February 18, 2019 at 2:02 p.m.
Perfect dozen: Lady Hodags win 12th straight game, finish 12-0 in GNC
Perfect dozen: Lady Hodags win 12th straight game, finish 12-0 in GNC
Kenedy Van Zile led three Hodags in double digits and the Hodags closed out a perfect Great Northern Conference season with a 74-41 win over Antigo at the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium.
Afterward, the Hodags were able to cut down the nets, celebrating the first conference championship in program history.
"I think it was such a neat thing for the girls to accomplish it at home, last game of the season, senior night, a big crowd and then they got to cut down the nets in front of their home crowd," coach Ryan Clark said. "We had a full gym tonight. I think that was really special for the kids and the crowd gave them a really nice ovation. That's probably the thing I take away most from it."
Rhinelander has not lost a game in the calendar year of 2019 - a streak of 12 consecutive wins. Not only did this Rhinelander team win a conference title, it accomplished the feat in dominating fashion, winning all 12 GNC games by double digits.
"They met every challenge, home and away, and to have a chance to do it in front of the home crowd and fans was very special," Clark said.
Antigo hoped to spoil Rhinelander's party - and actually led 10-5 roughly seven minutes into the first half - but there was no holding the Hodags back. A couple of Hannah Worachek 3s started the rally and the Hodags went on a 39-4 run to close out the half, taking a 44-14 lead at the break.
"I thought Hannah Worachek had a couple of really big 3s in the first half that really got us going," Clark said. "She's been a real steady player for us off the bench. She's another player who gives us a lift. She hits those 3s and we end up hitting 10 3s in the first half. It just took someone to hit a couple of shots and then it just kind of snowballed from there."
Antigo attempted to bog Rhinelander in a half court game early in the contest. Once the Hodags were able to get the tempo up to a speed more of their liking, there was no turning back.
"I thought our energy was good and we were moving our feet defensively," Clark said. "I liked how we were pressing. It just took a little bit."
Van Zile had 16 of her game-high 25 points by halftime. Brooke Mork hit three 3s in the first half and finished with 15 points. Rebecca Lawrence added 14 for the Hodags.
Brinna Mauk led Antigo with 13 points.
The Hodags (17-5, 12-0 Great Northern) enter the playoffs with plenty of momentum. They will face the winner of tonight's Mosinee-Wausau East game in the regional semifinals this Friday.
"The girls know this is a new season. There's no second chances. We're happy we get the first game at home for sure," Clark said. "The girls don't want to end, that's the thing about this team. It's going to end some time but, when your team is clicking and they love to play with each other and play for each other, that goes a long way."
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
Comments:
You must login to comment.