For the Tomahawk Leader

TOMAHAWK – After losing numerous players to injury, COVID-19 quarantine and other circumstances, the Tomahawk Hatchet girls’ varsity basketball team forfeited its remaining conference games, forming a combined varsity/JV squad to play other conference JV teams.

“We needed to make some tough decisions resulting in playing fewer varsity games,” said head coach Dean Borcherding. “We are down to 11 healthy bodies (for) JV and varsity combined.”

The Hatchets’ combined squad traveled to Rhinelander on Tuesday, Jan. 26 and defeated the Hodags’ JV team 32-29.

“(It was a) tough defensive game where we had troubles hitting our shots,” Borcherding stated. “Mallory Watland Copiskey was our defensive star. She had many productive minutes, especially defensively and rebounding. Haley Liebelt and Maddie Marino were our scoring leaders.”

On Thursday, Jan. 28, the Hatchets’ combined squad visited Park Falls and defeated Chequamegon’s varsity team 46-20.

“Our girls played well tonight with more aggressive defense and making shots,” Borcherding stated after the game. “Ella Genlin led our scoring with 12 points, while Emily Maki and Khianna Vacho each had eight points. Maki and Vacho each had 11 steals also.”

The Lady Hatchets’ combined squad wrapped up the week with a home game against Medford’s JV team, losing 38 to 23.

“Gracie Barnett returned from injury and scored eight points and (had) 7 rebounds,” Borcherding said. “Haley Liebelt also chipped in eight points. We were down by double digits, cut it to five but couldn’t overcome their large lead.”