Early defense keys Wolverine boys’ win over George-Little Rock


The South O’Brien boys got the season off to a good start by getting the opening game off to a great start. After just one quarter of play the Wolverines were well on their way to what would become a 69-32 non-conference victory over George-Little Rock December 3 at Paullina.
South O’Brien led 25-3 at the end of the first quarter and it was primarily thanks to the defense. “Aggressive defense turned them over and we converted those steals into points,” explained Wolverine head coach Kiley Yates. Derek Paulsen made four steals in the game while Jaden Kreber and Brady Riedemann each had two. The Mustangs totaled 16 turnovers.
George-Little Rock was also held to 25 percent shooting with 12 baskets in 48 attempts. The Mustangs were just 2-of-17 from beyond the arc and made six of 10 free throw tries. The Wolverines were 26-of-69 from the field for 38 percent. They connected on 10 of 32 three-point tries and all seven of their charity tosses.
Kreber tallied 19 points and Paulsen 18. Gabe Moermond added 10 points, Brody Van Beek seven, Riedemann six, Caden Wittrock five and Brett Evans and Reese Lundquist two points each. The team’s 17 assists included three each from Moermond, Paulsen, Riedemann and Lundquist.
The Wolverines out-rebounded George-Little Rock 42-25. Collecting eight caroms apiece were Paulsen and Kreber. Wittrock and Lundquist each grabbed six rebounds. South O’Brien turned the ball over 14 times.
George-LR
3 15 10 4 – 32
S. O’Brien
25 17 17 10 – 69