Alpena Downs Hillman in Overtime, Taratuta ties Hillman Scoring Record
ALPENA, MI- The Alpena Wildcats won their second game in a row as they took down Hillman in a 57-54 overtime thriller. The game was back and forth the entire game, with neither side ever leading by more than five points.
The story of the night was Hillman guard Trenton Taratuta, who despite seeing his team come up short, tied a 37 year old Hillman scoring record by dropping 41 points, including 20 of the 23 Tiger points in the fourth quarter and overtime.
The Wildcats offense was a balanced attack down the stretch. Guards Easton Srebnik and Tucker Bright along senior Brady Kollen knocked down free throw after free throw in overtime to hold off the Tigers.
Taratuta tied the game with two free throws with 0.1 seconds remaining in regulation. His three pointer in the final seconds of overtime hit the back rim as Alpena held on for the victory.
Alpena Head Coach John Pintar had high praise for the Hillman squad and Head Coach Eric Muszynski. “Eric does a great job with those kids, both teams can take a lot out of that game.”
Muszynski, despite the loss praised his teams effort. ” We played with great effort, and we maintained it. It was there all night.”
The 18 year Hillman coach also had plenty of praise for his superstar. “Trenton stepped up on the offensive end. He is a generational talent.”
The Tigers are off until the new year. The Wildcats have one more test in 2022, they take on Maple City Glen Lake on December 21.
