Pines learns about itself after Rhinelander loss

With just one game on the schedule for the Northland Pines girls basketball team last week, the Eagles learned a lot about themselves after traveling to Rhinelander Dec. 13 and falling 70-22 to the Hodags.
Rhinelander used its defense on its home court to shut down Pines’ offense for most of the night.
“It was rough for us. However, we pushed forward and learned a lot about coming together as a team and getting through hard days,” said Pines coach Jaclyn Halsey.
The Eagles had some key contributors return to the court late in the week due to the sickness bug.
Pines trailed 47-16 at halftime and scored only six points in the second half.

Senior Ellie Smith led Pines offensively with eight of the 22 points. Halsey said she and a few other players stepped up into bigger roles in the loss.
“Ellie Smith had eight points and brought a lot of energy to the game. She never let the circumstances get to her, and went out there and played like it,” Halsey said. “Freshman Tatum Meier stepped up and got her first varsity start. She had to fill big roles and rise to the occasion.”
The Eagles, currently 2-3 overall and 0-2 inside the Great Northern Conference, looked to bounce back this past Tuesday with a home tilt with Florence and then will play another GNC game against Lakeland Friday, Dec. 20, starting at 7:15 p.m.