Traverse City West scores season-high in 79-55 win over Alpena

Traverse City West delivered its most prolific offensive outing of the season on Jan. 8, topping the Alpena Wildcats 79-55 and recording a season-high point total. The 24-point margin underscored a balanced attack and defensive stops that kept Alpena at bay through the second half.

The Jan. 8 result followed a Jan. 6 victory over city rival Traverse City Central, a 63-51 win that marked two wins in three days and a productive stretch for West. Over those two games West averaged 71 points per contest and held opponents to an average of 53 points, a net scoring margin of +18 across the pair. Those short-term figures point to improving offensive consistency and game-management during the regular season run.

Statistically, the 79-point output stands out as West’s highest single-game total to date, signaling the potential for elevated scoring as the team moves deeper into conference play. The 24-point differential against Alpena is one of the larger margins posted this season and offers coaches data points on which lineups and offensive sets generate the most points. For players, back-to-back wins against recognizable opponents can translate into confidence, rotation stability, and incremental gains in efficiency.

Local implications are practical and immediate. Momentum on the court tends to drive greater student and community turnout, which affects gate receipts and the atmosphere at home games. For families and supporters in Grand Traverse County, the current run suggests a stronger product on the floor and a better chance to influence seeding and road draws later in the season. For the team, the win compiles into an improved season record and provides a buffer of positive results as conference schedules intensify.

Coaches will now face the task of sustaining offensive production while guarding against lapses that allow easy opponent scoring. For fans, the numbers from Jan. 6 and Jan. 8 give an early read on what to expect: more scoring and a defense that can hold opponents in the low 50s when the team clicks.

The takeaway? West is trending up offensively and riding momentum through conference play. If you follow the team, show up early, support the bench, and keep an eye on how the defense holds up—those details will determine whether the scoring bursts turn into a run that lasts into postseason play. Our two cents? Bring the Black and Red and let the home court help keep the streak going.