Boyden-Hull turned its defense up a notch (or several notches) when it was needed most. South O’Brien held a 33-18 lead over the Comets midway through the third quarter but the Wolverines were outscored 30-7 the rest of the way to wind up on the short end of a 48-40 score in the Class 1A District 1 final contested February 25 at Sheldon. South O’Brien ends the season at 17-7.
The Comets went on to defeat MMCRU 53-34 in Saturday night’s Substate 1 game at Sioux Center. They will take an 18-8 record into their State Tournament quarterfinal match-up with Madrid on March 12.
“Boyden-Hull played very good defense in the second half and shut us down,” said Wolverine head coach Kiley Yates. “We only scored four points in the fourth quarter. I don’t think we lost the game. I think Boyden-Hull made good plays to win the game.”
Derek Paulsen hit a three-pointer at the buzzer to give South O’Brien an 11-7 lead after one quarter of play. Then at the end of the second quarter it was Brett Evans grabbing an offensive rebound and scoring to send the Wolverines into halftime with a 25-17 edge.
When Gabe Moermond hit a basket with 4:14 remaining in the third, South O’Brien had its biggest lead of 15 points. A Paulsen trey was the last basket of the third quarter and the Wolverines were still in front 36-28.
The Comets trimmed the deficit to one at 36-35 before Evans and Paulsen hit back-to-back baskets for a 40-35 South O’Brien lead. The Boyden-Hull defensive pressure was taking its toll, however, and when Carter Kleinwolterink scored with 3:43 left, the game was tied at 40-all.
The Wolverines committed a turnover and missed several contested shots while Boyden-Hull hit a pair of free throws and a basket for a 44-40 lead. South O’Brien was forced to foul and the Comets drained their final four free throws to come away with the eight-point victory.
Boyden-Hull was 7-of-9 from the line in the fourth quarter. Overall, the Comets missed only four of their 15 charity tosses. South O’Brien did not attempt a free throw. The Wolverines finished with 18 buckets in 51 attempts to shoot 35 percent. Boyden-Hull was 16-of-54 from the floor for 30 percent. From behind the three-point line South O’Brien was 4-of-16 and the Comets 5-of-17.
Paulsen led the Wolverines with 18 points. Jaden Kreber added eight points, Evans six, Moermond four and Reese Lundquist and Brody Van Beek two each. Kreber supplied four assists, Moermond three and Caden Wittrock two. Kleinwolterink topped Boyden-Hull with 21 points.

South O’Brien collected 32 rebounds and the Comets 29. Paulsen totaled seven boards and Kreber six. Wittrock and Lundquist each grabbed five rebounds and Evans four. Lundquist and Evans each blocked two shots with Paulsen and Brody Van Beek recording one block apiece. There were three Wolverine steals – one each from Moermond, Kreber and Paulsen. The Comets committed just four turnovers while South O’Brien was guilty of 12.
This was the final game for seniors Evans, Lundquist, Paulsen and Wittrock. Said Coach Yates, “Derek played another good game and we are proud of all four of our seniors for their character and contribution to the program over the years. They will be missed.”
S O’
11 14 11 4 – 40
B-H
7 10 11 20 – 48