Ishpeming, MI – March 13th, 2015 – The Ishpeming Hematites boys basketball team took on the Negaunee Miners in the District Championship in Ishpeming tonight. Mike Plourde and Bob Nadeau brought you the action live on 98.3 WRUP!
On the first play of the game Ozzy Corp blocked a shot on defense, and then hit a 3-pointer to put the Hematites on the board. Negaunee hit a 3-pointer 4 minutes into the game to take a 3-5 lead. After a basket by Negaunee’s Jay Lori, Kyle Torres hit a 3-pointer for Ishpeming with 3 minutes left in the quarter to make it 6-7. Negaunee’s Bell hit a jumper, and Ishpeming went into the second quarter down 6-9.
First Quarter Score:
Ishpeming Hematites 6
Negaunee Miners 9
The Hematites closed the deficit to one point with Corp scoring in the paint on their first possession of the second quarter. Ishpeming took the lead after Ozzy Hakkarinen putback a missed shot, and then Negaunee’s Lori made it 10-11 with a basket for the Miners. Another basket by Lori was followed by Thomas Finegan scoring in the paint to make it 12-13. The Miners took a 4 point lead when Tasson hit a 3-pointer with less than 3 minutes left in the first half. Another basket by Negaunee put the Hematites down 12-18 at halftime.
Pictures from the first half of the District Championship! pic.twitter.com/jliYdIQ4Rr
— Ishpeming Hematites (@HematiteUpdates) March 13, 2015
Halftime Score:
Ishpeming Hematites 12
Negaunee Miners 18
After Negaunee stretched their lead to 8 points, Finegan scored twice in a row to make it 16-20 halfway through the third quarter. Nick Comment got fouled on a putback attempt and made two free throws to cut the deficit to 2 points. A layup by Lori was followed by Nick Comment hitting two free throws with 3:26 to make it 20-22. Kyle Torres hit a huge 3-pointer to give the Hematites a 23-22 lead, followed by Ozzy Corp making 2 free throws to make it 25-22 going into the final quarter.
Third Quarter Score:
Ishpeming Hematites 25
Negaunee Miners 22
Negaunee took the lead back when Ben Luke hit a 3-pointer to make it 25-27, followed by a putback basket by Dre Tuominen. Negaunee scored 9 straight until Hakkarinen had a free throw with 4:13 left to make it 26-31. A free throw by Finegan made it 27-31 with 2:16 left. Nick Comment had a clutch steal and breakaway layup, followed by another clutch steal and a free throw with :45 left to make it a one point game. Ozzy Corp had a huge basket to give the Hematites the lead with 14 seconds left. Negaunee shot to win the game, but Ozzy Corp had a huge block to secure the win for the Hematites!
Final Score:
Ishpeming Hematites 32
Negaunee Miners 31
Ozzy Corp had 9 points, 10 rebounds and 9 blocks in the win for Ishpeming. Nick Comment and Thomas Finegan both had 7 points. Kyle Torres had 6 points, and Ozzy Hakkarinen had 3 points and 5 rebounds for the Hematites.
The Ishpeming Hematites will play the Boyne City Ramblers in the Regional Semi-finals in Marquette on March 16th, at 8pm on 98.3 WRUP and WRUP.com!