Following a lengthy holiday break, the St. Edmond boys and girls basketball teams finally return to the hardwood this evening when they welcome North Central Conference nemesis Webster City.

The Gaels will then continue their busy stretch at Bishop Garrigan Wednesday before visiting Humboldt on Friday.

All varsity girls games are slated for 6:15 p.m., with the boys action to follow.

Despite losing all five starters from a year ago, the unbeaten and No. 3 (Class 2A) SEHS boys (6-0, 5-0) have hardly skipped a beat this season. The green and white have reeled off an incredible 34 straight league wins, dating back to a 46-42 road setback to Iowa Falls-Alden on Jan. 4 of 2008. In their last outing before Christmas, the Gaels posted a convincing 59-43 road victory over South Hamilton. Sophomore Nick Clark propelled St. Edmond with 22 points, 10 assists and six steals, while senior Luke Becker contributed 18 points and 14 rebounds and sophomore Neil Flattery added 12 points.

Clark (18.3 points per game), Becker (14.3) and Flattery (11.7) are the catalysts in the Gael offensive attack - which averages just under 59 points a night.

"This is a totally different team that doesn't even think about (the win streak)," said SEHS head coach Adolph Kochendorfer. "We had to start from scratch this year, so we're just trying to get better every time out."

Webster City (1-5, 1-3) suffered a bitter 52-48 home loss to Fort Dodge in their previous contest. The Lynx registered their lone victory earlier this season against Clarion-Goldfield (42-25). Sophomore Jonny Davis (12.0) and senior Bryan Johnson (8.3) are the top threats for the Lynx.

"No matter what Webster City's record is, they always seem to play us tough," Kochendorfer said. "We'll have to match their intensity level because I'm expecting it to be close again."

The seventh-ranked (1A) Golden Bears (8-1, 6-1) are ignited by senior Brandon Doughan (23.1) and sophomore Austin Vaske (10.2). Junior Lukas Harvey (14.4) and senior Tyler Fischer (11.7) are the key cogs for the Wildcats (2-5, 1-5).

"Garrigan's having a heck of a year, and all five of their starters are capable of scoring," said Kochendorfer. "Humboldt's better than people thought they were going to be, too.

"As always, the keys for us will be keeping our opponent off the boards and moving the ball around on offense."

The Gael girls (6-1, 5-1) are riding a five game win streak of their own since a 69-59 loss at fourth-ranked (3A) and four-time defending NCC champion Algona. SEHS is fresh off a 53-47 triumph against South Hamilton. Senior Alison Nagel sparked the Gaels with 20 points and 10 boards, while sophomore Theresa Doyle tallied 12 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Nagel paces St. Edmond in both scoring (18.9) and rebounding (13.7). Doyle (11.9) and senior Allie Bianchi (8.1) are the other main offensive weapons in the St. Edmond lineup.

"We expect so much out of Theresa, and she's been pretty consistent getting our offense going," said Gael head coach Scott Messerly. "Alison's tough to stop inside and just plays hard all the time.

"Our girls have had a strong week of practice and are ready to get back on the court."

Behind 19 points from junior Kelsey Brown, Webster City (2-3, 2-3) edged Garrigan by a 54-53 final in their last game. Senior Kristine Smith (13.2) and Brown (10.6) are the focal points for the Lynx.

"Judging by their scores, Webster City has been kind of up and down," Messerly said. "They like playing a 1-3-1 (zone defense) and do some things that you don't normally see."

Senior Kelly Klein (9.0) and junior Chelsea Doughan (8.5) lead the way for Bishop Garrigan (3-7, 2-6). The Golden Bears dropped a lopsided 70-33 decision to SEHS in their first meeting this season. Humboldt (2-4, 1-4) is fueled by seniors Kendra Lacina (12.8) and Kelsey Olson (10.0).

Contact Josh Meyer at (515) 573-2141, or by e-mail at sports@messengernews.net