Ishpeming, MI – February 5th, 2022 – The Ishpeming Hematites girls basketball team continued their season on Saturday afternoon, when they hosted the Westwood Patriots. The game was broadcasted on 98.3 WRUP.
1Q: These teams squared off for the second time this season, as the first contest ended in a 53-43 victory for the Patriots. Today’s contest started with a steal and score for the Hematites to take the early two point lead. After Ishpeming scored the first bucket of the game, the Patriots would go on to score nineteen straight points to end the first quarter with a 19-2 lead.
2Q: The quarter opened with a bucket from the Hematites to cut the deficit to fifteen, but it would quickly jump back to seventeen after a Megan Marta bucket. Addie Morton would began to establish some offense for the Hematites as she was able to make a nice move inside. More buckets began to fall for Ishpeming as the momentum began to change, the deficit was cut to six with just 2:20 remaining in the first half. After a few back and forth buckets, the six point deficit stayed at the half. After forcing eight turnovers and scoring fifteen in the second quarter, the Hematites were down 23-17.
3Q: The Patriots began the second half with a bucket from Natalie Prophet, as the Hematites came up empty in their first offensive possession. A quite a bit of scoring unfolded in the next few minutes of play, as back and forth play led to a 29-21 lead for the Patriots with 5:00 remaining in the quarter. That lead dwindled down with just under 1:30 remaining in the quarter thanks to Bailey Zeller and Jena Maki, and at the end of the third quarter, the Hematites trailed 32-27.
4Q: The final quarter of play was an exciting one, Ishpeming crawled their way back thanks to Jenna Maki and Bailey Zellar. Defense was a key factor in the opening minutes as a few steals created points for the Hematites. Turnovers littered the later minutes for the Patriots as the Hematites took a two point with just under 2:00 remaining in the game, their first lead since the opening bucket. The Patriots held the ball to try and milk the clock but it back fired as they turned the ball over to the Hematites with :50 seconds remaining. Jenna Maki got the ball stolen, but after a steal from the Hematites, Maki connected with a layup to take a four point lead. Megan Marta was fouled on the next possession for the Patriots, as she only made one of the two shots. The Hematites led by three with just :38 seconds remaining. Once again the Patriots stole the basketball but it was stolen right back by Addie Morton and the Hematites. Hannah Deloughary was fouled and sent to the line for a 1 and 1 opportunity, she only made the first, but the ball was rebounded by Ishpeming as time ran out. Ishpeming completed the comeback to defeat the Patriots 42-37.
Final: Ishpeming 42 Westwood 37
The Hematites will continue their season’s campaign on Tuesday, February 8th when they travel to Gwinn to take on the Modeltowners. The ball will tip at 7:15 pm as you can hear the broadcast on 98.3 WRUP.
