By Jed Buelow
Tomahawk Leader Co-Editor, Sports and Nature Editor
TOMAHAWK – On more than one occasion it seemed sure the ref would have called a flagrant foul after a Hatchet hoopster was taken to the ground while trying to score in a 77-59 loss to Antigo last week at Hatchet Fieldhouse.
Instead, the blatant fouls that at times made it look a bit more like a hockey game or wrestling match were passed off as Antigo’s aggressive style of play as they fought off Tomahawk to get the 18-point win to improve to 4-6 in the GNC and 6-12 overall. The loss dropped Tomahawk’s record to 6-13 overall and just one win in conference this season.
Tomahawk Hatchet head coach Jacob Jarvensivu said his team really struggled to handle their offense in the half court and Antigo’s Nevin Cornelius really got it going in the first half and the Hatchets failed to come up with an answer. He would finish the night as the red bird’s top scorer finishing the game with 22 points.
“Offensively, I thought we shot it well and executed the offense too,” the coach said. “The story was turnovers and we just had too many to win a game like this. I believe this is still a team that can get going at the right time and make a run into March.”
Connor Dichsen led the Hatchets in scoring with 16 points going 7-for-10 shooting from the floor. Drew Bolder scored 8 and Tomahawk got an impressive performance from Mason Phalin as he also dumped in 8 points on the night.
The Hatchets were back in action Tuesday as they tried to right the ship in Athens in hopes of getting hot heading into the playoffs and this Friday, Feb. 21 travel to Rhinelander for a GNC doubleheader against the Hodags that gets underway at 7:45 p.m.