December 17, 2018 at 11:10 a.m.
Lady Hodags blitz Northland Pines 79-33
Lady Hodags blitz Northland Pines 79-33
The Hodags shellacked Northland Pines over the first nine minutes of the contest, building what proved to be an insurmountable lead as they routed the Eagles 79-33 at the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium.
Essentially, the contest was over before it really started. Rhinelander (5-3, 3-0 Great Northern) started the game on a 21-0 run over the first 6 minutes, 19 seconds, led 28-2 with 9:29 left in the first half and cruised to a 49-13 lead at the break.
"We just have a little more talent than they do, and that made a big difference," Clark said.
That talent was on full display during the opening salvo. Kenedy Van Zile led all scorers with 35 points, including four 3-pointers during Rhinelander's run to start the contest. Brooke Mork, Marissa Martin, Hannah Worachek and Rebecca Lawrence also got into the scoring party as Rhinelander built a huge lead and never looked back.
"We wanted to press them to start the game. Kenedy hit a few 3s off the bat and I thought we were clean the first half," Clark said. "We had six turnovers I thought we weren't sloppy. I know we were more talented but we took care of the ball pretty well."
Mork added 15 points in the Hodag win while Hannah Worachek had a career-high 10 points. The large lead afforded the Hodags to extend their bench in the contest. All 13 players who suited up for varsity got minutes Friday night and 11 of them scored.
"My goal was to play a nice, clean game and then get a lot of kids a lot of playing time on the court, like Ella Schiek, Sophia (McGinnis) had a good game, more minutes for her, Annika Johnson, get them more minutes on the court," Clark said. "I told them we're up 25, but it's game action and game reps. We need that."
The Hodags also needed to see the ball go in the hole after shooting just under 20 percent in a 61-40 loss Tuesday night at Crandon. That happened Friday night as the Hodags were 42 percent from the floor (26 of 68), and 11 of 32 from beyond the 3-point arc.
"We've lost two tough games to Crandon and Regis," Clark said. "Both of them were tough, physical. In both games, Kenedy struggled. We've got to learn from those two games, but it was nice to have a game where the kids knocked down some shots. We can build on that."
The Hodags are now 3-1 when Van Zile scores 30 points or more.
Lucy Lurvey had 11 points to lead Northland Pines in closing effort.
Rhinelander has a couple of weeks off from game competition. The Hodags will return to action Dec. 28 and 29 as they host a four-team tournament at the Miazga Gym. Rhinelander will open will Madison LaFollette Dec. 28 and play either Superior or Wisconsin Rapids Dec. 29.
"A little weird to have a week off of practice next week, but we'll work on some fundaments, keep it pretty light, keep it pretty fun, let them go to Christmas and then we'll get right back at it," Clark said.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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