February 21, 2022 at 8:12 a.m.
Hodag Hoops beats Antigo, snaps eight-game losing streak
Hodag Hoops beats Antigo, snaps eight-game losing streak
Rhinelander's big three shooters - Jackson Smith, Ryan Jamison and Will Gretzinger - combined to hit eight 3-pointers Friday night and the Hodags downed Antigo 55-42 at the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium.
It was Rhinelander's first win in exactly one month - dating back to 64-59 home victory over Wisconsin Rapids Jan. 18. Hodag coach Derek Lemmens said it was exactly what the doctor ordered for his team as the postseason nears.
"It was really important just getting back on the winning track," he said. "We had an opportunity we felt like tonight and Thursday to put together a couple of wins and head into the playoffs with a little bit of momentum."
Rhinelander trailed 21-15 with five minutes remaining in the first half, but outscored the Red Robins 14-0 the rest of the first half and 18-3 to start the second half to build what proved to be an insurmountable 23-point lead.
The extended 32-3 run that spanned roughly 11 1/2 minutes of game time featured six triples from Jamison and Gretzinger. Jamison started the run with a 3 with 4:40 left in the first half and hit another for the game's final lead change, putting Rhinelander up 23-21 with 3:15 before the break.
The run ended with four straight triples - three from Gretzinger and a pull-up shot from Jamison off a steal. Gretzinger hit his first three 3-point attempts of the second half. The last gave Rhinelander a 47-24 lead with 12:06 remaining.
"We got some really good looks early that we didn't hit, but we came out in the second half and knocked down several shots and that really made a difference, Will Gretzinger and Ryan Jamison," Lemmens said. "Will Gretzinger found his touch and I probably screwed up by taking the hot hand out and giving him a rest. He was really cooking. I screwed up there but, overall, we made some separation finally in the second half and played even from there."
Smith scored 14 of his game-high 18 points in the first half, and had the Hodags' final four points as they took a 29-21 lead to the break. Jamison finished with 10 points, Gretzinger had nine and Ty Welk had a season-high eight points off the bench.
Antigo also got a lift from its bench as forward Mason Gray scored a team-high 13 points and collected nine rebounds. Zach Zupon had 11 for the Robins and Connor Kolz chipped in 10.
Rhinelander forced 18 Antigo turnovers, 14 of which occurred in the second half.
"Defensively, we can still do things better. We're still struggling in areas, but I thought our press was good," Lemmens said. "I thought coach (Chad) Bolkema and coach (Shaun) Smith made some really good adjustments at half. They saw some things that really helped us be more effective and got us going. Our press was just kind of average in the first half and they saw a few things that really made a huge difference and allowed our press to be much more effective."
The Hodags (9-13, 5-6 Great Northern) were set to learn their fate for the playoffs on Sunday afternoon when the WIAA revealed the results of computerized seeding for the Division 2 bracket. The Hodags ended up with the No. 6 seed and will see Antigo again in the regional quarterfinals March 1 at the Miazga Gym.
"The computer will decide," Lemmens said. "For the first time I won't have to make a trip somewhere and argue my case and it's probably good timing because I think this is a year where face-to-face discussions would have possibly buried us. I think it's a good year to have the computer."
The Hodags close out the regular season at home against Tomahawk on Thursday.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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