Feb 18, 2025
Information Picture 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 courtroom Monday night time with depth, constructing a powerful 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 Associates 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 robust within the first quarter, leaping to a 20-9 lead. Head coach Mark Toppi credited the staff’s early success to their protection and talent to hit photographs from past the arc.
“I believe we had stable protection for certain,” Toppi stated. “After which we had been making some exterior photographs. That basically helped.”
Reaghan Fitzpatrick and Kiera Prue led the scoring efforts for the Wildcats. Alpena managed the boards early, rebounding nicely and often 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.
Nevertheless, the sport’s momentum shifted within the third quarter. The Blue Devils ramped up their power and defensive strain, forcing turnovers and clawing their method again. By the tip of the quarter, Alpena’s once-comfortable lead had shrunk to only two factors, 43-41.
Information Picture by Leslianne Johns Natalie Maychen runs the ball up the courtroom 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 method higher there for a stretch than ours,” Toppi stated. “Nonetheless, I believe simply their hustle and their effort. Granted, we’re taking part in 4 ladies your entire recreation with out subbing, so a few of it’s that. However I felt they actually wished it. They didn’t wish to go residence 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 staff’s efficiency, notably their balanced scoring and defensive effort.
“We had scoring from a variety of completely different folks, which we haven’t been getting currently,” he stated. “A number of ladies 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 staff for the postseason.
Information Picture by Leslianne Johns Religion Dragiewicz seems to be to move the ball to a teammate on Monday night time. Alpena performed Sault Ste. Marie in Alpena.
“We’re excited that we now have a very exhausting schedule,” he stated. “We’re going to get examined each single night time, and we’re going to attempt to get just a little bit higher in every recreation. That’s going to organize us to make a run within the playoffs.”
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