Marquette's Brendan Kaski, front right, tips the ball away from Ishpeming's Gavin Sundberg, second from left, as the Redmen's Trey McFerrin, left, and Ethan Martysz try to get in on the play during their high school boys basketball game played at the Hematites' gym on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2018. (Photo courtesy Daryl T. Jarvinen)

By RYAN SPITZA

Journal

Sports Writer

ISHPEMING — Head coach Anthony Katona and the Ishpeming High School boys varsity basketball team have a lot to prove this season.

After a 15-7 record last year, which included a signature win over undefeated Iron Mountain, the Hematites’ season ultimately ended in heartbreak, falling to Westwood 54-53 in the Class C district tournament final.

Ishpeming looks to build on last season and make it even further with two of its top players returning, senior guard Gavin Sundberg and senior forward Darius Yohe.

One player they’ll have to do without is All-U.P. Dream Team player and All-State Class C Honorable Mention Hart Holmgren.

The 6-foot-5 now-Northern Michigan University player is one of six players the Hematites lost to graduation, and carried the load for the Hematites with an average of 23.1 points per game, 6.2 rebounds and two blocks defensively.

While Holmgren was the clear leader of the team, Katona believes his two veterans in Sundberg and Yohe along with his young crop of players up from the junior varsity team can fill his shoes.

“Hart was a great athlete for us and definitely helped keep it together when things got rocky,” he said.

“This year, we’re going to be a little more well-rounded. The JV’s that are coming up and a couple of seniors that didn’t play last year should fill those voids.”

Yohe, a 6-foot-6 forward is expected to have improved in the offseason while Sundberg, also the star of the football team, is still feeling the effects from the Hematites’ deep playoff run.

“Darius had a good junior season,” Katona said.

“He’s improved since last year and hopefully, Gavin isn’t too beat up from football.

“He should calm things down on the court and run the offense smoothly. We also have a lot of players that should be able to step up.

“Our depth will be larger than last year and hopefully, we get upward of 10 guys per game.

The new guys that didn’t play basketball last year are decent athletes should be able to step in and help as well.”

Fresh off of the JV team are five players. Juniors Breck Bell, Otto Swanson, Ben Pruett, Jacob Kugler and Gavin Argall. Four seniors will also join the roster fresh off of football season, Hunter Smith, Matt Trawick, Logan Kruhlik and Zach Jandreau.

Asked why Hematite Nation should flock to the IHS gym this season, Katona said the athleticism of his roster will be more fun to watch.

“We’re going to go back to what we were doing last season and build off of that as far as offense and defense go,” he said.

“It’s going to look a little different than last year though. We’re more well-rounded and more poised when taking our time on offense as opposed to last year.

“We have a few new athletes, we’ll be a little taller and a little faster this year than we usually are.”

Email Ryan Spitza at sports@miningjournal.net

Ishpeming boys

2018-19 schedule

All times Eastern

Dec. 4 — Gladstone, 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 7 — at Westwood, 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 12 — Gwinn, 7:15 p.m.

Dec. 18 — at Kingsford, 7:45 p.m.

Jan. 2 — Hancock, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 4 — at Manistique, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 9 — Negaunee, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 11 — Westwood, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 15 — Marquette, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 17 — at Gwinn, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 22 — at Gladstone, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 29 — at Houghton, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 31 — at West Iron Co., 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 1 — Iron Mountain, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 4 — L’Anse, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 8 — at Negaunee, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 12 — at Marquette, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 15 — Manstique, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 18 — Calumet, 7:15 p.m.

Feb. 19 — at Iron Mount., 7:30 p.m.