March 29, 2019 at 1:15 p.m.
Spring practice notebook
Tennis back to basics to start practice
Spring practice notebook
That's not a new phenomenon for longtime Hodag coach Bob Heideman, who always banks on being snowed in for a couple of weeks even when practice begins in the final week of March.
"As always, the advantage to being indoors in relation to what you want to get accomplished is that there's no real competition as far as the actual game format. We have no lines on the floor. It's a great opportunity to rebuild fundamentals," he said. "It's fundamentals, fundamentals, fundamentals."
That's been especially true for the Hodags this week, given the unique makeup of its roster.
"We've got about six freshmen. Then we've got about seven seniors," Heideman said. "There's this spread, so who do you teach to? I guess I choose to give the freshmen a solid fundamental base, as much as you can for the two weeks we're probably going to be indoors."
Seniors and freshmen make up the majority of the Hodags' roster this year. The two classes account for 13 of the 17 players on the team.
"Which is a little low," Heideman noted. "We usually hover around low 20s. I think when you get at 17, it's hard to transition smoothly from year to year because you're not getting enough kids to do that, or you're right on the edge. I'd like a couple more kids, but it is what it is."
The Hodags will have an opportunity to put their practice to work today as they travel to Ashland for a scrimmage, which may actually take place outdoors. Heideman said he received a text message from Ashland coach Bob Graf indicating that the Oredockers were outside practicing Wednesday. Even if the outdoor courts aren't playable Saturday, the scrimmage will take place as Ashland's newly renovated fieldhouse includes four indoor tennis courts.
"Going into Saturday, basically what I'm going to tell the players is I'm not looking at scores," Heideman said. "What I'm looking at, in this week of practice - the things that we've worked on - are you doing those things? I think if I can look and see that, I will deem a week a success. And, I think those things will all bear fruit as the season goes on."
The Hodags' season opener - scheduled for this Thursday against Pacelli - has been postponed to April 29 with snow still on the RHS tennis courts. Rhinelander is now slated to kick off the season in a non-conference invitational at Wausau East next Friday and Saturday.
Extra week to hopefully help RHS golfers
The start of the RHS golf schedule looks a little different than in years past and coach Adam Schmidt hopes that plays out to the Hodags' advantage.
The weather-plagued Ashland Invite, usually scheduled for the second Thursday in April, is off the calendar for the Hodags this year. That gives the team three full weeks of practice before its first varsity match of the year.
With a little luck, part of that practice time will be spent outdoors, Schmidt said.
"It would be really nice to get a round in to figure out who's going to play, what they're going to shoot," he said. "Last year, the first match we played was down south ... that was the first time the kids had swung a club on grass. That was kind of interesting. I'm hoping we can get out before our first match now."
There was no going outside this week for the Hodags, who were stuck inside for their first two days of practice. Schmidt said the team went over the "Rules of Golf" Monday and Tuesday and practiced putting on Wednesday before taking Thursday off.
"The snow just won't go away fast enough," Schmidt said. "This year, it seems like Mother Nature is just going to take her time, which isn't the end of the world as long as we don't have all the flooding."
Schmidt said the team will work into the short game and the full swing next week. Parts of practice may be spent swinging clubs in the James Williams Middle School balcony. Also, Schmidt said in talking with Northwood Golf Club pro Kyle Christian, there's a possibility the team may be able to hit off mats at the course's driving range next week.
"It won't be open to the public, but we can chip up by the cart path there and hit into a bucket. We'll be at least able to take some swings. That's kind of the hope," Schmidt said.
Schmidt said he has 12 players out for the team this year, with several returning players, three freshmen and a couple of first-time golfers.
The team's first match of the season is scheduled for April 16 at RiverEdge Golf Course in Marshfield.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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