Ishpeming, MI – January 10, 2023 – The Ishpeming Lady Hematites (4-3) played host to the Gwinn Modeltowners (4-2) on Tuesday evening. The game was broadcast live on 98.3 WRUP with Tyler Young and Bob Nedeau on the call!
The Modeltowners won the Household Appliance opening tip, but sent it into the hands of Lilly Swanson of the Hematites. A quick turnover sent the ball going back to Gwinn, but the two teams would exchange unsuccessful shots. Turnovers would plague both teams in the opening minutes as both teams struggled to score. Jenessa Eagle would finally break the deadlock after hitting her shot for the Hematites.
Gwinn would tie things up after Miaha Schiefel found the bottom of the basket. Payton Manninen would take the lead for the Hematites after a shot from behind the arc, 5-2. It would be short lived as the Modeltowners matched a three of their own. The Ishpeming defense would pick the pockets of Gwinn ball handlers and turn it into points to take back the lead. Manninen would find her mark from downtown to add another three points to Ishpeming’s lead. Gwinn would hit another shot before the quarter’s end, 10-7
Jenna Maki would extend the lead right away in the second for Ishpeming with a quick basket. Manninen would follow it up with another deep ball to bring the lead to eight. The Lady Hematites would get another steal on defense with Jenessa Eagle, who went all the way for the layup. Gwinn continued to shoot, but couldn’t find the bottom of the net. Manninen would drive the lane, but kick it to Eagle who would land a wide open three.
Lilly Swanson would continue to build the Ishpeming lead with another three pointer. The Modeltowners continued to battle against the stout Ishpeming defense. Gwinn’s Lena Pleaugh would end a 15-0 run when she would get the best of the Hematite defender for the lay up. Jenessa Eagle would land herself another two points after receiving the pass from Swanson. Justice Nix would finally hit a shot for the Modeltowners. The Hematites would have the final shot of the half which would miss but they would lead by 15 going into the locker room.
Halftime: Ishpeming 27 – Gwinn 14
Gwinn would have possession to start the second half. They’d miss a three pointer and Ishpeming would take things the other way. Lena Pleaugh would find her mark as she hit one from three, but Ishpeming answered back with a two from Swanson. Things would start to heat up as both teams would exchange a pair of baskets, 33-22. Ishpeming couldn’t miss from range as Eagle landed again for three. The Modeltowners would quickly turn around and get back on offense to earn another two. Both teams would continue to battle end the quarter with Ishpeming able to hold on to their lead, 36-28.
The final eight minutes saw Gwinn start with the ball and missing their opening shot. The Hematites would miss their first shot as well, but their defense would get it back and turn it into a basket. Lena Pleaugh would find herself at the line where the Modeltowners struggled all night, but she was able to hit the pair to bring their deficit to eight. Jenna Maki would get the two back immediately for the Hematites. Gwinn wouldn’t go quietly into the night as Justice Nix help the Modeltowners rally with a basket.
Ishpeming would bring their lead back into double digits after another three pointer. The Hematites looked to build their lead after coming down with rebounds from missed Gwinn shots. A lot of back and forth would happen before Miaha Schiefel hit a three for the Modeltowners bringing their lead below ten. Schiefel would continue to rally back the Modeltowners with another three. Ishpeming’s defense would continue to rob opportunities from Gwinn with help from Jenessa Eagle with a steal.
The rally would be too little too late for Gwinn as Ishpeming was able to shut down the Modeltowners. Last minute fouls would land Ishpeming at the chairty stripe, and allow them to seal the deal for the victory.
FINAL: Ishpeming 51 – Gwinn 43
LISTEN TO THE FULL BROADCAST HERE
The Lady Hematites (5-3) will follow up this victory with a varsity double header as both the boys and girls teams will play their rival the Negaunee Miners on Friday. The game will be broadcast live on 98.3 WRUP and also available online with Tyler Young and Bob Nedeau on the call!
