CALUMET — For the second Wednesday in a row, the Calumet High School Gymnasium held a Division 3 District 65 semifinal game, and on March 6, it was the Copper Kings girls that had to defend home court as the West Iron County (WIC) Wykons bussed into town. Despite the nearly 100 miles separating the two schools, the WIC students showed up in abundance to do battle via cheers and chants against the Copper Kings’ students.

The Wykons had the last laugh as their basketball team won an intense rollercoaster contest, 52-42.

“I liked our intensity on defense,” said Wykons coach Eric Shamion. “We emphasized rebounding in practice, and I think we limited Calumet to one shot most possessions because of our rebounding.

“Give Calumet credit; they came storming back, especially in the second half, and made it a game, but in the fourth quarter, Danica Shamion went to the line and made a bunch of free throws for us, and that really sealed the game, but I’m just proud of the kids proud of the effort that they gave.”

Backed by their fans, WIC survived a strong Calumet comeback attempt.

“I thought Calumet was more aggressive on offense in the second half,” Eric Shamion explained. “Credit the Calumet kids, but in the fourth quarter, our execution was great, and we handled their pressure; we made the right decisions.”

Calumet coach Charlie Kemppainen felt proud of the girl’s effort and grateful for the opportunity to coach the team.

“I have been proud of this crew all year and even more so tonight,” Kemppainen said. “The season ends so abruptly, and losing seniors is hard, but these kids really came together well. It hurts all of us to see this season end, but this was such an enjoyable year, and they are such good kids to be around.

“I’m really blessed to be part of this.”

Kemppainen received the WestPac Coach of the Year award for the 2023-24 season. He led his girls to an 11-11 regular season record with the team consisting of just two seniors and one junior. There were nine freshmen and sophomores, and many of them played significant minutes.

“The other coaches voted on that award,” Kemppainen said. “They recognize what these kids have done in the season, from where they started to where they finished; it’s truly a team award.

“I’m humbled by it, but so thankful that these kids put in the effort, so it’s attributed to them.”

Calumet’s Caitlyn Strom led all players with 21 points. Kiirsi Johnson added 11 for the Kings.

Danica Shamion led WIC with 17, while Haiden Gill put 11 on the board.

The Wykons grabbed an early 3-0 advantage. Calumet took their first and only lead of the game, 6-5, a few minutes in. A 5-0 WIC run put a gap between the squads, but before the end of the frame, the Copper Kings made it a one-point game, 13-12. A last-second bucket put the Wykons up three, 15-12, heading into the second quarter.

In the second quarter, WIC took control of the game. Halfway into the quarter, the Wykons had a 25-12 lead after a 10-0 run. With two minutes left in the half, the Copper Kings trailed 29-14. The Calumet second-half surge started in the last 120 seconds of quarter two. The Wykons gave up seven straight heading into the break but still hit the dressing room up eight, 29-21.

The shift in momentum carried over into the third, and during minutes 17-24, Calumet clawed its way back into the game, and the closest it came to a tie was 34-32. When the fourth quarter started, WIC made the score 36-32 in their favor.

The Copper Kings made a three-pointer that cut their deficit to one soon after the final eight minutes started. WIC, now only up 36-35, dug deep through the middle of the fourth and regained control after outscoring Calumet, 11-4. In the game’s last two minutes, the 47-39 deficit proved too much for the Copper Kings, and West Iron County punched their ticket to the district final with the victory.

West Iron County will host Westwood Friday at 5:30 p.m. for the District 65 championship.