenburg.

So there were many variables in leading up to this game, who won games and who lost team. Swami has to say this is the most competitive conference division, he has looked at.

Swami Sez: Oscoda 50, Tawas 46.

ROGERS CITY (10-6) at WHITTEMORE-PRESCOTT (3-10) – (Boys) – Friday – 7:30 p.m.

Rogers City continued it’s winning ways in a pair of games against Oscoda and a very tight win against Posen. Before taking on the Cardinals, the Hurons faced Hillman, who was still smarting from a loss to the Hurons a month ago. It showed as the Tigers meant business this go round taking a 20 win. Whittemore-Prescott has struggled after garnering wins over Hale, Wolverine and Atlanta opening the season. The Cardinals are looking to break their 10 game loosing streak in the worst way.

The play of Jacob Catalano, Justin Romel and Max Zavala have been the mainstays of the Huron offense, in wins or loses. This could be the perfect set up for the Cardinals coming in. Whittemore-Prescott might catch them at a vulnerable stage after the hip of the game against Hillman.

The Cardinals Blaine Zuchnik has led the team in double figures through the 10 game drought. Carson Vohwinkle, Blake Miller, Brady Donaghy, Bow Lauria and Scout Holshoe have shined in portions of the season. Whittemore-Prescott’s inability to put together wins is that the Cardinals have to have more than one double digit point producer to be ball games. To this point of the season, Swami says it just has not happened regardless how hard they play. Another set back, has to be the confidence to win must go by the wayside, once the opposition gets rolling, the feeling of hopelessness has to kick in, which is hard to play through.

Swami is hoping that the Cardinals can be more competitive then the first encounter, defensively as well on the offensive end.

Swami Sez: Rogers City 68, Whittemore- Prescott 39.