Trailing for much of the game, the Hematites scored nearly half their points in a decisive fourth-quarter comeback to score a 63-47 win at Gwinn on Thursday night.

The Hematites had to pull off that late surge in what had been a fairly close game.

“We were pretty slow to start, and it kind of took us three quarters to truly get going,” Ishpeming head coach Paige Yoho said. “But … a 31-point fourth quarter is what kind of set us above.

“So proud of the effort and resiliency my guys continue to show.”

Caden Luoma stands with his 1,000-point game ball after his Ishpeming boys basketball team defeated Gwinn 63-47 on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at the Modeltowners gym. (Journal photo by Caden Sierra)

The Hematites (6-5) entered the game seeking redemption after a close 60-57 home loss to Negaunee on Jan. 10. Gwinn (3-8), fresh off an overtime win against Gladstone, looked to build momentum, and the game was tightly contested from the opening tip.

The first quarter set the tone, with Luoma sparking a 7-0 run to start, fueled by strong free throw shooting and defensive pressure. Gwinn clawed back, led by Dane Wixtrom and Andrew Hill, who combined for key baskets to tie the game at 9-9 by the end of the quarter.

Gwinn carried its defensive intensity into the second quarter, holding Ishpeming scoreless for stretches and forcing turnovers. Modeltowners’ sharpshooter Tyler Murphy caught fire with back-to-back 3-pointers, helping Gwinn take a 15-9 lead.

Ishpeming responded with contributions from Levi Nicholls, who fought through traffic for a critical layup, and Luoma, who delivered a significant moment with 59 seconds left in the first half. Driving through the paint, that’s when he scored his 1,000th point, drawing cheers from both teams and fans. Despite the celebration, Gwinn entered halftime ahead 25-20.

Murphy continue to lead the way for Gwinn in the third, hitting another pair of triples to extend his team’s advantage. Ishpeming kept the game within reach thanks to steady defense and timely buckets, including a key basket by Grady Gauthier late in the quarter. Gwinn maintained a 40-32 lead headed into the fourth.

Ishpeming’s Ethan Corp, left, drives to the basket in the second quarter looking for points around Gwinn defender Nate Carter during their high school boys basketball game played at the Modeltowners’ gym on Thursday. (Journal photo by Caden Sierra)

That’s when the Hematites really came alive with a spectacular 31-point effort that flipped the scoreboard. Luoma’s leadership shined bright as he poured in critical points at the free throw line and found success driving to the basket.

Nicholls and Gauthier added to the scoring barrage, with Gauthier drilling a 3-pointer midway through the period to give Ishpeming its first lead since the opening minutes. Gwinn struggled to respond as Ishpeming capitalized on turnovers, building momentum as the game wound down. Dax Kakkuri added a dagger 3-pointer late and Luoma sealed the win with another trip to the free throw line.

“It’s been a goal for myself since sophomore year when I stepped on varsity,” Luoma said of his scoring milestone. “To finally get it done, it feels good. It feels like I can just play the game now, and it means everything to me that I get to do (that) with my best friend Ethan Corp, and then this, the whole team that’s been with me for as long as I can remember.”

As IHS celebrated the milestone and their hard-fought victory, the team turns its focus to building on this momentum.

With a “revenge” game looming against Gladstone at 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, the Hematites aim to channel the resilience and energy they showed in Gwinn into what promises to be another thrilling matchup.

For the Modeltowners, despite the loss, the game marked a step forward in their competitive efforts.

“We’re a couple of turnovers away from being really tough,” Gwinn head coach Kyle Aho said, highlighting the growth he sees in his team.

Gwinn will look to translate those lessons into success as they prepare for their next matchup at West Iron County at 7:15 p.m. EST Monday.

Caden Sierra can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 551. His email address is csierra@nmu.edu.