RHS Sports recap: Thursday, Jan. 9

Boys’ basketball: Rhinelander 72, Merrill 28

The Rhinelander High School boys’ basketball team ran away from a cold-shooting Merrill in the second half on Thursday, defeating the Bluejays 72-28 in GNC play in Merrill.

Rhinelander led 16-14 with 5:34 remaining in the first half, and the Bluejays would go the next 12-plus minutes without making a shot from the field. Rhinelander’s lead ballooned to 27-16 at half and 46-18 before Merrill finally made again from the floor with 8:50 remaining. 

Devon Feck hit five 3s and scored 17 points to lead all scorers. Evan Shoeder had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Abe Gretzinger and Jatyn Barkus were also in double figures with 12 and 10 points, respectively. 

Merrill was paced by Eli Burtman with nine points. 

Rhinelander (8-1, 4-0 Great Northern) travels to Lakeland on Tuesday.

Boys’ hockey: Medford 3, Rhinelander 2, OT

The Rhinelander High School boys’ hockey team was moments away from its first win of the season, only to suffer a 3-2 overtime defeat to the Medford Raiders Thursday at Medford. 

Luke Hartl tied it for the Raiders with an extra attacker with 1:34 remaining in regulation and Cole Pernsteiner scored the game-winner 55 seconds into the extra session for the Raiders. 

The game was tied 1-1 after a period and the Hodags took a 2-1 lead 3:41 into the third period. Kadin Rodziczak scored both goals for Rhinelander. 

Medford outshot Rhinelander 29-27. Connor McGee made 26 saves in defeat.

Rhinelander (0-12-0, 0-5-0 Great Northern) host Mosinee on Monday.

Boys’ swimming: Rhinelander 137, Lakeland 11

The Rhinelander High School boys’ swim team won all 11 events in a 137-11 win over a short-handed Lakeland squad Tuesday in a GNC exhibition dual in Minocqua. 

Judson O’Malley and Dean Gillingham were four-event winners for Rhinelander. Judson O’Malley took the 100 butterfly and 100 breaststroke, individually, while Gillingham claimed the 200 freestyle and the 100 freestyle. Both were on a pair of winning relays. 

Charlie Antonuk claimed the 200 individual medley and the 100 backstroke as part of a three-win night. Kellen O’Malley won the 50 freestyle and Elias Simonsen won the 500 freestyle.

Rhinelander travels to Ashwaubenon for an invite on Saturday.

Boys’ wrestling: Tomahawk 61, Rhinelander 12

The Rhinelander High School boys’ wrestling team fell to Tomahawk 61-12 in GNC play Thursday at the Jim Miazga Community Gymnasium. 

Ivan Loka secured a pin at 132 pounds for the Hodags’ lone contested win on the night. Juan Diego Grage picked up a forfeit win at 106.

Rhinelander (0-2 Great Northern) travels to Merrill for an invite on Saturday.

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