The South O’Brien boys basketball team made its final home game of the season a memorable one. The Wolverines got off to a good start against Westwood and never let up, seizing a 67-35 victory in a Class 1A District 2 semifinal played February 15 at Paullina. The win was the 11th straight for the Wolverines, who improved to 20-3 on the season. Westwood bowed out of the tournament with a record of 12-10.
“I thought we played with great energy and effort for 32 minutes,” remarked South O’Brien head coach Kiley Yates. “Our defensive intensity was excellent. We had good ball pressure, challenged their shooters and defensive rebounded very well. We were aggressive on offense and shot a good percentage. We offensive rebounded hard. We are pleased with the victory and advancing in the District tournament.”
The win earned South O’Brien a spot in the District final which was scheduled for Tuesday. Their opponent was MMCRU. This is the eighth time in 10 years that the Wolverines have played in the District final. The winner will face either North Union or Fort Dodge St. Edmond in the Substate game scheduled for Saturday at Spencer with the time yet to be determined. A trip to State will be on the line in that contest.

Four of the five South O’Brien starters scored in double figures against the Rebels. David Bottjen tallied 14 points, Derek Paulsen 13, Ben Woodall 12 and Willie Conley 10. Augmenting those four were Aaron Funkhouser with six points, Justice Frerk with five, Jaden Kreber with three and Caden Wittrock and Brett Evans with two apiece. The assists leaders were Wittrock with five, Conley with four and Paulsen and Bottjen each with three. Brody Muenchrath led the Rebels with 23 points.
The Wolverines made twice as many baskets as did Westwood. South O’Brien was 26-of-57 for 46 percent shooting and the Rebels 13-of-47 for 28 percent. The Wolverines were 7-of-24 from three-point range while Westwood connected on six of its 25 trey attempts. The winners went to the free throw line 12 times and converted eight of those tries. The Rebels were 3-of-6 at the line.
South O’Brien was nearly as dominant on the boards as they were on the scoreboard, outrebounding the visitors 40-22. Helping build that edge were Bottjen with eight rebounds, Frerk with six and Conley with five. Grabbing four caroms apiece were Paulsen, Kreber and Funkhouser.
The 12 Wolverine steals were part of an 18 turnover night for Westwood. The thefts included four by Conley, three by Bottjen and two by Paulsen. Frerk rejected a Rebel shot. South O’Brien turned the ball over 17 times.
Westwood
10 7 4 14 – 35
S. O’Brien
19 20 19 9 – 67