Gladstone, Michigan – January 4th, 2016 – Mike Plourde and Bob Nadeau were in Gladstone, MI for the Ishpeming Hematites boys game against the Gladstone Braves on 98.3 WRUP and streaming live at WRUP.com. The Hematites looked to keep their season going strong, and Mike and Bob brought you their stats and predictions during the Honor Credit Union pregame show!
The Gladstone Braves were able to win the opening draw, but the Ishpeming Hematites were able to shut the Braves down before they were able to score. Ishpeming put the first points of the game on the board thanks to a quick jump shot. The Hematites jumped out to an early 10-5 lead over the undefeated Braves, but the game stayed close for much of the first quarter. With just under two minutes left in the quarter, the Braves worked their way in front of the Hematites, but Ozzy Corp and Thomas Finegan worked together to even the score at 14-14. The first quarter ended with a tied score of 17-17 on 98.3 WRUP!
Ozzy Corp kept the game going strong for the Ishpeming Hematites when he started off the second quarter by making a quick layup to take the lead. Hart Holmgren came up big on defense when he managed to make a huge block on a Gladstone shot, which helped keep the game neck-a-neck. The Gladstone Braves managed to work their way to a three point lead with four minutes left in the first half, but the Hematites’ offense kept the game close. The game swung back in favor of Ishpeming when they managed to find their way back to a lead over the Braves, and they looked to keep that lead as the first half quickly wound down. It was an exciting game all the way down to the wire as the first half ended with a tied score.
First Half Score:
Ishpeming Hematites: 38
Gladstone Braves: 38
The taller Gladstone Braves again took the second half tip-off, and thanks to an early three point shot, they jumped out to a quick lead. It stayed an incredibly close game throughout much of the third quarter, and that was thanks to the Ishpeming Hematite’s great defense. Thomas Finegan continued to play well in the second half, and he was integral to Ishpeming’s ability to keep the game close. Jaren Kipling nailed a huge three point shot to put the Hematites in front of the Braves 61-51.
The Ishpeming Hematites opened the fourth quarter in control of the ball, but the Gladstone Braves were able to stop their first drive of the quarter. Two quick baskets for the Braves brought Gladstone to within striking distance, but the Hematites answered back and kept their narrow lead for the time being. Fouls began to be a problem for Ishpeming when Thomas Finegan fouled out of the game with five minutes left to play. Gladstone were able to continue their strong play when they got to within two points of the Hematites as the clock ticked down. The Hematites were able to hold the Braves off with their impressive offense, and they led by eight with under a minute left to play.
Final Game Score:
Ishpeming Hematites: 74
Gladstone Braves: 72
Join us 01/05/2016 as the Ishpeming Hematite boys battle the Norway Knights in Norway, MI. Mike Plourde and Bob Nadeau will have the Honor Credit Union Pregame Show for you along with all the exciting action, only on 98.3 WRUP and WRUP.com! Don’t miss a beat!