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Swami still has memories

Swami always contends being on a team is an accomplishment, in it’s own right. Playing might be limited, but years after the memories are still there. Isn’t that what playing sports is all about? It isn’t how many goals you scored, how many baskets made, or touchdowns scored. The lasting memory is that you were on a team.

The All-Knowing-One was not good at sports in his formative years, but he does have memories. It is his New Year’s wish that everyone that steps onto the floor this year will make his or her own last memory. So with that said let the memories begin.

ALPENA (3-2) at ESCANABA (3-2) – Friday – Girls – The Wildcats had fallen on hard times two straight outings, before rebounding and look to built on that momentum against Escanaba. The drawback is the Eskymos played on equal terms against Sault Ste. Marie for three and half quarters before giving into a seven point loss. The Wildcats lost a lopsided contest against the same Blue Devil team. So the early indications that the Eskymos should be a favorite on their home floor. Alpena can not afford to get into run and gun game against Escanaba. The only way they can stay with Eskymos is to slow the game down, by doing so, play a ball control game, hoping for a game in the lower 40’s.

The Wildcats lived up to that style of play against Traverse City West with a 37-36 win, as they worked the full court press to their favor. In picking up their first Big North Conference win, Jade Schultz was effective on the inside, something the Wildcats had been missing in the first four games. Schultz led the Wildcat attack with 15 points, Allie DeRocher added seven with Macy Dickinson and Anna Young rounding out the scoring with six.

Escanaba outlasted Gladstone after Christmas in an over time thrilling win. It is often that a freshman will make an instant impact on a game, but Mari Bink did in her first start scoring 15 points. Senior Taylor Ray took over in the extra frame as two of four triples found the mark, scoring a game high 20. Bailey Barron also contributed 15, Nicole Kamin added 12, with 12 rebounds. The Eskymos are a young that should prove excellent competition for the next several years.

This should be the game that will set the tone for the remainder of the Wildcats season, a win will propel them and make them a force in the conference. Alpena will have a tall order to conquer as the height of the Eskymos will work in their favor, in addition to Escanaba’s run and gun style of play.

Swami Sez: Escanaba 58, Alpena 45.

ALPENA (3-0) at ESCANABA (3-3) – Friday – Boys – The make up of both Alpena and Escanaba is almost the same, both have built their clubs of youth. The young guards of the Eskymos showed in the opener against Negaunee, committing 15 turnovers, a vast improvement came in two wins since that time, when they had minimal miscues. Peyton Fedell, Carter Hudson, Bryant Maki, Connor Smale and Matt Seymour have seen double digit point production. Hudson is the mainstay at the center position and with his length has controlled the boards. Swami has seen Hudson also runs the floor, making him a target for steals, blocks and assists. The Eskymos do not miss a beat with Maki lending a hand in rebounds and blocks. The defense of the Wildcats will have to be air tight as Escanaba canned 12 treys in their latest win over Houghton. The All-Knowing-One says there is no I in this team as they share the ball extremely well, as proof getting the ball to the open man has accounted for 208 points in just three games. Escanaba has a different make up to this years squad, they are quicker, when you adjust to this quickness, then you have to deal with Hudson at 6-7 makes him hard to defend on the offensive end in means of shots and rebounds. Add in the athletism of Maki, the Eskymos are able to spread the floor, in addition to a tough 1-3-1 zone will give most teams fits.

The Wildcats are rolling, gone is the set offense of previous years, now Alpena will run, a fast break and quick pass style of play. In doing so, Alpena has beaten down the stamina of the opposition so far in the season. Jordan Schultz broke the backs of Gaylord in a 75-57 win, scoring 12 of his game 16 point production in the third quarter. Adam Urlaub hit double figures the first time this season with 14, in addition Kelley Stark’s three point shooting to account for 14, Cooper Bright rounded out the double digit scoring with 10.

Swami Sez: Escanaba 62, Alpena 51.

MIO (2-3) at PINCONNING (3-4) – Friday – Girls – It is time for either Mio or Pinconning to take a step forward or the mode will will go in reverse. Pinconning started the season with four straight losses, the Spartans have strung together three straight to be within a game of breaking even. Playing with only four seniors making the cohesiveness for a good start very hard. The centerpiece of the Spartans is senior Lauren Laures a four year starter, with Grace Floyd, Hannah Floyd and Raven Wieland that comprises four fifths of the starting lineup. After the four losses, Pinconning was looking for a spark, Rayne Wilson delivered, since then the Spartans have been on cruise control. Laures led the way for the Spartans in both wins with a 20 and 18 point performances. So Swami has to say the Spartans will be in most games when Laures leads the way. But as he has said before it takes five starters, to accomplish a win and if they want to have a winning season.

The Thunderbolts are in a rebuilding mode, after graduation, Mio has relied on Phynix Rickett and Trista Bombe. Both have been the leading scorers through five games, and a working younger players into the mix to become competitive. Rickett and Bombe led the way in a tight win over Rogers City, as their defense held off the Hurons.

The All-Knowing-One says the Thunderbolts are in the same position as the Spartans, they have to have total team play to pull out wins and to be competitive. Pinconning has had the early lead in every game, but have lost the momentum in the second half. One plus for the Thunderbolts is they have been in every contest, their only drawback is the lack of consistent scoring in the final stanza.

Swami Sez: Pinconning 36, Mio 29.

BAY CITY JOHN GLENN (3-1) at ALCONA (2-2) – Friday – Boys – Will the second time around be different for the Tigers? The Bobcats hung fourteen 3-pointers on Alcona in the opening of the John Glenn Holiday Classic. Senior Gabriel Wallaker started strong from long range and never let up. Wallaker drilled three in the first quarter, following that up with four in the second eight minute stretch, before finishing with nine on the day, enroute to his 29 point game. Wallaker was not the only Bobcat to connect beyond the arc, as Pinconning finished in double figures. Swami says the ability of Wallaker to get the shot from any place on the floor, says alot as to why he is the leading scorer of the Bobcats. Quincy Almond added 10 in the easy 63-40 win over the Tigers.

The game played in the early afternoon before a packed student body took the Tigers out of their element as they could not get any momentum going which lead to a hefty double digit deficit at halftime. Aiden Wrobel led the Tiger attack with 12, while Dominic Howe was able to reach double digits as well.

The All-Knowing-One says the Tigers will have a chance to redeem themselves, not playing in the middle of the afternoon and on their home court has to be in their favor. What the Tigers have to come up with is a way they can defense Wallaker and the other 3-point assassins. In addition Alcona has to receive scoring punch that put this one safely in the win column.

Time will tell if the Tigers have overcome the inability to stop the hot shooting behind the arc by the Bobcats.

Swami Sez: Bay City John Glenn 53, Alcona 43.

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