Everyone knows what a new year brings. Or should Swami say, they know what to expect. Some might say snow, cold weather or combination of both, but the truth of the matter, it brings about a difficult time from students through the work force. The difficult time comes about in the form of a reality check crawling out of that warm bed in what seems to be the middle of night. Gone are the twelve days of Christmas, add in a New Year.

The only consolation was Swami was not the only one to go through the culture shock. Everyone was up and literally running to be on time for the first day back. The All-Knowing-One looked at in a positive manner, work three days and get another three off, but for others life is not as good as not everyone has that luxury. For area basketball players, after running a few suicides, it is back to business as usual, with games beginning this weekend. Let’s see if Swami can work the kinks out in time for his column.

ALPENA (3-1) at GAYLORD (4-1) – Thursday – Girls – This indeed will be a battle of two good Big North Conference foes. The Wildcats took one on the chin, while the Blue Devils walked away with a win over the same Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devil squad in a pair of pre-Christmas break games.

Everyone from the coach on down, know how pivotal the second half can be in a close game. Blue Devil guard Casey Korte, who has been a thorn in the Wildcats side, scored 30 points in taking over the game giving Gaylord a 12 point win. Korte couldn’t have done it alone, Adrienne Edwards hit three consecutive 3-pointers en route to her 11 points in the third quarter.

The Blue Devils were not only thankful for some timely shots that propelled them to the win, but a strong defense that gave them those looks at the basket. Swami says shooting 20 of 24 from the charity stripe didn’t hurt either. The Wildcats might catch a break, for a two week lay off may have some rust on the Vikings armor.

Alpena was not a fortunate in the second half against the Blue Devils. The Wildcats chipped away at the lead of the Sault, cutting it down to a single point going into the last quarter. Courtney Jones and Jessica Marwede put the Wildcats back on top in the see-saw game. A steal by Emma Jore seemed to put the game on ice for Alpena. But a last second trey attempt found it’s mark, sending the game into overtime. Two overtimes proved to be too much for the Wildcats. Shelby Seaver and Marwede led the Wildcats in scoring.

Swami says this game could go along way in determining which direction both teams could be headed. A win always gives you a boost of confidence, while a loss allows you the chance to regroup and hopefully get back on track against the next opponent.

Swami Sez: Gaylord 55, Alpena 53.

CADILLAC (3-3) at ALPENA (2-5) – Friday – Boys – Alpena is still looking for that right combination, whereas Cadillac thought they had it, but suddenly lost it.

Swami having seen the Wildcats in action against a very good Toronto St. Johns team, had thoughts that the youth have given away to a cohesive unit. Such is not the case, coming off a losses to Sault Ste. Marie and Traverse City Central.

The murderous Big North Conference schedule only reassures the Wildcats still are a work in progress. As luck would have it, the Wildcats opened the new year at Traverse City Central, before preparing for the Vikings tonight.

The Vikings with a perfect record going into the final two non-conference games, found out that life was not going to be that easy. Cadillac found out all to quickly, without controlling the tempo they can be knocked off their game. Benzie Central threw a 1-3-1 zone defense preventing the Vikings from playing their style of game. The result the Vikings were fighting to get back on track against McBain in their final tune up, but they did not fare any better dropping a 61-50 decision.

Swami still believes the Wildcats have a makings of a team that still could make noise in the new year. Centered around their two mainstays in Chris Derocher and Cam DeCaire. The All-Knowing-One has to say they still need at least one leader to step up on the floor and pieces will fall into place. Before that happens he is fearful that the frustrations will only continue to mount. The Wildcats make strides tonight, but come up ever so short.

Swami Sez: Cadillac 58, Alpena 57.

ALCONA (3-2) at ROGERS CITY (6-0) – Friday – Girls – This should be an interesting match up of old Huron Shores teams. Alcona has taken the wind out of two top knotch teams, getting back to the .500 mark. The defense of the Tigers is what has turned them into winners. The Tigers put up 51 points against Fairview as Brittany Decker, Taylor Livingston and Jordan Joyce all finished in double figures. What impressed Swami is Alcona only allowed 27 points on the defensive end. Alcona coach Mark Feldhiser complimented his team for producing a great team effort, for the entire game. Swami always says offensive and defensive efforts go hand-in-hand. Tuesday it was more of the same, with the Tigers prevailing over Tawas. In this game, the sharp shooting of Kendra LaFave proved to be the difference.

Meanwhile, Rogers City has been steam rolling through the competition, not only building on their perfect record, but taking care of business in the North Star at 4-0. Sydney Purgiel, Taylor Fleming and Kayla Rabeau has been the leaders of the Huron attack. But Swami says the Hurons couldn’t be in this position with three leading scorers, for Rogers City it is a complete team that can go 11 deep. The Hurons added another win to their total with an impressive win over Onaway, on Tuesday.

Swami says neither team is looking past this game. The Tigers would like to continue to gain steam, while the Hurons would like to stay perfect. Which makes it hard on the All-Knowing-One, home cooking always welcomed and the Hurons will enjoy a win after being on the road.

Swami Sez: Rogers City 55, Alcona 45.

MIO (1-4) at HILLMAN (4-0) – Thursday – Boys – The right combination for the Hillman Tigers is what it has taken to keep them perfect through the first part of the season. Mio on the other hand, is still searching for that combination.

A well balanced effort against Rudyard before the break gave coach Eric Muszynski, his 200th. win of his career. The right combination came in the form of an air tight defense, while offensively Brandon Banks, Gunnar Libby and Andrew Funk rounded out a well balanced scoring attack. Swami says you can not just rely on one, for the other portion of your attack will suffer and that can lead to instant failure. Success on both ends of the floor feeds heavily on everyone on the team, such was the case in Tuesday nights convincing win over Posen.

Mio is a young team that hasn’t tasted success too many times this early season. It hasn’t been for the lack of effort, which showed in a bitter 40-39 overtime loss to Tawas. The Thunderbolts are improving despite their record. River Waisamen led the attack in the loss with three trey attempts to go with his 15 point effort. With interior play becoming a more significant part of their offense. The Thunderbolts should be a team to be reckoned with in the later stages of the year. Swami says for now they are still in the learning stage.

The All-Knowing-One looks for the Thunderbolts to gain what is needed to be a complete team, with the North Star contest against Hillman.

Swami Sez: Hillman 69, Mio 52.