Defense and second-half offense lifts Wolverine boys over Gehlen in District semifinal

Surrounding Gehlen’s Dane Lehman are, from left, Caden Wittrock, Gabe Moermond and Brett Evans. Wittrock would come away with a steal on the play.

South O’Brien was getting all it could handle from Gehlen Catholic in its tournament game February 20 at Paullina. The Wolverines still managed to lead 25-21 at halftime but when their collective shooting eye returned it was no longer a contest. South O’Brien moved out to a 13-point lead after three quarters on the way to a 61-37 victory in the Class 1A District 1 semifinal.

Jaden Kreber and Brody Van Beek (12) attack the defensive glass as the Wolverines limited Gehlen Catholic’s second chance points.

The Wolverines took on Boyden-Hull Tuesday night in the District Final game played at Sheldon. South O’Brien has been in the district championship game for 9 of the past 11 seasons compiling a 6-2 record. The Wolverines carried a 17-6 season mark into the game. The Substate game is scheduled for Saturday, March 1 at a site to be determined.
According to South O’Brien head coach Kiley Yates, there was a simple reason for the improved offensive production against Gehlen as the game went on. “We missed shots in the first half that we made in the second half,” explained Yates. The defensive side of the ball was solid from the get-go. “We played good defense all night holding them to three single digit quarters,” said Yates. “We challenged their shooters and defensive rebounded very well.”

Derek Paulsen scored 31 points to lead the Wolverine attack in their District semifinal win over Gehlen Catholic.

Derek Paulsen’s game-high 31 points included six three-point baskets. Jaden Kreber contributed 21 points to the attack. Brody Van Beek added four points, Gabe Moermond three and Brett Evans two. Paulsen supplied six assists and Kreber two. The leading scorer for the Jays was Carson Arens with 11 points.
The Wolverines were 19-of-51 from the field to shoot 37 percent. Gehlen shot 30 percent with 15 field goals in 50 tries. Each team launched 25 shots from behind the three-point line with South O’Brien hitting nine and the Jays five. Gehlen was just 2-of-8 from the free throw line while the Wolverines were successful on 14 of their 18 charity tosses.
The rebound totals were nearly even with South O’Brien grabbing 33 and the Jays 32. Caden Wittrock led the Wolverines with seven boards. Pulling down six rebounds apiece were Moermond, Kreber and Evans. Paulsen made three steals and blocked a shot. Wittrock and Kreber each stole the ball twice. The Jays committed 20 turnovers and South O’Brien 13.
Gehlen
12 9 9 7 – 37
S. O’Brien
12 13 18 18 – 61