O’Gorman set the tone early and never looked back Tuesday night at Golden Eagles Arena.

The Knights quickly built a double-digit lead and grabbed a 64-38 non-conference boys’ basketball win over Aberdeen Central.

The Golden Eagles got off to a slow start and struggled to keep pace with O’Gorman’s fast, athletic team. The Knights’ speed and crisp passing consistently created scoring opportunities, the visitors produced second-chance points from rebounding, and also forced turnovers to keep the Golden Eagles on their heels.

O’Gorman’s leading scorer Jaxon Weeldreyer, finished with 20 points, including 14 in the first half, setting the tone early.

Luke Swanson led Central with 12 points, but the Golden Eagles Eagles were unable to focus on one single scorer as O’Gorman’s team was balanced and athletic.

Swanson said he tries to take advantage of the press and create opportunities for his teammates.

“When they’re in press I try and fly by them,” Swanson said, “and coming off a ball screen I try and create opportunities for my teammates to kick out for them to knock down.”

Central coach Colton McClemans said defensive execution was a key area for improvement.

“One thing we need to do a better job of is just closing out with control and understanding the scout and seeing who you’re guarding,” McClemans said.

He also highlighted the challenge of containing Wheeldreyer and the Knights as a whole.

“We had to look at it as a whole team approach,” McClemans said, “because his opportunities came off of either kickouts or him catching it and ripping to the basket.”

During stretches when the Knights had momentum, McClemans focused on keeping his team disciplined.

“We talk a lot about limiting the mistakes in bunches,” McClemans said. “If you’re going to make a mistake, you got to have a really good next offensive possession.”

Looking forward, McClemans said his team needs to work on defense.

“We’re going to have to find a way to respond,” McClemans said, “and we’re going to have to push a little harder tomorrow and start to create a mentality of defense and guarding our man.”

Central struggled with efficiency, shooting 12-of-47 overall and managing just 14 percent in the first quarter, while O’Gorman’s balanced attack kept Central on its back foot. The Knights’ speed and passing created multiple scoring chances, and their second-chance points from rebounds proved costly.

Despite the loss, Swanson emphasized staying confident and focusing on improvement after the game.

“I feel like we just got to be confident and knock some shots down,” he said. “Just come back the next day and hit it hard and work on the things we got to work on.”

The Golden Eagles, 1-8 on the season, play at Brandon Valley on Saturday.

O’GORMAN (5-3): Braylen Yellow Bird, 3 4-4 10, Kamden Cisse 4 0-0 8, Chace Hermansen 3 2-2 9, Mason Clark 2 0-0 5, Jaxson Weeldreyer 7 3-3 20, Matthew Mead 1 0-0 3, Leyton Arend 1 0-0 3, Talec Schlimgen 2 0-0 4, Alex Christian 1 0-0 2. Totals 24 9-9 64

ABERDEEN CENTRAL (1-8): Luke Swanson 4 4-4 12, Bryson Burgard 1 0-0 2, Turner Bergan 3 0-0 6, Jack Bertsch 1 1-4 3, Liam Rife 0 1-2 1, Carter Board 1 0-0 3, Gavin Hauck 0 2-2 2, Ben Weishaar 2 2-4 9. Totals 12 12-17 38

O’Gorman 18 35 59 64

Aberdeen Central 7 13 27 38

3-point field goals – Hermansen, Clark, Weeldreyer 3, Mead, Arend; Board, Weishaar. Total fouls – O’Gorman 20; Central 11. Rebounds – O’Gorman 35; Central 30 (Bergan 7). Turnovers – O’Gorman 10; Central 10. Assists – O’Gorman 12; Central 5. Steals – O’Gorman 7; Central 3.