Assume nothing

If the Rhinelander High School girls’ basketball team goes on to do big things over the final two thirds of the season, it can look back to the second half Monday night as the turning point.

The Hodags’ defense was a strong as ever, and the offense came around too, as Rhinelander put on the afterburners and routed Wisconsin Rapids Assumption 50-22 at the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium.

Assumption, the defending WIAA Division 5 state champion and ranked No. 2 in the Bound Wisconsin/Zaleski Sports D5 media poll, took a 17-15 lead two minutes into the second half. Rhinelander (5-4, 2-2 Great Northern) scored 20 straight points after that and outscored the Royals (8-2, 5-1 Marawood South) 35-5 the rest of the way.

After shooting just 5 of 25 from the field in the first half, the Hodags went 14 of 29 over the final 18 minutes. Vivian Lamers scored 12 points in the second half, and had 13 overall, to lead three Hodags in double figures as the offense finally found its groove.

“We’re a better shooting team than we’ve shown. But the second half, the shots fell,” Hodag coach Ryan Clark said.

On the other end of the floor, the Hodag put the clamps on D5 All-State honoree Jordyn Jaglinski, holding her to just five points on 2 of 10 shooting. Overall, Assumption shot just 22.5% (9 of 40) on the night and committed 26 turnovers against Rhinelander’s man-to-man pressure. 

“I think this was really nice because we got to see what we could do defensively, and the kids could see how successful they could be playing to their strengths,” coach Clark said. “So, super happy for them. Great win for the ladies.”

Lexi Beran added six points for the Hodags and tied the game at 17 on a finish in the post with 15:45 remaining. It was all Rhinelander after that. Aubryn Clark knocked down a 3 on the Hodags’ next trip down the floor, Teagan Clark made a transition layup off the steal and Vivian Lamers completed a 3-point play before another Aubryn Clark finish made it 27-17 with 14:24 remaining.

Lamers added five more points and Teagan Clark punctuated the run with a triple that extended the lead to 18 before Assumption snapped its scoring drought on an Ari Cavanaugh putback with 10 minutes to play. 

Assumption never recovered, and by the 4 1/2-minute mark to play both teams had turned things over to their reserves. 

Teagan Clark scored 12 for the Hodags, Aubryn Clark had 11 and Ellie Cummings added seven off the bench in the win.

The Hodag offense was finally able to work the ball inside in the second half against Assumption. Rhinelander entered the night having attempted more 3s (244) than 2s (241) on the year. On Monday night, 38 of the team’s 54 field goal attempts occurred inside the arc. Rhinelander attempted a season-low 16 3s in the game but the 31% success rate was the best for the team since going 37% from deep in a season-opening win over Crandon Nov. 20.

“Assumption, their extended 2-3 (zone) is (designed) to try to run you off the 3-point line. They guard the rim, but they’ll give you some of those mid-range shots,” coach Clark said. “We’ve got to be confident to take those, and I thought we did a really good job, especially the second half of flashing in there and being shot ready. Then, what I liked about it, is when we got some shots that went, they started stepping up a little bit and I thought Vivian was sort of attacking off that. Aubryn had a couple attacks off that. So we got to the rim from there. 

“We played disciplined. We didn’t settle for things. We took the shots we wanted to take in the offense. And, boy, once we start hitting 3s consistently, our offensive firepower will really start to show. But I liked our discipline, our shot selection was really, really good.” 

    Rhinelander’s Teagan Clark defends Wisconsin Rapids Assumption’s Jordyn Jaglinski during the second half of a non-conference girls’ basketball game at the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium Monday, Dec. 22. Jaglinski, who came in averaging 21.7 points per game, was held to five points on Monday. (Bob Mainhardt for the River News)
  

On the other side of the floor, Teagan Clark drew the assignment on Jaglinski much of the night and limited her effectiveness. Jaglinski’s first bucket didn’t come until the final seconds of the opening half, when she slipped behind the Hodag defense on an inbound play. She made a tough shot in the lane that gave Assumption its final lead early in the second half, but was held to just one point the rest of the way. She came into the night averaging 21.7 points per game on the year.

“I thought defensively, everyone was winning their one-on-one battle,” coach Clark. “So off the ball, we made it really, we challenged every pass to be caught. And then I thought, Teagan on Jordyn did a really good job except for that one reach-in foul. But other than that, I thought she got there with her feet.”

Meanwhile Beran kept Assumption’s other double-digit scorer, Rylee Stublaski, in check in the battle of the forwards. Stublaski, who came in averaging 10.2 points per game, was held to two on 1 of 7 shooting and 0 of 6 from the foul line. Beran also pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds in the contest. 

“Even if Rylee got a shot up, I thought Lexi was playing tall,” coach Clark said. “She played (like) a 6-footer, like she is, and she was getting those high rebounds, and then we could just get out and run the break.”

Sophomore Breanna Aue had eight points, all in the first half, for Assumption. That included a pair of 3s that gave the Royals leads of 3-2 and 9-8. Aubryn Clark answered Aue’s second 3 with a make that gave Rhinelander a 10-9 advantage with 2:22 left in the half and the Hodags closed on a 7-4 run to take a 15-13 lead to the break. 

Monday’s game was Rhinelander’s fourth of the year against a ranked opponent, and the Hodags’ first win against a ranked team. Eau Claire Regis (No. 1, D4), Mosinee (No. 10, D3) and Stevens Point (No. 7, D1) were all ranked when the played the Hodags. 

Nine games into the season, coach Clark said his rotation of primarily juniors and freshmen is beginning to turn a corner. 

“I feel like the processing is speeding up a little bit. It’s probably just game reps and more experiences on the court,” he said.

The Hodags return to action early next week as they play in the Menomonie Holiday Tournament. Rhinelander will get St. Croix Central (6-2) Monday, Dec. 29 before taking on the Mustangs (2-4) in a rematch of last season’s WIAA D2 playoff contest that the Hodags lost 57-42.

“To get this win before Christmas, the kids can get away, have a little fun, let their legs come back a little bit, and then we got a huge test,” coach Clark said. “Menomonie played Rice Lake (No. 3, D2) 86-82 the other night, within four. And then St. Croix Central, they got to the sectionals last year with everyone coming back. So they have two really nice teams to play against.” 

Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].