December 2, 2021 at 7:43 a.m.
Lady Hodags topple Tomahawk 66-11
Lady Hodags topple Tomahawk 66-11
Audrey Schiek led four Hodags in double digits scoring, Ava Lamers had a rare points and steals double-double and Rhinelander rolled past Tomahawk 66-11 at Hatchet Fieldhouse in Tomahawk.
Rhinelander's starting five was simply unstoppable when it was on the floor. The Hodags forced 46 turnovers in the game and held Tomahawk to 5 of 33 shooting. Rhinelander opened a 32-1 lead in the first half before Tomahawk finally made its first field goal, an Emily Maki transition layup with 3:15 remaining in the first half.
The Hodags had their way with a Tomahawk team that's back in league play after withdrawing from the conference schedule midway through last season due to injuries and low numbers.
"The game went how it should," Hodag coach Ryan Clark said. "We're a little more dominant team. They're young and you've got a lot of kids that would probably be JV playing varsity-level basketball and it's just a tough adjustment for them."
Rhinelander scored the game's first 12 points, but was a little cold from the field to start, making only 5 of its first 19 shots. The Hodags were 10 of 26 the remainder of the first half as they took a 34-7 lead to the break.
"We were OK in our press and our 1-3-1," Clark said. "My criticism would be a lack of finishing, especially in the first half. I told them we probably took 20 shots to their three and it was only a 12-1 lead. That's something we've got to keep working on, taking balanced shots."
Schiek, who scored 26 points all of last season, had her third straight double-digit scoring night for the Hodags. She scored eight consecutive points at one juncture, giving Rhinelander a 27-1 lead with 6 minutes to play in the first half. Schiek is averaging 12.8 points through four games this season.
"Audrey she's done a great job up front on the press. Early in the game she missed a few finishes, but she's getting much more comfortable and smooth-looking finishing," Clark said. "As the first half went on she had some real nice finishes and hit a 3. I think she's just real confident and confidence is a beautiful thing. She's playing well."
Lamers had 14 points on the night and added a game-high 10 steals for an unusual double-double.
"Ava today, in that first half, really covered a lot of ground in the back," Clark said. "She just looks like a free safety when she's back there. She kind of reads it and takes it."
Lamers has been in double digits in all four of Rhinelander's game's so far. Brynn Brzycki added her third game in double figures, scoring all 10 of her points in the second half. Annika Johnson had a season-high 10 points as the Hodags shot 35.5% (27 of 73) from the field overall.
Brzycki, who did not attempt a 3-pointer all of last season, hit a triple midway through the second half and was 1 of 3 on the night from beyond the arc.
"Brynn in our practices is actually one of our best 3-point shooters," Clark said. "The other day (the players were) like, 'Why don't you let her shoot?' I'm like, 'I never said she couldn't shoot.' I could see today when she had that open 3, she had a big old smile when she hit it."
With a commanding lead, the Hodags opened their rotation a bit, giving all 10 players suited for the game ample minutes. Nine players scored for Rhinelander in the contest. That included the first varsity baskets for sophomores Morgan Van Zile and Leah Jamison. Freshman Kesley Winter didn't score, but finished with a team-high seven rebounds.
"Overall, it's one of those games where you want to get your starters and rotational players a lot of good minutes, but quality minutes on the court and not get sloppy," Clark said. "Then you want to give your subs and some of your younger kids who are along some good varsity minutes. We were playing with those lineups a little bit and I thought we did a pretty good job. As the game went on the younger kids felt a little more comfortable and a few of them got their first varsity points. That was fun too."
Maki had five of Tomahawk's 11 points in the contest. When it's been on, Rhinelander's 1-3-1 defense has been stifling early in the season. In the Hodags' three wins, opponents are shooting only 31% from the field and averaging 36 turnovers a game.
"I think it starts with Audrey up front. She's just a nuisance up there," Clark said. "She's long, gets in the passing lanes. She just mixes it up and makes it very indecisive for the offensive player. My wings, Annika and Megan, do a great job of timing up when they're going to come (and form a double team) and just keep the offense off balance. Brynn does a great job of fronting and attacking penetration."
Rhinelander (3-1, 1-0 Great Northern) has its home opener tonight against Merrill in a non-conference contest at the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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