After dominating the Braves 72-28 earlier in the season, the Wildcats stormed into Tawas and took a commanding 73-52 victory.

Even after losing senior guard Easton Srebnik due to a concussion in the previous game, Alpena took care of the ball and outplayed the Braves in every aspect.

“We didn’t play the prettiest of games, but for this point in the season, a win is a win,” Alpena’s coach John Pintar said. “We need to come with more intensity and we can’t give up on the game; we have to play for all four quarters.”

Right from the start, Alpena caught fire and relentlessly scored 22 points during the first quarter.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey AHS plays Tawas on Monday.

Mostly led by the big man down low, Oliver Duthler, the Wildcats played through its towering size.

Duthler ended with seven points himself, but Alpena’s top two scorers on the season continued to shoot at ease.

Tucker Bright added six to the cause while Connor Cameron only scored five.

By the end of the first, Alpena was up 22-11.

Pressure by the Wildcats defense came alive in the second quarter.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey AHS plays Tawas on Monday.

Cameron swatted several passes and managed to get his hands on a few steals.

He also lit it up from three, knocking down two more going into the half.

Although Cameron displayed great defensive prowess, the surrounding defenders let up several rebounds and second-chance points.

Going into the break, Alpena was up 41-17.

Out of the break, Cameron got a quick steal and bucket, kicking the momentum off early.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey AHS plays Tawas on Monday.

During the third, the Wildcats prioritized getting to the free throw line, as the team took 12 shots from the charity stripe.

Only converting seven of the shots, Alpena quickly began to lose offensive control.

By the end of the quarter, the Wildcats were up 55-28, but things were trending in the wrong direction.

Effort lacked and fouls accumulated, and all of a sudden, Tawas went on a 24-18 run, completely out-scoring the Wildcats.

Despite this change in pace, the Wildcats maintained a large enough lead to finish with a 20-point win.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey Tucker Bright shoots a three-pointer on Monday night during Alpena’s boys’ basketball game against Tawas. The Wildcats took the win against the Braves with a final score of 73-52. Tucker Bright led the team with a total of 22 points on the night.

“Going into our next game, we have to come more prepared and take care of the ball. We’re up against one of the best teams in the conference so we have to be ready,” Coach Pintar said.

Alpena plays Traverse City West on Thursday.

Leading the Wildcats in scoring was, per usual, Bright, who had 22 points overall.

Duthler helped out Bright on the offensive end, finishing with 17.

News Photo by Owen Kinzey Caleb McEwen fights for the shot nearly deflected by Tawas during Monday night’s game in Tawas. The Wildcats took the win against the Braves with a final score of 73-52.