STAR JOURNAL REPORT

After leading the three-time defending WIAA Division 1 state champion by five points with less than a minute left in regulation Friday, the Rhinelander High School varsity boys basketball team lost its season opener in overtime at Stevens Point Area Senior High, 79-69.

The Hodags, who also held a three-point lead at halftime, were in front 62-57 with 47 second left in the second half after Owen White sank two free throws. However, SPASH forced overtime with a 2-point field goal followed by a 3-point play from the charity stripe and then outscored RHS 17-7 in the 5-minute extra session.

White led four Hodags scoring in double figures with 21 points, which included three 3-pointers, and also hauled in 11 rebounds for a double-double. Junior Howard added 12 points, Brad Quade put in 11 points and Brock Lieder scored 10 more.

RHS shot 27-54 (50 percent) from the field overall, 8-23 (34.8 percent) from 3-point range and 7-12 (58.3 percent) from the free-throw line.

The 0-1 Hodags will seek their first win of the season Tuesday when they host a non-conference game against Wisconsin Rapids.

SPASH 79, Hodags 69

Hodags          30           32             7 – 69

SPASH            27           35           17 – 79

Hodags: Junior Howard 12, Brad Comer 8, Bryce Schickert 4, Brad Quade 11, Reese Flores 1, Owen White 21, Brock Lieder 10, Drake Martin 2. 3-pointers: White 3, Howard 2, Comer, Quade, Lieder. Free throws: 7-12. Fouls: 17.