Ishpeming, MI – February 24, 2017 – There was a lot at stake for the Ishpeming Hematites JV girls basketball team when they took the court Thursday night against the Negaunee Miners. The Hematites had one conference loss coming into the game. The lone loss was against Negaunee, who was undefeated in conference play coming into the contest. A win would have given the Hematites a share of the Mid Peninsula Conference championship.
The Hematites came out hungry and looking like a championship team. Ishpeming got things going with 2 baskets from Emma Poirier and Sophie Hooper to lead 4-0. Ishpeming got contributions on the scoreboard from 4 different players. The aforementioned Poirier and Hooper were joined by Hailey Smith and Kayla Koski in the score column. Ishpeming took an 11-5 lead into the 2nd quarter.
Negaunee got the action started in the 2nd quarter with a basket from Alexa Gravedoni. But the Hematites quickly answered with a 3 pointer from Hailey Smith. After another Negaunee basket, the Hematites’ Emma Poirier scored consecutive buckets to give the Hematites an 18-9 lead. Negaunee responded with a 5-0 run before the Hematites registered the final 4 points of the half, capped off by a Kayla Koski buzzer beater. The Hematites lead 22-14 at halftime.
The second half was not kind to the Hematites. It looked good in the first minute after Chloe Rajala hit one of two free throws for the Miners which was answered by a Madison Pruett 3 pointer to give the Hematites their largest lead of the game at 25-15. This is where things went south for the Hematites. Negaunee scored the next 12 points and 20 of the next 25. The Hematites found themselves suddenyl down 35-30 heading into the final quarter.
Ishpeming could not quite claw their way back as Negaunee used solid ball control to run the clock down. The Hematites got within 2 halfway through the quarter on a Hailey Smith basket, but Negaunee again went on a big run. Negaunee scored 7 of the final 8 points in the game, as the Hemaatites fell to the Miners, 46-38.
LISTEN – FULL GAME – Ishpeming Hematites JV Girls Basketball Falls to Negaunee Miners