After watching professional sports and colligate sports, Swami decided both are on the level of entertainment. Reason, college level has gone from playing for the school they represented, to how much money can I make and they will start going to the highest bidder. So, with that in mind, the All-Knowing-One says there is no allegiance, but matter of money. Professionally, after watching basketball this past weekend, he took a step back and thought, these games seemed to be scripted out beforehand. No, one can tell me a team that is ahead by double digits, with a matter of minutes left, finishes on the losing end. This is just not possible; the outcome has to be known before the game is played.

The All-Knowing-One has to say, if it comes down to the high school level, he just doesn’t know what he will do. Athletes play as a team, not for themselves. It is very gratifying to see them give it their all every game, whether they win or lose. That is why, Swami has switched and will continue to be in their corner, leaving the other two, who enjoy entertainment, not sports.

GAYLORD (3-7) at ALPENA (5-5) — 7 p.m. today — girls — The home court didn’t help Gaylord in the first meeting with Alpena. Since then, the Wildcats, have played at a 500 clip. Gaylord has been on the other side of the ledger, except for a win over Boyne City. So, this is an important game for the Blue Devils, as they attempt to work towards getting the season on an even keel. Alpena is attempting to wipe out back-to-back losses to Petoskey, with a win.

Addison McDonald has led the Blue Devil attack with some timely outside shooting, as she did against Traverse City West, but Gaylord allowed the offense to go stagnant in the second half. Gaylord has received significant offense from Karlee Pretzlaff, Makayla Kozlowski, and sophomore Molly Hicks, but it has not been enough to push the Blue Devils to wins. The All-Knowing-One has seen Gaylord carry the flow of the game to the opposition in the first half, only to run out of gas and lose their momentum in the second.

Kiera Prue has been a workaholic in the paint for the Wildcats on defense and offense is no different. Faith Dragiewicz is able to shoot the three ball, which opens up Prue and Reagan Fitzpatrick. Natalie Maychen is always moving, making her available to can the trey. Swami says they are ever so close to going on a winning streak, as the entire team is gelling at the right time.

Tonight starts the second half of the season, a win should propel them in the right direction.

Swami Sez: Alpena 56, Gaylord 47.

GAYLORD (5-5) at ALPENA (3-10) — 7 p.m. Friday — boys — Alpena is searching for consistency for an entire game. Gaylord on the other hand has found their game to produce five wins. Alpena has shown glimpses that first-year coach Evan Neff had wished for an entire game. The All-Knowing-One knows they have the talent, it is just that whoever is on the floor tends to get caught up in the moment, thus comes the turnovers. Connor Cameron has the ability to shoot treys, on the inside Oliver Duthler and Eddie Prue match up with the opposition. But it seems there are those moments, an errant pass, and a shot that will not fall, leading to a fast breakdown on the other end. Once that happens, the Wildcats find themselves in a hole and not able to rebound from it. Swami feels they are on the right page, they are just not able to continue the story.

Gaylord has no one player that carries them, they work as a committee. The Blue Devils have been led in scoring by Kaven Cole, Cayden Keck, and Cale Deer on any given night. Size wise Gaylord matches up well with the Wildcats. The senior leadership leading by example and has kept the team going in the right direction. Early after the holiday, the Blue Devils did just that on their home court. Alpena remembers that night and has been circling the date.

Swami is hoping the result will be in Alpena’s favor this time around? That is why the games are played; it is a test of the second game to see if either team has improved. The All-Knowing-One has to say the improvement should be at the hands of the Wildcats.

Swami Sez: Gaylord 63, Alpena 52.

TAWAS (4-5) at ALCONA (10-2) — 7:30 p.m. Friday — boys — It has been a total team effort for Alcona in getting off to a tremendous start. Meanwhile, Tawas suffers from the Dr. Jahkel and Hyde syndrome, either the Braves get off to a fast start, then fizzle going into the final quarter, or they dig themselves an insurmountable hole to which they never can recover.

The Tigers had an eight-game winning streak going into Monday’s game against St. Ignace. In the lopsided win over Whittemore-Prescott, the Tigers had nine players score led by Garrett Somers with 12, Ricky Schott, Ethan Cruz DeVaughn, and Gavin Dellar close behind with 11. What is interesting about this Alcona team, they do not rely on one player to lead the way, they share the role. Proof of this fact, Evan Borsvold finished with game honors, in the previous game, but was in single digits in this win.

Tawas had four straight losses, before finding the winning solution against Whittemore-Prescott. They were not able to build on the win, dropping a hard-fought game to Rogers City. Swami sees that the Braves are able to hit the treys, but not on a consistent basis to pull out wins. Reuben Edwards, Myles Parish, Noah Smith, and Aidan Smith all connected beyond the arc, but could not get anything going in the lane in the loss to Charlton Heston. He definitely feels this is their downfall.

The All-Knowing-One cannot see the three-pointers by Tawas, being a detriment to Alcona. He has to say the Tigers would have to have a complete off night, to be saddled with a loss.

Swami Sez: Alcona 72, Tawas 50.

AUGRES (6-5) at HILLMAN (9-5) — 6 p.m. Friday — boys — AuGres has had an interesting season to this point, even though their record just went to the plus side. The Wolverines are within striking distance of a Little Dipper Conference lead, with a tight 43-39 win over Mio. Hillman kept a one-game lead in the division, with a lopsided win over Atlanta. The Tigers only conference loss came at the hands of Fairview, who also are a breath away from first.

In a back-and-forth game against the Thunderbolts, the Wolverines were able to forge ahead with the help of trey and a jumper from Levi Jones in the third quarter. Mio came storming back, before Jones sealed the win, hitting six of eight free throw attempts. Jones led the Wolverines with 17, Tyler Zaherniak chipped in with nine, while Brennan Smolen added eight.

Points came easily for Hillman in the win, coach Eric Muszynski certainly liked the offensive effort, what caught his eye was 21 assists. Brenden Rouleau and Ty Muszynski each cashed in on four three-points, in addition to leading the way with 27 and 20 points respectively.

Evan Crane corralled six rebounds to go with his 10 points. Cuyler Schultz dished out 10 of the 21 assists, in addition to seven boards.

Swami likes the make up this year’s Tiger team, no one is on an ego trip. Basketball is a team sport and he feels that is why Hillman has put together this latest win streak.

Swami Sez: Hillman 62, Augres 59.