Rhinelander, Lakeland renew boys’ hardwood rivalry tonight

The second half of tonight’s doubleheader at Rhinelander’s Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium features the GNC-leading Hodag boys taking on Lakeland. Lakeland Times sports writer Brett LaBore and River News sports editor Jeremy Mayo break down the contest. 

The scoop

It’s cliche to say throw out the records when rivals meet. On paper, Rhinelander (7-2, 3-0 Great Northern) is a substantial favorite over Lakeland (5-5, 2-2). The Hodags returned a number of pieces from last year’s conference co-champion squad while Lakeland has a number of new players in its rotation. The Hodags were idle Tuesday and became the last remaining unbeaten in the GNC when Northland Pines upset Mosinee in Eagle River 53-49. Lakeland, meanwhile, got to .500 on the season with a 21-point victory over Tomahawk. Rhinelander has dominated the series of late — winning 23 of the last 27 meetings against Lakeland — but look no further than last Sunday’s Packers-Bears game to prove that a team is only as good as its last outing. 

A look at the teams

Lakeland — Inexperience is the key word for these Thunderbirds. They’re learning on the fly as they head into a huge challenge at Rhinelander. Through 10 games, the team has a record of 5-5. Points have been hard to come by this season. Lakeland has scored more than 60 points just once this season. If they want to keep up with the Hodags, they may have to increase that number. Defense has been Lakeland’s specialty. They’ve given up no more than 57 points over their last six games. Lakeland has conference wins over Northland Pines and Tomahawk.

Rhinelander — Would the real Hodag team please stand up? Rhinelander raced out to a 7-0 start, averaging 71 points per game and winning by an average margin of 32 points. That got the Hodags ranked No. 10 in the WisSports.net D2 coaches poll prior to Christmas. There’s been a complete 180 since then as Rhinelander has faced its two toughest tests of the season, at Wisconsin Dells and at Wausau East. The Hodags collapsed in the second half of both games, losing 70-42 at the Dells and then 83-58 at Wausau East. Coach Derek Lemmens said the losses exposed a number of Rhinelander’s flaws — including turnovers and stamina. 

Players to watch

Lakeland — Junior forward Evan Zoch has emerged as Lakeland’s go-to player this season. He scored 21 points, including the game-winning basket, against Edgar on Jan. 3. They’re going to need to get everything they can out of Zoch if Lakeland wants to pull off the upset tonight. Jackson Burnett is an emerging star for Lakeland. The sophomore guard has taken on a starting role, averaging over 10 points per game this season. Junior Benny Gahler averages 7.3 points per game as one of the Thunderbirds who has varsity experience from last season. A pair of Thunderbirds average around five points per game in sophomore Lincoln Friedley (5.7 PPG) and senior Alton Jackson (5.2 PPG). As a team, the Thunderbirds have struggled to make 3-pointers, with only one player shooting above 30% from behind the arc through nine games.

Rhinelander — There are a number of players to choose from on a Hodag squad that likes to share the basketball, but it will be interesting to keep an eye on junior forward Evan Shoeder tonight. He scored a team-high 16 points last Friday at Wausau East before leaving the game late with a lower leg injury. The Hodags may need to rely more heavily on him in the post with sixth-man Abe Gretzinger battling a knee injury, though Lemmens indicated Wednesday both Shoeder and Gretzinger are on track to play in tonight’s contest. Shoeder has been a steady presence all year, averaging 10.6 points and 6.2 rebounds a game. Senior Truman Lamers averaged 16.6 points per game to lead the Hodags and Rhinelander is waiting for junior Devon Feck (13.6 PPG) to find his shooting touch from last season. He’s only 32% from deep this year after hitting at a 49% clip last year. 

Coach speak

Lakeland — “It’s going to be a learning experience for us, and obviously we are inexperienced, but we’ve got a bunch of people on our team that have had, you know, the Rhinelander experience and have been a part of it. They know how deep the rivalry goes and so yeah, I think that, you know, we will definitely be up for the game. There’s going to be ups and downs for sure. We’ll be up for the game, and I’m really excited for our boys to be tested.” 

Jacob Jarvensivu

Rhinelander — “They’ve faced some good opponents and they’ve had some struggles of their own, but I know that again, (they’ll have) athleticism and some kind of some power down low. They’re going to be physical. We’re going to have to be able to match that, and I would love to see us get back to where we get out in transition and we attack teams in the open court.” 

Derek Lemmens