Ishpeming, MI – January 13, 2023 – The Ishpeming Lady Hematites (5-3) were on the court for the final game of Friday’s varsity double header against the rival Negaunee Miners (8-4). Tyler Young and Bob Nedeau were live with the call from Ishpeming High School on 98.3 WRUP!
Ishpeming would get the quick lead in the first few seconds of the game with Lilly Swanson finding the bottom of the basket. Negaunee would tie things up, and take the lead after a foul put Clair O’Donnell on the line for a pair of free throws. Another pair of free throws from Ella Mason would put Negaunee up by four. Ishpeming would fight back with shots form Payton Manninen to close the gap to one point. The Miners would start to pull away from the Hematites by as far as eight points. Ishpeming would fight their way back with help from Janessa Eagle making a shot and a pair of free throws shortly after. The Miners would get the final shot that wouldn’t go in, but they would have the lead as the quarter came to a close.
Negaunee would get possession at the start of the second quarter with only a one point lead. The two teams would go back and forth with a slow start to the second. With limited scoring the game would remain close as Negaunee would hold a 19-16 lead over Ishpeming. The Miners would get themselves into the bonus as Ella Mason drained a pair of free throws. The Miners would build their lead to 11 with under a minute to play in the half. Things would get out of hand as Ishpeming wouldn’t hit a field goal all quarter and trail Negaunee going into the locker room.
Halftime: Ishpeming 16 – Negaunee 31
The second half of play would start with Negaunee building on their lead with free throws from Cooper Atkins. Jenessa Eagle would break the scoring drought for the Hematites as she made the first field goal since the first quarter. Ishpeming would tack on another couple of baskets, but would continue to struggle stopping Negaunee. Aubrey Johnson would hit a three pointer for the Miners, but would foul Lola Korpi on the following possession to send her to the free throw line. Payton Manninen would try to sway momentum after a big three. It was followed with another three pointer from Jenessa Eagle to bring Ishpeming within seven. The Miners would pull down offensive rebound and lead them to second chance points. Ishpeming continued to fight back but trail Negaunee as the quarter came to a close.
Ishpeming trailed by 11 as the final eight minutes of play got underway. The Hematites would get a bucket from Eagle, but Negaunee would hold their lead with help from Ella Mason and Grace Nardi. Mason would put Negaunee up by 15 as Ishpeming couldn’t find an answer. Lilly Swanson would get herself to the free throw line and make both baskets for the Hematites. Trailing by 10, the Hematites would continue to battle and cut into the Miner lead with a Jenna Maki basket. The push late in the game would be too little too late as Negaunee would wind up on top.
FINAL: Ishpeming 38 – Negaunee 47
The Ishpeming girls basketball team makes their way back on to the court Friday the 20th. They’ll be hosting the Manisique Emeralds at Ishpeming High School. Tyler Young and Bob Nedeau will be with the call live starting with the Elder Agency Pregame Show around 6:50 and the tip of set for 7:15 on 98.3 WRUP and also available online!
