March 4, 2020 at 3:18 p.m.
Offensive eruption
Hodag hoops survives Ashland 95-91 in high-scoring playoff opener
Offensive eruption
With 3-point baskets dropping with alarming regularity and defensive stops the exception rather than the rule, the Rhinelander High School boys' basketball team fended off Ashland in an offensive slugfest 95-91 in a WIAA Division 2 regional quarterfinal matchup.
Tuesday's offensive numbers were extraordinary as both teams shot better than 50% from the field and combined to make 31 3-pointers. The 95 points were the most a Rhinelander team has scored in Derek Lemmens' 10-year tenure as head coach at his alma mater. On the other hand, Ashland's 91 were the most the Hodags have allowed in a game during that time.
The latter fact didn't set well with the defensive-minded Lemmens, but he was relieved that his team is still alive in the WIAA playoffs and preparing for a regional semifinal game Friday night at Merrill.
"You want to be upset but, at the end of the day, there's a lot of teams that would take giving up that many points on their home court to still be around," he said. "Some teams played really good defense tonight and their season's over. We'll be happy with the result but, at the end of the day, we know we have to play a lot better if we want to keep this thing moving."
Kevon Powell had eight 3-pointers for Ashland as he led all scorers with 31 points while 6-8 big man Kyle Tapper added 20. Ross Skeen and Drake Martin each scored 23 for the Hodags (9-14). By the time the dust settled nine players finished the game with double digit scoring.
The Oredockers were a mind-boggling 17 of 26 from 3-point range on the night. Powell made his first three attempts from distance and Ashland kept burying triples.
"Here's are issue. It starts with rhythm 3s that we give up early on, on breakdowns - basic things that get teams feeling really good about themselves and getting comfortable," Lemmens said. "Then, later in the game, they make the tougher 3s. But it all starts with breakdowns early in the game that allow these guys to create looks early and its stuff we just can't let happen."
Luckily for Rhinelander, Ashland's defense was lacking as well. The Hodags were an even 50% (14 of 28) from deep and 52.5% (31 of 59) from the field overall against an Ashland team that gave up more than 90 points for the seventh time this season.
"We knew we'd be able to score point it was just can we keep them from scoring more," Lemmens said. "As mush as we wanted to try to make it a defensive game, I was really pleased with the way the guys moved the ball, especially in the second half. They attacked. They hit open shots. Down the stretch, they really made some plays. Across the board guys brought some really good things offensively."
Ashland (7-16) took a brief 69-66 lead off a Cody Carlson 3 with 9:30 remaining, but the Hodags answered back with a 13-2 run that gave them a working lead. Peyton Erikson made a runner and Skeen hit a go-ahead 3 with 9:11 remaining. Later, reserve player Payton Johnson hit a corner 3 to put Rhinelander ahead 77-71 and Quinn Lamers knocked down a pair of free throws push the lead to eight with 6:33 remaining.
Ashland fought back late as baskets by Sapper and Powell sparked an 8-2 run that got the Oredockers within two at 87-85 with 2:26 to go, but the Hodags answered with buckets by Jacksen Smith and Skeen and a free throw by Lamers to go up 92-85 with 1:02 remaining.
Rhinelander, which improved to 4-8 this season in games decided by 10 points or fewer, made a couple of key defensive plays down the stretch. With the Hodags ahead 94-88, Drake Martin got a steal and was fouled with 21.1 seconds to go. He made one of two free throws to put the Hodags up seven. That make proved important as Alec Lindenberg drained a 3 the next trip down the floor for Ashland, followed by an Erikson turnover on a full-court inbound pass attempt that gave the Oredockers the ball back in the front court with 5.8 seconds left. Livingston missed a contested 3 and Erikson tracked down a long rebound to run out the clock.
Rhinelander led most of the first half, and had a nine-point advantage with 2:35 left off a 3 by Martin, but Ashland angered with a 13-3 run capped by a John Bochler 3 to move ahead 46-45 with 24 seconds left in the half. Skeen answered for Rhinelander with a right wing 3 at the buzzer to give the Hodags a two-point lead at the break.
Rhinelander held that lead until the 10:05 mark in the second when Jackson Bonneville was fouled on a 3-point attempt, and made all three foul shots to put Ashland ahead 66-65.
Powell and Sapper provided an effective 1-2 punch for Ashland with a strong inside-outside game.
"Powell made some plays and, you know, in the playoffs you can't let their top guys get going and you can't let them keep going. We did both with him," Lemmens said. "Then Sapper down low, I just didn't think we did a great job winning the position battle. We allowed him deep touches. I didn't work on an emphasize our trapping in the post enough. I thought we were ill-equipped to handle it when he did get in there, and that part's on me."
Martin had 15 of his 23 points in the first half while Skeen scored 12 of his 23 points over the final 9:11 of the second.
"Ross had his shot early," Lemmens said. "He's really starting to be more aggressive and hunting his shot. If there's a low closeout, he's ready to put it up. Drake. He used his power. When he didn't have power, he used his speed. He was a tough matchup for them and I thought he did a nice job of knowing when to attack."
Lamers added 17 points for Rhinelander while Jacksen Smith had 14. Bochler had 13 and Lindenberg added 11 for Ashland.
Rhinelander moves on to face Merrill (16-6) again in the WIAA regional semifinals. The Hodags lost a non-conference meeting against the Bluejays 74-64 at the Miazga Gym Feb. 18. Rhinelander trailed by two with roughly 8:11 remaining in the contest before Merrill went on a decisive 15-1 run.
"We were playing pretty good defense and then we allowed them a spurt where they really got things going," Lemmens said, recalling the Feb. 18 meeting. "They missed some shots early on and then they hit three or four shots in a row from deep. Once that happened, and they got a lead on us, we just weren't able to get enough stops and match it with scoring on our end. We can't allow a giant burst like the had last time. Overall, we have to play a very consistent game and, when they miss, we have to finish the play and not allow them other opportunities."
Merrill is led by Michael Casper, who's averaging 22.2 points per game and had 24 in the first meeting against Rhinelander. Travis Town and Martin each scored 15 for the Hodags in that contest.
The teams play tomorrow night in Merrill. The winner will advance to Saturday's regional final round against either Wausau East or Mosinee.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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NOTE: This story has been corrected. Initially we erroneously reported that Quinn Lamers had a turnover on an inbounds play late in Rhinelander's 95-91 win over Ashland. The turnover was charged to Peyton Erikson. We regret the error.
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