Hodag girls basketball opens the season with a win

For the Star Journal

RHINELANDER – The Hodag girls basketball opened their season with a non-conference game against the Crandon Cardinals at home Thursday evening.

Coach Ryan Clark had a lot of questions about his team, such as who would score and could they play defense. Defense ruled as the half time score was 14-12 in favor of Crandon.

In the second half both teams had trouble scoring as the lead never was more than four points during the game. Down the stretch Ava Lamers made a 3-point shot that put the Hodags up by two and then with under 30 seconds left Lamers was fouled and made the first free throw of the 1-and-1 to put the Hodags up by three. Needing to make the second to make it a two-possession lead, she did just that, to give the girls a 30-26 lead which would be the final score. In the end neither team could hang onto the ball with the Hodags forcing the last turnover with under five seconds remaining to secure the win.

BOB MAINHARDT PHOTOS