Ishpeming, MI – February 17th, 2022 – The Ishpeming Hematites girls basketball team went against the Escanaba Eskimos Thursday night. The game was broadcast live on 98.3 WRUP!
1st Quarter – Starting off in game with the tip off went to the Hematites Jenna Maki, a Hematite sophomore, took it down the court. 1-0 with under 6 minutes in the first quarter the Hematites took the ball across the court and was called for carrying. The ball was with Escanaba as they took on the
Hematites defense, the two free throw shots brought Escanaba in the lead at 2-1. Hematites with the ball began dominating this first quarter after Jenna Maki with a great steal, gaining some points at 5-2 . The Escanaba team responded to an aggressive drive by the Hematites with another layup, still growing the lead from Ishpeming, 6-4. With under a minute left on the clock the Hematites own Addie Morton secured a rebound and floated another free throw in still climbing and went into the 2nd quarter at 8-7.
2nd Quarter – Beginning the second quarter, the Eskimos at 12-7 after an aiding offensive drive from Bailey Barron. Hematites on the left side were still searching for some momentum to get back the lead, now at 17-11 the Eskimos were still performing with no mercy. Jenna Maki, Hematites #1, attempted a long 3 pointer and it was good giving the team a bit of a boost of motivation at 12-9. The teams were battling up and down the court with only 2 minutes left in the first half, the Hematites started to feel some momentum getting closer and closer to Escanabas 18 points. On the left side was #34 Eskimo Grayson LaMarche who went up for 2 more points. The Hematites entered halftime at 14-11 still behind the Eskimos.
3rd Quarter – With the basketball game back underway, the Hematites were looking for some more offensive edge. The Hematites continued to fall to the Escanaba Eskimos at 19-13. Far in the lead were the Eskimos as Keira Maki, #12, floats another 3 pointer in 25-15. Escanaba’s offensive drives in this game were just superb, as they were rarely leaving any open opportunities for the Hematites, who were still climbing at 28-19. With 4 minutes left
in the quarter, the Hematites kept up on their defensive line and began catching up to the Eskimos, at 28-24. The Eskimos ended up fouling the ball giving Ishpeming an opportunity to drive forward. Hematite #5, Bailey Zellar scored a 2 pointer off the glass, giving the Hematites a better position closely following Escanaba at 30-26. There were just no successful passes for the Hematites and they continued to fall entering the last quarter behind the Eskimos, at 30-26.
4th Quarter – In the last quarter of Thursday’s game, Escanaba with the ball still climbing with their lead at 30-26. The Ishpeming team started their first possession of the quarter with a great drive tying up the game at 30-30. Lilly Swanson at the top from the Hematites made what was thought a clean block but was fouled. The Hematites have always struggled with their free throw percentage however came back this quarter with some fire. Escanaba still led at 37-30 after two successful free throws. Caydence Carter, Escanaba #50, put the ball up for her own layup and scored yet another point. With the Hematites just falling to the Eskimos, Jenna Maki flushed a 3 pointer in and kept climbing at 40-33. Hematites continued to trail behind when the buzzer went off and lost to the Escanaba Eskimos Thursday night 49-38.
ENDING SCORE: 49-38 L
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