Hodag Hoops dominates Tomahawk

The Rhinelander High School boys’ basketball team got back in the win column in a big way Friday night, dominating Tomahawk on the road 81-13 in Tomahawk.

The Hodags led 50-8 at halftime and extended its bench in the second. No one played more than 20 minutes on the night for Rhinelander.

Following a road loss at Wausau West, coach Derek Lemmens said he wanted his team to get back to its fundamentals of strong defense and ball movement to create scoring opportunities on offense. 

 Lemmens said it was mission accomplished. 

“I like the way the guys came out, they executed the game plan,” he said. “I thought they really let things happen instead of forcing things. They were patient, moved the ball really well. Every shot they took was a rhythm shot. So it was good to see that.”

The Hodags were efficient, shooting 52% overall (33 of 63) while going 12 of 30 from beyond the arc. Truman Lamers knocked down both of his triples and scored a game-high 18 points. Jatyn Barkus and Devon Feck each made four 3s and scored 14 points. 

“I think seeing Devon and Jay make four 3s was really important because, again, our shots haven’t been falling,” Lemmens said. “We’re good shooters, but shots have not been falling, so to see us shoot a high percentage from 3-point line and realizing that’s because the ball moved and it was the right time to take those shots, I think that played a big role.”

Abe Gretzinger added 15 points off the bench for Rhinelander and the Hodags were able to extend their rotation in the second half. Eight different players scored for Rhinelander, including senior Greyson Gremban, who added seven points. 

“It’s always nice when you can get guys opportunities. Every single one of those players comes in and practices for two hours every day,” Lemmens said. “So when we get opportunities to get other guys on the court as a reward and that little carrot to continue to work hard, that’s always nice.”

Tyler Sundquist scored four points to lead Tomahawk, which made only four field goals in the contest. 

Rhinelander (12-5, 7-2 Great Northern) moved back into sole possession of first place in the GNC. The Hodags moved a half-game up on Medford, which had the conference bye on Friday, and is a game up — but even in the loss column —with Mosinee which saw its game against Antigo on Friday postponed due to excessive illness for the Robins. 

Rhinelander is back home tonight to face Shawano (5-12, 3-7 Bay) in the second half of a girls-boys doubleheader at the Miazga Gym. 

“It really has become kind of a fun little rivalry,” Lemmens said of the non-conference battle against the Hawks. “I don’t know a ton about them yet. Just based on what we know from last year, I know they have a very, very good player (Logan Sipple) who is going to be athletic and he is going to be playing Division II and they have a a really nice kind of second option as well as in a lefty guard. I think overall their record is not as impressive, but that’s a really good team. They play a good schedule and they’re a team that we’re going to definitely have to be ready for.”

Jeremy Mayo may be reached at [email protected].