Basketball is an indoor game. Games sometimes are not able to be played, not due to the inside coziness, but the cold, snow, and sickness on the outside. Monday’s game against Rudyard was called off because of the elements. Tuesday and Wednesday saw a bitter-cold spell that shut down school. Add in the fact that weather leads to outbreaks of sickness that have spread throughout the teams.

Swami has seen a lack of snow in the Alpena area, but he feels maybe more snow, the temps would rise. Thus, he would not feel the instant freeze once departing the house and not having the normal feeling in his extremities until he returns.

The All-Knowing-One is hoping that the cold goes by quickly and area basketball teams can return to normal practices, games, and feeling better. Let’s see if everyone can get back on track.

ALPENA (3-9) at PETOSKEY (7-6) — 7 p.m. today — boys — How can a team look so good one night, then completely fall apart on another? This is what happened to Alpena, looking like they turned the corner against Sault Ste. Marie, but against Traverse City Central, a trapping defense all over the floor produced many turnovers that created a hole. A 7-0 run over the first two minutes of the contest had the Wildcats searching for answers in the lopsided contest.

When the Wildcats can break the press as they did against the Soo, they have the ability to create points on their end and put pressure on the opposition. But when they can’t, it puts pressure on themselves. Connon Cameron has led the Wildcat offense in scoring and has been a double-digit assist leader going inside to Eddie Prue and Oliver Duthler. Carson Najmowicz has been coming as a ball handler and has given the Wildcats another source of scoring.

Petoskey’s inability to score in the second quarter gave Traverse City West a 14-point lead which they never relinquished in a 62-48 win. The Northmen are one of the youngest teams in the Big North Conference, starting a freshman and sophomore, with another freshman and sophomore being the first off the bench. When it comes to attacking the basket, Branden Fralick has led the way, in the loss he poured in 17 points with a pair of fours in steals and rebounds. Mason Fralick also contributed 10 while Korbin Sulitis finished with seven.

The All-Knowing-One says it will be another challenge for the Wildcats, as the Northmen switch up from man-to-man defense, going to a zone, and throwing in a trap on the baseline. The Wildcats will have to get into their offense fast to change the outcome of the contest.

Swami Sez: Petoskey 70, Alpena 50.

ALPENA (4-6) at PETOSKEY (7-3) — 7 p.m. Friday — girls — A lot has happened since the opening game with a tight win by Petoskey over Alpena. Now, the Northmen take to their homecourt against the Wildcats. Kiera Prue had an exceptional performance garnering 21 of the Wildcats’ points in the opener. Natalie Maychen and Faith Dragiewicz provided the firepower from the outside as Alpena started off strong, foul trouble, and a stifling defense brought Petoskey back from double digits to take the lead for good. Alpena ran into the same in the second game falling in overtime. Since then, the Wildcats have played at a .500 clip.

Petoskey has a distinct ability to communicate once they get behind, that was very evident in the opening game. The Northmen knew where to attack the Wildcat offense, by shutting down the key. When that happened, Alpena had to rely on the three-point shot, allowing the Northmen to gain control of the game. Defensive mistakes by Alpena played heavily into the hands of Petoskey as they overcame a double-digit lead and managed to escape with a win.

Swami believes the Wildcats have improved on both the offensive and defensive ends of the floor, but will it be enough to pull out a win? The All-Knowing-One also has seen that the Northmen have upped their game and will counter the improvement of the Wildcats.

Swami Sez: Petoskey 56, Alpena 48.

TAWAS (3-5) at ROGERS CITY (7-4) — 7:30 p.m. Friday — boys — Rogers City is looking to end its two-game losing streak against Tawas. The Braves did manage to pull out a win over Whittemore-Prescott in breaking a four-game losing streak themselves.

The Hurons, despite a winning record, have to shore up some shortcomings, which have prevented them from putting together a winning streak that would have propelled them in the conference toward first place. Jase Wenzel and Justin Romel have led the Huron offense, in all categories, including scoring. Rogers City is looking forward to seeing if they can introduce someone else who can help carry the scoring load.

If the Braves are to make an impact on tonight’s game, they will need another fast start from Aidan Smith as he did in the game against Oscoda. The telling sign for the Braves was the inability to hit the timely shot and letting the Owls cash in on the other end, as the defense could not retreat quick enough. Ruben Edwards finished with a game-high 14, but scoring dropped off to single digits from Cleon Young, Myles Parish, Carson Selman, and Noah Smith.

The All-Knowing-One says the Braves are capable of putting everything together, but it has been a hard time coming. Swami feels with the Hurons on their home court, they will see that it works in their favor tonight.

Swami Sez: Rogers City 55, Tawas 37.

ALCONA (10-2) at WHITTEMORE-PRESCOTT (1-10) — 7:30 p.m. today — boys — Whittemore-Prescott has been unable to keep close to the opposition this year. The Cardinals, who have a very youthful roster, are in the midst of a seven-game losing streak. They have only two scoring threats that have shown up in the form of Will LaFranca and Kyle Beach as they had the total point production in the latest lopsided loss to Oscoda. On nights when Whittemore is able to get more than one look at the basket, Blaine Zuchnik, Hunter Clayton, and Cordell Jennings can cash in. Swami says their contributions have not been on a regular basis. The Cardinals’ lone win came in an early season game against Atlanta.

Alcona has strung together a 10-game winning streak, the last time the Tigers tasted defeat was at the hands of Grayling, early in the season. The Tigers have a well-balanced starting five, led by Evan Borsvold and Ricky Schott with double-digit averages. Garrett Somers has the capability of doing so on a nightly basis. Gavin Dellar has been gradually working towards double digits as well.

The All-Knowing-One says the Tigers have a great chance to extend their winning streak to 11. Alcona cannot relax, sooner or later the Cardinals will put all the pieces together, could it be tonight? This is the reason why they play the game, there is always a chance for an upset. Swami believes this will not be the night.

Swami Sez: Alcona 62, Whittemore-Prescott 39.