CADILLAC — The Alpena High boys basketball team kept its hopes for a Big North Conference title alive on Monday with a 48-46 road victory at Cadillac.

The Wildcats got off to a good start and built a double digit lead in the third quarter. Even then, they had to fend off a late rally from the Vikings and were able to do so, holding on for a two-point win to improve to 16-2 overall and run their conference record to 6-2.

“We started off good, but struggled at times in the second, but we played well in the final minutes. It was a closer game than what it should have been, but we’ll take it,” Alpena coach John Pintar said.

Bruz Copping led the Wildcats with 15 points, Chris DeRocher added 10 points and Aidan Goike chipped in with nine points in the win.

Alpena travels to Petoskey on Wednesday. The Northmen are also 6-2 and the two teams are tied atop the BNC.

If Alpena is victorious Wednesday. it can clinch at least a share of the conference title. The Wildcats host third place Traverse City Central on Friday and could control its own fate.

The Alpena JV team was victorious, defeating Cadillac 46-35. Jordan Schultz scored 17 points.

The Alpena freshman team suffered a 63-34 loss.

Oscoda 60

Hillman 43,

OSCODA — The Oscoda boys basketball team made school history on Monday, winning its 18th game of the season with a 60-43 victory over Hillman.

The Owls’ 18 wins are a new school record for most wins in a single season.

Oscoda led 40-20 at the half, thanks to seven three pointers, including four coming from Owen Franklin. The sophomore, who set the single-season school three-point record on Friday ran his total to 71 for the season and finished with a game-high 25.

Despite trailing by a wide margin, the Tigers showed no quit and did everything they could to battle back. Hillman went on a 19-8 run and cut the lead to nine with 4:20 left, but Oscoda took over in the final minutes to close out the Tigers.

“I thought we played great team defense tonight. We struggled rebounding and we have to do a better job protecting the ball, but we could have packed it in when we were down big and we didn’t,” Hillman coach Eric Muszynski said. “We fought hard and battled which is something that we haven’t done a lot of this season so that is a good sign.”

The Tigers were led by Nic Taratuta who scored 12 points and Kory Henigan added six points.

Gabe Kellstrom finished with 14 points for the Owls.

Hillman falls to 6-12 overall on the year.

Au Gres 62,

Atlanta 51

AU GRES — The Atlanta boys basketball team suffered a frustrating loss to Au Gres on Monday.

The Huskies ran into foul trouble during the course of the game and got called for two technical fouls late. It cost Atlanta as the Wolverines cashed in on a majority of their 29 total free-throw opportunities on the night.

The Huskies were led by Zach Roux who scored 15 points and Aaron Cuzzort added 12 points in the losing effort.

Atlanta is 9-8 overall on the year and will return to the court on Thursday when it travels to Boyne Falls.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Sault Ste. Marie 46,

Alpena 28

SAULT STE. MARIE — The Alpena girls basketball team struggled on Monday, couldn’t get the shots to fall and was on the receiving end of a 46-28 defeat at Sault Ste. Marie.

The Wildcats were held to just seven first half points and just couldn’t get into a rhythm.

“We couldn’t get shots to fall and we committed way too many turnovers,” Alpena coach Erin Andrews said.

Jade Schultz led Alpena with 14 points and Maddie Voltz added four points.

The Wildcats earned a victory over Ogemaw-Heights on Saturday, winning by a score of 71-52.

Alpena was led by Schultz who scored 29 points, Voltz and Allie Funk added 10 points apiece.

Oscoda 68,

Hillman 31

OSCODA — The Oscoda girls basketball team made history in Monday’s 68-31 victory over Hillman.

The Owls improved to 15-0 on the year and tied the program record for wins in a single season.

Oscoda was led by Katelyn Etherton who scored a game-high 17 points. Lauren Langley, Brooke Nowiski, Izzy Hulverson and Macy Kellstrom each added 11 points apiece in the win.

Hillman was led by Brooke Jones who scored 11 points.

Rogers City 49,

Fairview 37

ROGERS CITY — The Rogers City girls basketball team earned a 49-37 home victory over Fairview on Monday.

The Hurons were led by Taylor Fleming who scored a game-high 24 points and Kyrsten Altman added 11 points.

“We played good team defense early, but give credit to Fairview because they competed and outplayed us in the fourth quarter,” Rogers City coach Duane Pitts said. “We had some bad fouls late and played a little poorly and we have to play better than that.”

The Hurons improve to 8-5 overall and 7-1 in the North Star League.

The Hurons return to the court Tuesday when they host Whittemore-Prescott.

Onaway 58,

Forest Area 32

ONAWAY — The Onaway girls basketball team kept about its winning ways on Monday, defeating Forest Area by a final score of 58-32.

The Cardinals were led by Calley Selke who scored a team high 19 points, including five threes in the game. Kennedy Crawford finished with 13 points and Sarah Larson added 10 points in the win.

Onaway improves to 12-4 overall on the season and will hit the road Wednesday when the team travels to Bellaire.

Au Gres 38,

Atlanta 18

AU GRES — The Atlanta girls basketball team was on the receiving end of a 38-18 road loss at Au Gres on Monday.

The Huskies were led by Tanaysja Tidwell who scored 10 points and added a pair of steals and Jordan Kobielus finished with six points, 11 rebounds and four blocks.