Wolverine boys rally to pull off last-seconds win over MMCRU



In comeback mode for much of the second half, South O’Brien got the game-winning basket with nine seconds left to edge MMCRU 66-64 January 30 at Paullina. Following Willie Conley’s jumper in the lane, the Royals were shooting for the win but their three-pointer at the buzzer was off the mark.
“Both teams played very well,” remarked Wolverine head coach Kiley Yates. “It was a great atmosphere for high school boys basketball and both teams played with great effort and determination. We are very pleased with how hard our team competed for 32 minutes to come out with the victory over a very good MMCRU team that is very well-coached.”
MMCRU held a 41-29 advantage with three minutes remaining in the third quarter. Given that circumstance, Yates was asked what was required of his team to come away with the victory. “We needed to get going offensively which we did with some steals that were converted into baskets,” he responded. “We were more patient on offense and took and made good shots. We were able to finally get them to miss. We defensive rebounded very well all night long.”
The Royals made eight three-point baskets and South O’Brien six. David Bottjen supplied four of those six treys. Twice in the fourth quarter he knocked down a three-pointer to tie the game.
Overall the Wolverines were 25-of-55 from the floor (46 percent) while MMCRU went 23-for-53 (43 percent). From the free throw line South O’Brien was 10-of-12 and the Royals 10-of-14.
Bottjen totaled 16 points but the high scorer for the Wolverines was Derek Paulsen with 19. Conley finished with 14 points. Justice Frerk tallied five points and Ben Woodall four. Scoring two points apiece were Caden Wittrock, Jaden Kreber, Reese Lundquist and Aaron Funkhouser. The 16 assists included four from Bottjen and three each from Conley, Paulsen and Woodall. Paulsen also came away with four steals. MMCRU committed 11 turnovers while the Wolverines turned the ball over just five times.
MMCRU
12 13 20 19 – 64
S. O’Brien
13 10 18 25 – 66