Star Journal report

The boys basketball team played their second game of the season and first on the home floor Tuesday night. Wausau East was the opponent and was winless on the season at 0-3. The Hodags only game thus far was a tight win at DC Everest last Friday.

The Hodags held a lead for much of the game but East’s height advantage came into play late in the game after Rhinelander’s big man, Jackson Zettler, fouled out with just over three minutes to play in regulation. Zettler finished with 6 points but more important was his size on the inside against East’s 6-foot-8-inch center.

The Hodags held the lead the majority of the first half and led 32-29 going into intermission.

The East Lumberjacks fought back and took a lead late but the Hodags were able to knot the score at 64 with four seconds left. East was unable to get a good shot off and the game went into overtime.

East out rebounded and outscored the Hodags in the overtime and won 79-75.

Double digit scorers for the Hodags were Jacksen Smith with 23 followed by sophomore Will Gretzinger with 12. Friday the Hodags open conference play hosting Northland Pines. [Photos by Bob Mainhardt]