St. Edmond Boys Basketball Wins District Title, Advances to Substate Final

The St. Edmond Gaels are one step closer to a state tournament berth, securing a convincing 78-58 victory over Ankeny Christian in a Class 1A district final on Tuesday night. The win propels the top-ranked Gaels (22-2 overall) to the substate championship game this Saturday at the Knapp Center on the Drake University campus in Des Moines, where they will face Riverside (14-10) at 7 p.m.

The Gaels’ performance was a team effort, led by a starting lineup comprised entirely of seniors. Hunter Horn led all scorers with 23 points and a dominant 11-rebound, 5-blocked-shot performance. Grant Galles continued a hot streak, contributing 19 points, including three successful three-point attempts. Jack McElroy added 11 points and Jakob Koopman finished with 10.

Beyond the leading scorers, the Gaels demonstrated balanced contributions. Galles secured six rebounds, while McElroy dished out nine assists and grabbed six rebounds. Koopman added five rebounds, and Carson Bargfrede chipped in three points with four rebounds. This depth of contribution was highlighted by head coach Adolph Kochendorfer, who noted the team’s ability to step up when Ankeny Christian focused defensive pressure on Horn.

Galles’ recent performance has been particularly noteworthy. Having made 11 three-pointers entering district play, he has now connected on 14 over the last three games – all victories for St. Edmond by a margin of 20 or more points. He scored seven points in the first quarter alone, setting the tone for the Gaels’ offensive output. “I just had to get my confidence back,” Galles said. “I spent some extra time in the gym after practice and on the weekend working on doing that.”

Tuesday’s win marked the Gaels’ 13th consecutive victory at home this season, including wins over higher-classification opponents. The team’s home court advantage has been a significant factor in their postseason success.

The game also held sentimental value, representing the final home contest for both the ten players on the St. Edmond roster and for Coach Kochendorfer, who announced his retirement following the season. Kochendorfer has led the Gaels for 29 seasons, amassing a record of 512-258 with St. Edmond and 615-328 overall. This district title was his 14th with the program, and he has guided the Gaels to one state championship (2000) and four runner-up finishes. St. Edmond holds a 10-3 record in substate finals under his leadership, with a 7-0 mark since 2004.

Riverside advanced to the substate championship after upsetting top district seed Southwest Valley and defeating Bedford 55-42 in the district championship game. They have won four consecutive games and hold a 6-4 record over their last ten contests.

St. Edmond is seeking its 15th overall state tournament appearance and 11th under Coach Kochendorfer’s tenure. The Gaels’ consistent performance and balanced roster position them as strong contenders as they head into Saturday’s crucial substate final.

Game Statistics

St. Edmond 78, Ankeny Christian 58

St. Edmond: Jakob Koopman 5 0-0 10, Jack McElroy 4 1-2 11, Grant Galles 7 2-2 19, Hunter Horn 9 5-8 23, Carson Bargfrede 1 1-2 3, Ty Mericle 2 2-2 8, Logan Hanson 0 0-0 0, Jackson Calvert 0 0-0 0, Thomas Ehn 1 0-0 2, Griffin Laufersweiler 0 0-0 0, Jacob Moore 1 0-0 2. Totals: 30 11-17 78.

Ankeny Christian: Jed Rood 5 0-0 10, Kade Clarkson 4 0-0 12, Tyson Fincham 2 2-3 6, Andrew Mora 3 0-0 7, Marcus Pedersen 5 0-0 10, Isaac Venema 1 0-0 2, Hudson Davis 1 0-0 3, Lucas Erickson 1 0-0 2, Zach Quick 1 1-2 3, Max Porter 0 1-2 1. Totals: 24 4-7 58.

Quarter Scores: St. Edmond led 20-10, 38-23, 57-35.

Three-Point Goals: St. Edmond 7 (Galles 3, McElroy 2, Mericle 2), Ankeny Christian 6 (Clarkson 4, Mora 1, Davis 1).

Total Rebounds: St. Edmond 36, Ankeny Christian 26.

Steals: St. Edmond 2, Ankeny Christian 2.

Blocked Shots: St. Edmond 7, Ankeny Christian 2.

Turnovers: St. Edmond 12, Ankeny Christian 6.

Team Fouls: St. Edmond 13, Ankeny Christian 21.