Hodag Highlights: Boys hoops wins three straight

The Rhinelander High School boys basketball team put together an impressive three-game winning streak last week, showcasing both their offensive firepower and defensive intensity in victories over Tomahawk, Wausau East, and Antigo.
The week began with a statement performance against Tomahawk as the Hodags overwhelmed their opponents from the opening tip. Rhinelander’s aggressive pressure defense forced turnovers while crisp ball movement led to easy baskets on the offensive end.
The Hodags exploded out of the gates with a stunning 28-3 run, and by halftime had built a commanding 53-10 advantage. Coach Lemmens emptied his bench in the second half, and all but one player found the scoring column in the 90-25 rout.
Jatyn Barkus paced the balanced attack with 16 points, while Abe Gretzinger added 15 and Evan Shoeder chipped in 10. Devon Feck, Vince White, Rowan Wiczek, and Tommy Eades each contributed 8 points in the win.
Wausau East provided a stiffer test in a non-conference matchup, using their height advantage to grab an early lead. The game turned into a back-and-forth battle before Barkus drained a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer to give Rhinelander a 34-28 edge.

The Hodags extended their lead to 10 points in the second half, but East fought back to briefly reclaim the advantage. Rhinelander responded quickly to retake control and never trailed again. Leading by just five points with over two minutes remaining, the Hodags sealed the victory from the free-throw line and added a couple late baskets to secure the 74-63 win.
Rhinelander closed out the week with another home victory over Antigo. The Hodags’ pressure defense and hot shooting built a 35-15 halftime cushion, but Antigo’s second-half zone defense initially slowed Rhinelander’s rhythm.
As the Red Robins chipped away at the 20-point deficit, Tommy Eades provided a crucial spark off the bench. His energy improved the team’s ball movement, and he knocked down a pair of three-pointers to help the Hodags regain control.
Devon Feck led all scorers with 22 points, while Gretzinger added 13 in the 69-46 victory.