News Photo by James Andersen Alpena’s Cooper Bright (33) puts up a shot while being defended by Sault Ste. Marie’s Berry Swanson (11) during the first half of a boys basketball game at Alpena High School on Tuesday. Bright scored 16 points in a 73-42 Alpena win.

A dominant defensive effort paved the way to victory for the Alpena High boys basketball team on Tuesday.

The Wildcats hounded Sault Ste. Marie from the opening tip, forcing numerous turnovers and bad shots while overwhelming the Blue Devils with speed on both ends of the floor during a 73-42 win.

Alpena (2-0) led 37-14 at halftime and limited Sault to just four field goals over the first 16 minutes.

It was the kind of performance John Pintar was hoping to see from the Wildcats after an uneven opener in Cheboygan last week.

“I thought our defensive effort was the key all night. We had really good ball pressure up top that really kind of kept them from getting anywhere that they wanted to. It led to some turnovers and some transition opportunities,” Pintar said. “The key is, we scored well tonight overall, but I’m more than pleased with our defensive effort from everybody.”

Kelley Stark led Alpena with 23 points, including 14 in the first half. Cooper Bright added 16 and Jadon Duncan had 11 as seven different Alpena players scored in the win.

Alpena got off to a fast start and seemed to catch the Blue Devils off guard while racing out to a 23-7 lead after one quarter. Stark seemingly couldn’t miss as he poured in nine of Alpena’s first 13 points, beating Blue Devils defenders with wide open three-pointers from the wing as well as pull-up jumpers.

The Wildcats matched that offensive intensity on defense, forcing numerous turnovers while plugging up the paint and out-rebounding the Blue Devils. Many Sault drives inside proved unsuccessful and Sault didn’t fare much better from outside, though Mike Goldenbagaan gave the Sault a brief spark with a three-pointer at the buzzer to end the first quarter.

Goldenbagaan led Sault with 15 points and Christien Shields had eight.

Sault didn’t fare much better in the second quarter and was limited to just four points while Alpena continued to build its lead.

“You talk about being at home and you’ve to get up on the visiting team. I thought Kelley got off to a great starts hitting some shots for us and we played fast on both ends,” Pintar said. “He hit some crucial shots, but I think overall our defense left them somewhat surprised.”

Alpena led 54-31 after three quarters.

Pintar is hoping to see a similar defensive effort on Friday as the Wildcats open Big North Conference play at home against Gaylord. Alpena topped Gaylord twice last season, but Pintar said the Blue Devils are always an athletic team that creates tough matchups.

“It’s crucial for us to be a good defensive team because I know some nights the points are going to be hard to come by. That was a good step tonight,” Pintar said. “Gaylord’s got guys that can shoot the basketball and they’ve got some size inside too, so we’re going to have to really cover the perimeter.”

Alpena’s JV team rallied from a 30-17 halftime deficit to take the lead late, but fell short against the Blue Devils 48-45.

Austin Prue led Alpena with 18 points and Andrew Fisher added 16.

Alpena’s freshmen team defeated Sault 58-55. Evan Erickson led Alpena with 16, Nicholas Geister added 11, Zachary Kunath had eight and Brady Niedzwiecki added six.

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BOX SCORE: Field goals made/Free throws made/Free throws attempted/Total Points

ALPENA (73): K. Stark 8 3-5 23; J. Schmanski 2 0-0 4; C. Bright 5 5-8 16; A. Urlaub 3 0-1 6; J. Duncan 4 0-0 11; J. Schultz 1 3-6 5; R. Voltz 3 2-2 8.

SAULT STE. MARIE (42): S. Cohee 3 0-1 6; H. Watther 3 2-2 8; M. Goldenbagann 5 1-2 15; B. Swanson 3 1-2 7; V. Feebles 0 2-2 2; K. Ranta 1 1-2 4.