Ishpeming, MI – January 3rd, 2019 –The Ishpeming Hematite boys basketball team started the new decade off by playing. The Iron Mountain Mountaineers. Tyler Young and Bob Nadeau Broadcasted the game on 98.3 WRUP.
The First quarter started off with anxious fans in the stands the junior varsity game that took place before the varsity game went into overtime. Iron Mountain Mountaineer Foster Wonders started the game off with a three pointer. Hematite Senior Ben Pruett threw a quick pass to teammate Gavin Argall allowing Ishpeming to get on the board. Pruett and Hematite Breck Bell worked together to score. Iron Mountain was quick to respond with more points. Iron Mountain ended the first quarter with a lead 15-12.
In the beginning of the second quarter Mountaineer Wonders attempted to get the ball in, but Argall stood strong and managed to keep Wonders from scoring. The Hematites got ahead right away. Hematite Otto Swanson made an excellent pass to Jacob Kugler allowing Kugler to get it in the bucket 16-14. Halfway through the second quarter the Mountaineers caught up and tied the game 16-16. Bell thought he going to break the tie with scoring a basket, but Mountaineer Marcus Johnson immediately responded with a two pointer tying the game back up 18-18. The Mountaineers scored some free throws adjusting the score 20-18, however they found themselves tied up once again. Kugler scored a two pointer 20-20. Mountaineer Johnson worked his way up the court scoring again 22-20. Kugler decided he was not giving up he tied the game back up with a basket 22-22. Mountaineer Wonder manged to own the court with his three pointers. Johnson showed off his free throws and turned things up and the score up. The Hematites trailed behind at the end of the second quarter 38-26.
The Hematites were working hard in the third quarter to try to keep the mountaineers away. Pruett sat he injured his leg. Wonders and Johnson came flying back into the game scoring more points for the mountaineers 42-28. Kugler was able to score the points for Ishpeming in the third quarter, but it was not enough to discourage Wonder and Johnson the third quarter ended with a score of 54-32.
In the last quarter Wonder once again made his presence known by scoring right away 58-32. Bell tried to get the ball in, but did not succeed. Thankfully Hematite Kugler followed right behind him and scored a bucket 58-34. Mountaineer Jake Dumais raised the heat with a two pointer 62-37. The Hematites tried to not fall too far behind. Ishpeming team players Jayce Kipling and Chase Jensen scored a few more points before the end of the game 64-41. The Mountaineers proved their efforts and took home the win 67-43.
Join Tyler Young and Bob Nadeau on Tuesday, January 7th as the Ishpeming Hematite girls go up against the Negaunee Miners. You can catch the pregame show around 6:45pm on 98.3 WRUP.
Listen to a recording of the broadcast here!