Munising’s Trevor Nolan, right, looks for a teammate to pass to while being defended by Ishpeming’s Hunter Smith during their high school boys basketball game played at the Hematites gym in Ishpeming on Thursday. (Photo courtesy Cara Kamps)

ISHPEMING — Munising survived a fourth-quarter surge from Ishpeming to secure a 54-48 high school boys baksetball victory in Ishpeming on Thursday evening.

Junior big man Jack Dusseault lead the way for the Mustangs with 17 points, while Caden Luoma put in a game-high 22 for the Hematites in a physical encounter.

Ishpeming came into the matchup with a stellar 5-1 record, their lone defeat coming against Iron Mountain earlier in December. Defending state champion Munising’s start to the 2023 campaign has started a little slower, as coach Terry Kienitz’s boys traveled to Ishpeming with a 4-3 record.

Ishpeming started hot, with seniors Hunter Smith and Parker Gauthier each contributing a 3-point shot and the Hematites holding onto a narrow 11-10 lead after one quarter.

The second quarter saw Munising take the lead on the back of two triples from junior guard Trevor Nolan.

While Ishpeming started off strong, Munising returned the favor early in the second half as the Mustangs extended their lead to 40-33 in the third quarter, with Nolan hitting again from downtown and 6-foot-4 junior Carson Kienitz adding two crucial buckets.

The action-packed fourth quarter saw Ishpeming claw back to tie the game after clutch 3’s from Smith and Luoma, with Luoma sinking two free throws to bring the teams even at 44-44 with just over three minutes left. Smith’s constant energy was missed late in the fourth after the Ishpeming senior had to leave the game after picking up his fifth foul.

The Hematites’ comeback was short-lived, however, with Munising sophomore Nolan Connaughton joining Dusseault in scoring six massive points each, as the Mustangs suffocated the Hematites’ comeback hopes in the end.

These teams are scheduled to meet again on Jan. 26 in Munising.

The Mustangs hope to build on this hard-fought victory when host Rapid River on Wednesday. Ishpeming completes four games in a row at home by hosting Manistique on Friday.

Randy Crouch can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 542. His email address is rcrouch@miningjournal.net.