Gehlen Catholic used a pressing defense and improved shot-making to slip past South O’Brien 52-51 February 10 at Paullina. The Jays outscored their hosts 23-11 in the fourth quarter, handing the Wolverines their seventh loss to go along with 14 wins as the regular season concluded.
South O’Brien hosted Harris-Lake Park Monday night with the winner advancing to play Thursday night at Kingsley. The District Final is scheduled for February 21 at Remsen St. Mary’s.
In the regular season finale, the Wolverines had constructed a 40-29 lead after three quarters. Gehlen applied a full-court to begin the fourth quarter and was able seize the lead at 44-43 with 2:42 remaining. The Jays built the lead to six at 51-45 courtesy of a pair of three-pointers and a made free throw. A conventional three-point play by David Bottjen with 17 seconds remaining cut the lead in half. A final made free throw by Gehlen proved to be the difference as Bottjen nailed a three-point jumper at the buzzer.
Bottjen finished with 10 points but it was Boston Riedemann who led team in scoring with 16 points. Ben Woodall added nine points, Sawyer Honkomp seven, Hudson Oolman four, Willie Conley three and Dain Moermond two. The six assists included two from both Oolman and Riedemann and one each from Moermond and Conley.
The Wolverines connected on 19 of their 41 field goal attempts for 46 percent. That included going 6-for-17 from long range. South O’Brien sank seven of its eight charity tosses. The host team committed 14 turnovers.
Bottjen pulled down eight rebounds with Oolman grabbing five, Conley four and Woodall three. Riedemann swiped the ball three times and Moermond blocked a shot.
Gehlen
8 10 11 23 – 52
S. O’Brien
15 11 14 11 – 51