Reichel Leads Ishpeming to Another State Championship

After leading the Ishpeming girls' basketball team to its second MHSAA Division 4 state championship in three years, head coach and NMU alumnus Ryan Reichel announced he will step down after 14 years at the helm to spend more time watching his daughter play the sport.

The Hematites dominated Portland St. Patrick's with a 48-28 victory, claiming the Division 4 title in East Lansing. They had previouslly beat Morenci in the semifinals 37-34, after trailing at halftime.

Reichel led the Hematites to a regular season record of 25-3. The team secured the Region 25 championship with a comeback win over Ewen-Trout Creek, then defeated Indian River Inland Lakes in the quarterfinals of the state tournament in Gaylord, earning a trip to Michigan State University.

Reichel graduated from NMU with a bachelor's degree in health and physical education in 2008. He coached the boys' team at his alma mater of Westwood before becoming a teacher and girls' varsity basketball coach for Ishpeming Public Schools in 2015.