Painesdale, MI – March 9th, 2022 – The Ishpeming Hematites lost to the Jeffers Jets 66-41 in a playoff elimination matchup. The game ends the Hematites season as they look to retain the majority of the roster. The broadcast was called live by Tyler Young and Bob Nadeau on 98.3 WRUP!
1Q: Jeffers Jets open the scoring by draining a 3-pointer at the top of the key. The Jets strike early and often as they start the game on a 9-0 run and forcing the Hematites to call a timeout to avoid slipping into a double digit deficit. Ishpeming’s Jayce Kipling ends the scoreless drought by making a mid range shot and cutting the lead down to 7 points. Painesdale does take a double digit lead after a couple of made fields goals with 3 minutes to go in the quarter. Ishpeming’s Alex Sundberg gets on the score sheet by driving into the lane and drawing a shooting foul, making both free throws and taking the score to 13-4.
Kipling gets his second basket of the night via the mid range shot with 2 minutes to go and cutting the lead to 7 points. The Jeffers Jets respond with 30 seconds to go in the first period by draining a 3-pointer. Ishpeming was in a good position to end the quarter by making a layup but the Jets were able to quickly fly down the court and make another 3 pointer extending their lead to 11 points.
End of 1st: Ishpeming 8, Jeffers 19
2Q: The quarter starts with no teams scoring for the first 2 minutes. Hematite Sundberg gets Ishpeming back in the game with a layup and two made free throws to cut the lead down to 19-12. Jeffers answer by making a tough contested shot under the basket and a lone free throw from a shooting foul. The crowd was very electric during the first two quarters as the announcers were constantly overpowered by the crowd. Painesdale get their biggest lead of the night after an Ishpeming turnover taking to the rim for a 12 point lead. Hematites would suffer heavily from unforced turnovers, with Jeffers taking full advantage on offense never letting Ishpeming get a solid run.
With 1 minute to play, the Hematites looked like a different team by going on a 9-2 run, Preston Gauthier hitting a 3-pointer at the buzzer to end the half and cutting the lead down to 6. They look to continue that momentum to get back in this game in the second half.
End of 2nd: Ishpeming 20, Jeffers 26
3Q: Much like the first quarter, the Jets play aggressive ball on both sides of the court going on a quick 4-0 run in the half’s first 3 minutes. After an Ishpeming timeout, Kipling drains a 3-pointer to cut the lead down to 7 points. The Jets responds by draining their own 3-pointer and seemingly willing and able to answer anything the Hematites throw their way. Jeffers again cause a turnover and drain another 3-pointer completely electrifying the crowd taking a 37-23 lead.
A frustrated Hematite team started to surface as unforced turnovers and bad fouls started to emerge. To be fair, the Jets seemed like they could not miss consistently making shots all over the key, contributing to the frustration. With 40 seconds left and down by 15, Kipling drains a 3-pointer despite the crowds intensity. The Jets take a 12 point lead to the 4th quarter.
End of 3rd: Ishpeming 28, Jeffers 40
4Q: One of the main points of the night was how loud the Jeffers crowd got, yelling and cheering after the Jets inbound the ball to start the 4th. Some of the traveling Ishpeming fans came to life after a tough contested shot made by one of the Hematites while cutting the deficit down to 10 points. After a Painesdale field goal, Hunter Smith gets his first points of the game sinking a 3 pointer. From there it was all Jeffers. The Jets make two consecutive 3-pointers to suck any wind the Hematites had under their sails and running the score up 50-33 with 4 minutes to go.
Kipling holds his head high responding with a 3-pointer of his own cutting the lead 50-36. The last few of minutes proved too much for the Hematites as the Jets were enforcing their will on offense. Painesdale were able to close the game with ease as they close the game out to advance in the playoffs.
End of Game: Ishpeming 41, Jeffers 66
Next Game: The Ishpeming Hematites have concluded their 2021-2022 season as we say goodbye to Jayce Kipling and Dylan Korpi, the two seniors on the team!
LISTEN TO THE FULL BROADCAST: ISHPEMING HEMATITES VS JEFFERS JETS
