Ishpeming, MI – February 18th, 2019 – It was the second game of the night in the Ishpeming gym, and the Ishpeming Hematites boys were taking on the Calumet Copper Kings after a tough Hematites girls loss. The omnipresent Tyler Young and Bob Nadeau were right next to the court to bring all the action to you on 98.3 WRUP and online at WRUP.com!
Calumet got out to a very fast start when they put up the first two points of the game on a quick shot through traffic, however, the Ishpeming Hematites quickly answered and tied it up at 2-2. The game was tied up at 4-4 after two minutes, and neither team looked to have a major advantage. Darius Yohe seemed to vanish for Ishpeming midway through the quarter, but it appeared that he had to visit the trainer, causing concern for the entire Hematites’ bench. It was 6-6 with 1:30 remaining in the quarter, and scoring remained low as the first quarter ran out of time.
First Quarter Score
Ishpeming Hematites: 10
Calumet Copper Kings: 13
The Copper Kings exploded into the second quarter, scoring four quick points and forcing the Ishpeming Hematites to use a timeout early in the quarter. Soon, the score was 19-13 for Calumet, but Yohe had re-entered the game for Ishpeming to hopefully score some major points. Scoring in the second quarter was fast and fierce, and the Hematites trailed Calumet by about six points for several minutes. Calumet broke the six-point stalemate with a couple of free throws, adding more work to the Hematites’ plate. It was 25-16 for the Copper Kings with about 3:30 left in the half, but Ishpeming narrowed that gap after a great and-one play. With 2:50 left on the clock in the second quarter, the Copper Kings were forced to use one of their timeouts after Ishpeming closed to within eight points. Before the halftime buzzer, the Copper Kings shut down Ishpeming’s scoring, giving Calumet a nine-point lead at halftime
First Half Score
Ishpeming Hematites: 18
Calumet Copper Kings: 27
Unlike the first two quarter, the Ishpeming Hematites put up the first points of the half, but this time, the Copper Kings answered immediately. Calumet burned one of their valuable timeouts after the Hematites closed to within seven points early in the third. The Hematites just couldn’t get the baskets they needed to close the gap, mostly due to the Copper Kings’ excellent defense. It was 32-26, still for Calumet, as the third quarter fell under four minutes to play, but the Ishpeming Hematites were still in the game. With two minute to play in the quarter, the Hematites trailed by seven points, but they were always on the heels of the Copper Kings. As the third quarter ended, the game would all be decided in the fourth.
Third Quarter Score
Ishpeming Hematites: 34
Calumet Copper Kings: 46
The Ishpeming Hematites had stayed with the Copper Kings for much of the game, however, Calumet gained some space at the end of the third that Ishpeming needed to recover. It was 51-37 early in the fourth, and the Hematites’ bench started to appear defeated. Both team swapped points as time wound down, but Calumet was able to hold onto their more than ten point lead. The Hematites trailed by 14 points with just over two minutes to play, and things looked dire for the boys in blue. With :45 left in the game, Calumet had a 16-point lead, and the Hematites were called for an intentional foul after some frustration from Ishpeming.
Final Game Score
Ishpeming Hematites: 50
Calumet Copper Kings: 66
Listen LIVE – The Ishpeming Hematites boys basketball team faces the Calumet Copper Kings on Monday, February 18th, 2019 on 98.3 WRUP.mp3