Ishpeming, MI – February 14th, 2022 – The Ishpeming Hematites boys basketball team went against the Hancock Bulldogs Monday night. The game was broadcast live on 98.3 WRUP!
1st Quarter – Entering the game with the Hematites having a great win against Miners just earlier last week. The tip off went to Tossed out of bounds for the Hematites Monday night. Sunberg was in the back, passed it off to Parker Gauthier and floated it up for 2 points. The Bulldogs team responded to an aggressive drive by the Hematites with a layup, at 6-3 for Ishpeming. The Hematites had more than one chance to set up a drive and they sure did deliver. The Hancock team was successful with a drive with another score, but we’re still climbing at 15-3. Still climbing at 8-6. The Hematites had great offensive plays and were exceptionally defensive against the Bulldogs. In the back with scoring was the Hancock team with only 6 minutes left in the first, tied it up at 8-8. This quarter was with Alex Sunberg a lot as he continued to grow their lead with another 3 pointer, 11-6. 35 seconds left in the first quarter and the Hematites were leading at 17-6.
2nd Quarter – Into the second quarter, the Hematites at 19-6 after a successful drive. The Hancock team definitely were looking for some momentum to gain that offensive lead, but with Alex Sunberg performing like he was just didn’t let the Bulldogs have any leash. Jayce Kipling, Hematites #1, attempted a long 3 pointer and it was good 20-8. The team just had a really hard time catching up to the Hematites aggressive offense. The teams were battling up and down the court when the Bulldogs finally broke double digits. With the Hematites leading the entire first half of Monday’s game, the Hancock team will need to hunt for some momentum going into the second half at 28-11. Only a minute left in the first half of the evening game, the Hematites own Procer sank another 3 pointer, 32-11. Jayce Kipling went up for two successful free throws. At half time the Hematites were in a promising position and the Bulldogs were far behind going into the 3rd quarter. 32-14.
3rd Quarter – The Hematites and Bulldogs came into the second half flying with scoring. The game was back underway and the Hematites with possession found Alex Sunberg for a 3 pointer. The Bulldogs ended up fouling for their 3rd time. With the Hancock team with the basketball, they continued to fall to the Hematites at 35-16. With 4 minutes left in the quarter, the Hematites were just not letting up on their offensive momentum and continued to bury the Bulldogs in the dust. Far in the lead was Ishpeming’s inbound Parker Gauthier on the right side with a good 3 pointer, 41-16. Hematites led by 23 points, 43-20, and at this point it did not look good for the Bulldogs at all. Inbound ball from the Hancock team as they turn towards the big shot opportunities. There were just no successful passes for the Bulldogs going into the last quarter at 49-29.
4th Quarter – In the last quarter of Monday’s game, the Hancock team began with the ball hoping to climb an outrageous mountain with a 20 point deficit. The Ishpeming team started their first possession of the quarter with another 3 pointer. With the Hematites just dominating in Monday’s game and going through a lot of points to close up the game at 49-30. Jayce Kipling with the Hematites took the ball up after a jump ball went to Parker Gauthier. With the ball on the left side, a Bulldog laid up with a 3 pointer, hoping to do something with 5 minutes left in the game. The Hematies responded right back and continued growing their lead at 52-32. With 6 minutes left in the game, more than one successful block from the Hancock Bulldogs brought them some good momentum. This carried them to 59-43 with less than a minute left in the game. The Hematites were still climbing and in the lead when the buzzer went off. The Hematites win against the Hancock Bulldogs, at 59-43.
ENDING SCORE: 59-43 W
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