Hoops for a cause: Hodag girls to host Kislow Memorial Tournament

A big weekend of girls’ basketball kicks off today at the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium with the proceeds going to a good cause.

Rhinelander plays host this year to the Tom Kislow Memorial Tournament, which will brings in seven other schools from around the area. Proceeds from the event will go to the V Foundation for Cancer Research. 

Rhinelander has been a part of the tournament since its inception in 2012 and is hosting the event for the first time since 2015, as the tournament moves around yearly.

“We’ve been previously able to host one and now we’re able to host again,” RHS activities director Brain Paulson said. “We have a great weekend of basketball here in Rhinelander. It’s going to be exciting. People can come out and watch. Varsity games start at 12:30 and don’t end til 8 o’clock at night. Come on out and support the girls’ teams and the fight against cancer.”

Varsity games will begin at 12:30 today and tomorrow, kicking off quadruple headers of varsity action that will culminate with the Lady Hodags squaring off against two Wisconsin Valley Conference foes. 

Rhinelander will finish off today’s action against D.C. Everest and will play Wausau West tomorrow. Both games will tip off at approximately 6 p.m.

“It’s nice that we host it. We’ve got a lot of teams coming to the Jim over the weekend. It’s a good test for us before we open conference play,” Hodag coach Ryan Clark said. 

The event is named after Kislow, the former athletic director at Antigo High School and a varsity basketball official who succumbed to Stage IV lung cancer following a four-month battle in March 2012. 

Kislow was a former officiating partner with Wausau area referee Daryl Pries, who starting organizing a Thanksgiving weekend tournament raising money and awareness for cancer research in 2010. That event, the “Blow the Whistle on Cancer” tournament was re-named in Kislow’s honor after his passing. 

Game workers volunteer their time for the event and the referees donate their game checks toward the cause. Organizers stated this year, money will go toward Dick Vitale’s efforts toward pediatric cancer research as well as two, $250 academic scholarships to graduates from Antigo High School.

“For the workers to give up their Thanksgiving time and the official here in Rhinelander for JV, what an honor it is to be able to host something of this magnitude in the memory of somebody like Tom Kislow,” Paulson said. 

Additionally, there will be silent auction items and a 50/50 raffle during the weekend’s game to raise money for the cause. 

In addition to supporting a worthy cause, Rhinelander has been an annual participant in the tournament because of the quality non-conference opposition it provides. 

“Coach Clark always thought it was important to get some non-conference games in (early),” Paulson said. “You get to see a variety of different teams and it’s right here in northern Wisconsin. We’ve had a great opportunity.” 

Participating teams this year include Crandon, D.C. Everest, Eau Claire Regis, Lena, Medford, Rhinelander, Three Lakes and Wausau West.

Tonight, Rhinelander will look to avenge a 66-62 loss to the Evergreens in last year’s Kislow Memorial. Aubryn Clark scored 30 for the Hodags in that game while Everest was led by a 34-point effort from Kirsten Hall, who is now a senior. 

Tomorrow will be Rhinelander’s first meeting with the Warriors since a season-opening 60-35 loss to begin the 2020-21 season. 

The Warriors will present a big challenge for the Hodags tomorrow night. West has nine players on its varsity roster, all of them listed at 5-7 or taller. Senior Ayla Christensen is the team’s top returning scorner. She averaged 11.3 points per game and shot 38% from distance. Six-foot senior Harper Mead averaged 9.3 points and 5.0 rebounds a contest last year. 

“I love it. We get to play against the Valley, two good tests for us,” Clark said. “Last year Everest beat us. I’m looking forward to it. It’s our home, Thanksgiving tournament. The kids will be excited to play.”

Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].

TK Memorial Tournament Schedule

Friday, Nov. 29

12:30 p.m. — Crandon vs. Lena (JV 10:45 a.m.)

2:15 p.m. — Medford vs. Three Lakes (JV 12:30 p.m.)

4:15 p.m. — Eau Claire Regis vs. Wausau West (JV 2:15 p.m.)

6 p.m. — Rhinelander vs. D.C. Everest (JV 4:15 p.m.)

Saturday, Nov. 30

12:30 p.m. — Eau Claire Regis vs. Medford (JV 10:45 a.m.)

2:15 p.m. — Lena vs. Three Lakes (JV 12:30 p.m.)

4:15 p.m. — Crandon vs. D.C. Everest (JV 2:15 p.m.)

6 p.m. — Rhinelander vs. Wausau West (JV 4:15 p.m.)