Negaunee, Mi– February 10th, 2023– The Negaunee Miner Girls fought hard against the Ishpeming Hematites Friday night in the second match of a double header. Carl Leander Johnson was on the scene at Lakeview Elementary School to report on Senior Night for Sunny 101.9
The first quarter started off strong, the Hematites drew first blood but Ella Mason followed with a three pointer. The Hematites evened the score shortly after. Theresa Anderson sunk two buckets at the free throw line, bringing the Miners to a score of five. Lily Swanson scored a single again for the Hematites, Lily is the singular scorer for Ishpeming. Cooper made an amazing pass to Anderson, who scored a two pointer. Cooper made another pass to Ella Mason, who made a two pointer as well. The Hematites evened the score shortly after. The Hematites tried to take the lead, but Grace Nardi scored a two pointer bringing the Miners to a score of eleven. 13-11
Cooper Atkins evened the score from the free throw line to start off the second quarter. The Hematites fought back but Negaunee refused to lose. Atkins fought hard from a defensive end. The Hematites climbed to a lead of five before Atkins scored a three pointer. A timeout was called immediately after. The student section erupted as the game resumed, on the edge of their seats for some of the best teams in the UP. The Miners were on a 12-game win streak while the Hematites were on an 8-game win streak. Ella Mason scored a three pointer, and was sent to the free throw line shortly after. The Hematites evened the game immediately after. The Miners retook the lead with a two pointer thanks to Ella Mason. The Hematites retaliated and evened the score at twenty. Seere Helms-Gleason stole the lead back with a minute thirty left in the quarter. Cooper Atkins forced a jump ball shortly after, in the style of Theresa Anderson. Maki of Ishpeming evened the score at twenty-two, Ella Mason scored twice with less than a minute left. 27-24
The third quarter started off with fast action from Jenna Maki who scored twice at the free throw line. Manninen tied the game up at twenty-seven points. The Hematites were sent to the three point line to no avail after a three point play. Nardi played catch-up and brought the Miners to a score of twenty-nine, three points below the Hematites. Aubrey Johnson knocked down a two pointer shortly after. Jenna Maki made a three point play but was unable to convert it at the free throw line. Cooper Atkins fought back, slimming the gap down to a single point yet again. Maki scored once at the free throw line shortly after.A minute later, Madison Pekril tied the game up at thirty six points. The Hematites scored a two pointer, stealing the lead once again; A timeout was called shortly after. The Hematites continued to climb after the timeout, followed by Cooper Atkins. Maija Hemmer of Ishpeming scored yet again, the Miners struggled with her due to the height comparison. Madison Pekril ended off the quarter with a two point shot. 42-40
The fourth quarter had an outstanding ending. Ella Mason tied the game at forty-two points. Maki of the Hematites stole the lead back shortly after. Maki scored twice at the free throw line as well. The Miners attempted to close the gap once again before a timeout. Manninen of the Hematites brought the Miners up to a lead of three from the free throw line. Ella Mason sunk two shots at the free throw line as well, slimming down the lead once again. The Hematites widened the lead to three again after a timeout. Ella Mason pulled the Miners within one yet again. The Hematites fought back with a three point shot. Jenna Maki picked up another shot, carrying the Hematites to a lead of six points. Ishpeming’s top scorers reached four fouls each shortly after. The Miners scored a two pointer after a timeout, bringing the Miners to a score of forty. Aubrey Johnson knocked down a three pointer, shortening the lead down to one before another timeout. Jenna Maki was back at the free throw line afterwards, after missing her first shot her coach called a timeout yet again. Maki returned to the line and missed her shot yet again, Ella Mason scored a buzzer beater shot taking the win. This was the Miner Girl’s second buzzer beater match in a row, coach Mike O’Donnell said the last game was the first one he’d seen in thirteen years. Carl Leander Johnson and the student section erupted with joy. 55-54
FINAL SCORE 55-54
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE FULL GAME
