Hodag Highlights: Boys claim share of GNC title with thrilling double OT win at Mosinee

In one of the most dramatic finishes of the season, the Rhinelander High School boys basketball team overcame an 11-point halftime deficit Thursday night to defeat Mosinee 75-73 in double overtime, earning a share of the conference championship and clinching their third consecutive conference title.The stakes could not have been higher. Mosinee entered the game undefeated in conference play, while the Hodags carried just a single conference loss — a earlier-season defeat at the hands of the very team they were visiting. A win for Rhinelander would mean a shared title. A loss would hand Mosinee the crown outright.The Hodags looked every bit like a team playing on the road early on. Mosinee came out firing, making shots with regularity while Rhinelander struggled to find its rhythm. By halftime, the Hodags trailed 33-22, facing an uphill climb in the second half.Rhinelander never led in the first half and would not find themselves ahead until deep into the second half — but when they finally did take the lead, they did it in spectacular fashion.With the clock winding down in regulation, Rhinelander’s Abe Gretzinger delivered one of the biggest shots of the season, knotting the game at 61-61 with just 5.7 seconds remaining. The Hodag defense then rose to the moment, preventing Mosinee from getting off a meaningful shot as the buzzer sounded, forcing overtime.
The first overtime period was as tight as the regulation finish. Both teams scored five points apiece, setting up a second overtime and leaving a packed gym on edge. Mosinee drew first blood in the second overtime, but Rhinelander answered. The decisive moment came when Tommy Eades converted a layup following a steal, giving the Hodags a lead they would not relinquish. Gretzinger, who scored a total of 19 points, followed with a free throw to push the advantage to 75-73. With Mosinee needing a basket to tie and time nearly expired, Nate Kohnert attempted to drive the baseline — but lost his footing, and the ball squirted free. Evan Shoeder swooped in to recover the loose ball, and Rhinelander quickly called timeout with 0.9 seconds on the clock.
The Hodag coaching staff faced a simple but crucial decision: protect the ball and run out the clock. They opted to have the inbound pass thrown the length of the court, letting the ball bounce harmlessly until the final ticks disappeared. The strategy worked to perfection, and the final buzzer sounded with the Hodags celebrating a 75-73 victory.
With the conference title shared, the Hodags turn their attention to the postseason. As the No. 2 seed, Rhinelander will host their first-round game Friday night against the winner of the Wausau East/Antigo matchup.