Marquette, MI – February 24th, 2022 – The Negaunee Miners girls basketball team closed out the regular season this evening, with a rival match-up against the Marquette Redettes. The game was broadcasted on Sunny 101.9.
1Q: The Redettes won the tip to open the ball game, as they were able to connect on a third chance opportunity to take an early lead. The Miners came up short on their opening possession. It’s fair to mention, that Senior Alyssa Hill was honored with All U.P Dream Team this season, as Sophomore Ella Mason was First Team All Conference for the Miners. The Redettes played excellent defense to begin the ball game, as they held the Miners scoreless in the first 5 minutes of the ball game. Ella Mason knocked down a floater to trail 4-2 with just under 3:20 remaining in the opening quarter. After an empty possession for the Redettes, Summer Dudo nailed a triple to give the Miners a one point lead. A little back and forth affair in the final few minutes gave Marquette a 9-7 lead heading into the second quarter.
2Q: The Redettes received the ball to begin the quarter as they came up empty on their first offensive possession. On the other end, Alysaa Hill powered her way inside as she capitalized on an old fashion three point play to give the Miners a one point lead. The Miners got things going on their next few possessions, after holding the Redettes, they scored four straight points thanks to Ella Mason and Summer Dudo. An uneventful few minutes transpired late in the quarter, as both teams turned the ball over several times. A few buckets from each team would give the Miners a 17-13 lead at the half.
3Q: The Miners began the second half with the basketball, as they weren’t able to find the bottom of the net. Thankfully the Redettes came up empty as well, as the Miners were able to find a bucket from Summer Dudo on the very next possession to give the Miners a six point lead. The Redettes knocked down a pair of free throws on their next possession to cut the deficit back to four. Alyssa Hill, who averages two blocks per game, found her first one of the game a minute later, as Marquette was able to get the offense rebound and score two more. Ella Mason then turned things around for the Miners as she buried a triple and earned herself a layup off a steal, Miners took their largest lead of the night, leading 28-19. Marquette struggled offensively outside of Megan MacPhee, as Negaunee began to score at will, Alyssa Hill and Summer Dudo added buckets for the Miners. With :43 seconds left in the quarter, Alyssa Hill added her second block that led to an Ella Mason layup, at the end of the third quarter, Negaunee led 37-21.
4Q: The Redettes needed an almost perfect fourth quarter to get back into the ball game, as Sienna Lingle started off on the right foot with a bucket of her own. Alyssa Hill got Negaunee on the board after a few empty possessions. The Redettes were on track to cut the deficit as Megan MacPhee knocked down a bucket, but Ella Mason and the Miners quickly scored four straight points to end the Redettes hope. The Miners protected the basketball and played well enough defense in the final minutes to secure the regular season finale. After outscoring the Redettes 28-19 in the second half, the Miners head into the postseason with a 15-5 record.
Summer Dudo won the Player of the Game
Final: Negaunee 45 Marquette 32
The Negaunee Miners will begin the post season on Wednesday, when they host the Escanaba Esymos in the semi finals of the district tournament. The ball will tip at 6 pm as you can hear the broadcast on Sunny 101.9.
