For the Tomahawk Leader

WITTENBERG – The Tomahawk Hatchet boys’ basketball team played three games on the road last week and dropped each game.

The Hatchets kicked off the week against Wittenberg-Birnamwood on Monday, Jan. 25, and were defeated 68 to 37.

Head coach Jacob Jarvensivu said the game was back and forth through the first half, and the Hatchets went into halftime trailing by seven points. Wittenberg-Birnamwood increased their defensive pressure in the second half and caused 16 turnovers on their way to the win.

Drew Bolder led the team with 13 points, and Payton Bunce had 11.

“The boys played a good first half, but we struggled again in the second half on offense,” Jarvensivu stated. “I thought that we played a good game defensively but gave them too many easy layups off of our turnovers.”

The Tomahawk hoopsters were back at it the following day, traveling to Rhinelander on Tuesday, Jan. 26 and falling by a score of 79 to 42.

The Hatchets stuck with the Hodags through most the first half, but the Hodags were able to go on a 12-0 run in the final two minutes to go into halftime with a 32-23 lead.  Rhinelander’s depth and energy took over the game in the second half as they cruised to the victory.

The Hatchets were led by Drew Bolder with 14 points. Mason Phalin and Payton Bunce each had nine points.

“I thought the boys played a really good first half,” Jarvensivu said. “We are at the point in the season where we play really good for 30 minutes a night, and we need to make that 36 as we move towards the playoffs.”

The Hatchets wrapped up their week on the road against Medford on Friday, Jan. 29, and were defeated 77 to 33.

Medford took a 48 to 21 lead into the half and never looked back, shooting 70% from the three point line in the first half. In the second half, Medford cooled off, but their lead from the first half was too much to overcome, but not by much, Jarvensivu noted.

Payton Bunce had 16 points to lead the Hatchets in scoring.

“I thought that our boys really fought and didn’t back down from the best team we will play this year,” Jarvensivu stated. “Medford is ranked 4th in the state for Division II, and they deserve to be ranked so high. I thought that we did do some things to frustrate them and hopefully we can build on the good stuff going into next week.”

The Hatchets hosted Antigo on Tuesday, Feb. 2 in their first home game since Jan. 22. The Lakeland T-Birds will come to town for a 7:15 p.m. matchup at Hatchet Field House on Friday, Feb. 5. Tomahawk will face Antigo on the road and Rhinelander and Crandon at home next week.