Ishpeming, MI – February 28h, 2022 – The Ishpeming Hematites boys basketball team faced off against the West Iron County Wykons Tuesday night. The game was broadcast live on 98.3 WRUP!
1st Quarter – The Hematites continued their persistence in the Tuesday night game against the West Iron Wykons with the tip off going to Jayce Kipling , an Ishpeming senior. It took some time for the Hematites to score but a couple quick passes reached Preston Gauthier who scored, 3-0 for Ishpeming. The ball was with the Wykons who were looking to get past the pressure of the Hematites having gained some great momentum from past victory’s. The Wykons started off with a strong defense but it trickled fast in front of the Hematites, 6-4 for Ishpeming. After Alex Sunberg, #5, had a great steal; he scored a great amount of points following the amazing Hematites defense, 11-6. The Hematites were still running with under 2 minutes and continued to claim the lead, at 15-6 in the first quarter. The Wykons with no momentum went into the 2nd quarter falling behind at, 15-9.
2nd Quarter – Entering the second quarter, the Hematites quickly got back on their feet but fouled within the first couple minutes of the 2nd quarter. Under 6 minutes were left in the 2nd quarter as the Hematites took the ball across the court for their offensive drive. The Hematite Griffin Argall was unsuccessful at the three point attempt but Ryan Maki caught the rebound and scored, 22-12. Wykons were trying to make the big plays when Payton Hill took the ball down, building the team’s momentum, at 23-19 still with Ishpeming. The teams were both pushing down the court with under one minute to go in the 2nd when the Wykons #12, Daniel James, was fouled. The Wykons kept struggling to gain some points and entered halftime still behind the Hematites at 33-19.
3rd Quarter – With the basketball game back underway, Wykons were desperately looking for more of an offensive edge to get back on top of the Hematites who were still dominating at 33-19. The Hematites continued to lead the Wykons as they didn’t give them any room to move forward. Far in the lead were the Hematites, at 34-2, still looking strong even after Ryan Maki took the bench. Ishpeming’s offensive drives in this game were strong enough to maintain their lead as they kept pushing down the court at 40-21. With 4 minutes left in the 3rd, the Hematites kept up on their defensive line and continued to run the clock. The two teams were down to it battling back and forth but the Hematites continued to crush the Wykons at 52-26 still with the Hematites.
4th Quarter – In the last quarter on Tuesday, the Hematites really kept up their determination as they controlled this game 52-26. With their defense controlling the Wykons and demanding the victory, they kept pushing their 3 point shooters to score. The Ishpeming team continued another possession of the quarter with a great drive continuing to grow their lead at 59-26. The Wykons have had struggles in the past with their free throw percentage but they had more luck Tuesday night. The Ishpeming Hematites continued to steal the offensive momentum countless times and gave West Iron absolutely no room to catch up, at 68-31. After a great assist from Caden Luoma it became a running clock basketball game with the Hematites destroying at 73-34. This game had Hematites written all over it as they walked away victorious against 77-34.
ENDING SCORE: 77-34 W
LISTEN TO THE FULL BROADCAST ON 98.3 WRUP!
