RHS drops to 15-2 overall

STAR JOURNAL REPORT

After leading by three points at halftime Tuesday night, the Rhinelander High School varsity boys basketball team ended up losing at home in non-conference action to Merrill, 63-58.

The Hodags stayed in front for most of the second half. They held a 58-55 lead with 2:34 left to play when Brad Comer made a free throw, but then didn’t score again with the Bluejays tallying eight unanswered points.

RHS was led by Owen White, who recorded a double-double with 26 points and 16 rebounds. Two other Hodags also scored in double figures with Junior Howard tallying 13 points and Brock Lieder scoring 11 more.

The Hodags’ shot 23-58 (39.7 percent) from the field overall, 7-26 (26.9 percent) from 3-point range and 5-8 (62.5 percent) from the free-throw line.

RHS, which hadn’t lost since the season opener Nov. 24 against Stevens Point Area Senior High, dropped to 15-2 overall and is 8-0 in the Great Northern Conference going into Thursday’s league game at Tomahawk.

Bluejays 63, Hodags 58

Bluejays        25         38 – 63

Hodags         28         30 – 58

Hodags: Junior Howard 13, Brad Comer 4, Jared Haug 4, Owen White 26, Brock Lieder 11. 3-pointers: Howard 3, White 3, Comer. Free throws: 5-8. Fouls: 18.