For South O’Brien it was a case of too much Lance Berends. The 6’5” Hartley-Melvin-Sanborn junior recorded 31 points, 14 rebounds and seven blocked shots as HMS pulled away from the Wolverines in the second half to win 49-34 February 8 at Hartley. With the loss, South O’Brien finishes 5-5 in the War Eagle Conference, good for sixth place.
The Wolverines trailed 11-7 after one quarter but then outscored the home team 16-8 to lead at halftime 23-19. The Hawks then scored 30 points in the final half while holding South O’Brien to 11.
Jake Wallin was the focus of the HMS defense but still led the Wolverines in scoring with nine points. Hudson Oolman contributed seven points while Boston Riedemann and Sawyer Honkomp each scored six. Jacob Van Lith added four points and Pete Bottjen two. Wallin had two assists and Honkomp one.
South O’Brien was successful on only 24 percent of its shot attempts with 11 field goals in 47 tries. The Hawks put up 48 field goal attempts and made 22 of them to shoot 46 percent. From three-point range the Wolverines were 1-of-9 and HMS 3-of-10. South O’Brien sank 11 of 16 free throws while the Hawks were 2-of-6 at the stripe.
Wallin pulled down 13 of the Wolverines’ 28 rebounds with Oolman grabbing six. Honkomp came away with a pair of steals. HMS committed nine turnovers while the visitors turned the ball over seven times.
S. O’Brien
7 16 6 5 – 34
HMS
11 8 15 15 – 49