RHS Sports recap: Friday, Jan. 3

Boys’ basketball: Wausau East 83, Rhinelander 58

The Rhinelander High School boys’ basketball team faded in the second half Friday as it fell to No. 7 (D2) Wausau East 83-58 on the road in Wausau. 

The Hodags trailed 37-33 at the half, but the Lumberjacks used a 22-7 run midway through the second to seize control for good. 

Evan Shoeder led the Hodags with 16 points. He left with about 4 1/2 minutes remaining with a lower right leg injury and did not return, though coach Derek Lemmens stated that preliminary indications were that the injury shouldn’t cost the junior any playing time moving forward. Truman Lamers had 13 points for Rhinelander and Jatyn Barkus had 11 for a Hodag squad that was without sixth man Abe Gretzinger (knee).

Jesse Napgezek scored 27 to lead four Lumberjacks in double figures. 

Rhinelander (7-2, 3-0 Great Northern) hosts Lakeland next Friday.

Girls’ basketball: Wis. Rapids 47, Rhinelander 38

The RHS girls’ basketball team could never fully overcome a slow start as it lost 47-38 to Wisconsin Rapids Friday night at the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium. 

The Hodags trailed much of the way and were down 24-16 at the half. They rallied to tie the game at 36 late in the second half before the Raiders finished the game on an 11-2 run.

Aubryn Clark led Rhinelander with 17 points while JaLyn LaChapelle chipped in nine. Kristen Radtke led Wisconsin Rapids with 16. 

Rhinelander (8-3, 4-0 Great Northern) travels to Three Lakes on Tuesday.

Wrestling: Rhinelander 2-0, Rhinelander Triangular

The Rhinelander High School wrestling team won both of its matches Friday in a home triangular, defeating Phillips 48-34 and Merrill’s varsity reserve 36-33 at the James Williams Middle School gym.

Avrom Barr (138 pounds), Logan Schwinger (190) and Reid Schultz (285) scored pins in both of their matches. The Hodags also got pins from Mya Swanson (126), Gavin Dotter (215) and Trevor Denton (113) against Phillips. Anthony Boldt (150) earned a pin against Merrill.

The Hodags are back in action next Saturday as the boys’ squad travels to Valders while the girls’ squad wrestles in Merrill.

Full reports will be published in Tuesday’s River News.