GAYLORD–The Alpena High boys basketball team ground out a win on Friday, defeating Gaylord 63-54 in a Big North Conference contest.

Alpena (9-6, 2-5 BNC) led 18-13 after one quarter, 32-25 at halftime and 43-41 after three quarters as the game stayed close almost from start to finish.

“It was kind of a grind for us. In the first half we did ok, the third quarter wasn’t a good quarter for us, but in the fourth quarter we played good,” Alpena coach John Pintar said. “They scored 13 (in the last quarter), but it right at the very end.”

Jack Schmanski had 15 and Ryan Voltz and Cooper Bright each had 11 for the Wildcats, who also helped their cause by making free throws down the stretch.

The Wildcats play at Ogemaw Heights on Monday.

Alpena’s JV team defeated Gaylord 72-40. Mason Mumford led Alpena with 19 points, Noah Marquardt had 13 and Christian Wicklund had 10.

Alpena’s freshman team lost 50-44 in overtime. Brady Pagels and Brady Kollen each had 10 points for the Wildcats.

Oscoda 97, W-P 45

WHITTEMORE–A record-breaking performance from Owen Franklin kept the Oscoda boys basketball team on a winning track.

Franklin scored 34 points, including a school-record eight three-pointers to help the Owls blow by Whittemore-Prescott 97-45 on Friday.

Gavin Lueck added 21 points for the Owls (15-0) and Brayden Mallak and Gabe Kellstrom each had 14 points.

Dana Thorson nearly matched Franklin offensively, netting 33 points for the Cardinals.

Oscoda hosts Hillman on Senior Night and Parents Night on Tuesday.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

Fairview 50,

Au Gres 16

FAIRVIEW–Kaitlyn Bowers scored 16 points, Jaedyn Winton added 14 and the Fairview girls basketball team earned an easy win over Au Gres on Friday, 50-16.

Fairview (7-8) led 12-0 after one quarter and upped its lead to 29-4 by halftime.

Fairview hosts Rogers City on Monday.