Negaunee, MI- March 3rd, 2017- The Ishpeming Hematites would be coming into the District Championship off a huge win against the undefeated Munising Mustangs. The Hematites were hoping that they could carry over the play of their best game this season against the Negaunee Miners who they have lost two games to during the regular season.
Well, it was not the start the Hematites were hoping for in the first quarter. Ishpeming had hoped that their big win against Munising would carry some momentum over to this game but that would not be the case in the start of this one. Ishpeming would tie things up at 5 before Negaunee finished the quarter on a 9-2 run and take a 14-7 lead into the next quarter.
The slow start would continue as the second quarter would not be much better for the Hematites. Ishpeming’s offense would perk up a little bit more and reaching double digits but their defense couldn’t seem to figure out Negaunee’s offense. The Hematites would be outscored 13-10 in the quarter and trail the Miners 27-27 heading into the half.
It would be tough sledding in the third quarter as the Negaunee Miners would separate themselves in this game. The Hematites would simply be shut down by the Miners defense, Ishpeming just could not get any easy baskets and gain any momentum in the frame. Negaunee would be on fire and add another 17 points to their total while Ishpeming would only sink two baskets and add 4 points. The Miners led heading into the fourth quarter 44-21.
The Hematites would give everything they had in the fourth quarter knowing that if they don’t win this one there is no tomorrow. Trailing 44-21 to start the quarter, Ishpeming would need the best 7 minutes of their lives to mount the most miraculous comeback. And they did almost that, the Hematites would start the quarter on a 21-2 run and get this game within four points. But they just didn’t have enough time as the clock would work against them and Negaunee would sink the foul shots to ice this one. Negaunee defeats the Hematites 55-46.
LISTEN LIVE – ISHPEMING HEMATITES GIRLS BASKETBALL FALLS TO NEGAUNEE MINERS 55-46.mp3