February 25, 2019 at 12:15 p.m.
A dogged opponent
New London shuts down Lady Hodags in WIAA regional finals
A dogged opponent
The Hodags turned in their lowest-scoring output of the season Saturday and saw a great season come to an end with a 53-22 loss at New London in the WIAA regional finals.
A night earlier, the Lady Hodags scored a season high in an 82-57 win over Mosinee to advance to the third round of the tournament.
Rhinelander had won 13 straight games going into Saturday's contest against the second-seeded Bulldogs and was riding the wave of the first conference championship in program history.
It all came to a screeching halt, however, against a tenacious Bulldog defense that used speed, height and athleticism to shut down Kenedy Van Zile and the rest of the Hodag attack.
"They have great length. They get to their position quick when the ball was in flight and they're relentless. I thought they're the best, well-coached defensive team we've faced since I've been at Rhinelander," Hodag coach Ryan Clark said.
The Hodags were down only two points, 11-9, with less than six minutes to play in the first half, but the Bulldogs put the throttle down from there and never looked back. New London closed the first on a 10-3 run to take a 21-12 lead at half, and then opened the second half on an 18-2 spurt to seize control of the game for good.
Kate Christian had a game-high 15 points and 12 rebounds for the Bulldogs (16-5), including back-to-back 3s early in the second half. Mikayla Henderson had 12 for New London, including seven straight to give New London a 37-14 lead with 11:33 to play.
"They started the second half and just kind of ran away with it," Clark said.
Rhinelander (18-6), meanwhile, could not solve New London's 2-3 zone. New London's height bothered the Hodags inside. Their quickness defending the 3-point line held Rhinelander to 1-of-19 from beyond the arch. Overall, Rhinelander shot only 23 percent (9 of 39) for the game.
"A lot of that's due to their defense. They recover quick. They know out strengths. Kenedy's going to try to create and they did a great job on her as well," Clark said.
Van Zile led Rhinelander but was held to nine points - the first time she was held to single digits all season. Cynthia Beavers had six points and 11 rebounds. Brooke Mork had five points and Rebecca Lawrence scored only two.
The 22 points were the fewest the Hodags scored this season. The previous low came Nov. 24 in a 59-30 loss to Eau Claire Regis in Antigo.
Not only did New London contain Rhinelander's offense, the Bulldogs sliced through the Hodags' pressure defense with alarming ease. Rhinelander scored only one transition basket off a turnover in the entire contest.
"When you get this far in the playoffs, you're playing high-caliber teams. It's a good reminder where we need to get to," Clark said.
It was Rhinelander's first loss overall in nearly two months - dating back to a 54-48 loss to Superior Dec. 29.
Rhinelander 82, Mosinee 57
It was a much different story for the Hodag offense a night earlier against Mosinee. Kenedy Van Zile scored 26 points, Lawrence had 22 and Rhinelander edged away to a 25-point victory over the Indians at the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium.
The Hodags overcame a sluggish start to close the first half on a 21-5 run as they took a 41-27 lead at the break. Rhinelander eventually inched away in the second as Mosinee never got any closer than 13 points.
"I knew this was going to be an absolute battle and they gave us everything," Clark said. "Their kids were fighting, getting loose balls. It was kind of a fun game where the refs let things got a little bit so it got physical. I loved that."
Lawrence hit four 3-pointers in the first half to help jump start Rhinelander's offense as Mosinee tried to face guard Kenedy Van Zile.
"Rebecca Lawrence in the first half saved us. I thought they outplayed us in the first half and her 3s, I thought she played fantastic," Clark said.
Kenedy's older sister, Payton, stepped up and hit some big 3-pointers. She was the third Hodag in double digits with 11 points in the contest.
Paige Wicklund scored seven quick points for Mosinee, as the Indians raced out to an 11-4 lead. Wicklund finished with 18 points and Allison Miller chipped in 10 for Mosinee.
A great ride
Though the run came to an abrupt end, Clark said this year's Hodag squad can be proud of its accomplishments.
"I thought we could have a good season, possibly a great season, and I just told them let's have a special season. That would require us to do something no one has done before, and that's win a conference championship," Clark said. "It was a great year, wonderful fan support in Rhinelander, 12-0 in the conference ... It was a great ride. It's been a special season."
After Saturday's game, Clark also took time to speak of his three seniors - Payton Van Zile, Mork and Erika Jorgensen, who missed the entire season with a knee injury sustained during the team's first practice back in November.
"In four years they never came to me about playing time," he said. "They just want to play and will do whatever they're asked to do. I think they kind of set the example and they're really easy teammates to play with. You respect that and I'm proud of them. Their personality and approach to this year was a big reason we won a conference championship."
Looking ahead, Kenedy Van Zile is the odds-on favorite for the conference player of the year when the all-conference team is released. She's set to return along with Beavers, Lawrence and a host of underclassmen.
"It's going to come down to working in the offseason, being good teammates and multiple-sport athletes," Clark said. "The future's pretty bright here."
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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