Hematites prepare for boys basketball season

ISHPEMING — The Hematites boys basketball team is reading to take the court this week for the first time this season.

Ishpeming is coming off their state championship in football so the first few games on the schedule had to be postponed. But after almost a month of getting ready, the boys are ready to get at it. The team spoke about the differences between preparing for basketball and preparing for football.

“If you’re in football shape, it doesn’t mean you’re in basketball shape. It’s totally different. The big thing is we got to get these kids’ legs underneath them. I don’t know if they are there yet. It’s going to be a work in progress,” head coach Jeff Olson said.

“It’s been a lot of shooting because it’s a lot different from football, and going right from football to basketball and trying to get the same shot you had last year down…trying to get the same arc and all that stuff. You just got to keep running and pushing yourself in practice because you got to catch up to all the other teams,” said guard Nick Comment.

It’s going to be a tough test right out of the gate as the Hematites will host cross–town rivals Westwood. But Ishpeming has the benefit of seeing some film on the Patriots so far this season.

“They like to run the floor quick so we got to get back on defense as quick as possible and stay on our guys. We’re all pumped up and excited to see how it goes,” forward Jaren Kipling said.

“They’re very fundamental. They work very hard. They’re not going to give you anything for free. You’re going to have to work for it. They’re going to go all the little things. They’re going to box out. They’re going to pass the ball well. They’re going to shoot well. They’re going to play smart and they’re going to play hard. So if we give them easy shots, it could be a long night for us,” said Olson.

The game will tip–off tomorrow night at the Ishpeming gym at 7:20 p.m.