March 18, 2026 — 10:10 PM EST
By Jeremy Symons
Game Details
Final: Ishpeming 60, Inland Lakes 22
Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Location: Gaylord High School — Gaylord, MI
Tournament: MHSAA Division 4 Girls Basketball Quarterfinal
The Division 4 Quarterfinal between Ishpeming and Indian River Inland Lakes opened tight, tense, and competitive — nothing like how it would finish.
2–2. Missed shots. A deep three from Inland Lakes. 5–2 early.
It felt like a game still finding its rhythm.
Then Ishpeming started applying pressure.
Jenessa Eagle drives — drops it to Mya Hemmer through contact. Free throws. Offensive rebounds. More free throws. Inland stacking fouls just to slow it down.
Still, it was only 15–10 after one.
But it didn’t feel even.
...
The Shift
Second quarter — everything starts to separate.
Jenessa from deep.
Then Mya… up top, off the bounce — breaks her defender down and gets all the way to the rim.
Not a post touch. Not a set.
From the perimeter.
Finish.
Layup. Stop. Layup. Stop.
22–10.
24–10.
And it was coming from both ends.
Smart, disciplined defense — pressure without fouling.
Turnovers. Contested shots. Nothing clean.
Mya adds a block. Controls the paint.
Then Jenessa takes over the stretch.
Layup.
Drive for two.
Pull-up in the lane — another two.
Step-back three.
Possession after possession.
27–10.
31–10.
34–10.
Every trip down felt the same.
Camby to the line for a pair.
Camby drives — kicks out to Frankie for three.
39–11 at the half.
Game flipped.
...
Run It Open
Third quarter ended it.
Ava Jo opens with a three.
Jenessa — steal, layup.
Then Mya took over the glass.
Rebound — kick to Jenessa, finish.
Rebound — putback.
Rebound — kick again, bucket.
Then keeps it herself in the lane.
Second chances turned into points. Every time.
46–11.
50–12.
52–12.
Everything connected.
Defense never changed. Still sharp. Still clean.
Frankie slips in for a smooth left-handed finish.
Jenessa misses a three. The crowd lets her hear it.
Next possession — she jumps the lane, takes it back, lays it in.
56–12.
No reaction. Just back on defense.
And right after — another forced turnover, Mya runs it out for two.
That was it.
By the end of the third: 60–14.
...
Finish
Fourth quarter — deeper rotations, both benches getting minutes.
The clock kept moving as the margin held.
The work had already been done.
...
What It Was
Not just scoring.
Control.
Rebounds. Pressure. Discipline. Pace.
Once Ishpeming found it, the game was over.
...
One Game Closer
With the win, Ishpeming advances to the MHSAA Division 4 State Semifinals, scheduled for Thursday, March 19, where they’ll face Morenci at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. Tip-off is set for 5:30 PM.
Fans can follow the tournament bracket here.
...
About the author
Jeremy “Syms” Symons is the founder of Roundballin, a Michigan-based designer, creative director, and storyteller documenting basketball through design, media, and culture.