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WIAA Board Approves Basketball Shot Clock, Two Divisions in Boys Hockey Published on 06/23/2017 under Sports

STEVENS POINT, Wis. -- The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association Board of Control reviewed and approved a number of committee recommendations impacting winter sports, gave initial review and consideration of a newly conceived divisional placement plan for basketball, and engaged in robust membership-related discussions at its June meeting today.

Following a lengthy discussion, the Board voted to implement the use of a 35-second shot clock in basketball for varsity games only to begin with the 2019-20 season.

In other basketball-related action, coaches qualifying for the Sate Tournament will determine the seeds for the four qualifying teams in each of the five divisions with a Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association representative breaking any ties that may occur beginning in 2017-18.

Three other basketball recommendations received approval from the Board. If schools choose to play only one half of a junior varsity game and a full varsity game, players will be allowed to play in only two halves. Also approved was extending the coaching box to 28 feet from 14 feet for all levels. In addition, the number of players per team allowed to dress during the Tournament Series will increase to 18 while maintaining the maximum party limit of 22.

The Board also voted to convene the basketball coaches advisory committee following the 2017 Area Meetings to discuss the merits of a newly created basketball tournament placement model. Details of the plan will be shared and discussed at the Area Meetings and at each level of the committee process to be presented to the Board at its Jan. 31, 2018 meeting. General details of the plan is provided below.

The Board supported an amended recommendation for a two-year experiment on sponsoring two divisions in boys hockey beginning with the 2020 State Tournament. The tournament format will feature four teams in Division 1 and four in Division 2 with the smallest 32 programs by enrollment assigned to Division 2.

Another action item in hockey was the approval of the procedure for seeding the State Tournament. The WIAA will conduct a conference call with coaches of qualifying teams to determine the top four seeds, and the remaining four teams will be randomly drawn as opponents of the seeded teams in the brackets. The guidelines for seeding will replicate those for the regional and sectional levels.

Beginning next season, the State Tournament in team wrestling will also be seeded by coaches of qualifying teams. The process will replicate the procedure approved in boys hockey. Another wrestling recommendation approved for 2017-18 increases the total number of medals awarded to 28 at the State Team Tournament, which equals the number of eligible athletes. In other wrestling-related discussions, the Board was informed of a change in the Feb. 1, one-pound growth allowance to take effect on the date of the first regional competition.

The lone gymnastics coaches' recommendation received approval. It requires the final average score of a routine to be posted during meets throughout the season.

The Board also ratified spring cooperative programs for the 2017-18 and 2018-19 seasons, general fund financial statements and payments and a spending resolution during development of the 2017-18 operational budget.

Among the additional discussions were a review of the 2017 spring State Tournaments, updates on Assembly Bill 260/Senate Bill 232, the 2017 New Athletic Director Workshop, possible 2017 Area Meeting topics, and potential Constitution items for the 2018 Annual Meeting.

The Board also received liaison reports from John Ashley of the Wisconsin Association of School Boards and Peggy Seegers-Braun of the Wisconsin Athletic Directors Association.

The WIAA oversees interscholastic athletic programs for 511 senior high schools and 41 junior high/middle level schools in its membership. It sponsors 27 championship tournament series. For more information, please contact the WIAA office at (715) 344-8580.

In Other News

Tomahawk Spring Sports Recap 5/11/26

Published on 05/11/2026 under Sports Quiet Bats Haunt Hatchet Baseball in Loss to Medford Tomahawk baseball's struggles would continue Monday at Tyler Kahle Memorial Field, losing to Great Northern Conference foe Medford, 8-2. The Hatchets would allow two runs in four of the seven innings on the mound and three of the runs allowed were unearned. The lone two runs from Tomahawk came in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run home run by Sophomore Cash Olsen, his third of the season and second in as many games. After trimming the lead to four, the sixth inning would end on a double play flyout by catcher Colin Black. The loss puts Tomahawk at 5-9 on the season and 4-7 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back on the diamond Thursday night going for the season sweep of the Merrill Blue Jays. First pitch is at 5:00. A Stroke of Luck Gives Tomahawk Golf 2nd in Medford The Hatchet golfers had their highest Great Northern Conference meet finish at Black River Golf Course in Medford Monday, placing second overall. Tomahawk would finish one stroke ahead of third-place Mosinee and 14 strokes behind first-place Lakeland. The top Hatchet Golfer was Jake Albert, who placed fourth overall with a 78. Oliver Childers rounded out the top ten with an 85. The third-lowest golfer was Jaxon Kaiser with an 88. The Hatchets are back on the course Wednesday at the Northwood Golf Club hosted by Rhinelander. Tee-off is at 11:30 AM.

Published on 05/11/2026 under News Students in the Tomahawk High School Building Trades program spent their spring semester turning classroom lessons into a project designed to benefit local families. The students recently completed construction of a custom toddler playhouse for Nokomis Park. Instructor Andy Peissig said the project gave students hands-on experience in carpentry, design and construction, with students handling every stage of the build from reading blueprints and measuring materials to framing and finishing the structure. Peissig said the project helped students strengthen teamwork, problem-solving and project management skills while also giving them a chance to give back to the community. The students learned the importance of community involvement and how their abilities can make a real difference. He said, "Knowing that younger children will be able to enjoy something they built has given students a strong sense of pride and ownership in their work." Peissig added, "We are proud of the dedication and effort these students demonstrated, and we're excited for the community to enjoy the finished playhouse at Nokomis Park."

Published on 05/11/2026 under News For more than a decade now, the Ties That Bind Us has provided a cancer support network here in the Tomahawk Community. Their latest effort is aimed at expanding access to breast cancer screenings. The Ties That Bind Us recently made a $10,000 donation to Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital to support mammogram screenings for uninsured or underinsured patients, helping reduce financial barriers to early breast cancer detection. Carla Gerstenberger, president of Ties That Bind Us of Tomahawk, said the organization is proud to partner with Aspirus to help improve access to screenings and support better outcomes for local patients. According to the news release, demand for 3D mammography at the Tomahawk hospital screenings has increased significantly this year following the addition of updated imaging technology, including Genius AI-assisted mammography. Courtney Oberg, RT Aspirus Tomahawk Hospital, said mammograms remain one of the most important tools for detecting breast cancer early, and the donation will help more women access that care.

Published on 05/11/2026 under News Over the past decade, the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation has awarded more than a half million dollars in grants to first responders across their service footprint. They're currently accepting applications for the next round of recipients. Each summer, the WPS Foundation presents Rewarding Responder grants to help agencies purchase lifesaving equipment and fund training for first responders across Northern Wisconsin. Over the years local grants have gone to law enforcement, fire, rescue, and emergency medical. These agencies have used funding for items such as coldwater rescue gear, thermal imaging, drones, and AED units. In recent years, the Foundation increased the annual funding pool to $75,000. Dating back to 2014, the Foundation has awarded nearly $700,000 to 220 public safety agencies across the Northwoods and the Fox Valley. The application period is currently open, and recipients will be announced this summer.

Published on 05/11/2026 under News While we've had some chilly nights recently, but camping season is upon us. In the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, staff are assisted by a group of dedicated volunteers. They are currently recruiting a new round of campground hosts. It's a barter system, the hosts receive a free campsite in exchange for some campsite work. This can include greeting visitors, providing information about recreation opportunities, monitoring and helping maintain campground conditions. Karen Katz, Recreation Program Manager for the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. She says, "Campground hosts are often the first point of contact for visitors and play a key role in creating a positive experience. We are grateful for the time and dedication our volunteers bring to these important roles." For those that would like to learn more, you can visit the CNNF website. We'll include a link in the online version of the story.

Published on 05/11/2026 under News Crews responded to a structure fire in Vilas County over the weekend. According to the Vilas County Sheriff's Office, the 911 Center received a call at shortly before 2:30pm Saturday afternoon reporting smoke at a business building located at 6373 Highway 45 in Land O' Lakes. Emergency responders arrived to find a pile of wood burning behind one of the buildings, and the fire had already spread into the structure. Multiple agencies responded. The business was closed at the time, and no employees were on scene. The release did not indicate the amount of fire damage, nor the origin. The Land O' Lakes Fire Department and Vilas County Sheriff's Office are investigating the fire.

Published on 05/11/2026 under News We've got another road construction project to add to the growing summer list... The Lincoln County Highway Department announced work on County YY through the rest of the month. Crews will begin by working on a pair of culvert replacements on the North side of Squaw Creek Avenue. Over the next two weeks, there will be 'no through traffic' on YY which will be closed at the culvert location while they work. Following Memorial Day, they'll be pulverizing and paving, this portion of the project will be local traffic only. As for the DoT project list: Work is scheduled to wrap up this week on the County D/Highway 86 bridge over Highway 51 near Tomahawk. Work began on that project early last month, and the overpass had been closed for most of the work. A bit further north, work continues on Highway 51 between US Highway 8 and the north end of Oneida County L. That segment remains closed and detoured at this time. According to the most recent update; the closure will run until May 21. After the Memorial Day holiday, they will resume work, but Highway 51 will be open to traffic. This project is scheduled to run into mid-June. Up in Minocqua, crews are working on Highway 51 between the Minocqua Bridge and Front Street. They will maintain at least one lane of traffic in each direction throughout the work. The updated schedule shows work through June 18 and then again Sept. 8 to Oct. 9. And a project in Rhinelander, they are working Highway 8 between Highway 47 and 17 North. During construction, traffic will be detoured through Rhinelander. Work is schedule to run into September.

Published on 05/09/2026 under Sports While in Gilman Saturday afternoon, the Hatchet softball squad bounced back with splitting their two games. Tomahawk started the day with a 12-2 loss to Central Wisconsin Powerhouse Marathon. The lone two runs scored by the Hatchets were on a two-run single by Senior Kylie Peissig. However, the Hatchets allowed eight unearned runs and committed six errors. Senior Siennah Calkins went two for three with a double in the loss. In Game Two of the invite, the Hatchet bats came alive late, outlasting Mondovi, 15-5. Tomahawk took a 5-2 lead into the sixth inning before piling on ten runs in the final two innings of the game. Senior Pitcher Sophie Olsen allowed just one run on three hits in four innings of work. The star of the game offensively was Junior Averi Petta. The Hatchet Center fielder went four for four with two home runs, including a seventh-inning grand slam. Calkins also went two for four with a home run, Petta and Calkins combined to drive in 11 runs on the day. The Hatchets' record goes to 9-10 on the season and 4-6 in Great Northern Conference play. Tomahawk resumes action Tuesday on the road at GNC opponent Medford. First pitch is at 5:00.

Published on 05/08/2026 under Sports Hatchet Baseball Mercy-Ruled For Second Straight Game Tomahawk's baseball team were the first victims of the Lakeland Thunderbirds in Minocqua Friday night, losing, 14-1. The Hatchets tied a season-high with six errors committed in the field, resulting in eight unearned runs. The lone run scored by Tomahawk was a solo home run from Sophomore Cash Olsen in the third inning. The pitching combination of Olsen, Wally Horabik, and Hunter Hilgendorf allowed eight runs in the fourth inning. The loss drops Tomahawk to 5-8 on the season and 4-6 in Great Northern Conference play. The Hatchets are back on the diamond Monday afternoon for another GNC showdown with Medford. Alex Koch and Keith Hanse will have the broadcast on Sports Talk 810 AM/97.7 FM WJJQ. The Fehrman Orthodontics Radio Pregame Show gets underway at 4:35 and First Pitch is at 5:00. Tomahawk Golf Stays at 5th in GNC Meet at Eagle River Up at the Eagle River Golf Course, the Hatchet golfers would place fifth again in their Great Northern Conference meet Friday afternoon. Tomahawk would finish with a score of 346, six strokes behind fourth-place Merrill. The top golfer for the Hatchets was sophomore Jaxon Kaiser, who finished with an 83. Oliver Childers would finish one stroke behind Kaiser. The Hatchets have their next Great Northern Conference Meet Monday at Black River Golf Course in Medford. Tee-off is at 3:00. Elise Gibeault Dominates, Hatchet Runners Finish in Top Four At the Otto Bacher Invite in Merrill Friday night, the Hatchet track and field athletes came away with top-four team finishes. Tomahawk's girls placed second overall, placing behind only Great Northern Conference foe Rhinelander. The meet was dominated Junior runner Elise Gibeault. The Hatchet athlete placed first in the 100, 200, and 400 meter dashes. She also placed first in the high jump. Gibeault's 400 time of 58.36 seconds set a meet record. Also placing first in the meet was the 4x200 meter relay squad of Siennah Calkins, Alicia Voermans, Lauren Reibe, and Aliyah Nelson. As for the Hatchet boys, they would place fourth in the invite, behind Rhinelander, Lakeland, and Wausau East. Tomahawk's boys had two third-place finishes in the invite. Connor Zorn placed third in the 100 meter dash with a time of 11.73 seconds. Mason Reibe placed third in the pole vault with a leap of 11 feet. The next meet for Tomahawk is their home meet at Hatchet Field Tuesday. Alex Koch will be in the press box with the Fehrman Orthodontics Premeet Show at 3:55 and opening events will begin at 4:15 on Northwoods 92.5 WJJQ.

Published on 05/08/2026 under News A Mother's Day weekend tradition in Tomahawk returns for an 11th year as the Tomahawk Main Street Wine Walk will brings hundreds of visitors downtown this evening. For a few hours, more than two dozen shops in downtown Tomahawk will turn into temporary wineries offering lucky ticket holders samples of merlots, pinots and muscattos while enjoying a festive atmosphere. This year's event features 30 stops and a selection of carefully curated wine selections, along with gift bags generously filled by local businesses. Tomahawk Main Street Director Jennifer Turkiewicz says the Wine Walk has become a yearly tradition for many groups of mothers, daughters, grandmothers and friends who celebrate together each spring. While Tomahawk Main Street has toyed with the idea of a theme, she noted that some of the groups come up with their own dress up theme. In addition to the wine tastings, downtown visitors can enjoy live music, extended shopping hours and evening entertainment at several locations including an open mic night at Sideways. Turkiewicz says the event continues to benefit downtown businesses by bringing new customers through their doors and showcasing everything the downtown district has to offer. She added that even people without tickets are encouraged to come downtown Friday night to enjoy the atmosphere, music and shopping opportunities. While the event typically sells out, I spoke to Turkiewicz this morning, she had a couple of tickets available that were returned. Those interested can contact Tomahawk Main Street when they open a bit later this morning.

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