RHINELANDER – 2021 Great Northern Conference boys basketball champion Medford Raiders came to Rhinelander High School for a game against the Hodags this week. Medford has been averaging just over 70 points a game and was hoping to continue that trend.

The game started out with the Raiders scoring the first points of the game and the Hodags would trail by 10 at the half, 29-19.

Rhinelander finally took the lead on a Jacksen Smith basket with just over three minutes left in the game. The Hodags’ last field goal was a three-pointer by Wil Gretzinger with 1:15 left to play. From there it was Hodag free throws and Medford missed shots to give the Hodags the 55-49 win.

Jacksen Smith was the leading scorer for the Hodags with 19 followed by Jackson Zettler with 14. The Hodags – mainly Caleb Olcikas – held Medford’s leading scorer, Logan Baumgartner to two three-point field goals and four free throws for 10 points.

PHOTOS BY BOB MAINHARDT

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Jacksen Smith shoots a free throw in the last 30 seconds, Smith made 5-of-6 free throws in the closing minutes of the game.