Hodag Hoops camp looks to put ‘fun’ in fundamentals

Thursday was a competitive day inside the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium. It was tournament day in the Rhinelander Basketball Association’s annual Hodag Hoops Camp.

Roughly 120 kids, split into 3-on-3, 4-on-4 and 5-on-5 squads, vied for the championship and to stand with the Hodag Hoops trophy — which was as tall as or taller than some of the participants. 

NOTE: See the end of this story for photos of the Hodag Hoops Camp Tournament winners.

There was plenty of basketball skills taught during the four-day camp for boys’ and girls’ players entering kindergarten through ninth grade but — especially for the older sessions — the highlight of the week was the competition.

    Hans Sommer drives baseline against Jaxson Kremer during Hodag Hoops Camp at the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium Monday, July 28. (Bob Mainhardt for the River News)
  

“We’re working on our fundamentals. That’s how we start every session. And then from there, it’s really playing the game,” Rhinelander High School boys’ basketball coach Derek Lemmens said. “They have to play the game so that they can understand what we’re talking about, make connections, and we’re trying to make a little bit of progress every single day. The more they play, the more they become aware of how the game works. Then when we get into our travel teams and things like that, we can really break down some of the finer details.”

Lemmens, his coaching staff and a number of players from last year’s Great Northern Conference-champion Hodag Hoops squad, were the primary instructors for the camp. In addition to basketball skills and games, the camp sought to develop life skills such as teamwork, work ethic, sportsmanship, and leadership. 

Sessions for players entering grades 7-9 and 4-6 were held at RHS while the late afternoon session, geared toward newer players entering kindergarten to third grade, was held at Crescent Elementary School. The younger session sought to introduce fundamental skills through a variety of drills and games while emphasizing effort, being a positive teammate, and growth mindset.

Lemmens said, between the three sessions, attendance was right around 150 kids.

“Which is a nice place for us,” he noted. “This first session, I think we have about 55, 60. So it’s good. It’s just great to see this many kids in the gym working and learning what we have. 

“We have some players from out of town. So as exciting as it is, I still think we can get some more in here. So I’m hoping to just continue to grow.”

For all intents and purposes, the camp had a fourth session, as a number of incoming and returning RHS boys’ basketball players took part in the Complete Package Camp in the evening last Tuesday and Wednesday. 

    Abe Gretzinger, left, is guarded by Jatyn Barkus, center, while Evan Shoeder, right, rolls off a screen during the Complete Package high school basketball camp at the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium Tuesday, July 29. (Bob Mainhardt for the River News)
  

Lemmens said ongoing construction at RHS, more than anything, has limited the amount of contact he’s had with the team this summer, but with three starters back from last year’s conference-championship team, there’s plenty to be excited about for the team entering the 2025-26 season. 

“I know we have a very committed group of seniors that have put in a lot of time in the AAU circuit and are always getting in the gym,” he said. “We’re wondering is, who’s going to be that seven, eight, nine (in the rotation)? Those positions right there are wide open. So there’s still summer left, and there’s fall, so we’ll see who really steps up and fills those spots.”

Lemmens added that the team played well in the Wausau League during the summer.  

“We have talent, we have ability, we have a want. Can we all put it together consistently, get a little mentally tougher? Then as we start to implement our system, I know we’ll get better and better,” he said.

For the first time since the 2018-19 season, the Hodags will come into the year with an unquestioned target on their back after winning the GNC outright last season. Even though they shared the conference title in 2023-24, Mosinee was considered the team to beat going into last year. Rhinelander downed Mosinee, twice, and then knocked off Medford 51-43 in a de facto GNC title game at the end of the year to win the title outright. 

While Mosinee and Medford are both slated to return some key pieces from last year’s teams, Lemmens said he knows the rest of the GNC will be gunning for the Hodags.

“We’re excited for that. I think that’s going to fire these guys up. It’s going to keep them hungry, and they got to know that everyone’s going to gun for you, so we got to be ready,” he said.

Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected]. 

Hodag Hoops camp tournament winners

(Photos by Bob Mainhardt for the River News)

    Winners of the afternoon 3-on-3 session were, from left ot right, Blake Bauer, Nolan Pasanen, Hailey Jackson and Kiley Walker.
  

    Winners of the afternoon 5-on-5 session were, from left ot right, William Sundby, Aliyah Jordan, Max Howard, Jaxson Kremer, Riven Tredeau, Hailey Jackson and Ryder Clark.
  

    Winners of the Big Ten 3-on-3 Morning session were, from left to right, Corah Rappley, Cameron Lemmens and Finn Brice.
  

    Winners of the ACC 3-on-3 Morning session were, from left to right, Mac Maufort, Ryan Jirik, Archie Bontz and Arlo Coron.
  

    Winners of the Big East 4-on-4 Morning session were, from left to right, Maverick Spicer, Brayden Lemmens, Logan Clark and Wyatt Johnson.
  

    Winners of the SEC 4-on-4 Morning session were, from left to right, Adelynn Kizeeski, Avery Clark, Brayden Pagel, Braxton Bolkema and Bennett Melton.