News photo by Josh Jambor Alpena junior Conner Tulgetska pulls up for a jumper at the free-throw line during the second quarter of the Wildcats loss to Traverse City West on Wednesday in Alpena.

ALPENA – The Alpena Wildcats,varsity boys’ basketball team, 9-8, lost to the first-place Traverse City West Titans on Wednesday in a Big North Conference clash in Alpena.

The Wildcats kept the game competitive throughout the first quarter of action. Early in the game sophomore forward Conner Tulgestka drove to the basket and finished, making the score 4-2, Alpena.

Later in the first quarter with the score tied at nine, sophomore Wyatt Srebnik found junior guard Chase Coulon who connected from three-point territory.

On the following offensive possession sophomore Kyler Peterson made a nice move, shook his defender, then knocked down a jumper from just inside the three-point line, extending the Alpena lead to 14-9.

With the first quarter of play winding down, Nostrant knocked down a floater in the lane to give Alpena an 18-13 lead over TC West.

Unfortunately for the Wildcats, the remainder of the game was controlled by the Titans, as TC started the second quarter on a 10-0 run. Nostrant finally stopped the run with a highly contested baseline jump shot, making the score 21-20, Traverse City.

Alpena Head Coach Evan Neff discussed the difference between the first quarter of play and the remainder of the game.

“The first quarter was great for us,” Neff said. “We slowed the pace down, got a great shot on almost every possession, and played really solid defense.”

Neff understands he has a young team, and despite the outcome they are gaining valuable experience.

“With us being as young as we are, we have learned so much over this season that will benefit us going forward,” Neff said. “Our focus now is Gaylord on Friday, that’s all that matters to us now.”

Nostrant led all scorers with 13 points, and Tulgetska contributed 10 points.