The Gehlen Catholic boys basketball team opened their postseason run on Monday night with a 67-49 home win over Woodbury Central in the district quarterfinal.
The Jays beat the Wildcats pretty soundly earlier in the season meaning everyone thought their rematch would go similarly. That may have extended to the players on the court who did not come out with the focus and intensity that has been a staple of the Jays this season. Head Coach Mike Langel says it was just a bit of a sloppy performance.
The Jays started to show that focus and intensity in the fourth quarter of the game. Coach Langel says that was good to see, but he needs to see it much sooner into their next games.
Thankfully, Keaten Bonderson was focused on the offensive end for the Jays on Monday. The program’s all-time leading scorer added 34 points to his total on a very efficient 16-23 from the field. He also eclipsed 500 points for the season. That is a mark that has been touched just four times in program history, and he is the only one to do it twice for the Jays. Coach Langel says he has an ability to put the team on his back in games like this.
Gehlen Catholic’s record now sits at 18-5 heading into the district semifinals on Thursday night. The Jays will host a future War Eagle Conference member in George-Little Rock for the matchup. Coach Langel hopes seeing a new opponent will help get his guys focused on the game.
Woodbury Central’s season came to an end with a record of 5-17.
