Jere Bey, A.K.A. "Swami"

News Sports Correspondent

People reach that time in their life when they have to make lists. Not everyone gets to that point at the same age. For Swami it was within the last year, he became a fan of lists. Here is his scenario from the past Monday. He thought he had an appointment to start off his day. So that was number one on his list. He decided with his wife of grocery items they needed, a check that had to be cashed, stop by the State Police office for a couple of gun locks, then onto the Social Security office before returning to the warm confines of home and out of the nasty winter weather. One can image how the day went, with it snowing, he started the truck to let it warm up, picked up his list and thought he had the list down pat.

Once in town the wheels began to fall off the wagon, first stop the appointment. Before he could get comfortable, he was told it was not Monday. So it was rescheduled, strike one. The stop at Social Security went off as planned, now on to cashing the check, he looked over at the passenger seat, suddenly he realized no check, it was left on the bench, when he started his truck. Number three on the list did not take place. Luckily, the last two stops on his list went off as planned. So needless to say, the All-Knowing-One could have done just as well without a list. He has to say, when writing his column, he doesn’t have to have a list, unless he is completely off the track on his predictions. Let’s see if this week will go off without a hitch……

ALPENA (3-17) at SAGINAW UNITED (6-12) – (Girls) – Friday – 7:00 p.m. – The Wildcat season has not been kind; it is not the fault of Alpena. Playing Big North Conference teams that have at least two more years of experience, as well as non-league contests, shows the reason why the Wildcats have the record they do have. With predominately freshman roster, the Wildcats are on a strict learning curve, which will pay dividends in the years to come. Senior Lacy Martin who was honored at senior night last Friday, has done yeoman’s job coming off the bench. Juniors Maddie Wiedbrauk, who can shoot beyond the arc and also drive to the basket, along with Hailey Powell point guard, who also provides spark to the Wildcat effort. Swami thinks with their leadership, the Wildcats are on the right road.

Saginaw United did show signs of coming on winning four of five games, before the loss bug reared its head. If you are to stay with the Phoenix you better have your track shoes on and avoid turnovers as Saginaw United can turn them into points. Destiny Clark has the ability to block shots and turn them into fast break points through Makayla Mims, along with My’Keal Williams. United has one of the better 3-point shooting teams, as Clark, Mims and Williams can knock’em down from anywhere beyond the arc. In addition, to her shooting, Williams can rebound and lead the fast break with a pass. The real question can Alpena remain poised and not get rattled into committing mistakes. Swami feels they are capable, but will they have enough stamina to do it for 32 minutes?

Swami Sez: Saginaw United 55, Alpena 40.

ROGERS CITY (8-11) at WOLVERINE (3-16) – (Girls) – Thursday – 6:00 p.m. – It is the final regular season road trip for Rogers City. But it isn’t the last as the Hurons will return to Wolverine to take on these same Wildcats on Monday in the first game of district play. A recent three-game set back has prevented Rogers City from finishing above the 500 mark. The Hurons played North Star League opponents Mio and Posen this week; a sweep would have almost assured them of evening out their wins and losses. That would mean three games in a week which can take its toll.

Wolverine comes into the contest with eight straight losses, as they are looking for some type of magic to break the spell. It could not come at a better time, in facing the Hurons back-to-back. The Wildcats have been porous on defense, giving up 53 points per game, while scoring 26 points in each of their two wins, while scoring 43 in their other win.

The Huron offense runs through guard Chelsea Myers, who has averaged in double figures; center Kate Kralevich has the ability to produce big games when it counts. Natalie Crawford, Keri Coolman, Charleigh Comerford, Lucy Haselhuhn and Reese Brege are also capable of hitting the big shots when called upon. They have added youth to the Hurons and will be heard from on a regular basis in the upcoming year.

Swami has to say this maybe what the doctor ordered for the Hurons, a game in which everyone will get significant playing time that will be helpful in the first round of districts. One thing is for sure, success to this magnitude cannot be overlooked; back-to-backs have a way of producing overconfidence. But Swami doesn’t see it as the Huron coaching staff will see that doesn’t happen.

Swami Sez: Rogers City 60, Wolverine 22.

OSCODA (13-7) at POSEN (7-9) – (Girls) – Thursday – 6:00 p.m. – Oscoda has run the gauntlet of the North Star Big Dipper Division with the exception of Au Gres. As luck would have it, the Owls faced the Wolverines in their final league game. A lot was at stake; a win and the Owls would finish in a tie with Tawas as conference champs. Posen finished in the middle of the pack in the North Star Little Dipper. The Vikings will finish of the regular season with a pair of inter league games against Rogers City on Tuesday before taking on the Owls.

The Owls are looking for consistency going into the final regular season against the Vikings after playing 500 ball over the last month. The Owls are looking at two scenarios, either Oscoda is looking at a sweep to round out the season, or will it be a prep game in going into district play against Tawas, who they split with in the season play against the Braves. So which way will it fall. Luella Whipkey has led the Owls in scoring, with Emma Michaud being close behind. Ava Taylor, Lillian Piotrowski and Isla Merdzinski have contributed to Oscoda’s success.

Posen made a drastic change to the Viking landscape, by combining the junior varsity squad, into just the varsity. Even with a step up, the Vikings were relatively young, but have made major strides. Having four seniors on the squad consisting of Ella Hincka, AvaRae Calhoun, Julia Lagos and Alessia Maone have given leadership that has been second to none. That leadership has given Molly Chappa, Ava Ewing, Gracie Kircus and Charlotte Chappa have given the Vikings the confidence that Posen can play with anyone. With everyone pulling together has given the Vikings a record that will place them in the middle of the tough Little Dipper division.

Swami Sez: Oscoda 49, Posen 38.

WHITTEMORE-PRESCOTT (2-12) at HILLMAN (5-15) – (Girls) – Thursday – 6:00 p.m. – Hillman has had a difficult season; the last half has dealt them two long losing streaks. Tuesday night the Tigers had a game against Mio that could add another loss to their latest streak. Whittemore-Prescott has been in clutches of losing, with only games against Charleton Heston Academy and Alcona being put in the win column. The Cardinals have been on the wrong end of lopsided losses. Hillman even with a better record, have faced some the same disastrous outcomes, when it seemed the Tigers would finish very close to the break even season mark.

Newspaper clipping is just like life, some days are good and others are the opposite. Swami has to compliment whoever it is that reaches out to the News and reports on the games as they played out. Kudos to you. Madelyn Oswald has seen the most double-digit scoring efforts this season. Close behind is Abigail Oswald, while Maci Klein and Rylee Lis have had a share in the success as well. Jenna Bahrke, Kendall Gruschke and Brook Linseman have been instrumental when it comes to rebounds, steals and assists to make the Tigers a total team.

The Cardinals do not have the fire power to match the Tigers, but have Kylee Mead, who is a scoring threat, as she had a career high 36 points early in the year. Kylie LaFreniere has the shot that has double digits written on it. The scoring attack drops off after these two Cardinals dramatically. A win by Hillman will help prepare them when they enter district play against Alba on Monday.

Swami Sez: Hillman 45, WHITTEMORE-PRESCOTT 30.