ESCANABA — Friday’s game for the Alpena High boys basketball team was a test.

The Wildcats made the long trip north to Escanaba for their first game of the new year after an extended layoff.

Nothing came easy, but Alpena remained unbeaten as they edged the Eskymos 47-46 to improve to 4-0 on the season.

Escanaba put together a strong third quarter and took a 41-34 lead after three, but the Wildcats showed resiliency as they faced adversity for the first time this season and stormed back to tie the game at 44-44 with 1:55 to play and in the end, Alpena proved to be one point better than the Eskymos on this night and came away with a comeback victory.

Adam Urlaub tied the game with a basket and gave the Wildcats the lead for good converting the free-throw and scored eight points in the win. Jack Schmanski led Alpena with 14 points.

The Wildcats will be back in action today and will face another tough challenge when they travel to Marquette to play the Redmen at 1:30 p.m.

HOCKEY

Plymouth 7,

Alpena 1

SAULT STE. MARIE — The Alpena High hockey team fell behind early to a strong Plymouth team on Friday in the Wildcats’ first game of a weekend showcase in Sault Ste. Marie.

Alpena surrendered a pair of first period goals and Plymouth continued to build on its lead throughout the night and eventually defeated Alpena by a final of 7-1.

Alpena scored its only goal in the second period off the stick of Jaden Marchlowski on an assist from Cam Young.

Alpena falls to 1-9-2 on the year and will be back in action today when they play a 9-1 Midland Dow team that is ranked in the top 10 in Division 3 at 1 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Escanaba 61,

Alpena 48

ESCANABA — The Alpena High girls basketball team traveled north above the bridge to begin play in the new year.

Unfortunately for the Wildcats, the first game of the new year did not result in a win as Alpena was defeated by Escanaba 61-48 on Friday.

Jade Schultz led the Wildcats with 15 points, Jenna Leeck finished with 10 points and Alayna Trelfa added eight points in the the losing effort.

Alpena will return home to play Ogemaw-Heights on Monday.

The Alpena JV team also suffered defeat, losing to Escanaba by a final of 50-29.

Megan Dubie led the Wildcats with eight points, Marah Wisniewski scored seven points and Kameron Schultz chipped in with five points.