The Wadena-Deer Creek boys basketball team added two to the win column this past week with victories over Sebeka and New York Mills, but dropped a conference game with Detroit Lakes on Friday.
Against the Trojans on Jan. 30, the Wolverines had to do without their senior big man, Erik Johannes. After struggling to stay healthy the past few games, Johannes was forced out of this one due to the flu. Wolverine regulars Matt Lepper, Cory Asfeld, Donny Tabery and Mason Lynk took their game to the next level to compensate for the absence of Johannes.
All four finished in double-digits in the 72-55 victory over Sebeka, with Asfeld connecting for five three-pointers en route to a team high 19 points. Lynk followed with 16, Lepper chipped in 15 points, including three three-pointers, and Tabery finished with 14.
Sebeka freshman Alex Brockpahler led the Trojans with a game-high 21 points in the loss.
The Wolverines traveled to New York Mills on Feb. 1 and came home with a hard fought 80-68 victory over the Eagles.
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Tabery led the Wolverines with a game-high 27 points as the team as a whole went 33-for-59 from the field, including three-for seven from beyond the arc.
Lepper set a school record with 12 steals, surpassing Michael Grieme's record of 10 steals set back in 2003. He added 16 points, seven assists and six rebounds in the victory despite struggling with flu-like symptoms.
"These two guards really stepped up their game tonight and as I've said all year long-our strength is in our post, but we go as our guards go," said Wolverine coach Travis Hensch. "Tonight's game was a great example of that."
Johannes, back from his battle with the flu bug, chipped in for 14 points to help the Wolverines pick up their second win in a row.
The Wolverines also tied a single-game record with a team high 24 steals in the contest.
On Friday night, the Wolverines were momentarily stunned when Detroit Lakes went on a 13-1 run to start the game. The Lakers' zone defense set up shop in the paint and held the Wolverines without a basket until seven minutes into the first half when Tabery banked a seven-foot jump shot.
Detroit Lakes went on to build a 15-point lead, but the Wolverines rallied to pull within seven, 32-25, heading into the break.
Lepper kept the Wolverines within striking distance, sinking several jumpers. That sparked a furious last-minute rally that saw the Wolverines pull within four points.
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With under two minutes remaining, Lepper hit a three followed by Tabery's shot beyond the arc, cutting the Lakers lead to 59-53. Another basket by Lepper from just inside the three-point line helped pull the Wolverines to 59-55.
But the Lakers quelled the rally on a Chris Gilson free throw with five seconds remaining for the final score of 60-55.
The cold spell gripping the region followed the Wolverines into the gym, as they shot a frosty 19-for-55 from the field for 35 percent on the night and were led by Lepper's game-high 22 points. Asfeld hit a pair of three-pointers and finished with 10 points. No other Wolverine came close to cracking the double digits. Both Johannes and Lynk each chipped in six points in the loss.
The Wolverines (7-9) have another busy week of court action starting Tuesday at home with Bertha-Hewitt. They will travel to Hawley today (Thursday) and close out the week at home with conference rival Park Rapids on Friday.
Sebeka at WDC on Jan. 30
Wolverines 72, Trojans 55
SEB 23 32-55
WDC 35 37-72
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WDC-Cory Asfeld 19, Mason Lynk 16, Donny Tabery 14, Matt Lepper 15, Anders Meier 4, Zach Toedter 4 Three-point baskets-9 (Asfeld 5, Lepper 3, Tabery).
Sebeka-Joey Cuperus 16,Cody Strayer 4, Alex Brockpahler 21, Jordan Pederson 10, J. Brockpahler 2, Chris Osborn 2. Three-point baskets-1 (Alex Brockpahler)
WDC at New York Mills on Feb. 1
Wolverines 80, Eagles 68
WDC 38 42-80
NYM 35 33-68
WDC-Tabery 27, Lepper 16, Johannes 14, Jake Trosen 9, Meier 8, Asfeld 6 Three-point baskets-3 (Tabery 2, Asfeld)
NYM-Erik Peeters 21, Alex Helmeke 13, Mike Baune 12, Cavin Berube 6, Shaun VanDyke 6, Grant Cameron 4, Pat Peltier 4, Drew Schultz 2 Three-point baskets-6 (Peeters 3, Helmeke 2, Baune)
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WDC at Detroit Lakes on Feb. 2
Lakers 60, Wolverines 55
WDC 25 30-55
DL 32 28-60
WDC-Lepper 22, Asfeld 10, Lynk 6, Johannes 6, Tabery 4, Scott Syverson 3, Trosen 2, Meier 2 Three-point baskets-4 (Asfeld 2, Lepper, Syverson)
DL-Nils Thomsen 14, Adam Thielen 10, Reed Oistad 10, Chris Gilson 8, Matt Kensinger 7, Brock Bormann 6, Kyle Muckenhirn 5 Three-point baskets-4 (Oistad 2, Thielen, Bormann)
