Marquette, MI – March 30th, 2026 – Ryan Reichel’s basketball journey has come full circle; from a high school basketball player to a state championship-winning coach.
As a notable high school basketball player, Reichel played at Westwood High School before continuing at Northern Michigan University where he suited up for the Wildcats. After his playing days ended, his passion for the game never faded. This led him into coaching, a path that ultimately resulted in him coaching his way to two state championships titles with the Ishpeming Hematite girls.
Following this past weekend’s title run, Ryan announced he is stepping down from his position to spend more time with his family and support his daughter who plays for Negaunee.
The Mining Journal reported Reichel’s reflection on his decision:
“I’ve got to watch my kid play,” he said while fighting back tears. “It was a hard season because I missed seven games of hers. Her being unselfish, she told me to go get a title. I appreciate her.”
Reichel began his coaching career at his alma mater, Westwood High School, where he led the boys program for three seasons before stepping away. After a brief hiatus, he returned to the sidelines as the head coach of the Ishpeming girls varsity program.
During his ten years at the helm, Reichel compiled an impressive 165–83 record. His most notable season came in 2023-24, when he guided Ishpeming to its first-ever state championship. That team finished with just one loss, to rival Negaunee, which they later avenged.
This past season, Reichel led the Hematites to an 18–3 regular season record before an impressive postseason run. Ishpeming won seven games in the playoffs to capture the program’s second state championship, finishing the season 25–3.
Seniors Jenessa Eagle and Mya Hemmer, key contributors to the 2024 championship team, knew this would be their final run. They delivered when it mattered most, ending their careers with another title. During a press conference after Ishpeming’s hard-fought semifinal victory over Morenci, Reichel praised his senior leaders.
“I’m pretty emotional about this right now because having these two girls and knowing it’s the finale of their career and seeing what they just did tonight to carry us and will our team to win, it was remarkable.”
Hemmer spoke about the dedication of her head coach:
“This man is crazy, all props to him,” Hemmer said. “He stays up so late and gets up so early. He snowplows for people, does film for us, gets us in the gym. We’re so grateful for him. We would not be here without him.
“He makes so much time for us. He makes sure that we’re well-fed on the way down here and that we’re sleeping. He’s just on top of everything. It’s great to have that kind of adult in your life as a coach.”
With Reichel stepping down, Ishpeming will now begin its search for the next head coach of its girls basketball program. Once a replacement is named, full coverage will be available on Fox Sports Marquette.
Coach Reichel will join us tomorrow on The Big Local Sports Show where we’ll get to hear about the playoff run, his decision to step down, and much more. We will be live from Slabz Bar and Grill on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. If you can’t make it in person, you can listen on Fox Sports Marquette 105.1 and 99.9, catch the replay at 6:00 p.m. on 97.5 GTO, or watch the show streamed live on the mediaBrew Communications Facebook page.
