Ishpeming, MI – January 3rd, 2022 – The Ishpeming Hematites boys basketball team continued their season tonight, when they hosted the Broncos of Bark River-Harris.
1Q: The Hematites were able to win the opening tip, but could not get the job done on their first offensive possession. In fact, there wasn’t any scoring until 2 minutes into the game, when it was The Hematites scoring a basket and two free throws thanks to AJ Prosser. The next 4 minutes would also be scoreless for both teams, until the Broncos buried a corner three to score their first points of the ball game. The remainder of the first quarter would continue to be low scoring, as heading into the second it was a 6-3 lead for the Hematites.
2Q: The quarter opened with a steal and bucket for Hematite Sophomore Parker Gauthier, Ishpeming lead 8-3. Trevor Lippens from Bark River-Harris
responded quickly with the teams 2nd three pointer of the night. Ishpeming started to gain offensive momentum as two easy buckets came from back to back possessions. With just under 4 minutes to play in the half, Ishpeming lead 14-8. Bark River-Harris cashed their 3rd and 4th triple of the first half minutes later, but Ishpeming was able to respond to close out the first half with a 21-15 lead.
3Q: The quarter opened with a Hematite bucket, but the Broncos of Bark River-Harris would begin to dominate the beginning and midway points of the quarter. After knocking down four triples in the first half, the Broncos added two more to keep themselves into the game. Ishpeming began to play aggressive and physical in the last few minutes of the quarter, after the best quarter of the night for the Broncos, the Hematites held onto a 35-31 lead heading into the last quarter of play.
4Q: The quarter opened with a Prosser bucket to give the Hematites a six point lead, but after three successful possessions from the Broncos, they tied the ball game with just under 7 minutes to play. Prosser earned himself another bucket for Ishpeming, but the Broncos scored 6 straight points to take a 43-39 lead with 5 minutes to play. Ishpeming had several opportunities to score some buckets, but just couldn’t get it to fall. The 8-0 Bronco run finally ended, when it was Prosser scoring once again for the Hematites. With 2 minutes to play in the game, Bark River-Harris lead 45-41.After scoring another bucket to take a 47-41 lead, Ishpeming capitalized on an old fashioned three point play. The remainder of the game would come down to how well the Broncos could shoot free throws, and the ability to score some points for Ishpeming. The Hematites had an opportunity to tie the game with a triple, but the shot was missed and rebounded by the Broncos. After being sent to the line, Lippens missed both free throws for Bark River-Harris. The Hematites turned the ball over on their offensive possession, they had to foul once again with 20 seconds to go, and the Broncos buried both free throws, icing the game to defeat the Hematites by a score of 49-44.
Final: Ishpeming 44 Bark River-Harris 49
With weather permitting, the Hematites will continue their campaign on Wednesday, January 5th when they host the Mountaineers of Iron Mountain. The ball will tip at 7:15, as you can hear the broadcast on 98.3 WRUP.