Feb 18, 2025
Information Photograph by Leslianne Johns Alpena’s Kiera Prue makes an attempt to make the shot from the free-throw line throughout Monday’s recreation in Alpena. The Wildcats misplaced to the Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils.
ALPENA — The Alpena Wildcats took the court docket Monday evening with depth, constructing a robust early lead in opposition to the Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils of their annual Pink Out recreation for most cancers consciousness, an occasion held in partnership with Buddies Collectively. Regardless of their early dominance, the Wildcats noticed their lead slip away within the second half, finally falling 69-57.
Alpena got here out sturdy within the first quarter, leaping to a 20-9 lead. Head coach Mark Toppi credited the workforce’s early success to their protection and talent to hit photographs from past the arc.
“I feel we had strong protection for certain,” Toppi mentioned. “After which we had been making some exterior photographs. That actually helped.”
Reaghan Fitzpatrick and Kiera Prue led the scoring efforts for the Wildcats. Alpena managed the boards early, rebounding nicely and regularly attending to the free-throw line. The Wildcats maintained their momentum by means of the primary half, heading into the break with a 29-19 lead.
Nonetheless, the sport’s momentum shifted within the third quarter. The Blue Devils ramped up their power and defensive stress, forcing turnovers and clawing their means again. By the tip of the quarter, Alpena’s once-comfortable lead had shrunk to simply two factors, 43-41.
Information Photograph by Leslianne Johns Natalie Maychen runs the ball up the court docket within the first half of Monday’s recreation in Alpena. The Wildcats confronted the Sault Ste. Marie Blue Devils and misplaced 69-57.
“I assumed their power was means higher there for a stretch than ours,” Toppi mentioned. “Nonetheless, I feel simply their hustle and their effort. Granted, we’re enjoying 4 women the whole recreation with out subbing, so a few of it’s that. However I felt they actually wished it. They didn’t need to go house with the loss.”
With 5:30 remaining within the fourth quarter, the Wildcats discovered themselves trailing for the primary time, down by two factors. Sault Ste. Marie continued to capitalize on steals and defensive stops, extending their lead. With 1:22 left, Alpena was down 57-51, and simply seconds later, Religion Dragiewicz fouled out, limiting the Wildcats’ rotation even additional.
Regardless of the loss, Toppi noticed positives in his workforce’s efficiency, notably their balanced scoring and defensive effort.
“We had scoring from a variety of totally different folks, which we haven’t been getting currently,” he mentioned. “A number of women made some photographs, and we did play good protection. We rebounded nicely. We did a variety of good issues tonight.”
Trying forward, Alpena faces a tricky schedule, one thing Toppi believes will put together his workforce for the postseason.
Information Photograph by Leslianne Johns Religion Dragiewicz appears to cross the ball to a teammate on Monday evening. Alpena performed Sault Ste. Marie in Alpena.
“We’re excited that we have now a extremely laborious schedule,” he mentioned. “We’re going to get examined each single evening, and we’re going to attempt to get a bit bit higher in every recreation. That’s going to arrange us to make a run within the playoffs.”
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