Spencer, IA (KICD) – A couple of KICD 9-County Area teams clashed in Spencer Saturday night for the Class 1A Substate 1 Final with a spot in the State Tournament on the line. North Union and South O’Brien came into the fieldhouse with identical records at 21-3 with each spending their fair share of weeks in the IHSSA rankings.

It was a back-and-forth battle throughout. South O’Brien would have the lead after the first 8 minutes, 13-12.

The defenses would shine in the 2nd quarter, but North Union would put together some nice possessions to take a 26-25 lead into the half.

North Union would have a big offensive quarter in the 3rd, outscoring South O’Brien 16-11 to extend their lead to 6 going in to the final 8 minutes of regulation.

The Wolverines would storm back though, taking a late lead. The Warriors would hit a big shot with under 10 seconds left to play, tying the game at 46 and sending the game to overtime.

It was all North Union in overtime, as the Warriors held South O’Brien to only 5 points in the 5 extra minutes and broke into the State Tournament with a 58-51 win.

Aiden Lofstrom had 17 in the win, supported well by 7 other North Union scorers, including Preston Guerdet with 13.

South O’Brien only had 6 scorers on the night, but 3 of them went double figures in Willie Conley, David Bottjen, and Derek Paulsen led the way with 18.

North Union advances to the State Tournament where they will play their Conference foe in Lake Mills for the 3rd time this season on March 4th at 3:45. The winner will play either Marquette Catholic of Bellevue or Gladbrook-Reinbeck in the Semifinals on March 6th at 7:15.

South O’Brien’s season comes to an end with a final record of 21-4.