Marquette, MI – June 30th – After coming up short in three out of the previous six seasons, 1995 was a golden year for the Ishpeming Hematites, coached by Jerry Racine, a U.P. Sports Hall of Fame inductee.
The Hematites faced tough challenges throughout the playoffs. They began by competing against their cross-town rival, Negaunee. Brett Meyers delivered an outstanding performance, scoring a crucial twenty-five points, which helped the Hematites secure a victory over Negaunee.
The Hematites then defeated L’Anse (81-55), clinching their fourth consecutive district title. Following that, Ishpeming overcame Manistique (76-52) to win the U.P. crown and advance downstate.
Next, was Roger City. The Hematites rallied late in the game, as junior Jason Charbonneau scored 13 of his 17 points in the final stretch, leading the team to a 61-52 victory. Mark Dellangelo was the standout player, scoring 25 points.
In their first game at the Breslin Center in East Lansing, the Hematites faced off against the Olivet Eagles. Chad Asgaard emerged as the hero in the semifinal match, recording 11 rebounds and scoring 26 points, helping the Hematites achieve a 63-58 victory to advanced to the State Championship.
The Hematites faced off against the 24-2 Lakeview Wildcats in the finals. At halftime, the Hematites led 34-21. They continued to extend their lead to 48-26 with five minutes left in the third quarter. However, the Wildcats fought back, narrowing the gap to eleven points by the end of the third quarter. Despite the Wildcats’ efforts, the Hematites were determined to finish strong. Ishpeming concluded their season 27-1, defeating Lakeland 69-61. The Hematites finally brought the Class C State Championship home, finally lifting that burden off their shoulders.
The State Championship team will be inducted into the Ishpeming Halls of Excellence on Wednesday, July 2nd, permanently securing their legacy.
