January 16, 2023 at 8:00 a.m.
Lady Hodags blast Tomahawk, snap skid
Lady Hodags blast Tomahawk, snap skid
The Lady Hodags had their way with the last-place Hatchets Friday night, emphatically snapping a six-game losing streak with a 60-16 win at Tomahawk.
The game was never close as the Hodags scored the first 18 points, led 33-2 with six minutes to play in the first half and cruised the rest of the way.
It was a needed morale boost for Rhinelander, which lost four of the previous six games by single-digits, including last Tuesday's 52-49 loss at Antigo.
"Tuesday night was a tough one because we forced like 38 turnovers. I thought we played really well. We battled hard, got over the hump and still fell in that one," Hodag coach Ryan Clark said. "To get a win, get back on the winning track, I feel like the next 7-8 games here we have a chance to win all of them. It will be a nice chance to get rolling."
Ava Lamers scored a game-high 27 points in the contest. Morgan Van Zile added 11 and the Hodag defense shutdown Tomahawk. The Hatchets were held to 16% shooting (6 of 38) on the night and the Hodags forced 32 turnovers.
"Going into a game like this, when you're a little bit stronger than your opponent, you've got to play against the game," Clark said. "I'm looking for us to be really crisp, take care of the basketball and run our stuff and communicate. I thought the first half we played really good, flawless basketball, had good energy."
Van Zile had seven points in Rhinelander's opening 18-0 run. Lamers scored 12 in a row herself before assisting Van Zile on a layup with 12 seconds left before the half as Rhinelander closed on a 14-0 run to take a 47-6 lead to the break.
"Morgan is starting to become on a really good defensive player for us," Clark said. "I put her on their best player. If you watch her on film she's naturally starting to do more things. She had some nice penetrations, she started shooting it a little better."
If there was one spot of concern for the Hodags, it was the fact that the team experienced a prolonged second-half shooting drought for a third straight game. Rhinelander started 0-for-8 from the floor in the second and didn't score until Leah Jamison hit a 3 with 12:52 remaining. Rhinelander went the final 10 minutes without a field goal in the loss to Antigo and went scoreless over the final 8:06 a loss at Wisconsin Rapids Assumption.
Despite the lull, the Hodags still shot 43% (26 of 60) on the night and were 8 of 30 from beyond the arc.
"Shots weren't falling. We didn't score anything and we've been in that situation," Clark said. "That's where I feel like I probably should just change up our offense and get Ava to post up, just try to get some easy ones. We're getting good looks, but they're still 3-pointers.
"I need to do something to get us easier looks because we went 5-6 minutes without a basket. It's something we've got to do better against a stronger team."
The big lead allowed the Hodags to get significant minutes for all nine of its varsity players. Tori Riopel had four points in extend action while Kelsi Beran chipped in a pair. Junior Eva Hetland recorded her first varsity points with a layup in transition off a steal with 7:19 to play.
"Eva Hetland, fantastic teammate. She made a tough layup. It's really awesome to see her score," Clark said. "I thought Tori Riopel played really well. It's nice to give her extended minutes. I thought everyone played well."
Rhinelander (5-9, 3-3 Great Northern) ventures outside the GNC for its next three games, beginning with a home game tonight against Wisconsin Rapids.
Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].
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