Fans at Thursday's non-league challenge between the Merrill Bluejays (Merrill, WI) and the visiting Rhinelander Hodags (Rhinelander, WI), saw Merrill's basketball squad hold off Rhinelander by a tally of 72-66.

With the victory, Merrill improves its record to 4-3 on the campaign. The Bluejays travel to Monona Grove (Monona, WI) to battle the Silver Eagles in a non-league contest on Wednesday, December 27. The Silver Eagles come into the contest with a record of 4-3. Monona Grove lost 72-64 in their recent non-league contest against Oregon (Oregon, WI)

The Hodags (5-3) will now prepare for their contest against Ashland (Ashland, WI). The Oredockers come into the non-league contest with a 2-5 record. In their last contest, Ashland was nudged by Washburn (Washburn, WI), 70-54, in a non-league contest.