RHS Sports recap: Saturday, Dec. 28

Boys’ basketball: Wis. Dells 70, Rhinelander 42

The Rhinelander High School boys’ basketball team got blitzed in the second half on Saturday, outscored 51-18, as it suffered its first loss of the season, falling at Wisconsin Dells 70-42.

The Chiefs forced 36 Rhinelander turnovers in the game and started the contest on a 13-1 run. The Hodags responded with a 21-2 spurt and took a 24-19 lead to the break, but the Chiefs scored the first 22 points of the second half and never looked back. 

Devon Feck scored 14 to lead Rhinelander, which was without leading sorer Truman Lamers due to a family commitment. Jatyn Barkus added 11 for the Hodags. Six-foot-nine forward Jaren Ward had 32 points and 17 rebounds, leading three Chiefs in double figures. 

Rhinelander (7-1, 3-0 Great Northern) returns to action Jan. 3 at Wausau East.

Girls’ basketball: Wis. Dells 47, Rhinelander 34

The RHS girls’ basketball team could not overcome a slow start against undefeated Wisconsin Dells, falling 47-34 on the road Saturday.

Rhinelander trailed 24-7 with three minutes to play in the first half, but fought back to within 28-25 early in the second before the Chiefs answered with a 14-4 spurt to put the game away.

Aubryn Clark scored 20 for the Hodags while JaLyn LaChapelle added a career-high 11 points. Natalie Backhaus had 16 points and nine rebounds to lead Wisconsin Dells.

Rhinelander (8-2, 4-0 Great Northern) hosts Wisconsin Rapids Jan. 3.

Boys’ hockey: Homestead 9, Rhinelander 0

The Rhinelander High School boys’ hockey team lost to Homestead 9-0 Saturday in Ozaukee. 

Arrowhead scored twice in the first period, five  times in the second and twice more in the third. Asher Rivord stopped 26 pucks in the loss as the Hodags were outshot 35-9.

Rhinelander (1-7-0, 0-2-0-0 Great Northern) returns home to face Marshfield Jan. 2.

Wrestling: RHS boys 30th/44, RHS girls 16th/31, Northern Badger Classic

The Rhinelander High School wrestling team ended up with four place winners at the Northern Badger Classic, which wrapped up Saturday in River Falls.

On the boys’ side, Reid Schultz finished fourth in the 285-pound weight class. He went 5-2 during the tournament, including three victories by two points or fewer on Saturday. Logan Schwinger won his first two matches Saturday before losing his final two to take eighth at 190 pounds.

On the girls’ side, Mya Swanson split her matches on Saturday to take fourth in the 132-pound bracket while Cassidy Lindner went 1-3 to finish sixth at 126.

The Hodags are back in action Jan. 3 when they host Phillips and Merrill in a triangular at James Williams Middle School.

Because of an early holiday deadline, full reports will be published in the Friday, Jan. 3 edition of the River News.