Ishpeming, MI – February 11th, 2022 – The Ishpeming Hematites girls basketball team went against the Negaunee Miners Friday night after the boys game just before. The game was broadcast live on 98.3 WRUP!
1st Quarter – Entering the game was Lily Swanson for the Hematites tip off. Tossed out of bounds for the Hematites Friday night the Miners are behind at 3-2 entering the first minutes of this game. Jenna Maki with the Hematites passed it off to Bailey Zellar and it was blocked by one of the Miners. The Miners team responded to an aggressive drive by the Hematites with a layup, at 5-2 for Ishpeming. With just over 5 minutes in the quarter, they had more than one chance to tie it up and they did, 5-5. The Hematites had great offensive plays and with the shot and fouled was Bailey Zellar with two free throws. In the back the Miners own Gauthier gets two good free throw shots and were leading the Hematites at 7-5. With only 2 minutes left in the first, leading the Hematites at 10-5. At the end of the first quarter Jenna Maki had a failed shot at the buzzer entering the 2nd at 10-6.
2nd Quarter – Going into the second quarter, the Miners at 10-7 after a couple shot attempts. The Negaunee team definitely were looking for some momentum to gain that offensive lead. The second foul on the Hematites did take them down a peg as the Negaunee team continued to lead at 13-6. The team just could not catch up to the Miners offense. The teams were battling back and forth with the Miners dominating over the Hematites. Jenna Maki for the Hematites went up for a 3 pointer, it was good off of the glass, 19-10. Working around the perimeter but was unsuccessful was Lilly Swanson. Going into halftime the Hematites were falling to the Negaunee Miners and entered the 3rd quarter at 24-10.
3rd Quarter – The Hematites and Miners came into the second half flying with scoring. The game was back underway and the Hematites with possession found Alex Sunberg for a two pointer. The Miners ended up fouling for the fifth time. With the Miners basketball they continued to try and take the lead from the Hematites. The Hematites wanted to close the lead, Jenna Maki was up the court and was yet again blocked by Miners Summer Duto. Far behind Ishpeming’s inbound Abby Racine was on the right side and with a good 3 pointer
making it 3. With less than 2 minutes in the 3rd quarter the Negaunee Miners lead the Ishpeming Hematites at 31-19. Friday’s game continued to lean to the Miners for the win, with the team at 40-19 at the end of the 3rd quarter.
4th Quarter – Entering the last minutes of Friday’s game the Hematites girls team were in some serious trouble with the Miners at 40 points to their 19. The Ishpeming team started off with the possession and was going through a lot of pressure to close up the game. The inbound pass went to Jenna Maki with the Hematites and took the ball up the left side, scoring a 3 pointer, continuing to catch up to the dominating Miners. However, the Miners responded right back and scored again, 42-22. With just 5 minutes left in the game, Addie Morton made a good steal for the Hematites, and grabbed back the ball to score for 42–24. The 4th quarter continued with the Negaunee Offense just absolutely dominating. Blocked and pushed the ball out of bounds was Bailey Zellar for the Hematites, who had been demanding offensively, but just could not get in front. The Hematites were still climbing at 52-31 with Negaunee in the lead with less than 2 seconds in the game. The Hematites fall in their fight against the Negaunee Miners, at 53-31.
ENDING SCORE: 53-31