Monday, walking into Alpena High, Swami knew something was up, but he never expected what it might be. It seems that the recent snow over the past week had built up on the roof of the gym, thus leading to a leak.

As he proceeded in, he noticed that play would not be on the main gym floor. Instead, the baskets were lowered on the volleyball court side, now the scoring table could not be set up as usual on the smaller court. The distance between the wall and the in-bounds line would not allow it. Instead, the table had to look over their shoulders to see the main scoreboard located behind them.

The All-Knowing-One made it work, even though it was not as smooth as usual, which leads to the question, does everything work perfectly in life? The answer is no, but you just make the best of it. Doing the best you can, just as area athletics have done over the past basketball seasons.

After this weekend, it is on to district play, and Swami wishes the best to all teams.

KALKASKA (6-14) at ALPENA (6-14) — 7 p.m. today — boys — Alpena and Kalkaska are having very similar seasons as their records show. The Wildcats like the Blazers have played well enough to have their season records reversed. It is the times when everything compounds that has spelled defeat. Alpena’s play against Cadillac last Friday through three quarters gave them hope of an upset. Turnovers and a lid on the basket, quickly extinguished that hope as the Vikings ran off a 20-point fourth quarter in a runaway win.

Connor Cameron led the way with treys that kept the Wildcats close in a low-scoring first half, Eddie Prue and Oliver Duthler also contributed.

The Blazers did not have any trouble scoring points in back-to-back games against Kingsley and Cheboygan in Northern Shores Conference play. Jackson Shetler’s outstanding play in points, rebounds, and assists lifted the Blazers to victory against Kingsley, Hunter Semak and Zackary Porter were also instrumental with double-digits night. However, the Blazers could not duplicate the feat against the Chiefs, even though the combo of Shetler and Porter increased their point production.

Swami doesn’t know what to think, he keeps hoping that the Wildcats will produce another game as they had in a home win over Gaylord, but time is slipping away. The All-Knowing-One says this may be the best scenario as the scoring combination of Cameron, Prue, and Duthler will match up very well against the Blazers Shetler, Semak, and Porter.

Swami Sez: Alpena 52, Kalkaska 49.

TRAVERSE CITY CENTRAL (13-5) at ALPENA (8-10) — 6 p.m. Friday — girls — Alpena cannot get on a roll, whereas Traverse City Central has been just the opposite. Central has been on an 11-game streak, with a clean sweep of Big North Conference foes, to capture the title against in-town foe Traverse City West. Barring a breakdown against Petoskey, the Trojans will be aiming for number 13 against the Wildcats. The number 13 has not been lucky for Swami, so he is saying that might be enough to propel the Wildcats to a win.

The Wildcats were on fire against Sault Ste. Marie on Monday night, but the fire was put out by a strong second half by the Blue Devils. Alpena found the three-point shot to their liking, especially from Reaghan Fitzpatrick to build a 20-9 first-quarter lead. Fitzpatrick and Kiera Prue led the Wildcats in the second quarter, rebounding and getting to the free-throw line as Alpena still owned a 10-point lead going into the half. Momentum found its way to the Blue Devils in the third quarter trimming the Wildcats lead to two. Soo tied the game early in the fourth and the rest was history for another Wildcat loss.

Swami says for the Wildcats to pull out the win, they will have to shut down the duo of Lucia Franca and Lorelai Zielinski in the paint, as they combined for 28 of the 55 in the win against West. The Wildcats will have to put the clamps down on shooting guard Marlie McGregor and assist leader Jakiah Brumfield. Alpena will have its hands full to pick up the win.

Swami Sez: Traverse City Central 60, Alpena 48.

TAWAS (11-6) at ROGERS CITY (11-7) — 7:30 p.m. today — girls — The game between Tawas and Rogers City could have been a ho-hum contest if it was played five games ago. Advance to the present, both had strung together three-game winning streaks, until a very good Oscoda team brought Rogers City back to earth, eliminating the Hurons for a chance at a North Star Conference crown. AuGres broke Tawas’s string on Tuesday.

Tawas switched up their defense and it has made a difference on the offensive end and has contributed to wins. By doing so, it has given Quinn Seyfried, Ellary Warner, and Kaitlyn Swales to break out on the fast break. The Braves have had consistent scoring from Warner, Seyfried, and Swales. Tawas has others who have stepped up during the run including Brooke Binder, Hannah Potts, Brynn Montie, and Kelsey Look. The quartet has given starters a rest while putting the ball in the hole, which makes a total team effort.

The Hurons were back on track Tuesday with a 42-32 win over Hillman. Alivia Freel has been the leader for the Hurons, both with her court presents and in the scoring department. Closing in on 1,000 career points, Freel’s mind is probably on it, but being a team player, the team’s overall play is much more important. Katie Kralevich, Brooklyn Orr, and Chelseas Myers are capable of putting up a three, that has kept the Hurons a scoring machine from anywhere on the floor.

Swami has to say, both are coming on at the right time and should make this game very interesting and entertaining. The All-Knowing-One feels the team that can take advantage of the other’s defense will come out on top.

Swami Sez: Rogers City 48, Tawas 42.

HILLMAN (14-8) at AUGRES (8-9) — 6 p.m. Friday — boys — Hillman has played within its game all season long, and it paid off with their fourth consecutive Little Dipper North Star League title on Friday. Before taking on Alpena, who produced what the Tigers should work on in preparation for district play. AuGres has been bouncing between wins and losses all season long, the Wolverines came up with a timely win against Atlanta on Tuesday.

The Wolverines’ point production against Mio was throttled, but AuGres was not going to let it happen two games in a row. Tyler Zaherniak netted 12 of his game-high 17 in the first quarter. Levi Jones took over the second to finish with 13. Brennan Smolen went on a trey spree with three, for his 12-point total.

Hillman held a sizable lead throughout the win over Mio. Junior Aedan Tucker had a season-high 19 points, and junior center was close behind with 18, to go with six rebounds. Even though Brenden Rouleau missed out on a double-digit scoring night, turned in a defensive gem with five steals. In the total team win, Cuyler Schultz produced eight assists, to go along with six boards.

Swami feels Hillman will be in contention for another title, as sophomore Ty Muszynski and juniors Tucker and Crane will make a good nucleus for another run. The All-Knowing-One feels AuGres will produce the type of game Hillman will need, before hosting district games.

Swami Sez: Hillman 56, AuGres 47.