Ishpeming, MI – February 4th, 2022 – The Ishpeming Hematites boys basketball team went against the Iron Mountain Mountaineers Friday night. The game was broadcast live on 98.3 WRUP!
1st Quarter – In the first quarter of Friday night’s game, the Mountaineers won the tip-off. Within the first couple possessions of the night the Hematite own Jayce Kipling went up the inside and the shot was good, 2-0. Another foul gave the Mountaineers another chance to set up a drive. Mountaineer Oskar Kangas responded and dunked 2 points to tie it up. In the back was Alex Sunberg who shot up for two points, 9-8. The Mountaineers, who have been supporting one of the youngest teams this year, sank in another 3 pointer making it 12-11 to end the quarter.
2nd Quarter – Beginning the second quarter, the Mountaineers were searching for some momentum and the offensive lead. With just over 6 minutes left in the half the Iron Mountain team took the lead at 16-11. However the Hematites respond with another score, still in the lead 18-3. Up to the free throw line was Iron Mountain’s own. Ishpeming continued to fall against Iron Mountain, at 23-18. The Mountaineers seemed like they were doing a great job of circulating their line-up and pushing through the Hematites defense. The Mountaineers just dominated towards the end of the half at 29-20. At half time the Iron Mountain team kept leading the Hematites at 32-20.
3rd Quarter – The Hematites and Mountaineers came into the second half flying with scoring. The game was back underway with Hematite Jayce Kipling, passed to Ethan Corp starting off their offensive plays. The Ishpeming team was continuing to dig themselves out of the hold at 32-24, slowly closing that lead. The 3rd quarter of Friday’s game was just filled with Iron Mountain dominance, 41-28. To pass the ball in was Hunter Smith to Sunberg who sunk in yet another 3 pointer to bring the battle to 41-31. The ball was stolen away by Ishpeming and knocked it out of bounds going to Iron Mountain. Friday’s game seemed to be all Iron Mountain with 45-31 at the end of the 3rd.
4th Quarter – In the last quarter of Friday’s game, the Iron Mountain team started off with the possession. A lot of pressure on the Hematites to close up the lead Friday night from the Mountaineers. The crowd was loud and present too, bringing some more excitement in the gym. Mountaineer, Joey Colavecchi, had a great game on Friday and continued growing the lead from the Hematites, 50-36. Jayce Kipling with a steal for the Hematites, secured a 3 pointer for the Hematites, 54-40. 5 minutes were left on the clock in Friday night’s game and the Mountaineers would not slow down, at 56-40. Ryan Maki with Ishpeming had a couple great plays getting them a couple free throws but was unsuccessful. A successful score and a foul put them in a better position against the Mountaineers but still behind at 57-42.. The Hematites were steadily climbing back up but still were having trouble with only 30 seconds left. The Iron Mountain Mountaineers won against the Hematites, at 59-42.
ENDING SCORE: 59-42 L
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