Escanaba, MI – March 7th, 2022 – The Negaunee Miners went on the road for the district semifinal matchup against the Escanaba Eskymos. The Miners lose 57-31 and conclude their 2021-2022 season. Carl Leander Johnson had the call live on Sunny 101.9!
1Q: Escanaba gets the game started by winning the tip-off and scoring almost immediately with a drive into the lane, making the layup. After a couple of turnovers and down by six, Negaunee’s coach Waterman is forced to call a timeout. Escanaba would not let up as they continue their opening run going 11-0 in the first two minutes of the game. Negaunee takes another timeout to keep the players’ head in the game.
Negaunee’s first point of the game come after Mason Sager draws a shooting foul and making 1/2 free throws. Gerald Johnson gets the Miners’ first field goal by driving to the basket from the corner and making the contested shot, reducing the deficit to 11-3. Escanaba proved to be too much in the first quarter as they go on another run, running the score up to 21-3 to end the quarter.
End of 1st: Negaunee 3, Escanaba 21
2Q: The Miners could not get any luck breaking their way as turnovers plagued Negaunee early in the quarter. Escanaba continued to take advantage of the miscues and seemed like they could not miss on offense. Escanaba go on another run to give the Eskymos a 29-3 lead at the halfway point of the second quarter.
Gavin Jacobson picks up Negaunee’s second field goal of the night with 3 minutes to go in the second quarter. Negaunee’s Jackson Gladwell gives the Miners some hope by scoring four consecutive points and cutting the lead down to 21 points. Negaunee ends the first half looking to come back after the break to claw their way back in the game.
End of 2nd: Negaunee 11, Escanaba 33
3Q: Escanaba’s height would continue to be a problem as their defense and offense would reap the benefits from the height difference. Despite the outlook of the game, both Brody Bell and Ty Jacobson continue to hustle, both getting field goals back to back. The Eskymo zone defense seemed impenetrable as Negaunee continues to get blocked any time they attempt to drive to the basket. The quarter ends with Escanaba in place to end the game comfortably.
End of 3rd: Negaunee 20, Escanaba 44
4Q: The first points of the quarter come to Escanaba after a steal and break away emphatic dunk to capitalize the kind of night it has been for the Eskymos. Escanaba take their biggest lead of the night with 3 minutes to go in the game going up 51-21.The game would end with little fanfare and Escanaba handily closes the game out 57-31.
The game morale was immediately depleted for the Miners after the first quarter. The Miners were only able to score one field goal in the games first 13 minutes leaving Escanaba to take advantage on offense. The season ends on a sour note, especially for Negaunee’s seniors Gladwell and Johsnon, but the Miners look forward to next season with the majority of the players returning.
End of Game: Negaunee 31, Escanaba 57
The Joe Boogren Player of the Game was awarded to Ty Jacobson.
Next Game: The Negaunee Miners have concluded there 2021-2022 season and look to rebound next year!
LISTEN TO THE FULL BROADCAST: NEGAUNEE MINERS VS ESCANABA ESKYMOS
