Ishpeming's Hunter Smith, center left, and Negaunee's Jacob Ennett try to reel in a rebound of a Gavin Sundberg shot in the third quarter of their high school boys basketball game played Friday, Feb. 9, 2018, at the Hematites' gym. (Photo courtesy Daryl T. Jarvinen)

By Journal Sports Staff

ISHPEMING — Negaunee made 8 of 10 free throws in the fourth quarter to hold off a charge by Ishpeming as the Miners scored a 57-50 high school boys basketball victory on Friday night at the Hematites’ gym.

Sophomore Jakson Sager was a perfect 4 for 4 at the line in the final eight minutes as part of his 12-point night for Negaunee (7-9, 5-4 Mid-Peninsula Conference).

Another sophomore, Jason Waterman, led Miners’ scorers with 16 points as their balanced scoring included two players with nine points — seniors Jacob Ennett and Luke Skewis — and another with seven, sophomore Drew DuShane.

Ishpeming senior Hart Holmgren led all scorers with 22 points, which included 10 points in the first quarter and seven in the fourth. Hematites senior Jaden Tucker added 14 points.

Ishpeming (8-5, 6-3) needed all of Holmgren’s early production as Negaunee raced to a 19-12 lead after one quarter, also making it 30-24 by halftime.

Negaunee moved ahead 45-35 after three quarters before the Hematites attempted their comeback.

On Tuesday, the Miners host Gladstone while Ishpeming entertains Marquette.

Westwood 61,

Manistique 41

At Manistique, the Patriots jumped out to a 32-16 halftime lead but still had trouble shaking the Emeralds.

“It wasn’t our best game offensively or defensively,” Westwood coach Chad Hewitt said. “But our guys competed.”

The Patriots’ secret weapon was junior guard Nathan Beckman, who pumped in 26 points.

“Nathan did a nice job knocking down open shots and putting the ball on the floor and getting to the hoop,” Hewitt said. “David Delarye is just somebody you can rely on to play bigger than his 6-foot-3 stature.”

Delarye, a senior center, scored 19 points and pulled down a team-high six rebounds.

Westwood (6-7, 4-4 M-PC) led 16-9 after one quarter.

Sophomore Mark Block paced Manistique (2-14, 0-10) with 14 points, while junior Kanton Lauzon added nine.

Westwood also won the JV game 59-37.

On Tuesday, the Patriots host Gwinn while the Emeralds entertain Engadine.

Republic-Michigamme 41, Baraga 26

At Baraga, the Hawks shot free throws like they were going out of style.

It allowed R-M to take revenge on Baraga, which got its only win this season against the Hawks about two weeks ago.

The Hawks (5-9, 3-8 Copper Mountain Conference) made 17 of 22 free throws while canning just 11 shots from the field.

R-M’s leading scorer, Kasey Ball, made 9 of 12 free throws as he scored 13 points. River Shumate added 12 points while Kolin Conklin had eight.

Baraga (1-13, 1-9) was 8 of 10 from the line as the Vikings’ top scorer was Zach Sackett with five points.

On Tuesday, R-M plays at Ewen-Trout Creek in a makeup game from Jan. 19, while Baraga is at Dollar Bay.

Munising 62,

Mid Peninsula 45

At St. Nicholas, the visiting Mustangs eventually won the battle of pace as they took a 29-24 halftime lead and extended it to 44-31 after three quarters.

“We switched our defense to a zone in the second quarter to stop Terry Brower, who scored 11 points in the first quarter,” Munising coach Terry Kienitz said. “But that really slowed down (M-P’s) offense.

“We switched back to our usual man defense in the third and kept the pressure on them. That allowed us to push the pace with our transition offense.”

Brower still led all scorers with 24 points, while Mid Pen (2-11, 2-9 Skyline Central Conference).

For Munising (12-1, 7-1), Alec Blank scored 17 points and Anthony Mattson had 15.

The Mustangs, who also won the JV game 66-24, host Rapid River on Tuesday.

Information compiled by Journal Sports Editor Steve Brownlee. His email address is sbrownlee@miningjournal.net.